Raccoon’s team captain, Justin Ashe, started a book club for the players a while ago. “Get Lit.” It’s a no girls allowed zone for the time being because Justin has been trying to develop a safe space for the players to talk about all things books and romance. And feelings.
It’s been growing in number from month to month, and Savannah, Justin’s girlfriend, has been telling Eloise, Penelope and me what the books are. The three of us have our own renegade version of Get Lit. We read the books every month and chat about them among ourselves. Considering I have a lot of free time on my hands, the books, and the company, are a welcome distraction.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” And I mean it. I gave up on my last read, having to mark it on my Goodreads account as another “DNF.” I hate not finishing books, and the last three in a row I’ve started to read, I’ve stopped at various points. “What’s this month’s read?”
Her face lights up. “It’s calledA Kiss of Ironby Clare Sager. I’m sooooo excited for this one. The reviews say it’s likeA Court of Mist and Fury, NetflixBridgerton, andThe Bridge Kingdomhad a glorious, perfect baby.” She squeals. “These are a few of my favorite things,” she sings.
Admittedly, my interest is piqued. Folding my arms, I narrow my eyes. “Tropes?”
“Morally gray hero, enemies to lovers, Fae, curvy heroine.” She ticks them off on her fingers, her voice getting more excited with each one. “It’s going to be so good.”
“I love that Justin changes up the types of romance we’re reading.”
Nodding, Eloise hugs the beautiful hardback copy ofA Kiss of Ironagainst her chest, and I quietly hope this copy is for me to keep. The dagger through the silver crown laden with rubies on the cover would fit in perfectly on my bookshelf.
“Me too. Paranormal, military, hockey, and now fantasy. It’s a lot of fun.”
I gesture for her to sit down on the couch. My leg is trembling from remaining standing for so long and sweat pools at my lower back. But I don’t want to sit while she stands. It’s rude. “Is Ares reading?”
She nods again. “He resisted the book club at first, but Justin has picked such great books that Ares gets sucked in and can’t put them down. Most of the team read on the bus to games. What about Apollo? Is he reading?”
Something in her stare makes my cheeks heat. “I... uh... I’m not sure. I don’t know if he’s gone back to book club since the accident. He doesn’t have much time for reading. He’s so busy.”
“It’s always worth making time for the things we love.” She tilts her head. “Maybe you could buddy read together. Ares and I have started reading them to each other.” She fans herself. “It’s been a revelation.”
My face is on fire, and I can’t meet her eyes. “I don’t... I wouldn’t... I...” What even are words?
She giggles but it’s not unkind. “Just a suggestion.” She levels me with the knowing in her eyes. “When you’re ready to talk aboutthat,I’ll be here, too.”
“About what?” My attempts at playing it cool are not working. Sweat beads in my hairline.
“Honey, I’m hooooome!” Penelope saves the day, bursting into the room with a flourish. She heard Apollo announce his arrival one day, and now they both do it to annoy me, trying to one-up each other getting louder and louder. Jerks. “I come bearing pie.” She brandishes a cardboard box our direction and Bacon huffs at my feet. Her face falls. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I was about to quiz her on her feelings for herneighbor.” Eloise grins at me.
So much for being saved from an uncomfortable conversation.
“And I was about to go for a nap. I also have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Pen guffaws. “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” she accuses, plopping down on the recliner facing the sofa. “If I’d known we were going to talk feels, I’d have brought some liquor.”
“We aren’t.” I fake a yawn, stretching my arms above my head for emphasis. “Nap, remember? And I can’t drink on these meds.”
“She’s not ready to admit she’s feelingthingsfor Apollo, Penelope.”
“De-nial is not just a river in Egypt, my friend.” Pen cracks open the pie box and breaks off a piece of crust. “I’m not going to push the issue. However, at some point you’re going to have to decide whether you’re going to take a shit or get off the pot.”
“Ew.” Eloise scrunches up her face.
Pen shrugs. “I said what I said.”
“Say fucking less, Pen.” I hold out my hand for the pie. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She gets up from the seat and heads toward the kitchen. “And I don’t believe you.”
Eloise pats my thigh. “We’re ready to listen when you’re ready to face up to the fact you’re crushing on Apollo.”
