My pulse rockets. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why did I even bring this up?
Jasper doesn’t answer my question. “Kincaid’s a good dude and a solid goalkeeper. Where he sticks his dick is his business. Same with anyone else on the team. As long as it’s not affecting how they play, it’s got nothing to do with us. Right?”
“Yeah, right.” I choke out. “I just wanted to make sure no one would give him shit about it.”
Dane tosses his controller onto the coffee table. “We’re not living in the Dark Ages. Like Jas says, it’s none of our business who Kincaid dates or fucks or whatever. Does he think we’d have a problem with it?”
“No,” I say quickly. “As captain, I’m just making sure everyone has his back.”
Jasper’s brows pull together like he’s trying to puzzlesomething out, and I avoid his gaze. The last thing I need is him seeing straight through me.
Dane shrugs. “If whoever he’s dating makes him happy, then I’m happy for him. Same as anyone else on the team.”
“Anyone gives him grief, they deal with us. Plain and simple.” Jasper pauses, then adds, “That goes for anyone on the team.”
My throat clogs.
They mean it. I hear the blunt sincerity, the unshakable loyalty in their voices.
“Great. Glad to hear it,” I choke out. It’s too much. More than I could have hoped for. “Can we keep this between ourselves? Until Kincaid’s ready to say something?”
“I’m a vault,” Jasper says.
Dane mimes zipping his lips.
“Thanks.” I reach for one of the discarded controllers before settling back on the couch. “Who’s ready to be annihilated?”
Sooner or later, our secret will be out. I’m not ready to blurt it out, but knowing the guys will have our backs is enough for now.
When Zacand I enter his house after having breakfast with Hannah on Sunday morning, we’re greeted by Amelia sitting on the staircase waiting for us.
“I have a favour to ask,” she says, turning her attention to me.
Zac snorts a laugh. “Here we go.”
I ignore him, and the apprehension creeping through me, and sign, “What is it?”
“You promised you’d convince him to let me drive his car.”
Shit. I had promised her that.
“Sorry,” I sign. “I forgot.”
Zac shakes his head as his fingers move. “No one drives my car but me.”
Milly jabs a finger at me. “He got to.”
I cough to cover my laugh. “She has a point.”
“Not helping,” he grumbles. To her he signs, “He only drove because I was sick.”
“Pretty please,” she asks, batting her eyelashes. “I promise I’ll be careful. I know how much it means because of Pop, but that’s why I want to drive it just once. Pop and I never had anything like this.”
Zac hesitates, and I can see he’s torn.
She turns her pleading gaze on me, and I rest my hand on his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. “C’mon, Romeo. What’s the harm? We all know this car is special to you, but what harm can happen letting her take it for a quick spin on the back roads?” I give him my most charming smile. “I promised her. Don’t make me a liar, baby.”
He closes his eyes and releases a deep breath before opening them again. “No.”
