We end up at a place the guys love. Loud, dark, with too many TVs and sticky tables and a crowd that recognizes us immediately.
A few heads turn. Phones come out. Someone calls Rhys “Rocket” like it’s a prayer.
We get a corner booth and the guys order without looking at the menu because they’ve been here a thousand times.
Once we all have a beer in front of us, Rhys clears his throat. “So. How’s Talia?” The undertone is unmistakable.
I take a long drink and glare into my glass. I knew this was coming.
“She’s good.”
Connor snorts immediately. “Really, Cap? Could you be any more vague? What’s wrong with you?”
Misha rolls his eyes. “Leave him alone. Stop poking the bear.”
Marcus nudges my shoulder. “We only mess with you because you’ve been miserable for years. Then suddenly you’ve got a serious girlfriend out of nowhere, and somehow you look… less miserable.”
I scoff. “I do not.”
“You do,” Declan says simply.
I stare at them, irritated by the possibility that they might be right.
Connor grins, because he can’t help himself. “Also, she’s hot.”
“Don’t,” I warn.
He laughs. “Protective.”
Marcus smirks. “Very boyfriend of you.”
Connor leans back in his chair, watching me over the rim of his beer like a shark that just smelled blood in the water.
“You know what’s interesting?” he says slowly.
I narrow my eyes. “No.”
“Coach,” he continues. “He’s been looking at you weird.”
I can’t suppress a laugh. So even the team has noticed.
Declan perks up. “Oh yeah. He’s right. What’s going on there, Cap?”
I try to deflect. “Coach is always watching. That’s just his face.”
Rhys shakes his head. “No, man. I know Coach-face. This is different.”
Declan tilts his head at me. “What did you do?”
I sigh and decide to go with the truth. It’s not like I can hide it from them forever.
“Actually, there might be a reason he’s watching me more now…”
I pause for a moment, keeping them in suspense a second longer.
Connor squints at me. “Come on, tell us.”
“It’s probably the fact that I’m dating his daughter.”
