Torrid Affair(9)

“Fine.” I wanted to meet the guy who had Delaney all flustered.

She pushed her chair back. “You’re the best!” She leaned in and hugged me. “I owe you so big for this.” She grabbed her water and skipped out of the library.



Saturday night I was dressed and ready for my first football game. I slid my feet into my Chuck Taylors, tossed my hair into a high, messy bun, and then followed her out of our dorm room.

Delaney picked at her cuticles as we passed the ticket booth and headed toward the concession stand. I looked over at her and smiled.

“This is new.”

“What’s new?” Her eyes widened and her hand rushed to her hair.

“You're nervous about a guy.” I pulled her hand away from her head. “And you look great. Stop messing with your hair.”

“I'm not nervous. Moose is great and we hung out a few times when we were in high school. I have a feeling he and I can really hit it off, you know?”

“Oh, it's like that,” I joked.

“Stop teasing, Brie. I've had this crush on Moose since I was a freshman in high school. I don't want him to still see me as a little girl.” Her lips puckered and she leaned forward so only I could hear her. “He's so freaking hot. Like hot sex dipped in chocolate, then covered with nuts, hot. Every girl’s dream.”

I looked up at her with wide eyes. Delaney was never one to speak about a guy this way. Yes, she had her casual hookups here and there, but this was new. She seemed to really care about this guy. “You know he’d be stupid not to be with you.”

“Thanks, Brie. This is why I love you. You keep me sane.” She laced her arm with mine and placed her head on my shoulder as we walked toward the bleachers.

The sun had set over the horizon and the dark night sky descended on the field. The band played for the crowd as the cheerleaders got the crowd excited. It was then that I spotted Nate with a group of his friends. My stomach coiled as his gaze met mine. A grin grew on his face and I knew it matched the one I had.

“There he is,” Delaney whispered. Oblivious to whom she was pointing, I kept my focus on Nate. My heart accelerated as I thought about our kiss. How his hand brushed away my hair, and how his eyes were like lost emeralds.

He ran his hand through his hair and strolled toward us. Delaney released my hand and skipped toward him. Her arms entwined around his neck and my heart stopped.

Fuck.

It couldn't be.

“Brie!” Delaney shouted and motioned me over. My gaze was locked with his and I felt as if my legs were stuck in cement. What were the chances? “Brielle!” Delaney shouted and I snapped out of the Twilight Zone. The guy who had given me the best first kiss in the history of first kisses was like every other guy.

A jerk.

A liar.

And a major douche.

I walked closer to where they stood. Delaney had her arms wrapped around his lean body and I swallowed the urge to puke.

“Brie, this is Moose. Moose, this is my bestie and roommate, Brie.”

“Hi, Brie.” He extended his hand. His voice was husky and manly, just as I remembered.

“Hi . . . Moose.” I looked down at his hand and shoved mine in my pockets.

Delaney beamed between us. “Now that you two have met, let's find some good seats.”

Nate—Moose—held my gaze for a few seconds longer but I shook my head and followed Del into the stands.

People around us cheered and hollered as the players and coaching staff ran onto the field, but I barely noticed. My heart raced in my chest, each beat laced with disappointment, hurt, and anger.

He lied to me.

Asshole.

My stomach turned and I knew I needed to get out of there. I cocked my head to the side and glanced at Delaney.

“Del, I think I’m going to head home.”

“What?” She looked over at me.

“I’m leaving.”

“No!” Her eyes were wide. “You can’t leave!”

“I have a really bad migraine forming and this is only making it worse,” I lied. Through my peripheral vision, I could see that Nate was looking over at us.

“Okay.” She pouted. “But can I run over to Sara really quick?” She pointed a few rows in front of us. “I need to ask her if I can borrow her accounting notes, and then I’ll walk you to your car.”

“I can walk to the car by myself,” I assured her. I didn’t want Nate to tag along.

“Uh, my keys are in the car and I doubt I’ll be coming home tonight.” She winked and my stomach turned, images of the two of them together filling my head.

“Fine. Make it quick and then we can run to the car. I don’t want you to keep Moose waiting.”

Delaney gave me a wide smile and ran toward Sara. Each passing second felt like hours. This was much worse than being the third wheel on their date.