“Honestly, I don’t remember. But that sounds like her. If I ever talk for hours on end like that, please stop me.”
“No.”
“No?” I repeated, laughing a little at his short answer.
“No. I’d happily listen to you talk about whatever you want, for however long you want.”
God, when I do fall in love with this man, it’s gonna hit me so fucking hard.
“Man, normally I’d be all for Kean actually talking,” Gallagher said, popping up over the seats in front of us, making me jump off Kean. “But I’m trying to sleep up here. And hearingKeantalk, I’m subconsciously paying attention to him 'cause it happens so rarely.”
“Leave him alone,” Brooker shouted, tossing an empty plastic cup towards the Irishman.
“That’s littering,” he shouted, throwing it right back.
“If you had to describe each of your teammates as brother stereotypes, what would they be?” I asked.
“Oh fuck sleep, I wanna play this game,” Gallagher said, shuffling to get comfortable. “Christenson is 100 percent the older brother who can do no wrong. The perfect prefect who’sactuallyperfect and it’s so annoying.”
“Don’t know what a prefect is, but yeah,” Taylor said as both him and Brooker scooted closer to the aisle to participate.
“Carter is the one who’s always in his room, doesn’t say anything during dinner, but when you break the vase, he covers for you,” Brooker said. Up the aisle, Carter leaned out to narrow his eyes at Brooker and slid his headphones off.
“Do I wanna know?”
The boys filled him in and they all continued this weird game, razzing on each other the way only friends could. It took him a few rounds, but Olli eventually contributed, too.
“Bathroom, be right back, babe.” I pressed a kiss to Olli’s cheek and he got up to let me out so I didn’t have to awkwardly climb over his legs.
I went to the bathroom, flushed, washed my hands. The usual stuff.
But when I stepped out, somebody was waiting for me.
Fucking Renee Hall. Why the hell was this bitch popping up more often?
I mean, I knew why. Butwhy?
“Having a good flight?” she asked with a snide smile.
“Uh, yeah. I’ll leave you to it. Maybe you can get that stick out of your ass while you’re in there.” It was a stupid thing to say, itwasn’t even that great of an insult, but I actuallywasenjoying the flight until she reminded me she was on it.
I moved to get out of her way, but she put a hand on the other side of the wall, blocking me.
“Uh, do you not know how a plane bathroom works and need help? 'Cause otherwise —”
“I saw you.”
“Saw … what?” I said, voice going squeaky even though I was trying to play it cool.
“Saw you kiss yourboss.”
“He’s not — that’s not what —”
“Save it,” she huffed. “I figured it was only a matter of time before you started fucking a team member, though I did think you’d grown up enough to not go for yourboss. I hope it was good. 'Cause there’s no way this doesn’t get you fired. Kean, too, if I’m lucky.”
“Renee, please.” I grabbed her hands with both of mine in a pleading motion. God, I was really about to beg this bitch not to squeal? But this was absolutely the worst case scenario for us being outed. And over a fucking kiss on the cheek for Christ’s sake. “It’s not what you think, O— Kean and I were actually friends back in elementary school. We —”
Renee pulled her hands out of mine with a huff. “Save it for the coach and the potential buyers who’ll be at tomorrow’s game. I’m sure they’llloveto hear whatever story you’ve made up. Sprung for plane Wi-Fi just to let him know right away. These kind of things need to be handled as soon as possible so there’s no scandal. Right, Miss Wannabe Social Media Manager?”
