Her lips twitch into a smirk. "Better than having her block my number."
I point at her, narrowing my eyes. "You little traitor."
She laughs, tossing a pillow at my head.
I clutch the pillow she just threw at me to my chest like I've been mortally wounded.
"You know what kills me? I've been such a good big brother. The best wingman. Who's the one slipping you Elijah updates? Who's the one telling you where he is, when he's free, sending you photos of him everyday?"
I jab a finger at my chest. "Me.Me. And this is the thanks I get? This is betrayal of the highest order, Sam."
Sam's doubled over laughing, barely managing a breathless, "I'm sorry, okay? I really am!"
"Right," I grumble, tossing the pillow back at her. "I'd believe that if I thought you actually meant it." My voice dips into a sulk as I slump back on the bed.
"Still can't believe you kept this from me... knowing how bad I wanted to talk to Caroline... find out why she ghosted me all these years."
"Sorry," she singsongs again, not even trying to hide the smirk on her face. Then she's climbing onto the bed, looping her arms around my neck from behind like a koala and hugging tight.
I shake my head, lips pressed into a line. "Next-level betrayal, Sam. And you know what? As punishment, I'm cutting you off. No more helping you get closer to Elijah. No more scouting reports, no more workout shots. Done."
That makes her gasp.
Truth is, I've been her dealer for years now. Other big brothers would tell their little sisters to stay the hell away from their best friend, shut down the crush, forbid it, whatever.
Me? Nah. I enable.
I've been snapping stealth pics of Elijah at practice, in the gym, even mid-drill when he's drenched and flexing. Feeding Sam's folder of thirst traps like the terrible sibling I am.
And yeah, Elijah acts like he hates it every time he catches me aiming my camera at him…
but sometimes — just sometimes — I swear he flexes harder. Or holds a pose a second longer.
Then again… I might be imagining it. Who knows.
Anyway, Sam's probably got more shirtless Elijah pics than half the puck bunnies on campus combined.
But that's our deal. We're partners in crime. I've never known how to tell her no, not when she's got me wrapped around her finger since day one.
Sam tightens her grip on me until it's not even a hug anymore, more like a chokehold. "You can't do that," she whines. "I'm really sorry, Zachyyy."
"Nope. Not forgiven."
"But I know how I can make it up to you, though..."
I side-eye her. "How?"
"Promise me first that you won't stop being my wingman. Because Iknow—I canfeelit—Elijah's this close to falling in love with me. He just needs a little more push..."
Doubt it,I want to say.
Elijah isn't close to falling for her—not even a little. The guy's probably closer to detonating. His patience is hanging by a thread, thanks to Sam trailing him everywhere and cockblocking him at every turn. Practice? She's there. The bar? She's there. Locker room exit? Somehow—she's there.
Hell, I'm pretty sure if he tried to sneak a girl into his car, Sam would pop out of the backseat like the damn boogeyman. No wonder the poor bastard hasn't laid in over a month.
"Fine," I grumble. "I promise. Happy now? So... what's your plan?"
I cock my head, narrowing my eyes at her sideways. She's grinning, all mischievous and smug, and I know that look way too well. She's up to no good. Again.
