“Idoknow,” I shot back. “Because I know you. And every time you say ‘one more,’ I lose a year off my life expectancy.”
“What’s long,” he started, dragging out the words, “hard, and full of seamen?”
Parker looked horrified while Garrett just looked intrigued.
Weirdo.
“If we don’t look at him, maybe he won’t finish,” I whispered as I stared at the ceiling.
“Submarines,” Jace finished proudly.
Parker groaned, and I just stared at Jace, deadpan. “You’re proud of that one, aren’t you?”
“Like a father at graduation,” he said without hesitation.
At least he’s not talking about Darla anymore,I thought.
As if he’d read my mind, Jace clapped me on the shoulder. “C’mon,cowboy, let’s get started on your next set.”
“That’s not going to get old for you, is it?” I snarled.
Jace moved his eyebrows up and down obnoxiously. “Not a chance. You saddled up for this one, partner. I’m just making sure the rodeo never ends.”
“Once thehatcomes out, there’s no putting it back in the box,” Garrett added helpfully.
Parker groaned for the millionth time today, shaking his head. “Please stop sayinghatlike it’s a metaphor.”
Jace winked. “Who said it wasn’t?”
Just then, the side door to the weight room creaked open. A couple of freshmen poked their heads in, caught sight of us, and immediately turned around.
“Probably heard the wordseamanand ran,” Parker said.
“Smart,” I muttered.
“Speaking of stalkers,” Jace added casually, even though we hadn’t actually been talking about stalkers. “I noticed a certain car in the parking lot this morning.”
My stomach did something stupid, but I kept my eyes glued to the bar I was lifting like it was the most important thing I’d ever seen. “Yeah, I saw,” I finally muttered, trying especially hard not to think about the sedan that was omnipresent at this point…or the blonde-haired mystery girl that went along with it.
“Same car?” Garrett asked, stretching his shoulders.
“Same car,” Jace confirmed, leaning back against the wall like this was his morning coffee conversation. “She’s punctual, I’ll give her that. And I swear I saw a flash of Tigers gear when I glanced over.”
Parker didn’t even bother to hide his grin. “You’ve officially entered legacy status, Adler. You know you’ve made it when someone’s stalking youandcoordinating it with team practice colors.”
Garrett chuckled. “I bet she’s got your calendar synced to hers.”
Jace nodded solemnly. “Probably has a color-coded spreadsheet labeledMatty’s Movements.”
I rolled my eyes, finally setting the bar down and grabbing my water bottle. “You’re all hilarious. Really.”
Parker shrugged. “We try. But seriously, it’s been, what, three months? What are you waiting for?”
Garrett blinked. “You haven’t gone up to her car yet?”
I sighed. “No, I haven’t.”
“Why not?”
