Page 58 of Home of the Brave

“You just seemed off today.”

“He’s distracted,” Derek interjected with a wide grin.

“By what?” Colt asked.

“Nothing,” I said at the same time Derek blurted, “A woman.”

I turned to Amelia, “Why is he here?”

She laughed and shook her head, “Moral support?”

“For you?”

“Hey, don’t talk to my wife like that.” Derek gripped the side of the tub and slowly lifted. “She’ll start questioning me when you point out things like Why is he here? Why doesn’t he have a real job yet? Why is he always around?”

“Trust me, I asked myself that all the time.” She winked at me.

“A woman?” Sanchez asked as I lowered myself into the frigid water. “Here or back home?”

Derek wrapped a towel around his waist. “Here.”

“Seriously, can you leave?” I snapped.

“I need regular therapy,” he pointed to his back. “Or do you need a reminder of why you’re playing in this tournament and not me?”

Colt blew out a low whistle.

“It’s been three years,” I deadpanned. “Move on.”

“Ohhh,” Sanchez looked between the two of us like we were about to break into a fight and not laughter.

“A woman, here?” Colt lay back as Amelia directed him. “A local?”

“No,” Derek leaned over and wagged his brows so Colt could see.

“Do you have literally anywhere else to be?” I glared at him, focusing on my frustration with him and not the cold sinking into my bones.

“No,” he smiled.

“So you knew her before?” Sanchez guessed.

“She’s a reporter!” Derek blurted.

I dropped my head back, considering just sliding under the water until he disappeared.

Colt shot up, nearly knocking his head with Amelia, who finally sent a glare in her husband’s direction. “Which one?”

“The hot one,” Sanchez purposely ignored my glare, looking beyond me to our teammate.

“Don’t call her that,” I slapped the water, sending a cold spray at his face.

“She’s the hot one?” Derek was beaming now. “You guys have already discussed her?”

“No,” Colt gave him a strange look. “It wasn’t like we called for a meeting. She’s just the hottest, single female reporter.”

“The Stripes were the ones to give us a heads-up. Said she was really nice and trying to keep the interviews interesting for us,” Sanchez added.

“Could you guys stop?” I looked to Amelia for help.