The foot under the table.
His eyes on my mouth.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Maybe Jamie is just trying to be better for the team. Maybe this is him taking Coach seriously and pulling me in instead of pushing me out. Maybe that’s all this is. A captain doing his job. A guy trying to be civil because he was told to. I mean, I’m trying to do the same, for the team, right?
Maybe I’m turning scraps into a meal because I’m used to wanting things I shouldn’t have. That thought cools me down fast. Like ice cold water in my veins. By the time I get home, I’ve almost convinced myself it meant nothing.
Almost.
Then I pull out my phone.
One unread text.
Jamie:
Good work today.
I stare at it for way too long.
Then another one comes in.
Jamie:
At dinner too.
I sit down slowly on the edge of my bed.
My thumb hovers over the screen.
Then I type back.
Rhys:
Careful. That’s two compliments in one night. You feeling okay?
Three dots appear.
Disappear.
Appear again.
Finally:
Jamie:
Don’t ruin it.
I smile so hard it feels stupid.
Rhys:
Too late, captain. I’m a ruiner.
I toss the phone onto the bed and drag both hands down my face. I am absolutely reading too much into this.
Probably.
