Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her innocent voice usually makes me tune into her every word, but I don’t want her involved in this conversation. Nothing to do with that name.
    “Deacon’s ex.” Mason is curt. Her name leaves a sour taste in all of our mouths. Except Emberlee. Those two were thick as thieves. “This game is stupid.” He nudges Avery to move, and he heads to the bathroom. Mason took our change of plans the hardest. As long as I could remember, we were all going to the major leagues. Our junior year we were scouted, and we all had the future laid out in front of us. Cue Adriane . . . she blew my world apart, changed my plans, and Mason and Caden weren’t ready to give up the dream. They took it in stride when I couldn’t go to the majors. They followed me to college, and we are still learning to navigate this world. Caden has accepted it, but he doesn’t let much bother him. He just ducks and rolls . . . blocks anything that will leave a lasting impression in his life.
    “This got awkward,” I hear Saylor mumble as our food arrives. That’s a no-shitter. Nobody speaks as we all eat, mostly rearranging our food and not ingesting any of it.
    Tonight was going so great, and I have to salvage it. “Favorite color?” I ask her.
    “Blue.”
    “Favorite food?”
    “Steak.”
    “Major?”
    “Why am I getting all the questions?”
    I wave her off. “We all know each other.”
    “That’s nice, but that’s unfair. I don’t know y’all, and this is all directed towards me.”
    “Fine. Green. Pizza. Biomedical Engineering.” I nod for all of them to follow suit. Once their answers have been given, I ask her again. “Major?”
    “Marketing.”
    “See, not so bad,” I tease.
    “I could be up for some one-on-one tutoring if you find yourself in need of help, Shortstop,” Mason offers. I respond with a grimace and a growl.
    “Mace,” she winks, “I’m sure it doesn’t take much for you to be up , but I like more of a challenge. Besides, you’re fucking Emberlee, and three’s a crowd.” He smiles and rubs his chin.
    “Damn, Saylor. I’d say you just made this group a lot more interesting.”
    “I concur.” Lifting up my glass, I ‘cheers’ him. Looks like I just added another thing to my plate. Get Saylor Lewis. Maybe for keeps.

 
    This week flew by, and instead of a Saturday night party, the guys insisted it be Friday night. Well, Mason and Caden did. Deacon is elusive and isn’t with us like they are. He is like a shadow; he is always there, but sometimes I can’t see him. Maybe because he invades my thoughts, even though he shouldn’t. Emberlee isn’t warming up that much, but I try to ignore it. She spends a lot of time in Mason’s bed or at Deacon’s house. I haven’t ventured over there yet, not that I’ve received an invitation. Sometimes their routine—the closeness they all have, is intimidating.
    “Shortstop, you’ll be there tonight.” Caden didn’t word it as a question, so I shrug.
    “We’re doing it at our house, so you don’t have clean-up duty.” Like that’s an incentive. Cleaning has been my solace this week. I’ve scrubbed every surface in our house whether it needs it or not. I shocked the shit out of the guys when I did their laundry, and in turn they spoiled me with Outback for dinner. Jack deposited money in my account for spending, but I’m thinking of starting a side business of laundry and cleaning for spending money, so I’m not dependent on anyone. My mom doesn’t want me getting a job first semester to give me time to adjust, but I hate being a burden. This crew spends money and shops like it grows on trees, and I cringe. I brought coupons to the grocery store, and they thought that was hilarious. I chipped in my third, but it was extreme. I could have this lifestyle, but I refuse to let Jack supplement me like that.
    “Who’s cleaning up?” Maybe I could start my business venture.
    “We hired a service to come in the morning.”
    “How much?”
    “A few