Called it!
“Okay, Lulabelle,” she says, reaching out a hand like she wants to cover the girl’s mouth.
“So it’s Lulabelle and … Georgie?” he asks the woman—something he never does with fans. I look at my brother closer and see his neck is red.
If I were in a better headspace, I’d play wingman.
But the second I hear someone yell Jake’s name, I’m searching the crowd for Scottie again.
“I’m Georgiana,” the woman is saying, “but yeah, Lulabelle calls me Georgie.”
“Or George. Or Gigi. Or Georgia,” the girl says.
“Not Georgia,” Georgiana says, though she sounds too sweet to be taken seriously.
With no Scottie in sight, I return to the conversation. Georgiana’s face is as pink as Lulabelle’s sneakers, and she’s clutching a book to her chest.
Man, if she wanted to get my brother’s attention, there’s no better way.
“What are you reading?” he asks, and as riveting as her answer no doubt is, I’ve lost the will to stay here any longer.
I spot Coop at the Gatorade coolers near the dugout and lean toward Logan. “I’m going to the dugout.”
Logan side-eyes me, but I don’t wait to see if he’s begging me to stay or leave.
“Nice meeting you both,” I say as I walk away.
Coop nods when he sees me, staring at Logan curiously. “Logan’s found a fan, huh?”
“Apparently.”
“Apparently nothing,” Coop says. “I can see them both blushing from here.”
I shrug, scanning the concourse for someone I’m still not sureIwant to see.
“Dude, you gotta be more subtle,” Coop mutters.
“About what?”
Coop puts his arm around my shoulders and walks me away from the dugout toward where a couple of event staffers are collapsing folding tables and rolling up extension cords. The music is still loud enough that we can talk without anyone eavesdropping. His shaggy brown hair is tucked under his cap, same as my shaggy blond hair.
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Huh?” My pulse hammers in my neck, making it hard to swallow. “And yes, you are.”
Coop gives a big sigh. He’s a few years older than us, and what with him dating our triplet sister—who has huge older-sister energy, by the way—he’s been playing big brother for a year. Dang it if he’s not getting good at it.
“Lukie, Lukie, Lukie. I see the way you two look at each other like you’re pretending not to look at each other. You’re playing with fire. Or, more accurately, Jake’s fake girlfriend.”
“It’s not like—” I stop. “What did you say?” I hiss. “How do you know?”
Coop holds his hands out. “Who do you think you’re talking to? Your sister and I weren’t ‘allowed’ to date. I know the signs. And I know when someone’s pretending.”
“Really?” I ask in a whisper.
His shoulders shake in a quiet laugh. “No. I went over to the tent to say hi to Jake after he showed up and overheard him and Scottie talking. They couldn’t be less interested in each other.” He shakes his head. “But I could tell something was going on betweenyou twoimmediately. I assumed she was planning to break up with Jake for you. I like the guy, but I get why no one else does.”
My stomach cramps with worry. “Does Logan know?”
