He turns to me. “Captain.”
I exhale. “Acts of service.”
Dex squints. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
A voice from the back yells, “BOOOO!”
I point without looking. “Who was that?”
“Me,” Bobby says proudly.
Dex laughs. “Okay, okay. Question two. Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.”
Mason says, “Not this.”
The room explodes.
Eli underlines Mason’s name like he’s about to declare him the winner of love.
Dex wheezes. “That answer counts.”
Gregory goes next. “Home-cooked meal. Board game. Early bedtime.”
Dex puts a hand on his chest. “You are one cardigan away from becoming a human mug of tea.”
Gregory nods. “Tea is beneficial.”
Dex turns to me. “Captain, you can’t say ‘charity’ again.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good,” Dex says. “Answer, please.”
I think for half a second, and that’s my mistake.
Someone yells, “BOOOO!” again.
I glare. “Bobby, I will deduct your oxygen.”
Dex leans in. “Answer.”
“Good dinner,” I say. “No cameras.”
Dex pauses, then slowly lifts his head like he’s smelling blood in the water. “Oh. Interesting. Captain hates attention.”
“I hate forced attention,” I correct.
“Same thing,” Dex says.
Coach mutters, “Keep it moving.”
Dex scrolls. “Question three. Are you emotionally available or just available after games?”
A collective “oooooh” rolls through the room.
Mason says, “Available.”
