Free Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page A

have.” Her lips draw tight, and I feel the frustration coming off her in waves. “What did I do this time?” My frustration level is mirroring hers.
    I watch her eyes close, see her chest rise as she inhales. I stop myself from reaching across the table and caressing her face. As much as she confuses me, the need to comfort her is greater. Her eyes open, and the emerald color with spots of sunshine staring back at me beckon to me. They are clear, she’s opening her pain up to me, and I don’t know what’s causing it, but I want to end it. “I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. This is new to me.”
    “Someone being nice.” I smile at her.
    “No. I don’t know. I’m not used to friends. The only one I had was so long ago.”
    “Saylor, you’ve got lots of friends. They haven’t known you a lifetime, but from the moment you met them . . . they were all your friends. Mason and Caden protect you and watch out for you like Lee Lee and Avery. Lee Lee is thawing her ice queen act, and Avery loves you.”
    “And you?”
    “I’m not being friend-zoned. We’re definitely not friends. I’ll be your friend after.”
    “After what?”
    “I’ll let you know when it happens.” I wink at her and pick up my fork to start eating, hoping she’ll follow suit.
    I regret that wish when her lips close over her fork, and the moan leaves her mouth. I squirm in my seat and reach down to adjust myself. I’d give anything to be that fork. Those thoughts aren’t helping my dick situation. Puppies . . . vomit . . . baseball stats—nope that one gets me hard as well. I resign myself to an uncomfortable night. At least I’ve got her across from me. That is a prize in its own right.
    “We’ve had enough serious for the night. Let’s finish the game from Bonefish. Just you and me.”
    “Is this what you call the ‘getting to know you phase’?”
    “Stop overthinking. Shoe size?” She laughs.
    “Random. Five and a half.”
    “You’re so damn tiny.”
    “You didn’t answer.”
    “Seventeen.” She chokes on her food.
    “You’re kidding.”
    “Did it feel like I was kidding last night?” I hold her eyes and see her cheeks redden. Now she’s the one squirming in her seat, and I’m sitting back gloating.
    Dinner passes with relative ease—each of us railroading one another with questions. I hate to end it, but I need to get Julie and get home. “Ready?” She pushes back from the table and stands.
    “Yep.” The silence isn’t uncomfortable, both of us mulling over the information garnered tonight.
    “You know you have to go in with me to get Julie. Otherwise my mom will come and drag you in herself.”
    Her look is priceless. She’s fidgeting in her seat, her color has paled, and her eyes are bulging. “Is that necessary? You could drop me off at the end of the street and tell them you took me home.” I laugh.
    “You want me to lie to my parents. Shocking.”
    Her eyes narrow. “Like you’ve never lied to them.”
    “Actually, no I haven’t. I have no reason to. You’ll understand when you meet them.”
    “That can’t be normal.” This girl kills me.
    “You lie to your mom a lot?”
    “No. If I don’t want to talk, I clam up. But it’s different. You’re a guy…a player. A baller. Deacon, I’ve slept with one other person in my life. My weekends were spent babysitting or helping my mom with a side job for extra money. I told you I’m not this girl.” She waves her hands encircling the restaurant.
    “I think you sell yourself short. I told you this was a chance to find who you are—I want to be a part of that journey.”
    “I still don’t want to sit down with your parents.”
    “What are you worried about?”
    “I don’t come from money. I’m at school on a scholarship. Sure, my mom married well this time, but the money isn’t mine.”
    “Saylor,” I shake my head. “You have so much to learn. Yes, I grew up with money. I have a trust fund from my grandfather, and I