My brother got his phone from his pocket and wiggled it in the air. “Want to help me make some TikTok videos? My fans need constant updates.”
“You’re such an idiot,” I said, laughing when he did a weird dance move by kicking his leg. “But obviously. Much rather do that than read.”
“You have a quiz tomorrow,” Jonah said, interrupting us and causing my brother and the twins to eye him. “You asked me to remind you, even if you tried to convince me you were prepared.”
“I did not,” I said, hating the truth to his words. He narrowed his gaze. “Fine, I did, but I really am ready.”
“You’re lying.” He shook his head as he lowered himself onto his chair. He always sat there when he studied or did work. Never the couch. His routine was rigid and unflappable down to the final detail. With one more long look, he jutted his chin to the chair opposite him. “Ryann, study.”
“Damn it,” Michael stretched and let out a long yawn. “He’s right. It’s late, and you got here an hour after we were supposed to hang. You should review or get ready for school. I can see you anytime.”
“What about your TikTok career?”
“My dream will be delayed, yet again.” He snorted and nodded to Jonah. “Thanks for looking out for my sister. Appreciate it, man.”
He nodded, his eyes serious and intense and avoiding me entirely.
I gave a half-hug to both twins, then Michael, but before heading out, he whispered to me at the door. “Befriend him, okay? He seems so goddamn uptight.”
“We are friends,” I said, irritated at what he was insinuating. “Why don’t you try harder to get to know your teammates?”
He flinched, but it was too quick. He masked his face and ran his hand over his jaw. “You like him.”
My face burned red, but his insinuation wasn’t meantthatway. “Yes, I do. He’s a good guy, and with the shit he’s been through…he needs his team.”
“What happened?”
“Not my business to tell you.” I nudged him toward the top step. “Go on. We’ll hang out this weekend.”
“Stay out of trouble.”
“Never.”
He snorted before jogging down the stairs to meet up with the other two, and I went back inside to a now silent Jonah. His nose practically touched the book, and it took thirty long seconds of staring at him before he glanced up at me.
“I’m sorry if you’re angry with me, but you made me promise last night to remind you.”
“I’m not upset,” I said, the weird pang in my chest catching me off guard. His beautiful brown eyes were framed with long lashes, and they were so expressive right now—open and kind—and it startled me. “You seem in an okay mood.”
“Seeing you and your brother like that was refreshing. It makes me happy you two are close.”
That made me smile. “How was it before I got back?”
“Awkward.” Jonah gave me a half-smile and tapped his pen on the table. “We talked about the coach, the team, and the new guys. The twins asked me about my routine, and I talked about them getting drafted. It was…fine until we ran out of the hockey stuff.”
“Did you tell him about your dad?”
“No. Did you?” he fired back, the warmth in his eyes disappearing.
“Of course not. That’s between us.” The urge to squeeze his hand hit me again. “I won’t tell him a single thing you don’t want me to.”
He nodded and let out a long breath. “Please. This isn’t something I’d like shared.”
“I understand.”
He relaxed just as my phone went off, and my stomach flipped seeing the message.
Hey, it’s the handsome psychopath with two names.
