End Game

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Nate

The college pub buzzed with energy, golden light spilling over the familiar crowd. I scanned the room, expecting to spot Samuel and TJ, maybe Lincoln or a few of the other guys from the team. What I didn't expect was Aurora.

She was sitting across from Samuel and TJ with Callie at her side, her laugh blending into the low thrum of the place. My first instinct was to turn right back around. Samuel hadn't said a word about inviting them. She hadn't noticed me yet, but just the sight of her sent my stomach twisting. And then the memories came flooding back—the awkward silence, her wide-eyed look when I asked her to leave, the slam of the door behind her. It felt like a punch to the chest all over again.

I rubbed the back of my neck, muttering a curse under my breath. What the hell was I thinking, asking her how she felt? I should've kept it light, kept it casual—just a hook-up. Instead, I'd practically begged her for reassurance, and it had blown up in my face.

And now she was here, looking better than she had any right to. Casual, stylish—denim skirt, white crop top, her red hair pulled into a ponytail. Her lips painted soft rose, lips I remembered too well. I swallowed hard. When she laughed at something TJ said, her brown eyes sparking, it hit me all over again just how deep she'd gotten under my skin.

Determined not to show it, I pushed through the tension and walked over. Aurora looked up, her smile faltering when our eyes met. She didn't say anything, but the flicker of recognition—and the way my chest tightened in response—was impossible to ignore.

TJ grinned, lifting his glass. "About time you got here, man."

"Hey," I muttered, sliding into the seat beside Samuel. "Where's the rest of the guys?"

"They bailed," Samuel said.

I gave the girls a quick hello, but Aurora was already leaning into Callie, chatting as if I wasn't there. The sting was sharp, even though I knew I'd earned it. I forced myself to look away. The bartender came by, and I ordered a whiskey, hoping the burn would take the edge off.

"So, Nate," TJ said, smirking as he leaned forward. "I heard you had a busy night last night. One of the guys at the house said you had some company that wasn't Isla." He laughed. "Who was the unlucky girl?"

My jaw clenched. Across the table, Samuel shifted uncomfortably, and Callie busied herself with her drink, eyes darting everywhere but at me or Aurora. TJ, oblivious, waited for my answer. Aurora stared at her glass, her cheeks flushed, eyes fixed on the melting ice as though it held the whole truth.

I forced a shrug, kept my voice even. "Yeah, well..." My eyes flicked to Aurora just once before I looked away. "I'm a gentleman, so I don't kiss and tell. But let's just say—she's not the first, and she won't be the last to keep me company."

Aurora's body stilled, her expression turning cold.

TJ's brows shot up, clearly intrigued. "Oh, you're a dawg, Nate." He laughed and leaned over for a high-five. "Was she hot, at least?"

I shook my head. "It's not important, TJ."

"Oh, come on!" He nudged Samuel, who cleared his throat awkwardly. "Better hope Isla doesn't find out who she is, though. Last time you hooked up with someone new, she practically set the Football House on fire."

I chuckled dryly, leaning back in my chair. "No worries, man. I won't be keeping that girl's 'company' again."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aurora set her glass down a little too firmly. A flicker of something—anger, maybe—crossed her face before she picked up her phone, scrolling like she couldn't care less.