“You heard me. Mackenzie’s got a soft spot for your bartender.” Kyler’s face splits into a wide grin. “Said she stopped by the food pantry to see what else she could do to help and met your girl.”
Orry leans back against his locker and whistles. “Damn,” he says. “Everyone’s meeting your girl. When do I get to meet her?”
“You don’t. And she’s not my girl,” I deadpan, but the heat crawling up my neck betrays me.
She’s not officially my girl.
But if that kiss was any indication…
I’ll be damned if she’s anybody else’s.
“And for the record, nobody has met her yet so quit your bitching.”
He folds his arms across his chest and pouts, mumbling, “Jamal got to meet her.”
Jake grins. “Yeah man. And we talked to Sebastian. I’m pretty sure when you carry a woman out of a bar like a scene from a damn romance movie, she’s your girl and suddenly the entire city is invested in your love life.”
“What are you talking about? She was hurt,” I argue, focusing intently on my cleats like they hold the secrets of the universe. “What was I supposed to do?”
“Call an ambulance?” Kyler suggests, still smirking. “Take her to urgent care?
“Meh, he brought her to Jamal,” Boone says. “Same energy, less waiting.”
I sit up and release a heavy sigh not wanting to tell the guys every detail of the other night but knowing if I don’t throw them a tiny bone, they’ll never stop. “She doesn’t have insurance, alright?”
The guys sit quietly, not one wise crack coming from any of them, thank Christ. “She works her ass off to make ends meetand her job doesn’t offer insurance. Not everyone in this world is as ridiculously privileged as the rest of us are, okay. You’ll do good in this community to remember that.” I huff. “I knew Jamal would probably still be here so I…I called in a favor. That’s all.” I push my hand through my sweat-soaked hair. “I’ll happily pay any bill Jamal throws my way. It’s not a big deal. Sutton needed help and I got it for her. End of story.”
Kyler tosses his towel over his shoulder. “We get it, man. You did good.” He gestures to his phone. “Also, Mack says the pantry delivery went smoothly.”
That part makes me smile.
“Good,” I say. “Tell her thank you, again.”
“Alright, man, we’ve got to know,” Jake says, lowering his voice and leaning in.
“Know what?”
“Did you guys…you know…?” He wags his brows menacingly and I know exactly what he’s referring to.
The locker room erupts in groans.
“Jesus Christ, Ward,” Orry mutters.
Jake shrugs. “Come on. I’m just asking what the people want to know.”
I toss my towel at his head but he ducks. “Asshat. A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Dude, we already know you’ve kissed at least once.” He grins. “That’s why I’m asking. How serious is it?”
“You better tell them, bro,” Sebastian says on his way through the locker room. “They’re bound to find out.”
Orry’s eyes bulge and a silly grin curls across his lips. “Ooh! Find out what?” he asks. “Enlighten us.”
“Tell them about the glass swan!” Sebastian calls out on his way out the door, his laughter trailing behind him.
Fucker.
The room explodes.
