My Player Bestfriend (Book #1)

Chapter Five

The drive to Holloway Park was quiet at first. Chill music played low in the background while I stared out the window, my phone buzzing every so often in my lap.

I didn't check it.

Austin had already said enough.

"So," Chad said, cutting through the silence, "what kind of art are you into?"

I looked over at him. He was wearing cologne that was trying way too hard.

"I don't know. Stuff with feeling, I guess. Not just pretty pictures."

"Interesting," he said, nodding like he was filing that away. "So... deeper than surface-level. I like that."

His voice dipped a little too smooth when he said it.

Red flag?

Maybe.

The art show was held in an outdoor garden space. String lights zigzagged above us, glowing warm against the dusk sky. Local artists had set up small tents, each displaying paintings, photos, sculptures, you name it.

It should've been perfect.

But something felt... off.

Chad kept touching my back. Little gestures — hand at the small of it when he guided me through crowds, or brushing my arm when he talked.

At first, I let it slide.

But by the third "accidental" touch that lingered a little too long, I took a half-step to the side.

"You cold?" he asked, eyes scanning me.

"Nope," I said, not smiling.

He didn't seem to notice.

We grabbed food from one of the food trucks and found a bench away from the main crowd.

"This is actually really nice," I said honestly.

Chad smiled, leaned a little closer. "It is. You're different from the girls I usually hang with."

"Different how?"

"Smarter. Realer. Not trying so hard to impress everyone."

I nodded. "Thanks, I guess."

Then his hand landed on my thigh.

Not just resting. Squeezing.

I froze.

"Chad."

"What?"

"Move your hand."

He pulled it back slowly, like I was the one being dramatic.

"Come on, don't be like that," he said. "We're vibing."

"No. You're assuming."

"I'm just saying, don't act like you don't know what this is."

I stood up. "Yeah. I do now."

He stood too. "Seriously? You came with me, you flirted, now you're acting innocent?"

"I didn't come here to hook up. I came here to see art. You know, the thing we talked about?"

He stepped closer. Too close. "You're not some saint, Mary. You're hot. You know it. Stop pretending."

"I'm not pretending—I just have standards."

His face twisted, and before he could say more—

"Back. The hell. Off."

I turned.

Austin.

Standing a few feet away. Jaw tight. Chest heaving. Like he'd sprinted there.

"Dude, chill," Chad scoffed. "We were just talking."

"No," Austin said, stepping between us. "You were cornering her."

"I didn't touch her."

"I saw you."

I placed a hand on Austin's arm. "It's fine. I'm fine."

But he wasn't. And honestly? Neither was I.

Chad rolled his eyes. "Whatever. She's not worth the drama."

That was it.

Austin lunged.

I gasped as he shoved Chad back hard, fists clenched. "Say that again. Say it."

"Stop!" I shouted, stepping in front of Austin, placing both hands on his chest.

Austin's breathing was ragged, his eyes locked on Chad with this wild fire I'd never seen before.

"He's not worth it," I said quietly. "Let it go."

Finally, Austin stepped back. Still fuming. Still ready to throw down.

Chad raised his hands mockingly. "Alright. You win, Romeo."

He walked off like none of it mattered.

Austin turned to me, voice softer. "You okay?"

I nodded. "I didn't expect him to be like that."

"I did," he muttered. "He's been trash since freshman year."

I looked at him. "How did you even know I was here?"

"I called Sarah. She told me where you went. I... I couldn't just sit there."

"Why did you even come?"

He didn't answer right away. Then:

"Because I couldn't stop thinking about you. And I knew he wasn't good enough. I know I've made mistakes — a lot of them. But I would never let a guy treat you like that. Not while I'm breathing."

That shouldn't have hit so hard.

But it did.

And then, for a long second, neither of us said anything. The night air curled around us like a secret.

I let out a slow breath. "You were right."

"About what?"

"I was trying to make you jealous."

He looked at me. "It worked."