She continues talking about her favorite poem with Knox. “When he asked, ‘Do I dare to eat a peach?’ I was like, this one’s for me!”
She shakes her head, dropping her chin with a little laugh.
“You’ve got some peach fuzz right here.” Knox reaches over to scrub the back of his finger against her cheek, and her eyes go big.
“Knox Bradford, I do not!” She slaps his hand away.
“What? It’s cute.” He chuckles deeply, and I’m ready to snap that finger right off his hand. “I’m sorry, continue.”
She exhales a little growly noise, cutting her eyes at him, and continues. “As I kept reading it, over and over, I got a little obsessed with the line where he asks, ‘Do I dare disturb the universe?’ I know it’s humorously framed in the poem, but to me, it felt so bold. I wondered what it would look like todisturb the universe.”
“Do you dare?” my cousin teases.
Her eyes flicker from his to where I’ve entered the room. For a moment, we’re caught. Me in my longing and her in her thoughts.
“I think I would,” she replies softly.
“Knox?” My voice is sharp. “Would you come here for a second? I need to talk to you.”
He hops over the back of the couch in one smooth move like he’s dodging a lineman on the football field. “Sure thing, bruh, what’s up?”
I grab him by the upper arm, dragging him into my now-empty bedroom. “What are you doing?” I’m doing my dead-level best to keep my voice low. “I’m about to leave for the arena and you’restillflirting with her?”
He gives me a challenging grin, those fucking Bradford blue eyes sparkling. They’re the one family trait I wouldn’t mind having. Girls really dig it.
“I didn’t realize how cute Dove had gotten. She’s really beautiful, and that body…” He puckers his lips like he’s about to do a chef’s kiss, and I grab him by the shirt, slamming his back against the wall.
“Stop flirting with her.” It’s a low growl, our noses almost touching.
He’s still grinning, dammit, and I’m ready to punch him when Austin walks out of my en suite bathroom to where I’m heaving in his little brother’s face.
“I figured we’d get to this point,” he muses under his breath. “Mav, let him go.”
“I’m about to wipe that grin off his stupid face if he doesn’t cut it out.”
Austin puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t kill your cousin. It’s our last night in town.”
“It’s all for you, dude.” Knox holds up both hands. “I’m giving you the push you need.”
“I’ll give you a push.” With an exhale and a little shove, I let him go. “I’ve got to get to the arena.”
Dove
I’m so happy to see you playing live again. Be sure to look up if you can.
I’min the locker room in all my gear, smiling at my phone as I polish off my red M&Ms when Coach Leek enters the room. Most of the guys are already on the ice, and I’m just finishing up my ritual, getting ready to head out and warm up as well.
I confess, I’ve needed a lot less warming up these last few games. Most of it’s wasted with me sitting on the bench. Still, just because I’m playing less, doesn’t mean I’m not prepared.
“You fucking around again, Murph?” Coach’s tone is sharp, and my shoulders bristle at the implication.
Everyone’s been asking me, and I’ve been doing my damndest to keep a good attitude about how he’s treating me. I don’t know if it’s my impatience with Knox or just a building up of everything. I’m not in the mood for insults tonight.
“No, sir.” My tone is sharper than I’ve ever used with him. “I’m heading out now.”
“Hold up.” Coach puts his hand on my shoulder, stopping me. “I’d like a word before you go.”
I pause, inhaling slowly and blinking away any anger that might be in my eyes before I meet his gaze. I don’t want him to think he got to me… even if he did.
