AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe you should pay more attention. What’s up?”
“How’s your leg? I noticed you were hobbling on some of those laps this afternoon, and I wanted to make sure your foot and knee were okay.”
“I’m fine. Just a little sore from a long flight, but it’s all good.”
“You’re being really fucking weird,” Shawn says, and he looks over my shoulder. “Is there someone in your room? You know that shit doesn’t fly with me at away games.”
“There’s no one here. Seriously. And thank you for checking on me, but I’m fine. Ready for a good night of sleep.”
“Okay.” He relaxes, and I’m glad I said the right things to get rid of him. “Team dinner is in an hour. Don’t be late. Almost two months into the regular season and the rookies still don’t have a concept of time. Help me out with that, will you?”
“You got it. Need anything else?”
“No. I—” his phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket. “Hang on. It’s Maven.”
I almost fall off the wall. “What does she want?”
Shawn holds up a finger. “Hey, Mae. What’s up? I’m just here with Lansfield. Huh? He does look a little flushed.” He pulls the phone away from his ear and looks me up and down. “Are you running a fucking fever?”
“No,” I say firmly. “Don’t listen to her.”
“Thanks for letting me know. Love you too, kid.” He hangs up and glares at me. “Why is my goddaughter telling me you might be ill?”
“Because she’s a little shit,” I grumble. “I’m not sick. I’m not injured. I’m tired. I miss my daughter. I don’t want to lose another game, and some peace and quiet before I’m surrounded by fifty-two rambunctious assholes when I only got a few hours of sleep last night would be really nice.”
“Alright,” Shawn concedes, and he takes a step back. “I’ll see you downstairs in a bit.”
I shut the door and put the deadbolt in place. My shoulders sag as I hear his footsteps retreating from my room.
That was a close fucking call.
I walk back to my bed and pick up my phone, firing off a message to Maven.
Me
You’re a damn menace, woman.
Maven
You love it.
Me
I do.
There’s no way to come back fromwatching someone I live with get off on FaceTime,is there?
I think we just dug ourselves into a hole, and I don’t know how to climb out of it.
I’m not sure I even want to.
THIRTY-ONE
DALLAS
Spending Friday nighton the couch with Maven is always the highlight of my week, and tonight is no different.
I just don’t know how I’m supposed to look her in the eye after watching her come with that goddamn toy.
