Chapter 26 : Layla POV We park a little down the road from the froyo shop and saunter over as a group , laughing and joking , the guys ribbing each other . Inside , Hunter tells me to go and sit down at one of the last available booths by the window , and they will order for me . Before I can ask them for the flavor I want , I'm shooed over to the booth by all of them . Hopefully , they don't bring me something disgusting like Rum ' n Raisin . Blech ! Because I'm sitting there and peering out the window , daydreaming , I don't immediately notice when they join me . When I swivel my head in their direction , I'm taken aback by the sheer amount of small froyo cups they've placed on the table . A quick count brings me to at least 12 different flavors . " We made an executive decision . There will be no boring go - to flavors for us today . We're tasting all their new options so we can expand our palate . " Cade says , adopting a British accent at the end , feigning aristocracy . I try to hide a snort behind my hand but fail miserably . Hunter , who is sitting next to me , leans in and whispers , " Adorable . " into my ear . We dig in , each with our very own baby spoons , taking a small bite from the different cups , before passing it on so we can try the next one . Toasted coconut and cranberry orange tart are my favorites . Hunter's is the apple pie and cookie dough ones . AJ's , ever the weirdo , favorites are birthday cake and amaretto . Cade also chooses the toasted coconut , and the mango as his new favorites . We're almost done , jacked up on all the sugar when Xavier strolls into the shop . I internally groan , expecting a showdown . I'd rather cut my left thumb off than deal with his shit right now . As he strolls over , I automatically tense , getting ready for the verbal assault to begin . " Hey , " he says as he stops next to the table . I frown at him . He almost sounds sheepish and remorseful . But that can't be , Xavier doesn't experience those feelings . He's probably still hungover from last night . Or he's constipated . Yeah , that's got to be it . " Hey buddy , how are you feeling ? Only joining the land of the living now ? " Hunter asks playfully and I catch Cade's eye across the table . He must see the apprehension on my face because he bumps and keeps his knee against mine underneath the table in a show of reassurance . The small gesture goes a long way to calm my fraying nerves . Xavier's eyes lock onto my face and I brace myself . Here it comes …. " Something like that . I was walking by and saw you guys through the window , and thought I'd come say hi . " Well , fuck me sideways in the ear canal with a cucumber . 1/3 8:06 pm 00 Chapter 26 : Layla POV Who is this guy standing here and what has he done with Xavier Reed ? Should I go read up on alien body snatchers ? AJ and Cade scoot closer to the window as Cade asks , " Want to join us ? Most of the flavors have been eaten , but there should be enough left to give you somewhat of a sugar boost . " Everyone looks at him with bated breath . Is this the moment he refuses to sit down while I'm here ? " Would that be OK with you Layla ? " Xavier asks me , and I think I'm having a seizure because I cannot formulate an answer right now , even if my life depended on it . All three of my guys ( when did I start thinking of them as my guys ? I'll have to revisit that revelation . when I'm alone later ) look at me and I'm confident in the looks they give me that should I decide to say no , they will support my decision . But I'm not a vindictive bitch who holds grudges . The only person who will suffer from that mentality is me . " Of course . " The look of pride my guys give me makes me blush and I dip my head to hide my reaction from Xavier . I don't trust the temporary truce enough to think he won't give me shit about it . Xavier slips into the booth next to Cade and they all start chatting about their upcoming schedule this week , especially with football practices being in full swing again . Deciding to keep quiet so they can have their bro - moment , my gaze drifts out the shop window and I start to people - watch . On the sidewalk families rush by while the parents are trying to keep their small kids under control , couples stroll hand - in - hand while gazing lovingly into each other's eyes , and there's even a group of teenage girls that come tittering past while throwing surreptitious glances over their shoulder at a couple of cute bikers that are parked across the road . I startle when I feel Hunter's hand slip into mine where it lays in my lap . He doesn't look my way , so I don't make a big deal of it , continuing to stare out the window , content to hold his hand and just be . " Layla ? " Cade asks as he nudges my leg under the table to get my attention . " Sorry , I got a bit lost there in my ruminations . What's up ? " I ask as I look around the table . " Our first game of the season is next week , and we wanted to know if you'd be there to support us ? " AJ asks , hope shimmering in his eyes . I don't know what to say . On the one hand , I would love to be there to support my guys . But then , Xavier is also on their team and I'm 120 % sure he'd rather move to another country before he'd want me on the sidelines . 2/3 Chapter 26 : Layla POV " Uhm , can I get back to you ? " I hedge . I don't want to lie to them , but answering right now , in front of Xavier , can easily shatter the peace that has settled around us . " Of course , " Cade says , understanding flashing in his eyes . We gather the empty cups and throw them in the bin on our way out . We stop on the sidewalk , and there is suddenly an awkward silence . Deciding to be the bigger person , I turn to Xavier . " We're heading to your dad's house for popcorn and movies , you're welcome to join us . " While we were still at the bowling alley , the guys asked if they could come over afterward . We never discussed details , but I'm silently hoping my impromptu suggestion won't bother them too much . My proposal has thrown all of them for a loop , Xavier more so than the others . They are best friends , roommates , and teammates . I never wanted there to be a divide between them . Xavier was the one who caused the crack in their relationship , but that doesn't mean I have to allow it to grow , fester , and cause lasting damage . I never had an issue with Xavier ; he was the one who came at me , guns blazing. Chapter Comments 36 POST COMMENT NOW SHARE