“Thanks for coming, guys.” It’s the only thing I can think of to say.
Connor clasps his hand on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t miss it, man. You guys were on fire out there. No mercy, huh?”
He lowers his hand when I shrug. “We were definitely clicking. But you know as well as I do, we can’t dwell on this win for too long. We have another game tomorrow.”
“Back to back game days are rough. Mentally and physically. Although, I’m not sure how much time your muscles need to relax after curling.”
I know he’s only fucking with me, but I still shove my best friend in the chest.
“Fuck off. I seem to remember you complaining that your ‘hamstrings were screaming’ after you attempted to play curling with me one summer.”
Charlie turns to her brother with a glint in her eye. “Aw, have you been skipping leg day big brother? I can send you my workout routine if you need it.”
I feel myself growing hard in my pants as a result of her sassy attitude. I try to focus on literally anything else before anyone can notice.
Walruses. Root canals. Team Canada.
Crisis averted.
Connor looks between the two of us then places his hands on his hips.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
My ears start ringing. There’s no fucking way he figured this out already. My best friend is smart, but he’s notthatsmart.
Charlie and I look at each other, eyes bulging.
“Since when do you guys team up onme? You two spend some time together abroad and now I’m the third wheel? Fuck that.”
I exhale a relieved breath then clap Connor’s back.
“Sorry bud, but Charlie is cooler than you.”
Connor mutters something under his breath and I see Charlie flip her hair over her shoulder dramatically.
“What can I say? I’ve always been the better Smith sibling. It just took you guys too long to realize it.”
She walks up to her brother and taps his shoulder sympathetically. “There, there, big bro. Once you accept the fact, it will be easier to cope with.”
I snort under my breath which causes Connor to whip his head to me.
“Don’t laugh at her!”
Raising my palms, I back away slowly. “I’m not getting in the middle of whatever this is.”
Except, I already have. I’m so much in the middle and Connor has no freaking idea.
“Where are you going, asshole?”
Throwing my thumb over my shoulder to where Brendan is standing, I call out, “Over here. Out of the line of fire.”
Connor waves me off then turns back to his sister.
Just as I’m about to turn to my teammates, Charlie looks from Connor to me and winks.
Holy fuck, I love this girl.
I decided to get lunch with Connor today before my quarterfinal matchup against Switzerland. I wasn’t able to go to Luke’s curling match against Canada this morning, but Connor just finished telling me all about it.
