Good, she was single. Thank you, Alex. Me: Yep. Light of my life. Me: It's cool that you're friends though. AlexHenderson: I texted her about our book club meeting. Knowing Ellie liked reading scraped the bottom of the personality barrel, but it was a start. How much of a creep was I if I invited myself? While I weighed the option, he opened the fucking Plan B door for me. He dangled the bait, and I chomped. AlexHenderson: You should join us. Me: How considerate. I'd love to. Send me the details. AlexHenderson: K. Or I can text you if that's easier. My shoulders pitched from the laughs I held back. This Alex was… I loved him. He laid Ellie at my feet. Me: Yeah, great. After I shared my digits, Alex gave me the last response I expected. AlexHenderson: 👍 AlexHenderson: Look, I'm sure you know this, but… AlexHenderson: Elle's special. I can't believe Jake's okay with this. Me: Jake and I are cool. I ignored Josh's purple face, pig snorts, and shoulders shaking from repressed laughs. Despite being gone for two weeks, I had plenty of time to crack this girl. She followed the same trio, plus Pizza Palace. Did she work there? Their pizza was shit; I didn't know anyone who liked it, but maybe she had a job. Respectable, but that place was as common as Starbucks. Three were in Santa Cruz alone. My phone buzzed with multiple texts, an unknown number threatening dick dismemberment. I frowned. The specificity level screamed Harper. For further insult, she called me. "Probably best not to answer this." Josh's eyebrows raised. "Now we're calling?" "Not the right one." I groaned at those stupid kittens on Ellie's page. Thanks to my teammates, she now had twenty followers. Other than raising suspicion, what were they doing? "Who are you, baby?" His fist slugged my shoulder, which I shook off without a look up. "Bro. What are you doing?" "Followed her. Along with half the team now." I ignored his irritated expression and started a DM to Ellie. "And I gave her my number." His shoulders bounced with a belly-deep laugh. A pretend tear wipe was unnecessary. "What the fuck is wrong with you? You're trying to hook up with… Harrison's sister!?" I scowled at his accusation. There was nothing wrong with me. "I wouldn't say hook up." Screwing her wasn't my plan, only whatever was necessary to derail her asshole brother's games. In particular, game six. He should thank me. "Focus, Logan." Josh snapped his fingers between my eyes. "She blew you off once and threw up on you. What makes you think she won't delete your number, ignore you, or block you?" All good points. This called for Plan C, Charm. She still sat on the beach. "You're forgetting the Harrison's sister part." What was his problem? Josh was the first one who called me about his trashed car. We all hated Harrison. Fluttery heart palpitations and superficial attraction weren't sustainable, but revenge sure was. "I'm not." The realization I was serious sucked all the teasing out of Josh. About time. The lightness in his eyes dimmed and his mouth dropped. "This is not about that stupid, fucking game, because if you're back in, then I swear-" "No," I interrupted. "Fuck no. This is beef with Harrison, nothing more. You saw him." He looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. "Your plan is, what?" "Not even she could resist me if I lay on the charm." He tipped his head back, palmed his hips, and barked out more laughs. I frowned at his bobbing Adam's apple and waited as he wiped real tears. "Bro, you've been out of the dating game so long, you don't have any play." Cancel my best friend's support. I held my neutral expression until he realized this wasn't a joke and waited for his panic mode. Being out of the dating game didn't matter. I charmed girls every day and this one wouldn't be any different. "Your lack of faith cuts deep." Strain tightened his red face and his nostrils flared. His feet fidgeted and clenched and unclenched his hands. "This is hands-down the stupidest shit you've ever pulled! You want to play with Harrison's sister. If she found out -" I interrupted him with a scoff. "She won't find out shit. And neither will Jake." "Seriously, bro!" he groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "Abort now. It's not like you to pull petty retribution shit." He was right; I wasn't vindictive, especially at the expense of an innocent person. But I also had a smashed windshield, flat tires, and enough stubbornness not to back down from a bully. "True, but even one game where Harrison is thrown off is a win for us." My plan was simple but direct: swoop in as her tall and handsome, yet sensitive, hero and check if she felt better. Like girls at school, after a confident smile and a few flirty words, she'd melt into a puddle. Cue one closing smile and I was in. Facts were facts. I didn't need a mirror to see I was a good-looking guy. If that wasn't what drew girls' eyes, gaped stares, and giggles, then either my cut frame or athletic talent did. I worked out hard this past off-season and I'd never been in better shape. Unfortunately, none of my first impressions mattered to this girl. While I practically drooled in her face, she never looked into my eyes and was repulsed by my arms wrapped around her. Maybe it was the awkwardness of her being sick. She was embarrassed, which was my in. Time for another exchange now that she looked recovered, and before she left. "Chill out." I slapped Josh's chest as Harrison stood and left with his cronies. "I've got this. Excuse me, I have a future broken heart to hook." Josh shook his head. "Bad, bad idea, Logan." His curses faded in my ears. I plastered my best charming smile and approached, armed with my good looks, best lines, and sheer stupidity. This was going to be too easy. Never mind the skittering beats in my chest that showed up during games, not for a girl, making a reappearance. Any girl should appreciate me talking to her. I hadn't approached a girl in years, but my earlier thrill surged with each step. This will be like fishing with dynamite. Easiest conquest ever