When the game broke for a commercial, a soft buzz echoed in the room. Heavenly looked up to find Gene snapping to attention. He grabbed his phone, his stare glued to the screen.
Instantly, his expression shifted—relief flooded his features, followed by something else she couldn’t put her finger on. Resolve?
Heavenly wasn’t sure what that was about. A work thing, maybe? A bet on the game? She didn’t know Gene well enough to guess.
He pocketed the phone, seeming to tuck away the distraction. Then he turned his attention to the game on the big screen. “I hope neither of you are Eagles fans. The Giants are gonna take it. Their defense is too strong this year.”
Beck raised a brow. “You sure about that?”
Gene grinned. “Damn right. If Seth were here, he’d agree with me, too.”
He probably would.
Where on earth was he? Since Seth was a huge Giants fan, she knew he didn’t want to miss this game. Maybe he stopped to get something besides orange juice? Or maybe he’d run into someone he’d grown up with?
While Carl and Gene talked about players and their stats, Beck glanced at the front door, as if he wondered what was keeping Seth, too.
Heavenly tried to tamp down her concern. If he needed help, he’d call.
As the room settled, exhaustion tugged at Heavenly. Beck and Seth hadn’t let her sleep much last night, and after a busy day, her lids felt heavy. She could really use a nap.
It was probably too early to blame her exhaustion on pregnancy, but soon…
She closed her eyes. Just for a minute, she promised herself.
When she blinked and sat up a few minutes later, Grace had shifted closer to Hudson on the couch, leaning in as he explained his game in a low voice, play by play, his thumbs pausing every so often to demonstrate. She listened intently. Hudson’s face lit up.
Carl and Beck were still glued to the TV, debating something about a defensive formation Heavenly didn’t understand. Gene tuned out of their debate.
He was staring at his phone again—scrolling, pausing. He read something.
His expression shifted. He looked more than focused. His jaw tightened, like he was thinking about something that bothered him.
A few minutes ago, he’d been kicking back and joking with the other men about the game. And now, the next play was underway, and he was glued to his phone.
Had he gotten bad news? Or maybe Gene was just wound a little tight. Not hard to believe of a career cop.
She glanced at Grace, who was smiling and nodding, still absorbed in Hudson’s explanation. She’d known Gene for something like twenty years, and she didn’t seem to think anything was off.
Heavenly thought about grabbing her phone, which was still upstairs, and texting Seth to make sure he was all right. Surely, he’d be back soon…
Suddenly, Gene tensed. He typed something quickly, his thumbs all but pounding on his screen. He waited with a scowl, looking tense, almost…angry.
What was that about?
Heavenly blinked, watching as he typed again, this time even faster, more emphatic.
She sent a sidelong glance to Beck. Despite the game flashing across the TV, he was watching Gene, too.
Their eyes met, and Beck’s brow lifted—the silent equivalent of what’s up with this guy?
Heavenly shrugged back. Maybe that’s just how he is?
Too bad Seth wasn’t here so she could ask. Speaking of… Shouldn’t he be back by now?
Rising to her feet, Heavenly stretched. Maybe she’d text him, make sure he was all right.
By the time she went upstairs, took a bathroom break, found her cell, and settled back on the sofa, she found Gene staring at his phone again.
