Riley snorted. “They don’t jerk off on the phone. They stare at each other until they melt.”
“Packy melts first,” Dog said.
Gabe scoffed. “Bullshit. Rossi’s the puddle. Packy’s strong.”
“It’s all those protein bars he eats,” Brody said.
Logan looked up and grinned. “He needs those for when Nico’s not there to make protein shakes.”
They cracked up, and I couldn’t help laughing too. As much as I hated to admit it, theywerefunny, but I still flipped them off when things quieted down. “Can’t you assholes talk about anything else?”
“Wecan,” Holky said through a big smirk. “Butwillwe? Absolutely not.”
“Tell us more about Packo.” Riley waggled his brows. “I could use a thrill.”
“Fuck off.”
Harpy leaned forward. “Remember when Logan and Riley were getting together, and you were so interested in who pitched and who caught? Give us that much.”
“Fuck. Off.” I stuck my middle finger high in the air for dramatic effect.
Riley narrowed his eyes. “Just keep breathing if you like it when Nico gives it to you hard.”
“Stop.” Logan’s voice cut through the cackles. “Too far.”
They went quiet for about three seconds.
Brody pointed at me. “You’re tender now, Packy. I was sitting next to you yesterday when you texted him from the bus. You used an emoji.”
“Did not.”
“You absolutely did. A heart.”
Holky clutched his chest. “A man transformed.”
Dog nodded slowly. “You’re the face of hashtag Packo now. Better guard your heart.”
I snorted, trying to play it off, but the words stung more than they should have.
Harpy met my eyes across the table. “We’re giving you shit because we’re happy for you. It’s good to see you smiling again.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Riley said. “Nico’s solid. We wouldn’t chirp you this hard if we didn’t mean it.”
Dog nudged my shoulder. “We’re your family. We’ve got your back.”
“And Nico’s got his something else,” Holky stage whispered.
I laughed again, though my insides were buzzing.
Harpy went to play cards with the other three, and Dog and I played until the flight attendant brought coffee and banana muffins.
After inhaling half a muffin, Dog leaned close. “Okay, bud. Spill.”
“Spill what?”
“You were weird last night.”
“I was tired.”
