“What’s with the twenty questions?” I grab my stick of deodorant and swipe on a liberal amount. Does he really have to bring this up before the game?
“Don’t you know they’re in love?” Duncan sneers from his locker across the room.
“Fuck off, Douche.”
“I thought you were better than my sloppy seconds, Willy, but I guess not.”
“You—”
I make to go after him, but Noah stops me in my tracks.
“Leave it be.”
“Are you really going to let him talk about your sister like that?”
I flex my fingers and close them into a fist. What I wouldn’t give to punch him across the face. Wipe that ever-present grin off his mouth.
“And risk getting suspended? He’s not worth it.”
“Fuck. Isn’t Piper though?”
Noah shakes his head again. “She would tell you no too. You don’t want to risk your spot on the team. Right?”
If Troy wasn’t already captain, I’d say Noah was gunning for his position. He always knows exactly what to say to anyone on the team. His words deflate the balloon that expanded in my chest.
“I hate that he gets away with that shit.”
I pull my gear on over my head and finish off with the navy and light-blue jersey. Of course Duncan stirs this shit up right before a game.
“I learned a long time ago that getting into fights isn’t worth it. And Piper doesn’t want you doing it either.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because one of my teammates in college was hitting on her when she was still in high school. I lost my shit on him and almost got benched before a big-time scout was coming to see me play.”
“What happened?” I twist the bandage around my fingers, taping them up.
“Piper went and told my coach what happened and the other guy got benched.”
I snort out a laugh. “Of course she did.” Because that sounds exactly like something Piper would do.
“See?” Noah slaps me on the shoulder. “She doesn’t need us protecting her.”
“I guess not,” I grumble. I still wouldn’t mind seeing someone take Duncan down a peg or two. Maybe a dozen, if I’m being honest.
“Does this mean you’re bringing Piper to the team Thanksgiving dinner?” Troy asks.
“Say what now?”
“The annual team dinner before the holidays. You have to bring her.”
I completely forgot about it. Because our schedule is crazy and we’re starting a road trip the day before Thanksgiving, the team organizes a big dinner with the players and their families before we leave.
Bexley Hart, the team owner’s daughter, loves putting it on. I usually never go because it’s only me.
And it’d be pathetic to go on my own.
“I guess I am.”
