Her head angles itself an inch off center.
“It’s the annual team charity calendar shoot day-”
“That’s today?!”
“Yeah!” The corners of my lips continue to curl upward in excitement despite her jaw dropping in what might be dread. “And we’re doin’ a pool party, Hawaiian fun theme thing. They rented out the whole space for us, and it backs up to this really beautiful golf course, and there’ll be food and drinks and tunes with a DJ and…why…are…you…lookin’ at me like that?”
“Theteamcharity calendar shoot?!”
“Yeah.”
“As in theteammy brother coaches?!”
“Oh shit! You’re his coach’s blood?!” loudly squawks Bronny.
She shoots him a stern yet maternal like glare. “Could you please give me and this oversized Care Bear a moment alone?”
“What’s a Care Bear?” he questions without missing a beat.
“The only show you’ll be allowed to watch after doing reverse lunges at six in the morning from tomorrow ‘til I take your ass back to Middlebrook.”
Bronny huffs and dramatically slams himself in the seat. “Wouldn’t have to be in your convo if you would’ve jus’ let me have my phone.”
“Your Snap trap devise,” I turn my body to keep my glare focused on him, “is thelastfuckin’ thing you need right now.”
“Andmegoing to aliteral team eventwithall of the playersmy brother coaches is the last thingIneed right now.” Her point swiftly steers my stare back to hers. “What the hell were you thinking, Thayne?!”
“I guess I wasn’t,” guiltily leaves me alongside a small head scratch. “The only play that really mattered to me was thatwe finally had a day to spend together. Everything else was jus’ background tuneskies.”
Against her own volition Gilly seemingly melts into the leather seat.
“Then I became hyper fixated on makin’ sure my truck was clean and buyin’ him shorts that weren’t nut huggers and makin’ you that drink and gettin’ here on time and I…” my head slowly shakes, culpability undeniable, “should’ve stopped the puck. Caught my breath. Hydrated.”
Sympathy replaces scowling.
“Look, the event is jus’ for the boys and their Slayers. No upper management. Meanin’ mos’ likely no one knows who you are in that aspect – with the exception of those you’ve personally worked on like Looferz – and we don’t have to tell the others shit.”
Her lips purse together in obvious contemplation.
“However,if you would rather jus’ hang out in the hotel bar or in the room I rented, you can do that instead, and I’ll come by every chance I get.”
Intrigue promptly quirks her brow. “And why exactly did you rent a room?”
“Needed a penalty box for Barry Manilow back there.” Amusement floods both of our expressions. “He was tryin’ to wheel a girl named Mandy last night –while I was home– which is why he couldn’t be left alone today at all. Plus, I figured seein’ a bunch of snipes in the lobby or bar or on his way back from the bathroom might lead to him gettin’ his ass in more trouble, so havin’ a designated cooldown spot seemed like a responsible call.”
“More spons’ than you shippin’ your bench boss’s sis.”
“No one asked for your commentaryLlama Llama Red Pajama,” chirps the woman that will one day be his sister-in-law.
Chuckling at her clapback precedes me casually surrendering, “We can do whichever makesyoumore comfortable, Gillybean.” My hand crosses over the truck to curl around hers. “I’ll find a way to make it work.” I deliver a loving stroke with my thumb. “When it comes to you, I’ll always find a way to make it work.”
Bashful nodding is all that I’m offered and truthskies?
It’s enough.
The fact she didn’t hop out of my truck in outrage sets the beat.
The fact she didn’t fuss at me harder in horror sets the tone.
