“You two are ridiculous,” I say softly. “And also the best.”
Gina squares her shoulders, smug as anything. “Yeah, we are. And you do realize what we’re saying here, right?”
I pretend to think about it. “That I can date Declan…and still have sex with Tuck?”
Gina snaps her fingers. “Get it, girl.”
I laugh, shaking my head.
Okay, yeah.
This was absolutely an intervention.
15
Tuck
I line up my shot, chalk dust still clinging to my fingers, and lean in. It’s an easy one. Too easy. The kind you could make half-asleep. Which, apparently, I am. Or maybe it’s something else that’s distracting me...
The ball clips the corner and ricochets wide, tapping the eight just enough to roll it into perfect position for Josh.
“Dude,” Josh laughs. “That was so easy. What happened?”
What happened is I can’t stop thinking about Maria. Her laugh. The way she tucks her hair behind her ear when she’s distracted. The fact that tonight is the night. She’s going out with someone else.
I scrub a hand over my face and push the thought down where it belongs. “Guess I’m just tired.”
With deep concentration, Josh lines up his shot, tongue poking out a little at the corner of his mouth like it always does when he’s focused. He sinks the eight clean, the crack echoing through the room as the game ends.
I huff out a breath. “You’re getting good at this.”
His chin lifts just a fraction, pride written all over his face. “I’ve been practicing all week.” He pauses, then adds, “Oh, and you know that shot you showed me at the family skate?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
His grin spreads wide. “I got the winning goal at last night’s game.” He throws his hands up. “The Panthers beat the Cheetahs, two to one.”
My chest squeezes tight, so fucking proud of the kids. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He racks his cue, trying to play it cool, but he’s practically buzzing. “I wish you could’ve been there to see it.”
Yeah…me too.
The words sit on my tongue, tangled up with too many other things. Footsteps pound overhead, breaking the moment, and I’m grateful.
“Mom’s here,” Lucas calls, his voice carrying down the stairs.
Josh is gone in a flash, bolting for the steps. I take my time, slower, dragging my feet just enough to pretend I’m not doing exactly what I’ve been doing all night. Avoiding the front door.
Avoiding her.
Because tonight is the night. The fucking double date. I’ve been hiding out in the games room on purpose, telling myself it doesn’t matter, that I don’t need to see her dressed up for someone else. Don’t need that image burned into my brain.
And yet…I still follow them upstairs.
Because apparently, I’m a glutton for punishment.
It’s not like I want a glimpse of her. Not like I’m picturing her in some tight black dress, hair down, lips just a little glossier than usual. Not like I’m wondering if she’ll smile at him the way she?—
