A few of our teammates exit the change rooms behind us, and they all cast curious glances in Everett’s direction. He doesn’t miss it; his jaw clenches.
Noah, Jasper, and Dane stop by my side, their eyes locked on our teammate.
“Everything okay?” Noah asks.
“He’ll be fine,” I say, knowing the attention will piss Everett off.
“If you need us, just call.”
Noah had his own shit with his dad as well, so I know he gets it. He claps my shoulder, and they head off towards the car park.
I’m wondering if I should step in when Everett takes a step back, snarling, “I said no!”
He turns his back on his dad and stalks back to us, wrapping his arm around Emily’s shoulder and pulling her along. “Let’s go.”
Tori looks at me, but I shrug. I don’t know what’s going on between him and his dad, and I’m not game to ask with the mood he’s in. He’ll share with me if he needs to. Though something in my gut doesn’t sit right, and Iwonder if it has anything to do with Juliet or Tinsley, because if it does, I’ll be making it my business.
Distracted by my thoughts, I almost forget that they’re waiting in the car for us. I unlock my phone and message her.
Blake: On our way out.
When we reach the car park, I hear Tinsley before I see her.
“Rett!”
A smile lights up Everett’s face as she reaches us, and he barely has time to release his hold on Emily before his little sister launches at him. She wraps her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly.
“Hey, pipsqueak,” he chuckles. “What are you doing here?”
“I was cheering you on, silly,” she says. “I was shouting ‘Go Rett’ so loud.” Her face drops. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“Oh, yeah,” he says, nodding his head. “I heard you.”
“What about me, Sprout?” I ask with an exaggerated pout. “Were you cheering for me, too?”
She eyes me with cautious curiosity, then nods seriously. “Mama and me were cheering for both of you.”
The thought of them cheering my name causes a fluttering sensation in my chest.
Juliet reaches us then, her cheeks flushed, and my stomach swoops at the sight of her, but I don’t miss the way her gaze darts around the emptying car park. After getting a glimpse of Everett’s dad, I’m dying to know what happenedbetween them and how she ended up with full custody of Tinsley. If he touched either of them, he’s going to regret it.
“Hi,” Juliet says softly, keeping her gaze trained on Everett. I know it’s so we don’t give each other away, but a selfish part of me wants to grab her and kiss her, consequences be damned. “I hope it’s okay that we came. I thought Tinsley would enjoy watching her big brother play.”
Tori’s gaze darts between Juliet and Everett, and I know she’s trying to do the maths.
“It’s fine. She’s welcome at any of my games,” he says, but his smile is tight, and while I know it’s because of whatever went down with his dad, Juliet is clearly thrown for a loop at his less than warm reception.
“Okay, well, come on, princess,” she says, reaching for her daughter. “Let’s leave these guys to celebrate their win.”
I want to shout for her to stay, but Tinsley beats me to it.
“I want to celebrate their win,” she says, burying her head in Everett’s shoulder and refusing to let go.
“We could all go out for dinner,” I blurt out, and Tori’s confused gaze slides to me. Swallowing, I try to act as nonchalant as I can. “Juliet, this is my sister, Tori. She’s visiting from Sydney.”
“Nice to meet you,” Juliet says, smiling warmly at my sister.
“You, too.”
