Page 123 of Trust Me

“It’s . . . fine.”

I opened my mouth, but a booming voice cut through my thoughts. “Yo, Kennedy!”

A dark-haired man jogged over to us with a smile on his face. I recognized him from the football team, but I’d never spoken to him. His dark green eyes shone in the light, making him look like a god of old.

“Hey, Kai,” Dean said. His eyes darted to me, then back to Kai. “What’s up?”

“Same old. Living my best life. You know how it goes.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Kai’s head cocked. “Shit’s going on, huh? No offense, but I’m not gonna ask about it. I need to get back to Sen. Like I always say, though, ‘Admit defeat, and defeat will surely admit you into permanent custody.’”

“Isn’t that from the Goofy Movie?” I asked.

Turning, he seemed to examine me for a second. “Nope. A hundred percent original. Oli, right?”

“How’d you know?”

“We run in similar circles.” He tapped his temple. “I keep a tab of hostiles and friendlies. Can never be too prepared, yeah?”

I chuckled. “Sure, I guess.”

With a grin, he turned back to Dean. “Anyway, we’re staying at Brooks’ house over spring break. Holding down the fort while they’re gone. We were thinking of having a bunch of the guys over to use the pool. No funny business, though. Brooks would kill us.” His eyes sparkled, making me wonder if he wanted exactly that.

“Thanks,” Dean said, “but I can’t.”

“Ah, damn.” Looking at me again, Kai lifted a brow. “What about the boyfriend?”

“How did you—”

“I’m a genius. So?”

Dean took my hand, surprising me. “Actually, we’ll be in New York. Both of us.”

Kai’s shoulders slumped, but he perked back up quickly. “Alright. All good. Next time, yeah?”

“We wouldn’t miss it.”

Kai started backpedaling. Pointing at me, he gave me a mock-serious look. “I’m holding you to that. Drag this motherfucker out of the house more. At this rate, he’ll turn into Linc.”

I looked at Dean, feeling the weight of what he’d said.

We were going to New York.