His eyes flick up, studying me like he’s not totally buying it. Smart man. I don’t give him the chance to call me on it. I turn away, yank my phone out, and jam my earbuds in. Music fills my head, drowning out the noise, and Tanner’s curious stare.
But not the image of Maria across a table from Declan, smiling.
Laughing.
Leaning in.
My grip tightens around my phone.
I tip my head back against the seat and close my eyes.
Yeah.
Nothing going on at all.
The bus doors close, and I glance around. Most of the guys are glued to their phones, voices full of laughter and greetings to loved ones back home. I try to ignore the ache in my chest—missing home, missing Maria, but then my phone rings, and I nearly jump out of my seat.
Seeing my sister’s name on the screen spreads warmth through me.
I answer quickly. “Hey, Kit Kat.”
“Chucky,” she replies, her voice light. “Great game tonight. Just checking to see if you’re okay after that nasty hit.”
“Yeah… I’m good.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then she says softly, “You sound…off.”
“Tired. Long day.” I hear Mom and Dad’s voices in the background. “You’re home?”
“Yeah, we all watched the game.”
“Say hi to Mom and Dad for me. Tell them I’ll call when I get back to Boston.”
She shouts a greeting to them, and then her excitement comes rushing back: “I have my dates. I’m coming in two weeks. Can’t wait to see you.”
I close my eyes for a moment, thinking of my schedule. “Can’t wait to see you too. Wait, uh, you’re not allergic to cats, are you?”
Her laughter bubbles through the line. “Ah, did you get a cat, Chucky?”
“I…sort of adopted him. There was a situation.”
“Chucky got a cat,” she screams to Mom and Dad, nearly deafening me. “What situation?” Her voice is back to normal now, but I can hear her concern underneath.
“I was just helping a friend out,” I explain. “There were allergies, the shelter. I didn’t want to see the poor thing put down.”
Her tone drops. “Does everyone know you’re soft under all that armor, Chucky, or is it just me?”
My stomach tightens. honestly, she’s always been there, even when Suzanna and Ben…well, when it all went sideways. I think she knows me better than myself sometimes.
“Only you,” I respond, trying to be playful. “Let’s keep it that way.”
“You got it. And to answer your question, no allergies here. Now tell me this cat’s name.”
I groan. “It’s Marbles. And please…don’t ask.”
She laughs. Loud. Full. “Marbles? As in…you lost yours?”
She’s too clever for her own good. I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah, something like that.”
