“I think my ears are bleeding.” Jack groans, getting up to grab a plate.
Coop chuckles, his face transformed into a rare smile. “That might be some of the corniest shit I’ve ever heard. What the fuck have you two been up to?”
“Three,” I correct, and Jack shoots me an annoyed look. “Macy was in on it too.”
“Remind me to use you guys as wingwomen in the future,” Nate says, and I stay in my seat, waiting for them to get their dinners first.
“Maybe we could start a matchmaking business,” Ellie ponders out loud, and considering what a success Jack’s profile was, I think it’s something we’d be good at.
“What should we name it?” I ask, going along with it as Jack slides a plate made up with steaming vegetables and chicken on top of white rice in front of me on the counter. “I was going to get a plate after you all sat down?”
“Yeah, well now you don’t have to get up. It’s just a plate of food,” Jack says, grabbing another plate to get back in the makeshift line to get his own, and I’m floored. Why would he make me a plate before making one for himself?
Ellie clears her throat and looks as confused as I do. I lift my shoulders in a shrug, the gears in my head turning faster than I can sort through the thoughts.
“Sign me up as your first official customer,” Nate says, and I’m wondering if I’m making a bigger deal in my head about the plate in front of me.
“Baxter, don’t encourage them,” Coop says, and Jack nods his agreement.
“Yeah, this isn’t funny,” Jack chimes in, and I roll my eyes because of course he would say that. He doesn’t believe in love.
“Maybe if you were open to the idea of girls being more than just something you can fuck, then I wouldn’t have had to take drastic measures,” I tease, picking up my fork to take a bite.
“I don’t just see them as playthings. Give me more credit than that,” Jack says, making his plate while Dylan hops up to sit on the counter. Coop shakes his head, leaning against the counter while holding his plate. “I’m perfectly content with the way things are. I have y’all for the emotional crap,” he says, this time setting the plate in his hands in front of Ellie.
Okay, so it wasn’t weird he made one for me. I’m definitely overthinking this.
“Thanks,” Ellie says, smiling at him.
“I’m not good with the emotional shit, so don’t come to me,” Coop says, taking a bite, and I use my fork to spear a piece of broccoli. The seasoning and teriyaki sauce are the perfect touch,and I’m glad Jack gave me a bigger portion than I would have served for myself.
“Wow, Coop. You’re such a great friend,” Ellie says, scoffing.
“At least I didn’t sign my friend up to date half the women at Wilder,” he throws back, and she points at me.
“It was Al’s idea!”
“Way to throw me under the bus.” I snort, and Jack takes the seat next to me again, finally sitting down to eat. “Technically, we weren’t signing you up to date all of them. The goal was to find you a girlfriend, and I think you’re overreacting.”
“I don’t want a girlfriend.”
“Yeah, Jack. Go on a few dates,” Nate says, and I glare at him because teasing Jack about this is not going to make him any more likely to go.
“No.”
“Please,” I say, aware this is one of the weirdest conversations I’ve ever had, trying to get a hockey player to go on a few dates with vetted girls. Everyone deserves love.
“No,” Jack says, and Dylan snorts.
I smile at him, nudging his thigh with my knee under the counter. “I’ll rock paper scissors you for it.”
“Rock paper scissors? Are we five?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Didn’t we do rock paper scissors to decide who got the master bedroom?” Nate says, and Ellie shushes him.
“Are you afraid you’ll lose?” I taunt, and his posture straightens. I have no problem using his competitiveness against him, just as he does to me.
“Yeah, Jackie,” Ellie adds, egging him on.
