Everyone but Fallon is already hanging out in the living room, and I can’t help but wonder how they all got here so fast. Callum is slumped in an armchair in the corner, head down, but themoment I step in, he looks up. His gaze is instantly drawn to mine, and something tightens in my chest. He looks as defeated as Archie. His jaw is set, shoulders stiff. I want to cross the room and give him a hug, but I stop myself. That would be a bit weird, especially since Roxy is watching me like a hawk. Instead, I take a seat on the blue armchair closest to me.
“It stinks, man.” Archie sinks into the couch. “I could have easily deflected Moja’s goal. I should have—”
Finn slaps a hand over Archie’s mouth and shoots me a pointed look. “And that’s why we don’t talk about it.”
“Yeah,” Wade continues. “We’re moving on.”
The doorbell rings again, and Fallon enters a moment later, wrapped in a cream-colored trench coat. She starts grumbling about the traffic while the others tease her about taking the scenic route again.
Before long, we’re all having a drink and chatting, but it’s definitely not as lively as after a win. I briefly think that we shouldn’t get together like this after a loss—or that I shouldn’t come—but it’s probably when the guys need their friends the most.
Callum keeps stealing glances my way, and well, I guess I’m doing the same. I wish we could just be alone and talk freely. I’m not even sure why he came here tonight, and a part of me wants to believe it’s because I’m here. If I were to hazard a guess,socializing after a loss isn’t exactly his thing.
“Have you seen that new ice cream place in South Kensington? It just opened last week,” Roxy says, popping a crisp into her mouth and licking salt from her fingers. “The flavours look so good.”
Finn arches an eyebrow, his body sprawled sideways on the armchair like a housecat. “They opened an ice cream place in February? Not exactly smart timing.”
“I could eat ice cream every day of the year,” I say with a chuckle, curling my fingers around my mug of tea. “No matter the weather.”
“Yeah,” Callum says from across the room, his eyes landing on me. “Because you have a sweet tooth.”
I wink at him. “You know it.”
“Ice cream in February? No thanks,” Archie says, rubbing his arms for emphasis. “Cold on cold, you know?”
“Maybe that’s why it would actually work?” Cameron suggests. “It’s not a bad option for a Valentine’s Day date either.”
“Speaking of—big plans for tomorrow?” Finn asks Cameron, waggling his eyebrows like a cartoon villain.
Cameron rolls his eyes. “Yes, I have a date.”
A general chorus of teasing “oohs” carries through the living room.
“Let’s hopeeighty-third time’s the charm,” Archie quips with a grin.
Cameron just shakes his head, eyes flitting to Fallon, then back to the guys. “You’re just jealous. At least I’m trying.”
“And failing miserably,” Finn says. “What was wrong with the last one again?”
“Showed up in a wedding dress on the second date,” he mumbles, his voice barely audible.
“What’s that? Speak up, lad,” Finn presses, a grin forming on his lips.
“You know,” Cameron says, crossing his arms.
“That she wanted to see how you’d look in your wedding pictures?” Archie chimes in. “Yeah, we do. Still hurt that she didn’t ask us to come in our groomsmen suits.”
“As if you’d be one,” Cameron snorts. “Groomsman spots are reserved forsupportivefriends.”
“Well, you do have to find a wife first,” Finn says, laughing. “So, let’s not get carried away, eh?”
Callum’s gaze is fixed on me again, and I can’t help but glance his way. There’s a hint of amusement in his eyes, along with something else I can’t quite decipher.
“Millie,” Roxy says, standing up abruptly. “Can you help me grab some more ice and drinks?”
I frown, surprised at the request, but the look in her eye tells me it’s not up for discussion. Fallon stands up as well and follows us into the kitchen.
“Okay. You’re in big trouble,” Roxy whispers.
