The door opens, and I feel her before I see her.
She’s standing just inside the locker room entrance, like she’s not totally sure if she’s allowed to be there.
But she is, and everyone notices.
A couple of heads turn, and some guys nudge each other.
I lean back slightly in my chair, letting my eyes move over her.
Shorts. That shirt.
Goodgod.
That definitely wasn’t just for the weather.
“What’s the matter? Never been in the boys’ locker room before?” I ask her playfully.
She smiles, a little nervous, a little confident.
“Please. I had three brothers growing up who all played sports. Remember?”
“Fair.”
I push to my feet, grabbing my shirt and pulling it on as I walk over.
I rest a hand lightly at her waist, guiding her a step further into the room.
“Guys,” I say, glancing around. “This is Cassie.”
Then I add, because I can already feel what’s coming:
“My home stay host.”
That lands exactly how I expect it to.
“Host?” one of them repeats, eyebrows raised. “That what we’re calling it now?”
A couple of laughs.
Another guy grins. “Yeah, man. Real generous of her to, uh…host you.”
Cassie’s cheeks flush, but she doesn’t back down.
I smirk slightly, shaking my head. “You guys done?”
“Never,” someone mutters.
She glances around, taking it all in.
“You guys are…a lot,” she says.
“That’s one word for it,” I reply.
She turns back to me, lowering her voice just a little.
“Jackson said you’re driving me home.”
“Yeah,” I say. “He texted me, after I texted you. Guess they’re doing their little baby making night in Galena. Super romantic.”
