Page 26 of Halo

Before they can ask anymore questions, the double-doors to the gym open. In walks a taller man with sandy-colored hair. And next to him, none other than fucking Declan.

“Look who it is!” Declan boasts with his arms open wide.

Jonathan gives a pursed grin while Julian, the social butterfly of our group, shakes his hand. “Hey, Deck, long time, no see!”

“Dr. Santiago, always a pleasure.”

“I heard you were back working with the G-Dub.”

“Oh yeah, I missed you guys.” He playfully slugs Julian’s shoulder, his obnoxiously loud laugh echoes through the gym.. “Plus, I needed to be closer with my family. Speaking of …” He gestures to the man he walked in with. “This is my longtime friend Matt Barnett.”

The man smiles brightly, waving to us.”How’re y’all?”

The three of us cordially nod.

“Were y’all in the middle of shooting hoops?” Declan asks.

“Ah-no, we’re done for the evening,” Julian answers for us. “The court is all yours.”

“Maybe we can enjoy a pick-up game together sometime,” Declan suggests, dribbling the ball at his side.

“Yeah. Maybe.” I nod. “Y’all have a good evening.”

“Nice meeting you, Matt,” Julian says as we leave the gymnasium.

“I hate that man,” I grumble as we head toward the locker room.

“Declan?” Julian laughs, dabbing the sweat off of his brow. “He’s not so bad.”

Jonathan remains quiet, grabbing his bag.

Julian glances at both of us. “Man, I guess I missed the memo.”

I change out of my workout shirt and grab my duffel bag. “What are y’all doing after this?”

“I already got a text from Chels that Lizzie needs help with pre-algebra homework.”

I nod in understanding, turning to Jonathan. He just smiles. “I’m going home.”

“Yeah, you are.” Julian lets out a boisterous, knowing laugh as he slaps Jonathan’s back, making the newlywed blush harder.

“Are you not going home, Crawford?” Julian asks.

I run my fingers through my hair. “I mean, if y’all were available, I was going to see if y’all wanted to go for a drink.”

“Dude, what is with you and going out for drinks all of a sudden?”

“Nothing—”

“I don’t think you’re Skye’s type,” Jonathan jokes.

I laugh with them. I guess I didn’t realize how eager I was to get back to Low Places. I wanted to go because I wanted to hang out with my friends.

Right?

Who says that I need them anyway? Maybe I can stop by to check things out. Just in case.

We leave the gym, and instead of heading home, I decide to at least drive by the bar.