Free Play Dirty (Make the Play #4) by Amber Garza

proof that this game with Josh has gone too far. It’s sucked up too much of my time and energy. Everything has taken a backseat to it.
    But I can’t keep doing this. It’s my senior year. I can’t afford to flunk my classes.
    A shoulder rams into me, and I’m jostled over, the scent of cologne and deodorant wafting under my nose. Glancing up, my breath hitches in my throat. Ashley and Hayes are walking in front of me, hands linked. Since their backs are to me, I contemplate ducking around them and hurrying toward the parking lot. But then they’d see me, and I’d look like a loser running away from them.
    Instead, I decide the safest thing to do is stay put. Eventually we’d all make it to the end of the hall and go our separate ways. And perhaps they’d never even notice me at all. With my head bent down, I move one foot in front of the other.
    “I can’t wait to see how well you play in practice today,” Ashley’s voice floats from over her shoulder.
    Another advantage to staying hidden is eavesdropping. I move a little closer, but not too close. I don’t want to slam into her back.
    “Oh, yeah?” Hayes banters back in that cute, flirty tone of his. I remember when he spoke to me like that, and it causes my heart to pinch.
    “Yeah. You were so sexy at the last practice.”
    She goes to his practices? I wonder why Josh never said anything about it. We’ve been missing out on a huge opportunity.
    “Sexy, huh? Well, you can keep comin’ to every practice if you keep sayin’ stuff like that.” Leaning over, he presses his lips to her cheek, and I’m dangerously close to hurling.
    “Only if I keep saying stuff like that, huh?” she jokes back.
    It’s weird seeing her like this. I mean, I’ve seen Ashley flirt hundreds of times, but not like this. Not in a playful, gentle way. Usually it’s aggressive and needy.
    “No.” He nudges her with his shoulder. “You know why you’re always welcome wherever I am.”
    Seriously, give it a rest. What do they think they’re on? A teen sitcom. Gag.
    Thankfully, we are almost out of the hallway. Ashley and Hayes step through it and walk to the right. Once I get outside, I make a hard left and scurry away from them. The sweet, flirty words they spoke to each other chase me as I walk toward the area where Josh parks.
    When I find him, he’s leaning against his car laughing and talking with Nolan. His head bobs up as I approach, a smile lighting his face. Ever since the morning at the diner he’s been different with me. Nicer, more genuine. It’s odd. Not that I’m complaining, just can’t figure it out.
    Nolan greets me and then moves away from Josh’s car. “See ya at practice, man.”
    “Yep,” Josh responds before turning to me. “What took you so long?”
    I frown. “Flunked my test, so I had to talk to Mr. Warner after class.”
    “That sucks,” he says.
    “Yeah.” I huff.
    “Well, I better get you home so I’m not late to practice.” Josh reaches for the door handle on the driver’s side.
    “Um…actually, I think I’ll stay here and watch your practice.”
    His hand falls from the door and he peers at me with an expression of awe. “Really? You wanna watch me play?”
    My stomach knots at the expectancy written on his features. It’s so unlike him, and I wonder if I’m imagining it. “Yeah. Well, I mean…I overheard a conversation between Hayes and Ashley just now. I guess she goes to the practices.”
    “Yeah. Just the last one.”
    I freeze. “You saw her at the last practice?”
    He nods.
    “Why didn’t you say anything?” It seems like it would’ve been an important tidbit. We were always trying to come up with new times to show off our relationship in front of both of them. This appeared to be the perfect time.
    “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think of it.” He shrugs. “When I play, I’m pretty focused on the game.”
    “Oh, okay.” I guess that makes sense. “Well, she’s coming to the practice today, so