“Thank you,” Felix says quietly, not looking up.
I really wish the anxiety rolling off him would’ve dissolved some since this morning. He’s withdrawing back into himself like he was when he first got here.
I feel eyes on me and look up, surprised to see my sister, her eyes widened, tilting her head in Landon’s direction. What?! He didn’t play last night! Give me a break. She gives me another hard look, her eyes saying everything while her lips say nothing.
Whatever. “So... congrats on the win last night,” I grit. “You guys played great.”
He chuckles. “Pain you to say that, eh? I’ve played just as many games as Andre, thank you.” I guess. Andre’s played more, and he played last night, but sure, whatever you say, Landon. Though I will say—to myself!—he’s gotten a lot better. Andre is probably training with him. “He can’t wait for this to be over so he can marry Oli.”
“How’s the wedding planning going?” Alyssa asks. “Already got my dress and Lianna’s picked out.”
“And I bet you look stunning.” Landon kisses the back of her hand.
“I’m trying to eat.” I gag.
“Fudge off, Grey.” Alyssa glares at me.
“They’re excited,” Landon laughs. “Most of the guys are happy for them. There’s still some weird tension with some, but fu—” Landon looks at Lianna. “Fudge them anyway.”
“Has anyone given them a hard time?” Rule number one of being a public figure: never read the comments sections. I don’t have any social media, but even I know this.
Landon shakes his head. “You know. The usual homophobic sofa warriors who scream from their couch as if they could play better than we can. They aren’t paying attention to the noise.”
“Not too much on the sofa warriors.” I laugh. “That shit is stressful to watch.”
“You said a bad.” Lianna glares.
“Sorry, sweet pea.” I finish up my steak, and Felix pushes his food around his plate. I got him to relax a little earlier, tucked up in bed in my arms while we watched a couple of movies from the watch list he has in his journal. “You okay?” I ask him quietly. He looks up, nodding, with a tiny smile.
I know he’s shaken up, but I meant what I said. I’m not letting a thing happen to him.
“I’m okay.”
He gets up to clean the empty dishes, but I stop him. “It’s okay. Sit.” I take my empty plate and grab Landon’s, and Alyssa stands with hers. Lianna is still eating.
“Hey, can you come outside with me? I have some of that stuff for you?” she says, and I look back at Felix as I nod.
“So,how much did this cost me?” I ask, following her out to her car. Not that I care how much it cost. I’m limping some, but a lot of the tightness is gone today. Every day he makes me rest, alternating an ice pack with my knee propped up, then some heat and usually a soak with salts.
“Better not ask those questions.” She grins. “You asked me to take your credit card and go to a craft store and said money wasn’t an issue. Believe me, I spent it like it wasn’t one.” She laughs. “By the way, you bought Lianna a new easel and markers.” I would gladly have bought anything for her anyway. “So,” she says as soon as we get to her trunk. “What’s going on? Spill.” She opens the trunk, grabbing the bag.
“Spill what?”
“Don’t you dare. I’m not dumb. Something’s going on. You didn’t stop staring at him during dinner. And why does he look so sad? What did you do to that poor boy?” She shovesmy shoulder.
“First of all, screw you, I didn’t do anything to him. Well...” I smirk then straighten my face. “I mean...”
Her mouth drops open. “Gross.”
“You asked!”
She folds her arms over her chest, leaning against the car. “Come on, Grey. Spill.”
I don’t know how much to say. He’s technically on my payroll, so it’s not like she can fire him. I already made it clear to him that no matter what, his job is safe. He could decide he doesn’t want me tomorrow and he’d still have a job and a safe place to live. I’ve made this clear. “Um, I found out something about Felix’s situation.”
“Is it that you have a big fat crush on him?” She pokes my stomach. “Felix and Grey, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S?—”
“He’s running from an abusive relationship.”
