Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

brENDON

The week flies by in a mixture of classes, study sessions, and meetings with my coaches and personal trainers. The team will start practicing together soon, in the meantime it's about making sure everyone is on the right track. Since I didn't slack off over the summer there isn't much I have to change, but that isn't the same for everyone.

Something that has become a new normal for me is having this constant feeling of being watched. It started over the summer and hasn't stopped. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy because even though I feel like someone is spying on me when I look around no one is ever there, or at least no one of suspicion.

By the time Friday hits I'm beyond ready to let loose.

"You sure you don't want to bail on Izzy and hang out with your boys instead?" I tease as Artie hobbles toward the front door.

"Absolutely not," he replies, quickly, without even thinking about it, which is rude, but understandable. I mean if I had my eye on a girl, I wouldn't let him dissuade me from hanging out with her. "She even told me her roommate is out of town for the weekend and I could crash in her room if I wanted to, so don't be waiting up."

"I'd wish you all the luck getting into her pants, but you're probably not even allowed to have sex right now, are you?"

Artie tips his head from side to side. "Doc said no strenuous activities, but I don't think having Izzy sit on my face is too strenuous."

I laugh and wish him all the best as he leaves with Carter who agreed to give him a ride since he can't drive for a while.

While they're gone, I have a quick shower and place an order for some greasy burgers. I make sure to order double what we normally get since we're guaranteed to get the munchies later. I also made sure to stock up on snacks earlier, so we're all set.

"Thanks, man," Carter says to who I'm assuming is the delivery guy as I'm walking down the hall. I make sure to keep my steps light as I attempt to sneak up on my best friend. He shuts the door and yells, "Food's here," before realizing I'm already behind him.

"Smells good," I whisper, causing him to jump and almost drop our food.

I double over, laughing so hard my sides hurt.

"Dude, you got some serious air there," I tease him once I'm able to breathe properly again.

"You're an asshole," he grumbles, stomping toward the kitchen table.

"Maybe, but you still love me," I counter.

"That's debatable sometimes," he argues while looking into the bag that holds our dinner. The hint of a smirk on his lips lets me know he isn't actually pissed at me, which is good. It's never my goal to actually make him mad. "Why'd you order so much?"

"In case we get the munchies later," I tell him as I push his hand to the side to grab myself a burger.

"Good thinking," he concedes while grabbing his own burger.

We both sit down at the same time and start to dig in.

"Fuuucckk," I moan around my mouthful. "These are sooo good."

Carter starts to cough and choke at that moment, and I rush to get him a glass of water.

"Dude, are you going to die?" I ask as I pat his back and pass him the glass.

He shakes his head and pushes my hand off before gulping down the water. "I'm fine," he mumbles once he can talk again. "I guess I just forgot how to eat."

I chuckle as I sit back down, thankful that he is okay and not needing to go to the hospital.

I pick up my burger and start to eat again, only moaning a little this time. I forgot just how good these burgers are. I definitely should have pigged out on them a little more this summer.

Carter clears his throat and drinks some more water down, and I study him closely to make sure he's actually okay. If I have to take him to the doctor I will. The last thing I want is for him to actually die. He's my best friend and life would seriously suck without him.

The tops of Carter's ear are a deep red, the color they always turn when he's embarrassed.

"You good, C?" I check, hating that he's self-conscious about his little choking episode.

He nods, keeping his eyes on the table. "I'm good, just had a little something still stuck in my throat. I'm gonna get some more water."

As he fills his cup, I finish the rest of my burger and sit back, tapping on my flat stomach. "That was some good food."

Carter gets back and shakes his head, but when he looks at me his brows pull together, and he sucks his lower lip between his teeth. It's the look he's always gotten when he was confused, but I don't know why he would feel like that right now.

"You good?" I ask him again and he blinks a couple times before nodding and putting on a smile.

"Yeah, man. I think choking just threw me for a loop is all."

"Makes sense. You did almost die," I tease and shoot him a wink.

He chuckles dryly in response, but it sounds forced and the tips of his ears turn red again. Is he blushing from my wink?

I internally shake my head. He's probably just still embarrassed about choking the way he did. I've winked at him a million times before and it never caused him to blush.

"I'm gonna roll a joint and get a movie queued up while you finish eating," I tell him and his shoulders relax, lowering a little, almost like he's relieved I'm leaving, which is weird, but I don't feel like thinking about it too much right now. "Make sure to take your time," I remind him before heading to my room to grab the baggie of weed and some rolling papers.

Hopefully the rest of the night is uneventful and filled with the happiness only a good high can bring.