I hold up the white jersey Haddy gave me, curling my nose. I study Maverick’s name, and my stomach twists with something like excitement and maybe a little nerves. “I’m not sure I should wear Mav’s number. It feels like I’m sending a message.”
“What in the world would that message be?” Gina asks with a bit too much innuendo in her tone.
My eyes narrow, and I look from her to Haddy. “Maverick and I are roommates. If I wear this tonight, it’ll look like we’re dating. Then it’ll be all over the tabloids, and I don’t have time for that. I’m not sure he’ll appreciate it either.”
Haddy waves a hand, shaking her head and lifting her chin. “There will be sooo many girls there tonight in Mav’s jersey, no one will even notice one more.”
Heather stands, speaking under her breath, “You two are as bad as Spanky and Ladybird.”
“We learned from the best,” Gina replies, laughing.
I don’t know what that means since Spanky and Ladybird are the dogs, but I do like being part of the group.
With a shrug, I quickly pull on my matching uniform. The oversized jersey falls almost to my knees, and I turn myback to the mirror to see his name splayed massively across my shoulder blades.
“Yay, yay, yay!” Maddie jumps up and down pumping her fists. “Aunt Dove loves Uncle Maverick now, too!”
My heart jumps, and I turn wide eyes to the girls. “As a friend. I love him as afriend.”
“Okay!” Maddie smiles up at me, blinking innocently.
Only, I’m not convinced of her innocence. She might only be seven, but Maddie’s a little sneaky… Just like her Mama G and Aunt Haddy.
I do care for Mav, and I’m happy to support him. If someone wants to make it something more, we can easily correct them. I won’t be here long anyway.
Corey’s menacing threats wouldn’t leave my mind, so earlier today, I broke down and messaged my uncle Leon.
Dove
I heard you were installing berms.
Leon
What’s 18 times 4?
When I was a little girl, he taught me my multiplication tables before I even learned to read, because as he put it,Who says girls can’t do math?
Rolling my eyes, I quickly reply.
Dove
You’ve installed 72 berms?!
Leon
I’ve installed ten. We need 72.
My lips twist, and I study the screen, waiting for the rest of his reply.
Leon
How do you know all of this? You’re supposed to be studying, baby genius.
Dove
I’m not a baby.
It’s the same response I’ve given him since Iwasa baby, doing all his math.
