“Oh yeah, sorry. Just checking on Ash,” I say lamely.
“And logging your beer?” Mac chimes in.
“Yep, logging my beer,” I affirm.
“Danny’s started to do that too,” Mac tells me. “I guess you turned him on to that, huh?”
“No, I think it was August,” Cassie replies for me. “Jase has been doing it too and when I asked about it, he said August.”
“Yeah, he has the app too,” I say, immediately regretting how familiar it sounds.
All three pairs of eyes snap over to me.
“Was he the one that turned you onto this app?” Amelia asks, leaning in.
I nod, clearing my throat. “Yeah, in college it came out. A friend of his designed it or something. I’m not sure anymore but he started using it and asked me to as well. So, I did.”
“And you still use it,” Amelia remarks.
“Yeah, I still use it.” I shake my head. “I mean, my brother and some of my friends from college use it. It’s a nice way to keep in touch.”
Thankfully, our food arrives and the conversation about the app that somehow became about August dies. I busy myself getting my salad ready and the girls do the same thing.
Cassie is the first one to break the silence. “How is Dex’s new place coming together?”
Amelia nods while she finishes chewing. “It’s coming together nicely, actually. I’m guessing you’ve been noticing that I’m spending a lot of time over there.” She grins and shrugs. “It’s nice to be able to spend time with him, especially without August around.”
My head snaps over at Amelia. The motion is so quick that all their eyes are on me again.
“Are you good, Henny?” Mac asks, using one of the many nicknames that the girls have for me. Hearing her call me that reminds me of all the times August used to say it when he was feeling particularly romantic. I shake my head in an attempt to erase the memory.
“Yeah, I’m good. I was just going to ask what August’s deal was with all the hovering.” I shrug it off like it’s of no consequence to me. “I mean, wasn’t he busy with the harem of women who parade in and out of his bedroom.
Amelia shakes her head. “That was the weird part, actually. He didn’t have any guests while I was over there. At first I thought it was just his way of being respectful?—”
I cut Amelia off, “Yeah, he’s not respectful of anyone but himself.”
She laughs and continues. “I don’t know, Hen. I think there’s something going on there. He was respectful and quiet the whole time we were there. He gave us space most of the time, but youcould tell he was lonely and just happy for the company. I think he was sad to hear that Dex’s apartment was ready.”
I sigh thinking back to the elevator. That would surely explain a few things.
“What are you saying, Hen? You just muttered something,” Mac says, studying me carefully. “Something about the elevator.”
Fuck, I said that out loud.“Nah, I’m fine,” I lie. But I can tell none of them are buying. All eyes remain on me. Cassie and Mac are two of the most perceptive women I’ve ever met. They know something is up.
“Maybe he’s looking to turn over a new leaf,” Amelia suggests. “You know, since he owns the team, maybe he thought it was time to grow up.”
“Oh please, the last thing that man will ever do is grow up.” I spit out the words before anyone else can agree with her. I look around the table to see Amelia is shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “Sorry, Amelia, I didn’t mean to snap at you. You know we have history.” I sigh, thinking before I continue, “But I know that August and Dex are tight, so if you become friends with him too, that’s fine. I’m not saying that no one can be friends with him even though he’s a spineless jerk who only cares about himself.” My voice trails off and I shake my head. “Can we talk about something else?”
“Yep,” Mac says, reaching over and clasping my hand. “Sorry to have upset you.”
I look up at her and grin. “You didn’t. I do it to myself.”
The conversation shifts and I do my best to add to it. My mind is preoccupied thinking about what Amelia said, wondering if something is going on with August. That would explain the way he keeps looking at me and how nice he was to me in the elevator.
Later that night, I’m watching NWSL games on TV in my apartment. While my friends are all off with their boyfriends, I’m in my pajamas, a bowl of cereal growing soggy in front of me. The TV is playing highlights from other NWSL games. My phone buzzes once on the end table, but I don’t look at it. I don’t need to check and see who it is. I know. I just can’t figure out why and that part is bothering me more than anything.
I let the screen light fade before reaching for the phone.
