Wayne points a finger at me. “Fuck, Wild. No getting involved with the staff. Especially Savannah. Coach’ll kill you.”
I shoot him what I hope is an innocent look. “Savannah and I are just friends. We’re friendly.”
“Uh-huh.” Wayne and McLain both start laughing. “Sure.”
Chapter Seven
Savannah
My oldest sister, Nadine, calls me from Chicago right as I’m about to lock up for the day.
“Guess what?” she gushes.
“You’re pregnant.”
“How’d you know?” Her voice drops in disappointment.
“I’m sorry, honey,” I say. “But every time you’ve been pregnant, and only then, do you sound this way.”
“What way?”
“Excited. Gushy. Mushy.”
“Vannah!” Nadine says. “I thought you’d be the most excited for me—that’s why you’re the first sister I called.”
“You know I love you. And I’m so, so happy for you and Brad.”
We talk about her pregnancy—she’s just over ten weeks and isn’t planning to tell anyone else until three months. “So no blabbing, even to Mama,” she warns me.
“I’m a good secret keeper—you know that. So no worries.”
“Thanks, baby sister. So, how are things with Cam?”
“He’s just so hot!” I let out the confession in a gust of air. “But I can’t date a player. Chapter closed.”
“I say go for it,” she advises me. “Life’s too short for what ifs, Vannah. Tell him how you feel about him.”
The very idea turns my stomach into knots of nerves.
“It was super sweet what he said to you last week,” she says.
I couldn’t believe Cameron made that promise to me about the Cannons not losing another game.
But so far, he’s been accurate. And he’s playing like he’s got something to prove.
“I’m sure he didn’t really mean the part about winning for me,” I say to her. “I’m just giving him a good reason to play his best.”
“It sounded like he did mean it,” she says. “You shouldn’t be so modest, Vannah. You’ve been a good influence on him.”
“I’ve got to go to class, Nadie. I love you, and congratulations, and tell Brad the same. Keep me posted.”
I turn off the computer and lock up. But like always, I leave the wall lights on, and the pair of hockey sticks unused. Just in case Coach McMann decides to come home.
* * *
Savannah
When I reach Climax Dance Studio, I hurry to the bathroom to change into yoga pants and a cut-off tank, and then I wrap my hip scarf around my waist.
