Songs for Cricket Laine, E. (best sales books of all time .TXT) 📖

No one had made a move to leave, and August was still texting on his phone.

“You guys have a good time.”

I glanced up at Finn. “You should come.”

He lifted his one good arm. “Funny guy. I should say fuck you, but I think you’re honestly sincere. And I have to decline. I’ve got a long night of planning for my first class, and my TA is on her way over.”

Everyone turned to face him, which only amused him more. I had a feeling Finn had more moves than all of us combined. He was Sawyer’s brother, the self-proclaimed god of women. The stories I’d heard back that up, so I wasn’t exactly surprised.

August reached out, and they high fived and fist bumped each other.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” August joked.

Finn only smirked. “I guess that leaves everything on the table.” When his eyes trailed over to the dining room table, he added, “I probably should warn you that I wouldn’t suggest you eat there, food I mean.”

Our heads collectively turned as one before we barked out in laughter. Finn was using that table for more than meals.

As we left, August in awe of Finn said, “You are the man.”

The short ride made for a long walk. We were among the last to arrive, and street parking was at a premium. By the time we walked in, a ring of our teammates had formed in the living room with Billy in the center. He waved us over to the impromptu huddle as everyone started a chant like a high school pep rally. In those few minutes, our de facto leader riled everyone up with excitement for our first game in a week.

I focused on the girl tucked close to his side. She looked feverishly happy as she animatedly chanted the words he’d started. When it was over, I headed outside to the keg. I needed more than my conviction to spill my secret to her. I needed something to help me endure the painful view of her and Billy together until I could get her alone.

19

finley

Beer ranked up there with drinking piss, in my view. Still I drank from my second plastic cup like everyone else, though maybe a bit slower.

Emily, on the other hand, was taking huge gulps from hers.

“Slow it down,” I said with a hand on her arm to stop her from finishing the last bit.

“You don’t understand,” she said.

I couldn’t pinpoint the reason for the worry in her eye.

“Where’s Kevin?”

Her gaze shifted from the girl held into a handstand position above the keg in the center of the living room.

“He’s not here. And I need to talk to your brother before he arrives.”

All my probing questions were halted when she darted forward. I watched as if I held a bucket of popcorn while I waited to see what would happen next.

August stood next to a redhead. I’d seen her a lot lately, especially under my brother’s arm. He hadn’t introduced me, but that didn’t mean anything. We hadn’t talked much since our fight. I wasn’t backing down. I’d wanted my independence, and I’d finally gotten it.

“What’s going on?”

A quick glance over revealed Tori, but my focused shifted back to my brother. “Emily’s going to talk to my brother,” I said as softly as I could with crowd noise and music in the background.

I didn’t explain further, just watched. He was grinning at the redhead, who only had eyes for him. When Emily’s hand landed on his bicep, he glanced down, smile vanishing. I couldn’t hear what was said, but the redhead seemed confused, not pissed. Points to her for that.

August said something, and Emily replied. Finally, he whispered in the ear of the redhead, who was his maybe girlfriend, and she giggled. Then he left with Emily towards the sliding glass doors of the pool area.

“What was that all about?” Tori asked.

“Not sure but it should be interesting to see how that plays out. How about you? Where’s Shepard? Did you come with him?”

Subtle, Finley. I forced a smile like it was cool because I needed to get used to the idea of them together.

“Yeah, I drove them over after you and Emily ditched me, and from what I could tell it was for a certain someone,” she lightly teased, aiming her gaze at Billy who helped hold up willing girls to chug from the keg upside down.

I giggled and wondered where that had come from. It had to be from the beer because I didn’t giggle, at least not all girly like how I’d just done. Had to be the beer. “You were busy, and we didn’t want to interrupt. We texted you.”

“Yeah, I suppose. But this is my first frat party.”

That jerked my attention toward her. “Really?”

“Well, my dad isn’t exactly all about extracurricular activities that don’t further my future.”

I didn’t have to think about that one. “I’m sure my dad wouldn’t be pleased to know I was here either.”

I lifted up my fist because we were sisters in solidarity. She bumped it.

“What about your mom?” I asked.

Her face grew pensive, and I knew I’d hit a touchy topic.

“My mom died when I was little,” she said.

“Oh crap, I’m sorry.”

She waved it off. “I don’t really remember her all that much.”

“So it’s just you and your dad.”

Her head bobbed. “And his new wife and my half-sibs, but they’re cool for the most part. Anyway, how are things with you and Billy?”

I laughed. “I probably shouldn’t tell you since Coach declared us off-limits to each other.”

“No way,” she said, exaggerating the words like they had double the syllables.

“Yes, but Billy seems determined to break that rule.”

I wasn’t sure what to do. He was fun and made me laugh. He didn’t give me butterflies, but I liked him. And maybe butterflies weren’t what everyone made them out to be.

That was when everything changed. Kevin walked in and talked to Billy. He pointed outside. Cooper noticed and got Shepard’s attention. Then everyone paraded outside.

August might