I huff. “Probably don’t know how to, illiterate asshole.”
“Love you too,” he coos, blowing me a kiss before turning to the rest of the guys. “If Matty doesn’t want to join the book club, I’ll figure it out and we can all read it to show our solidarity and support.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “You’re on their side?”
“Come on, it will be fun.” He smiles, his green eyes shining back at me.
My chest deflates as I give in. “Fine. Let me check with Jade first. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable at all.”
“Brilliant,” Cross smiles, bobbing his head. “I’ll start a group chat in the meantime.”
“We already have one,” Theo reminds him. “I don’t think we need another.”
“Sure we do,” Cross says as he collects his belongings from his cubby. “That way we can keep things separate. Book stuff in one, real life in the other.”
Cam contemplates his words, nodding his head along with it. “That makes sense.”
Theo laughs as Cross heads in the direction of the washroom and Cam starts putting his gear away. I look over at Theo, shaking my head. “What the hell?” I chuckle. “For the record, I was going to read her book. I just didn’t think it would need to be a group thing.”
“It’s always a group thing.” Theo laughs as he hangs up his helmet.
My phone vibrates, pulling my attention away from Theo. My stomach does a somersault, half expecting it to be Jade. My chest tightens when I see another name instead.
Dad.
Dad
Good game tonight, bud.
Matteo
Thanks, Dad.
Dad
Love you.
Matteo
Love you too.
I close out of the conversation, tucking my phone away as I grab my things and head toward the washroom. I catch my uncle’s gaze as he passes me in the hall and he gives me a knowing look, dipping his chin.
I shower, dry off, and get dressed in what feels like record time. The rest of the guys are still lingering when I grab my keys, phone, and wallet and head out to the garage.
Just as I’m climbing into the car, my phone vibrates again. This time, when my stomach does a somersault, it’s for a good reason. There’s a message from Jade.
Sunny
Don’t alert the press or anything, but I watched your game tonight.
A slow smile tugs on my lips.
Matteo
How’d I do?
Sunny
