“Coach is going to try you on runs?” I asked Gray with skepticism.
“Yeah, thinks I’m so good I can play with a splint.”
Exchanging a look with Jett, I took a step forward. “Gray, you can’t play,” I told him quietly. “Your hand’s fucked.”
Gray nodded as he pulled on his practice jersey, and quietly, Jett helped him pull it down. “I know, but he needs to see it,” Gray told us both as he looked at his cleats. “Who’s helping me with my laces?”
“You can’t tie your own shoes? You shouldn’t be here,” Jamie, our defensive end, said as he walked into the locker room.
He was a big guy, he had to be, and I’d been tackled by him many times in practice, punched him a few times too when he got out of line. He wasn’t on my list of favorite people, but then who was? The fact that Jamie looked pissed off this morning warned me that we weren’t going to like what he said next.
“Your girls took over the kitchen this morning,” Jamie said with a pointed look at Gray and Jett.
“Ava’s up?” Jett asked as he looked up from Gray’s cleats.
“Yes, she and Quinn hogged the coffee pot, while Quinn lectured me on Pop-Tarts and reminded me of my meal plan.” Jamie’s eyes were hard on Gray. “Why are your girlfriends in my house?”
“Why the fuck you being a pussy?” Gray asked instead.
I wanted to roll my eyes at the obvious response from my cousin, but I knew not to interfere.
“I’m not, but thefootballhouse is for football.”
If Jamie clenched his jaw any more, he’d break it. Glancing at Gray, I realized he may break it.
“Dude, it’s young love, they’re in that honeymoon phase thing,” I told him as I clasped his shoulder. “Honestly, I know, it’s sickening, but you know, think of the upside.”
Jamie narrowed his eyes at me. “What upside?”
“Hot chicks in your kitchen at six in the morning, wearing their PJ’s, making you coffee and breakfast, because I know that wrap you finished when you walked in was no Pop-Tart.” I grinned at the DE. “It’s only for a short time. Chill, dude, we’re here to play football.”
“It’s a football house,” Jamie grumbled, but some of his antagonism was gone.
“And Ava’s a walking sports journal, and Quinn’s practically an in-house trainer. We’re not suffering from them being there. Those girls probably have more football passion than half this team.” I wasn’t even lying; they were bigger fans than some of the players, I was sure.
“That’s true.” Jamie looked at Jett, who was standing quietly beside his twin, waiting for me to smooth things over. “And your girl did tell me my stats from Saturday and what I needed to improve on this morning.” He gave a light laugh as he shook his head. “I can’t even tell her to fuck off, because she made sense.”
Seeing Jett’s eyes widen slightly in temper, I stepped in. “She knows her stuff. See? How is this bad?”
“Yeah, you’re right, I just need more coffee. And they aresmokin’hot, so . . .” With a nod to the other two, he made his way to his locker.
Turning my attention back to my cousins, I saw them both glaring after him, and I knew I had more work to do.
“Keep it calm, he’s just talking out his ass,” I warned them quietly.
Identical snorts of derision, and we were heading out to the field. And I would have given myself a pat on the back, but Gray, being Gray, punched Jamie in the kidneys as he passed.
“What the fuck?” Jamie yelled after him.
“For perving over my girlfriend,” Gray called back as he carried on casually. “And Ava.”
Jett fist-bumped him as they walked onto the field like nothing had happened.
“Why the hell do I bother?” I muttered as I followed them. They were both possessive assholes.
“Santo, twenty-two!” Coach bellowed from across the field. “Laps, now.” Gray immediately jogged to the sidelines and then started an easy-paced run as he was told. For once.
“Santo, eighty-seven, drills!”
