Page 154 of Faking the Goal

Kentaro grunts—a sound that lives somewhere between annoyance and fond exasperation—and drives his elbow into Liam's ribs. Liam winces but keeps chuckling, because he is, at his core, a glutton for punishment.

I decide to have some fun.

"I actually fell for the broodiness," I say, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "It's hot. The strong, silent type who looks like he's solving differential equations in his head while making out? Sign me up."

The reaction is immediate and glorious. All three of them make identical noises—this high, girlish giggle that transforms three six-foot-plus hockey players into a group of teenagers at a sleepover. They clutch at each other, shoulders shaking, faces red with the effort of containing their delight.

"Did you hear that?" Liam stage-whispers to the others. "What a lucky bastard. She thinks his personality defects are attractive. We've been telling him for years!"

"Unbelievable," Luke agrees, wiping an imaginary tear. "The universe works in mysterious ways."

"And look," Luke continues, pointing at our half-empty bowls. "Our dear friend here made his girl ramen. Can you believe this shit?" His expression is mock-flabbergasted, mouth hanging open in exaggerated shock. "We have never seen this guy cook for another living soul. Let alone his ramen dish. His sacred ramen dish."

He turns to me, eyes wide. "Did you know how many times we've begged him to make us ramen?"

"Too many times," Liam sighs mournfully. "So many times. And he always told us his ramen is off-limits. His exact words were, and I quote, 'Buy your own damn ramen.'"

"But he has no problem making it for her," Luke continues, pressing a hand to his heart. "I am truly hurt. Wounded. This just shows that Taylor is more important than us, his very own friends who have stood by him through thick and thin, through wins and losses, through—"

"Through that time he got food poisoning from the dining hall burrito and we held his hair back," Cody adds helpfully.

"Exactly! Through the burrito incident!"

I giggle into my spoon.

"Well..." I shrug innocently. "I am his girlfriend. I'd hope I'd rank a little higher than you three."

Luke nods solemnly.

"...Touché."

"Touché," Liam echoes.

Kentaro lets out another long-suffering grunt, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"If I make each one of you dumbasses a bowl..." he mutters while walking toward the refrigerator, "...will you finally shut up?"

The three of them exchange identical looks.

Then, as one—they nod enthusiastically.

"Yes."

"Absolutely."

"Hell, yes."

Cody lets out a low whistle, shaking his head as he looks between me and Kentaro.

"Wow, Kent." He laughs. "You get yourself a girlfriend and suddenly you're offering to cook for us? Damn... she's already changing you."

"I never thought I'd live long enough to witness this." Luke says.

"I'm actually getting emotional," Liam chimes in, pretending to wipe away a tear. "Love really is beautiful."

The three of them immediately break into slow applause, looking far too pleased with themselves.

Kentaro doesn't even acknowledge it.