Nash agrees. “Yeah. Me too.”
I vaguely hear Tucker say something about getting Baety settled for the night, but sleep takes me under the second Colsen turns the lights off and closes his bedroom door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
IN THE DEEP OF NIGHT
COLSEN
“I’ll go shower in Mack’s bathroom. I don’t want to wake Taryn.” I tell my two best friends.
“Where is Mack, by the way?” Nash asks.
Tucker’s smile gives me a hint even before he explains. “Hookup. Don’t even ask me which cheerleader’s room he was sneaking into.”
“He’s having a hot boy summer.” I chuckle. “I wouldn’t judge him anyway, but after dating Gen for years, I don’t blame him for going a little wild.”
Nash shakes his head. “Do you know what I don’t get? Mack can be a bit of a diva when you don’t know him. But under all that cocky chirping, he’s a great guy. Our opponents hate him because he’s one of the greatest wingers in the entire NCAA and he gets under their skin with his constant chirping. But I would never want anyone else by my side. He has our backs. I trust him on and off the ice. What did someone awesome like him see in Gen?”
“Their families socialized all the time.” Tucker explains. “They grew up together. Dating must have felt natural.”
Nash doesn’t look convinced. “Yeah, as natural asdating a Venus flytrap. Gen isn’t ugly, but she makes a poisonous snake look cuddly.”
I don’t disagree. “I’m glad Mack wised up, eventually. His bathroom comes in handy right now, though. I don’t want to leave Taryn alone for too long.”
“Yeah, I hear you.” Tucker claps my shoulder. “Do you mind if I bring Baety’s bed into your room? I would like to sleep with our girl too tonight.”
“Sure. Nash was joining too, though, right? I know it’s a big bed, but it might not be big enough for all of us.” I muse.
To my surprise, Nash offers to sleep on the floor. “I don’t care if I’m on the bed. I just want to be in the room. If I think that we could have lost her tonight.” He shudders, and I know the feeling.
“Thank fuck we got there at the right time. And Taryn fought hard. But we need to do something to make sure she’s safe.”
“I agree.” Nash nods. “Do you guys think those messages are really from Gen?”
“To be honest, judging by what Taryn said, it makes the most sense.” Tucker muses.
I shake my head. “Yeah. I can see Gen blackmailing and taunting someone, but would she go as far as a physical attack?”
“There’s that saying about a woman scorned.” Tucker offers. “Jealousy is a powerful motivation. Gen feels threatened by Taryn’s dancing skills, and she thinks Mack is into her. I think she’s psychotic enough to snap.”
“I want to speak to Jodie,” Nash says. “See if she managed to sneak a look at Gen’s phone. If it’s her, so help me God, there’s going to be another murder.”
I understand where Nash is coming from, but I cautionhim. “Don’t do anything rash without discussing it with us first. We have to work together to keep our girl safe.”
Nash nods. “If you had told me a month ago that I would feel relieved that Taryn didn’t choose just one of us, I would have thought you’d had too many concussions.”
“Ha,” I chuckle. “It took kicking your ass to make you see that we weren’t rivals for Taryn’s heart. That her happiness is more important than our egos.” Tucker is really rubbing off on me, I swear.
“It’s true. And I know I was jaded after my ex-teammates sided with our coach to stay on his good side. But I didn’t know that falling for the same woman could also get me two best friends. Thank you for kicking my ass, dude. I needed it.”
Tucker’s loud yawn breaks the intensity of the moment. “You two can braid each other’s hair tomorrow. Go wash your sweaty asses. I’ll get Baety and I’ll see you in bed.”
He’s right. Taryn isn’t the only one who’s beat now that the adrenaline of our eventful night is wearing off. “Right. So, are you good speaking to Jodie? Or do you need me to come with you?” I ask Nash.
“Nah, I can handle it. If you can, you should keep an eye on Taryn. I didn’t want to scare her, but the least time she spends alone, the better until we figure out who’s stalking her.”
“Ok. Protecting her is going to be hard if we can’t be seen with her. I wish they hadn’t decided on that no fraternization rule.” I bite out.
