“Thanks.” He gently tugged his arm back. “I better get back to my game.”
“You let me know if you need any more tips!” She called out when he was halfway across the gym.
Ethan raised his arm in acknowledgment but didn’t turn around.
When he reached Kade, he held up his hands for him to pass the ball.
Instead, his friend tilted his head to the side as his mouth curved up in a half-grin. “What was she giving you tips on?”
“Nothing.” Jess had made him promise not to tell anyone about their dance. Between that and their faux romance, he felt like he was living a double life. He didn’t like that feeling.
“It didn’t look like nothing,” Kade chuckled before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone.
He tossed Ethan the ball before answering it. Ethan checked his own phone to see if Jess had messaged him back yet. She hadn’t responded, but she’d “loved” his picture. That was progress, at least.
“I gotta go.” Kade grabbed his bag.
“Everything okay?”
“Ali’s sick. I’m going to go get her.”
“I’ll drive,” Ethan offered as he grabbed his bag and followed his friend out of the gym.
“What?” Kade looked confused.
“That way you can drive Ali’s truck back and I’ll take Jess home on Sunday.”
“You sure?”
An excuse to spend two days in the city with Jess? Yeah, he was sure.