Page 37 of Lawson
Blakely’s eyes shine with amusement. She tugs on my hand. “This way, hero.”
CHAPTER 8
BLAKELY
“Some of theserookies are really cute,” Reese says to me and Monroe as we all gather to chug some much-needed water in the kitchen.
“Are they all Badgers?” Monroe asks, scanning the crowd that either mingles around us, or is going in and out of the back door heading toward the pool area or the waterfront down below on the edge of Clay’s property. “I don't know all of them yet,” she continues. “But some of them I don't recognize.”
“Pretty sure a lot of the rookies brought friends of friends,” I say, taking another swig of water.
“That one has been staring at you pretty hard,” Reese says casually, giving us the right line of sight to turn and look at who she's talking about.
It's a blonde guy I don't recognize. Tall, fit. He smiles at me when he catches us looking.
“When you're not dancing with Wolfe, that is,” Reese finishes as we all turn back around, me cringing at getting caught looking.
“He's cute, but he's definitely not a Badger,” I say.
“Is that the new requirement for intimacy interest?” Monroe asks, nothing but playfulness in her eyes.
“No, of course not.”
“Could’ve fooled us,” Reese says. “You've been on the dance floor with Wolfe at least three times tonight.”
A warm flush dances beneath my skin. I try to hide my smile behind my water, but my best friends know better.
“He's fun,” I admit when they give me incredulous looks. “We’re friends.” I eye Monroe. “And you've been dancing with Pax all night too.”
Monroe gapes at me. “I know you're not comparing your verynewfriendship with my friendship that has lasted since I was a kid.”
She has me there.
“It's okay for you to admit that you like him,” Reese offers.
“I don’t like him like that!” Monroe argues, and Reese laughs.
“I was talking to Blakely.”
“Oh,” Monroe says. “Right.”
“It doesn't have to mean anything serious,” Reese continues. “Nobody expects you to go from one serious albeit toxic relationship to a new one.”
“You deserve to have fun,” Monroe encourages.
“Then why are you guys giving me shit for dancing with him? Have youseenhim move? It's like magic. He doesn't give a shit who's watching him either, which as you both know is totally new for me.”
“We've seen you two,” Reese says, smiling at me.
“And we're happy for you,” Monroe adds. “We just don't want your mind to get in the way.”
I purse my lips at my friends. “You two don't know me,” I say sarcastically.
“And can we take the heat off of me for a second?” I ask, eyeing Reese. “You were the one who was having all kinds of flirtation going on with Nash tonight…Reese’s Pieces.”
“Omg, the nickname. He’s so original,” she says, rolling her eyes. “He’s even more arrogant than the media portrays him. And I most certainly wasnotflirting with Nash Stokehill,” Reese says a little too loudly, and Monroe and I cringe at the same time.
“Could’ve fooled me, sweetheart,” Nash says, having been on his way across the house right past us as she said that.