I snuck up behind Dave. It’s not an easy task when you are dragging a whinny dude behind you, but I managed just fine. 

“You know if you stare at him any harder all the time, he’s gonna melt”  I said startling Dave. I swear he almost hit his head on the ceiling from how high he jumped. 

“I was not staring!” he tried to save his case, failing miserably. I gave him a look of disapproval and put my hand on my hip. Eventually he just looked down, slumping his shoulders. “Am I really being that obvious?”

“Oh definitely, but Tyler has a cloud for a brain, so he hasn’t noticed.”

“There isn’t even anything to notice. Who’s the grumpy cat behind you?” he gestures towards Justin.

“I captured this handsome specimen” smiling I waved his arm around since he hadn’t let go of my hand. He retracted it almost immediately after it and started to walk away.

“Oh no you don’t” I grabbed the back of his shirt and threw my arm over him again to keep him in place.

“Alright then is he coming with us to Tyler’s?” Asked Dave.

“Unless you want Tyler all to yourself, I thought it might be fun.” Wigging my eyebrows at him.

“Why would I even want Tyler alone?” Dave said blushing. He knew what I meant but this poor boy was in denial. 

“Who wants me alone?” Tyler came out of the locker room. Unfortunately for Dave the door was behind him, and Tyler scared him once again. In addition to being startled Dave got hit in the heart by Tyler’s looks. Instead of his usual hair being over his eyes it was slicked back

with water from his post game shower. He wore a black tank top, grey sweats and slides. 

“No…nobody obviously. Don’t get a big head dude.” Dave was looking anywhere but at Tyler as he spoke.

“You sure are jumpy dude.” Justin said finally speaking up. 

“Hi, I’m Tyler” He extended his hand. What a proper boy my friend was. Tyler did a double take when he had seen my arm around Justin, but I sent him a knowing wink to let him in on my plan. “Are you coming over to my place to celebrate the game?”

“Justin.” Accepting Tyler’s handshake  “Apparently I am against my will” He said glaring at me and starting to move away.

“You know hanging out with me is all your heart wants.” 

“Whatever let’s get it over with”

“Alright on that happy note lets load up in my mom’s car” 

In the car I sat with Justin in the back seat while Dave and Tyler got the middle seat of his moms SUV. They went to talking in their own little world. My confidence was starting to falter the more we drove. I was a bit self conscious that Justin was uncomfortable. I did force him into a stranger’s car after all. 

“If you really wanna leave I can walk you home” I whispered into his ear. I must have startled him because he turned his head towards me quickly. His nose twitched like a bunny.

Cute. 

“Um no its fine. I mean maybe I’ll take you up on that later, but I think it might be fun to hangout with… someone” Eventually he broke eye contact and went back to his switch game.

Even in the dark car I could see a faint blush adorning his olive cheeks. 

“If you wanna leave at any time, just tell me or tap me three times and we can go alright?” I said holding up my pinky.

“A pinky promise really? What are we 5?” 

“Come on good looking it’s a binding contract.” I said with a wink. I finally had regained a bit of my confidence from earlier. 

He interlocked pinkies with me while rolling his eyes. He tried to not show it, but I could tell he was enjoying my antics for once.