A knock brings my attention to the door and Scott’s head peeks in. “Hey, I’m going to run to the store to get more alcohol. You need anything?”

“Are you sure I’m allowed out of my room?” I ask. I still haven’t bothered to get dressed. I sat down at my desk to check in with work and got distracted.

“Sorry, man, I’m a little protective of her. She’s been through a lot.”

I nod and open my top desk drawer and pull out the stack of gift cards. “Where are you going?”

“Dude, what all you got there?” He laughs and walks closer.

“Gift cards to pretty much every place you can think of.”

His eyes widen. “You’re coming with me. Bring your stash.”

I don’t know what his sister said to him, but in an hour’s time, our place has become packed with guys and girls. Good work, Ginny.

Adam and I head out and make several stops getting booze and food. When we’re on our way back, I finally decide to broach the subject on my mind.

“Soooo… your sister’s smoking hot.”

I’m messing with him, sort of. She is smoking hot, but I’m only sharing this information to get a rise out of him. As predicted, he pins me with a hard stare. I meet it and smile, letting him know I’m not intimidated.

“Off-limits, Payne.”

“Relax, I’m giving you shit. I don’t do the whole girlfriend thing like you. We’ve only talked a few times. She’s nice.”

“She is. I worry about her. She doesn’t know a lot of people at Valley yet and I want to introduce her to everyone, but she’s off-limits. Friend zone only, man. I know how you are.”

Ouch. I’m a perfect gentleman, thank you very much. Just because I don’t date the same girl for months at a time, doesn’t mean I treat them any worse.

“Is there some sort of big brother gene that makes you all giant overprotective assholes?”

“I’m serious. She just got out of a relationship and she doesn’t need another guy screwing her over.”

We pull up to the apartment and grab the bags to carry inside. Before we enter the apartment, Adam stops and regards me seriously. “You’ll help me keep an eye on her? Make sure the rest of the guys don’t mess with her?”

“She doesn’t need a babysitter, man, and I’m no nanny.”

His mouth pulls into a thin line and I cave, some part of me understanding his concern. I can’t imagine having a little sister around my teammates and friends.