Gwen tsked. “Even if I did do that, you should know by now that I’d never leave you… You guys are my family.”
The resultant joy was unmistakable in Andi’s eyes. “That’s always been what I was hoping to create.”
Taryn slung her arm over Andi’s shoulder and pulled her into a bro hug. “Mission accomplished.” More words nudged at her throat to escape, but she was still recovering from her bout of excessive emotion-sharing with Cassie and couldn’t be sure her tears would stay put. She had never cried in front of Andi, and she didn’t want to start blubbering in front of herandthe rest of the team.
“Speaking of family and other awkward shit,” Andi said as if she’d picked up on Taryn’s discomfort. “I need to talk to you about something important, Tar.” She gestured toward the Cosmos, its mighty height beginning to cast a monolithic shadow across the floor of the stadium. “Can we meet in Venus when you’ve freshened up?”
Taryn raised her arm and sniffed her pit. “Are you trying to say that I stink?”
“I’m nottryingto say anything.” Andi veered off toward the tunnel connecting the stadium to the hotel. “I said it.”
Taryn waved her off and unzipped her leather jacket: necessary for safety but a killer in this heat. “I’ll grab a shower and be with you in half an hour.”
“Thirty minutes? You don’t have to gussy yourself up for me, buddy.” Andi laughed and continued walking away.
“Some of us don’t like to walk around with bedhead, looking like rejects from theWalking Deadcast.”
Andi turned around and clutched her hands to her chest. “Death blow.” She chuckled and shook her head. “One woman’s bedhead is another’s stylish statement.” She put both hands over her ears and sauntered away.
Taryn patted Gwen on the shoulder. “Thanks again for the bike adjustments. I can’t wait to ride it in the show tonight.”
“My pleasure.”
Taryn jogged off to the changing room and took just ten minutes to “freshen up.” While she headed toward the Venus bar, she video-called Cassie, the reason she’d told Andi she would be so long. “Did I catch you before you started your shift?”
Cassie’s smile made Taryn’s day brighter immediately. Going cold turkey on their time together had been as bad as Taryn had imagined it would be. She’d spent her life bemoaning the speed with which time passed, but the last five days and nights had taken an age. Snatched minutes of video and voice conversations didn’t compare to holding Cassie in her arms, to breathing her scent, and touching her soft skin. And though it was probably good for her head to pull back this way—she’d be back on the road in no time—her heart didnotagree.
“Yep,” Cassie said. “The traffic was playing nice today. Did everything go well at your practice session?”
Before Taryn had the chance to respond, Cassie’s friend appeared on the screen.
“Thanks for arranging a room for me at your big celebration party next week. And for inviting me at all,” Rachel said.
Taryn shrugged. “No problem.” She tried to keep the irritation from her voice. It was bad enough that she had to get her fill of Cassie this way. Taryn didn’t appreciate having that precious time interrupted by Rachel. She just wanted her gone.
“I saw Cassie’s dress last night; it’s phenomenal.” Rachel shook her head. “Now we’ve got to go shopping for a new outfit, so I don’t look out of place beside her.”
There was so much wrong with that sentence, Taryn could’ve exploded. She doused her unhealthy jealousy with a bucket of metaphorical cold water. Cassie didn’t have to spend every spare moment with Taryn, and friends needed time too. But Rachel wouldn’t be the one beside Cassie—she would. She’d chosen a suit to match Cassie’s dress perfectly.
She was probably wasting her energy worrying; Cassie had told Taryn that Rachel liked to enjoy herself, so as soon as she stepped into the VIP area, she’d be spoiled with potential playmates for the evening and would soon leave Cassie’s side. “I’m sure you’ll find something. If there’s one thing this city does as well as its gambling, it’s shopping.”
Cassie jostled Rachel away. “Haven’t you got some blood bags to prepare?”
She rolled her eyes at the screen, and Taryn acknowledged the immature plug of satisfaction that came with Cassie’s dismissal of her friend. It was far harder to share Cassie when she wasn’t getting enough solo time with her, and she was glad that Cassie seemed to share that sentiment.
“Sorry about that,” Cassie said when Rachel moved out of view.
“It’s okay.”
Cassie raised her eyebrow, clearly not fooled. “Oh, in that case, let me get her back for the rest of our conversation.”
“No!” Taryn’s forceful response left no room for misinterpretation. “Sorry, I mean, no need.”
Cassie gave a smug grin. “Want me all to yourself, do you?”
Taryn blew out her cheeks. There was little use denying it; Cassie seemed preternaturally able to divine her true thoughts. “You don’t have to lookquiteso pleased with yourself.”
“I think I do. So, did everything go well at the stadium?”
