Chapter Twenty-Seven
~HENDRIX~
Mac’s apartment still smells like the tacos we just devoured. I was glad that I came out with them tonight. We don’t always get a lot of chances to hang out like this. Usually someone is busy with a boyfriend, or Amelia has physical therapy for her knee that she has to attend to.
It’s nice to have all of us together.
“So how were things in NYC after we all went to bed for the night?” Cassie asks me, grinning.
My eyes widen a bit, but I do my best to school my features. “I’m not sure I know what you are talking about.”
She giggles. “Our rooms were beside each other, and I heard your room door open and quietly close.”
“Well, if quietly closed, how do you know it was my door?” I challenge.
“I saw you heading down the hallway. Were you going to see August?” she says with a knowing look.
“Ohh, heading out for some late-night booty?” Amelia joins in on the teasing.
“Like you guys don’t head out and find Jase or Dex when we are on the road,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, you’re not denying it anymore,” Cassie points out.
“Yeah, you caught me. I went to see August. Spent some time in his room before coming back to shower and pack,” I admit. Thinking that I need to be better at sneaking around or at least at hiding it. Instead of admitting to it. “Although, I don’t hear either of you denying that you were hanging out with your boys last night.”
Cassie smiles and shakes her head. “Unfortunately, Coach Nate called a coach’s meeting, and Jase had to meet with him and Andie last night. So, I had to stay in my room all alone.”
“Hey, I did too. Danny couldn’t travel with us to the game because of his own team commitments, so I was also all by myself in my room,” Mac says with a shrug.
“Sorry, ladies. I know how much it sucks that you had to be alone last night. Especially after we won such an amazing game,” I say, feeling lucky I was able to sneak off to August’s.
“I wasn’t alone,” Amelia says with a broad smile.
“Good for you both!” Cassie chimes in before turning to me. “You have spent so many nights on the road by yourself because we were busy with our boyfriends. It’s about time you had a turn.”
I nod and grin at them. “Yeah, I suppose that is true.”
“So do we wanna play cards?” Cassie asks, bouncing in her seat.
“Ugh, I thought that we were watching movies or something,” I whine.
“We always watch a movie. I thought that this would be something different.” Mac brings a deck of cards over to her the dining room table. “Come on, it could be fun. We used to play all the time in college,” she says, gesturing towards Cassie. “We used to have a lot of fun doing that. Thought might be nice to start something like this, especially since we are headed into the off season.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Amelia says, hobbling over to the table. “It’ll be better than just hanging out in the bar, drinking.”
“Ugh, am I a buzzkill if I leave?” I say, only half-serious.
“No, you’re not leaving,” Cassie replies, grabbing me and ushering me towards the table. “We need you. You’re the only one who has beaten Mac before.”
Mac shakes her head and says, “You’re just jealous that I am a better card player than you.” She sticks her tongue out at Cassie, which earns her a middle finger.
“You’re just cocky,” Amelia chimes in. “But we love you anyways.”
Mac beams. “See? Amelia gets it.”
“I hope there’s a sweet treat somewhere for me,” I say, looking toward Mac’s kitchen.
“I have some fruit and peanut butter yogurt dip that we can eat,” Mac says, smiling at me and looking hopeful.
