I ball up my napkin and throw it at him. “You guys didn’t save me any!”
“Oh, I’m guessing they were good?” Kensley’s eyes light up. That’s something we both have in common: a sweet tooth.
“I wouldn’t know,” I grumble.
“That’s not true.” Luca tilts his head, staring at me. “I watched you eat one.”
“Yes, I had one. Out of what—three dozen—I ate one measly chocolate. Do you know how long I spent baking those?”
Luca shrugs. “No clue. I didn’t eat that many. Zeke also had a couple.” Another bite of his burger and he smirks at Brooks.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” Brooks asks. He swipes at his mouth and jaw.
I chuckle under my breath. “He’s trying to change the subject.” I know Luca well enough to recognize the silent plea to Brooks; he’s giving him that look that begs for his help.
Brooks is either oblivious or doesn’t care.
I like him even more already because I want to believe he doesn’t care.
Kensley takes a swig of her soda and then clears her throat. “Do you want to meet before the game, make sure we get seats together?”
“Traitor,” I mutter under my breath, and Kensley laughs. I can’t believe she is helping Luca. I would have expected it from Brooks, one of his teammates, not my best friend. “But yes, let’s hang out.”
It’ll be hell not to tell her what’s been going on, how I’m now indebted to the mafia, and hopefully Zeke won’t mention the man I killed in our house last night. Dare I admit, I’m actually looking forward to going to Luca’s parents’ house this weekend.
Six
Liam
Friday’s hockey game is a shutout with 0-3 and I know we all want to go out to celebrate.
We shower and change in the locker room and Luca shows me and Ashton a text on his phone.
Dante: It’s done.
I glance at Luca. “Does that mean Bristol can crash with us tonight?” Just last night, I’d been stressed over it. Hopefully, it had all been for nothing.
“Sure, can’t promise how quiet it will be. Zeke was up half the night screaming.”
“Was he?” I smile weakly, trying not to worry Luca.
“You didn’t hear him?” Ashton’s eyes widen. His bedroom is farther than mine from Harper and Luca’s bedroom.
“Oh, I heard him.”
“Did the thunderstorm scare Zeke?” Brooks asks, catching the tail end of our conversation. He’s still in his hockey gear. I swear he’s always the last to shower after a game.
Luca gestures for him to take a step back, the smell noticeable now that the rest of us are clean.
“Fine, I get it.” Brooks holds up his hands. “I’ll go shower.”
“Please, do that!” Ashton chimes, holding his nose.
I elbow Ashton. “Don’t be a jerk.”
“What? He stinks.” Ashton shrugs and drops his fingers from his nose. “So, you and Bristol, huh?” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“We are taking things slow,” I say. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
