Page 4 of Reckless Love
“Oh, gosh. I totally should have known that.”
I chuckled. I hadn’t heard anyone saygoshin a long time.
“I’ve been so nervous about doing all the right steps that I’m not paying close enough attention to the game yet,” she said. “But I know you’re a big deal!”
“I do all right.” I shrugged.
I just signed another NIL deal this morning. I was doing more than all right.
She laughed at my cocky grin.
“Tight end’s my thing.” I tilted my head in a slight bow.
“It totally makes sense, now that I think about it. You’re so tall and you have muscles on top of muscles.” She smirked when I laughed but didn’t seem embarrassed. I liked how she said what she thought. “You’re nicer than most jocks I’ve met. Well, I guess I haven’t met that many, but…you’re definitely nicer.”
“I’m not that nice. It’s you bringing it out in me,” I admitted.
She let out a derisive sound. “Right. And why would I bring that out in you?”
“You haven’t acted any different since finding out who my parents are,” I said, ticking off my fingers. “You seem very genuine and down-to-earth.”
Her shoulder bumped mine. “That’s such a kind thing to say. See? You can’t tell me you’re not that nice.” She sighed contentedly and looked over at me, her eyes crinkling with her smile. “I didn’t know I was going to make a friend tonight.”
My heart both warmed and cracked a little. I didn’t think I’d ever had such an easy conversation with a girl and I’d certainly never been friend-zoned before. But the thought of having her as a friend suddenly seemed like the best possible option. I didn’t just want a hookup with thisgirl and then never see her again, and the thought of starting out our freshmen year of college in some sort of relationship didn’t seem smart or realistic.
I bumped her shoulder back. “I’ve really needed a friend,” I told her.
Her face softened and she gave me that smile that felt like it was shining from the inside out. “Me too.” Her lips puckered and her eyes narrowed as an idea formed. “We should make a pact.”
“Okay,” I drew the word out. “What would this pact be?”
“That this will be a legit friendship…we’ll talk like this always.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
She had me intrigued.Talking like this alwayssounded pretty damn nice.
She snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “Oh, and we won’t let anything come between us…not other guys or other girls or love. Just pure friendship for the rest of our days.” She laughed. “Or at least throughout our four years at Stanford…and we won’t even let ourselves get in the way. Friends, no matter what.”
I nodded. “I can agree to all that. Should we shake on it?”
“I think we should.”
She held out her hand and I took it, shaking it firmly.
“That settles it. Friends forever,” I said.
Now, if I could just lose this crush on my newfound best friend.
CHAPTER ONE
OFF-KILTER
RHODES
Now
I lookin the rearview mirror and smile at Levi. We’re on our way to the coffee shop to meet the guys and Levi is bopping his head to “Training Season” by Dua Lipa. I blame Weston Shaw for getting my son hooked on this…as my fingers tap to the beat on the steering wheel.