“Do you? Because the guys on the team…” Silas touched his hand to his chest. “Not including me, of course. I know you’re great. But the guys on the team think otherwise.”
I pressed my lips together, holding back a told you so.
Kai’s jaw tightened at the news. “What was said, exactly?”
“That isn’t the point,” Silas said, trying to defuse a potentially explosive situation.
My brother wasn’t the usual type to get heated. That was more my department. But with the perfect mix of sugar, spice, and everything nice, Kai was known to sport a forehead vein or two.
“The point is, no matter how many guys we brought from Amber U, the team’s still not cohesive,” Silas continued. “Even after that one game, I think winning’s going to start looking a little tougher. I know you see how separated the practices and training sessions can get. Especially when it comes to the guys closer to last year’s quarterback. To be honest, I don’t see them voting for you this year.”
Kai let out a breath, annoyed. I shrugged at him, still willing and ready to offer my assistance.
“Fine,” Kai said to me. “What’s your advice in this situation? How do I fix this, Lawrence?”
My eyes narrowed. “First, I resent the comparison. Take it back.”
Kai raised a brow, surprised at the stiffness in my tone. Neither of them knew how close I’d once been with our old friend, and I’d like to keep it that way.
“My bad,” he apologized. “Didn’t mean to open old wounds. You kind of sound like him sometimes. Always wanting to impart your socializing wisdom.”
I exhaled, shaking off my anger, and exchanged it for something lighter. “First step to getting you to become captain is showing the team you’re one of them. That you can have fun too.”
“Can he?” Silas asked in a high-pitched voice.
“No,” I answered, flatly. “But he can pretend.”
Kai sighed and placed his hands on his hips, readying himself for a challenge. “How do I do that?”
“We’ll start by you making a group chat with the guys on the team you think you can sway into liking you,” I said. “Can you think of a handful?”
“Yeah, a few.” Kai nodded, looking in the distance as he mentally curated his list.
I pulled up my phone to find the address of the place I was meeting Yara and a few of the other girls from the org tonight. “Perfect, you’ll text them tonight and invite them here.”
“God, finally,” Silas said in relief. “I’m tired of living this sober weekend life. Let’s get fucked or at least moderately teased…I’m assuming I’m invited.”
I snorted. “Of course, you are. But don’t get too excited. This won’t be like our typical Amber U Friday night.”
Kai sucked the back of his teeth once my text went through and he saw the address. “Here? Are you sure, Emmy?”
I grinned and nodded. My eyes landed on my purse, behind one of our large houseplants. “I’m positive. This is what we all need. I’ll drive. We leave in ten.”
Chapter 22
Technically,tonightwassupposedto be a girl’s night. Yara invited a few girls from BWDC out to a place called the Grand Prix. The small amusement park had three mini-golf courses, laser tag, and a haunted house — which was unfortunately closed for renovations.
“This looks so fun,” Kai said sarcastically as he stepped out of the car.
“It won’t be with that attitude.” I gave him a pointed look with hopes he’d at least try to relax. Because if he didn’t, I’d pretend not to know him for the rest of the night.
My phone buzzed as we started towards the entrance. I did my best to hide my smile when I saw Dakota’s name on the screen.
So, your brother invited me to the Grand Prix. Can I expect to see you there? Or should I cancel? Because I’d like to see you tonight.
A part of me had started to think slow and steady meant full stop when it came to Dakota. We’d barely texted all weekend. And I hadn’t seen him since he bent me over.
I’m here.
