Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(51)

have that clinic at the ass crack of dawn on Sunday. I still haven’t talked to Evan...total communication blackout. No, I haven’t

reached out to him either and yes, it was textbook stubborn Laney, but waiting for him to reach out just feels like something I

have to do.

On Saturday, The Eagles win 34-17 and a hyped-up Zach, Bennett, and I head off campus for pizza. Tate shows up to sweep Bennett

away so Zach and I opt to grab a movie and head back to his room. Drew is there when we get there, with some girl, but they head

out to a frat party; an invitation we both decline immediately. While Zach takes a shower, I run back to my room to grab my phone

charger.

“Laney! Come be on my team!” Bennett squeals as I walk in, my glare taking in the scene of beer pong. In our room? It’s like a

4x4 space and they’re spilling beer everywhere. That’s not what I care about most though— the fact that Whitley is sitting on my

bed in my room watching is what has me ready to kill someone.

“Laney, you want winners? You can be my partner,” Sawyer asks me as I dig through drawers. I don’t dare to look up and answer

him for fear I might catch Dane in my line of vision. If I do, it won’t be pretty.

“No, I’m good, Saw, just grabbing my charger real quick.” I keep my head down. Where is the damn thing? I’m about to give up

and just get out of here. “You kick their asses though, buddy.”

“Where are you going?” I don’t need to look up to know who’s asking.

“Back to Zach’s room, we grabbed a movie.” I finally look up despite myself and catch Dane’s eyes staring into me.

“Go tell him to get his pretty ass in here, Laney! Ya’ll play me and Bennett!” Sawyer yells from the game.

Whitley snickers. “I’ll play you guys, Sawyer. Dane, come on sweetie, let’s play them.”

Sitting on my bed—I probably could’ve let it go. But dismissing me in my own room—so not gonna fly. Calling Dane “sweetie” to

purposely drag him away and antagonize me—challenge accepted, girlfriend.

I give Bennett a look across the room. She tries like hell to hide her smirk; she knows what’s up.

“Set it up, I’ll be right back with Zach.” I run down the hall like I’m on fire, adrenaline coursing through me.

I bust into the room, out of breath, and Zach looks at me quizzically, pulling on his shirt. “Where’d you go? And why are you out

of breath?” I dart my eyes away quickly while he gets the shirt completely in place. Nice abs there, Zachary.

“Change of plans, big boy. You good at beer pong?”

“I’m in college and I’m good at everything.” He grins. “Need you ask?”

“Zach, I’ll do your laundry for a month if you help me win this game, okay? Come on.” I drag him through the door.

“Well, hold up there, hot rod, do I need shoes? Keys?”

“No, nothing, you’re great, just come on,” I plead, pulling him even faster now.

I don’t make eye contact with Dane when I walk back in my room. I do however, stare directly at Whitley. “Me and Zach versus you

and ‘sweetie,’” I challenge, the last word acidic. “Let’s go.”

Bennett snickers as she, Tate, and Sawyer settle in for a good view of the show. Bad news, Whit—I am a hollaback girl.

“You don’t have to do my laundry, girl. This is gonna be fun. Let’s get ‘em,” Zach whispers in my ear, giving me a fist bump.

“Oh, hells yeah! Kick their asses, Laney!” I love Sawyer.

Dane is trying everything he can to avoid Whitley’s roaming hands. He’s standing so far away from her he may as well be in

another room. Zach and Sawyer start throwing out the smack talk, but when Bennett cranks up her phone for Jock Jams “Let’s Get

Ready to Rumble,” we all burst into mad laughter.

“Ladies first,” Zach says, handing me a ping pong ball.

“I’m a lady, too,” Whitley pouts, “how come she gets to go first?”

“Good point, Whitley. I think you and Laney should arm wrestle to see who goes first.” Bennett says it with the most serious face

she can muster.

I cock an eyebrow at Whitley, telling her I am so down with that plan.

“N-no, that’s okay,” she sputters nervously, “she can go ahead.”

All the guys in the room are hanging on each and every word. What guy doesn’t like good ole cat fight foreplay?

I sink my first ball and stare holes through Whitley as she downs the beer in the cup. Zach steps up and makes it. We do a chest

bump and Sawyer slaps my butt. I jump a bit, almost shocked, but in a millisecond it changes to an aura of comfort. I belong here!

I’m just one of the guys!

“Nice shot,” Dane mumbles as he hands me the ball.

Why is he handing me back the ball? I scrunch my brows in confusion.

“Your team goes again since you both made it,” he explains.

Ah.

We’re down to four cups and just as I’m about to throw again, Zach grabs my arm. “Hold up, you like the cups like that?”

Again—first time I’ve played. “I don’t know what you’re asking me, Zach. I’ve never played.”