“Smart,” Nilsson added.
“Huh?” I arched an eyebrow at Niko.
Niko’s eyes widened. “You don’t know that JP is a total food bully?”
“Food bully?” I snorted.
“Yeah, he’s a food bully,” Niko repeated. “If he sees you eating junk food, he basically rips it from your mouth. He’s so judgy about nutrition. I’m surprised he hasn’t lectured you about it.”
I rubbed my stomach. “I’m sure it’s coming,” I murmured, but I couldn’t push away the slightly bitter feelings rising inside of me. I kind of hated that they seemed to know more about JP than I did. That just felt…wrong.
“So, whyaren’tyou and JP together? Doyouneed some advice?” Zukes asked.
I bit my lip in indecision. “Maybe.”
“Let's hear it.” Zukes waved me on. Nilsson and Niko went silent, clearly way too interested in my love life.
While I didn’t want to air out our business, this could be a chance to get a stranger’s perspective. I loved my friends, but they couldn’t help but be slightly biased. They would never be able to be solely ‘Team Ali’ becauseIcouldn't even be ‘Team Ali.’ Deep down, I’d always be rooting for JP. But these guys, well, they honestly didn’t even like JP all that much. It was actually a little refreshing.
With my decision made, I told them the quick version of our story, and I wrapped it up by saying, “So, now I can’t tell if he genuinely wants to be with me or if it’s just because I’m pregnant. And I’m afraid of being blindsided by himagain. So, it’s probably better to stay just friends, no?”
“Wow, okay,” Niko rubbed his jaw. “So now I know why JP was a total dick at preseason camp.”
“In August?” My eyebrows flew up. “He was?”
“Ohhh yeah. He was so mean. He took it out on us,” Zukes complained.
“Very mean,” Nilsson added.
I gasped. “Are you serious? Who could be mean to you three?”
“Right? We’re innocent,” Niko burst out.
“He gave me a bruise.” Zukes pouted while holding up his elbow. “I swear, my elbow’s never been the same.”
I cackled. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?”
“I think that would help, yes,” he said mock-seriously, making the other guys crack up laughing.
25. JP - NEW FRIENDS
I was going to lose my mind. I was going to completely lose it. I shot off about ten texts to Niko, warning him to keep Ali safe, but so far, no response. I held my chest, trying to slow my heart. I could feel the pressure thrumming in my ears. I started pacing in Kappy’s weight room to calm myself down, but it wasn’t working.
Kappy always invited us over for workouts because Piper wouldn’t allow him to do it alone. We had strict instructions to keep him from cardio and to be on alert in case his heart monitor went off. But I couldn’t think about Kappy’s health right then because it felt like mine was deteriorating as doubts about Ali ate me alive.
Did she not want to be with me? Was that why she agreed to go on the date with Niko? Maybe she truly only saw me as a friend?
With other women, I always felt slightly annoyed when I’d get texts from them—that’s why I stopped dating altogether, because it wasn’t fair to them. But I never ever felt that lackluster response when it came to Ali. Ialwayswanted to be with her. I wanted as many texts as she could send. But for some reason, it never crossed my mind that maybe Ali was having that lackluster response for me. Maybe she sighed every time my name popped up on her phone.
No. No, that just couldn’t be.
I tried to remind myself of the cruise, how she gasped when I touched her, how she moaned as I kissed her, how she clung to me, curled into me,wantedme, damnit.
But that wasbefore.
Before I fucking ruined it.
And now that smartass rookie was going to be my baby’s stepfather. I gripped my phone so hard it could crack.
