Page 16 of The Draft

Ugh, this whole thing felt ridiculous.

I wanted to text Cade back, but I didn’t know what to say without givingthe game away.

“Yeah, I’m still thinking about entering the draft this time instead of waiting until we’re seniors next year.” My ears prickled when I heard that familiar drawl, and I couldn’t help myself, I turned to have a look to see if it was really him.

It sure was. Devin Walker was standing in the middle of the quad. Still broody, but way less mysterious now that I’d spoken to him. Oh, and look at that. I must have done something right in the world, because Adam Hartley was standing right next to him, nodding away like the dutiful best friend he seemed to be. Were they put here just so I could talk to them? Did God know I needed some advice?

“I get it, and I think it makes sense. What’s the point in risking a potential injury for free when you could at least be earning something for the pleasure?” Adam replied.

“There’s that, and, you know, my sister.”

They shared a pointed look and were so engrossed in the conversation that they hadn’t noticed me eavesdropping from across the quad, but we were outside. There were a lot of distractions, so I wasn’t surprised.

My feet were urging my body to go over to them, but my brain wasn’t certain if I should. Sure, we’d talked a few weeks ago, and they helped me rile Dash up, but would they remember me? Would they evenwantto talk to me again?

Just then, another message from Cade came through.

Cade: If I don’t see you soon, I might have to send out a search party.

I pursed my lips because a search party would definitely include Dash.

No, thank you.

“How do you think Coach will take it?”

Adam and Devin were still oblivious to me, or anyone else in the quad, for that matter, because if they had noticed anyone else’s existence, then they wouldn’t be talking so loudly.

Screw it.

I was just going to go over there to say hi. It’d be like old friends catchingup. If they asked about me, then I might casually mention it, but nothing more.

“Hey guys!” I said brightly as I tipped on my toes and waved like an obsessed fangirl. At this point, I probably was.

“Uh, hey, Madison.” Adam was the first one to respond, and his eyes shifted from me to Devin with unease.

I nodded, and some might say I was a little overeager and desperate, but I couldn’t help it. I was excited they remembered me. After all that bonding we did at The Draft, you could say these guys felt a little like family. To me, at least.

“You got it.” I pointed my finger with a grin and ignored the obvious awkwardness. “How are you guys?”

They hesitated before Adam finally answered. “We’re good, but I guess neither one of us thought we’d see you alive again.”

I pushed out an obnoxious breath and folded my arms, desperately trying to look nonchalant. “Bit dramatic, don’t you think? Why do you say that?”

“Did you forget Dash dragged you out of Covey’s Cantina like you were his next hunting victim?” He raised his brows, hiding his grin. “I thought he was going to maul you to death out there.”

“Oh, he gave me a mauling, all right,” I muttered under my breath. “But not the type I was hoping for.”

Adam tilted his head, studying me with intrigue. “Care to elaborate?”

I jumped, surprised that I’d apparently said that out loud. “It was nothing,” I quipped. “Just a joke.”

“Sure,” Devin drawled with his usual Southern cadence. I looked between the two men as they stared at me blankly. I guessed it was because they were waiting for me to explain why I interrupted them.

“So, since we’re here and friends now, I was hoping I could ask you guys for some advice about Dash.” A knowing look passed between them, and Adam let out a low, uneasy breath.

“I’m, uh, not sure that’s the best idea,” he replied.

“Why not?”