Despite growing up together, Catherine Simmons and Mattis Reed were never close.
Cat was inseparable from Mattis' younger sister, Chloé, while he was busy running around on the football field.
But when Cat's new dream drags her across the country du...
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"You know I like you better shirtless, right?"
I turn around to look at the person lying on my bed, glancing at my half-naked torso.
"Get the fuck out, dude; you're not helping," I tell Aran.
"Helping with what?" He folds his hands behind his head, utterly relaxed. "Making you look cute?"
I scowl at him before facing the mirror again. This must be the third shirt I've tried.
It's a maroon-colored button-down. I finish buttoning it, leaving the top slightly open, and fold up the sleeves around my elbows so it's not so formal. It looks good, objectively. But then again, so did the two other shirts. Why can't I just choose one?
"I'm sure Cat will find you hot in whichever," Aran chimes in, scrolling on his phone. He's already dressed in a white t, a jean jacket, and his signature beanie. Instead of helping the others set up downstairs, he has decided to be a colossal pain in my butt, as per usual.
I don't bother disagreeing with him. There's no denying that Cat's imminent arrival causes my sudden clothing crisis. Is it such a crime that I want her to like how I look tonight?
Thinking about her spikes my anxiety again. I've been regretting my decision about inviting her tonight about as often as I've rejoiced in her acceptance. Introducing her to my teammates could go two ways, and one of those is straight off a cliff.
In the end, the time crunch makes the decision for me. The maroon shirt it is. I motion for Aran to get up. "We should go downstairs."
"So you can anxiously await your date down there?"
"Well, I'm not letting the guys greet her, that's for sure."
Half my teammates would saw off their own foot for a chance with a girl like Cat. I'm not taking any chances.
Tonight we're continuing a long-standing tradition. About a month into the season, the upperclassmen in the starting lineup hold a gathering for the other starters. It's a way for us to get to know each other a little better and let off some steam. We'd do it with the whole team, but there are like over a hundred of us. Tonight we'll be about twenty-five players plus everyone's dates, so the house will be full - since all four of us are starters, we're hosting this year.
In the beginning, many years ago, it was only for the players, but eventually, people wanted to invite their girlfriends, boyfriends, or hook-ups, so now all the guys get a plus one.
The last couple of times, I've brought Daniella. It's often as much a cheerleading party as a football one, so I expect to see many of her teammates tonight.
But inviting Cat... Well, for the first time, it feels like I'm bringing an actual date.
As usual, Aran is going stag. The first year we both made the starting lineup, I attempted to set him up, but he turned that shit down cold.
