It was getting easier.

Reese: Easter egg request?

It was like he knew me. Finally, finally.

Me: Sexy librarian look. I want the glasses.

Reese: You serious?

Me: Absolutely. You’ll get banged tonight if you do.

Reese: Not to be cocky, but I’m going to bang anyways.

Reese: K. Gotta go. Head to the players’ exit when you’re done. Or I’ll check my phone once we’re done. Think Juan wants to do dinner with us.

Me: Us?

Reese: Whoever. Are we doing your friends too? Or just you, me, and Juan. I don’t care.

Reese: Or I can tell Juan to do his own thing. You decide.

It was all up to me. What a disconcerting thought.

I didn’t text him back. The game, then the players’ exit after that.

But one thought was seeming more and more appealing: There was beer at the concession stands.

Chapter Thirty-Two

I loved going to basketball games. Like, loved loved, obsessed-over loved, and I was such a sports fanatic that it wasn’t just basketball games. Football, hockey, baseball—men’s, women’s, kids. I didn’t care. I’d go to a fifth-grade football game if I were invited. I couldn’t explain why, but it never mattered.

As soon as I got to my seat and got comfortable, I was ready to go.

An excited buzz started to build as we entered the arena, and once we got to our seats, I felt ready to explode. Nerves. Excitement. Anxiety. All of it had rolled together, and I felt like I was bouncing inside of myself, only being held together because of my skin.

“Trenton said you had a friend who got these tickets for us?” Lauren leaned over Hadley to ask me. She was so beautiful, even a little birthmark over her lip winked at me from her confusion. “Does your friend work at the Target Center? These are really good seats.”

I swallowed.

Hadley leaned forward, an easy smile on her face. “It’s someone who knows someone who knows someone. It was that sort of deal. I don’t think it’ll happen again.”

“Ahh.” Lauren leaned back in her seat. “I got it.” She laughed. “I thought for a second Charlie knew one of the players or something.”

Hadley didn’t respond. I pretended I hadn’t heard, and as Hadley patted Lauren’s hand, we shared a look. We were close to where the players would come in from the locker rooms, so that was adding to the whole messiness inside me. I kept thinking a player would step out, see me, and point saying, “SHE’S OVER HERE!”

I know, I know.

I was a bit much.

But really. I had some anxiety.

Hadley checked her phone. “Owen’s bringing beer.”

“Thank GOD!”

Lauren frowned at me.

After the guys got back, the dance music started. The teams were coming out.