My Player Bestfriend (Book #1)

Chapter Three

Monday mornings suck. But this one? This one had drama in the air.

The moment I stepped into school, I felt it.

Noticed it.

People glancing over their shoulders. Whispering behind lockers. The looks. The smug smiles. The raised brows.

I walked down the hall like I was being followed — not by footsteps, but by rumors.

And I already knew why.

"Did you and Austin hook up?" Kayla asked me before even saying hi.

I blinked. "What?"

"People are saying you two disappeared into Alex's room. Alone."

"Oh my god. We were playing Seven Minutes in Heaven. It was a joke."

Kayla shrugged. "Well, the joke has a fan club now. Just letting you know."

She walked away before I could say more.

I clenched my jaw. Austin.

He had one job — keep his mouth shut.

I hadn't even made it to my locker when I saw him. Leaning against the wall, that smug grin already locked and loaded.

"Hey, Boo," he said, like the world wasn't on fire.

"You talked," I said.

He tilted his head. "What?"

"You told people."

"I didn't say what happened. Just that something did."

"That's not better, Austin."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're mad because you liked it."

I took a step back. "I'm mad because you turned something private into hallway entertainment."

He ran a hand through his hair, eyes narrowing. "So now I'm the villain?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

The bell rang, cutting through the tension. I turned and walked toward class without another word.

Lunchtime wasn't much better.

I sat with Sarah and Jackie at our usual table. The guys were a few tables away, but I could feel Austin watching me.

"God, he's staring again," Sarah muttered.

"Let him," I said, stabbing my salad like it owed me money.

"Do you want us to go over there and stab him?" Jackie offered.

I smiled. "Violence is tempting, but no."

"Are you gonna talk to him?"

"Already did. He doesn't get it."

Sarah leaned forward. "Then make him get it. Stop playing along. You're letting him have all the power."

"I'm not playing anything."

"You're texting him at midnight."

Damn. She had a point.

Before I could respond, a voice cut in.

"Hey... is this seat taken?"

I looked up.

Noah Foster.

Smart. Funny. Just the right amount of cute-but-not-cocky. He wasn't in our usual crowd, which made him immediately interesting.

"Oh—uh, no. Go ahead," I said, motioning to the seat across from me.

He smiled and sat down.

"I saw you in Bio. You totally crushed that quiz."

"Thanks," I said, a little caught off guard. "I guessed half of it, but I appreciate the illusion of competence."

He laughed. "Well, you fooled me."

Sarah and Jackie exchanged a look I didn't miss.

Austin didn't miss it either.

I glanced his way.

Yeah, he saw.

And judging by the look on his face — tight jaw, narrowed eyes — he didn't like it.

At all.

By the end of the day, my phone buzzed again.

Austin <33: Who's your new fanboy?

I didn't answer.

Austin <33: You mad at me and replacing me? Cold.

Still didn't answer.

Austin <33: You know you're mine, right?

I stared at the screen.

Then typed.

Me: I'm not anyone's. You don't get to claim me.

Sent.

No emoji. No sugar.

Just truth.

That night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.

Austin had always been part of my story.

But maybe it was time I rewrote the story.

Maybe... I started with a new chapter.