Page 210 of On His Team

“Yeah,” I say. “Actually.”

Stanley nods once. No joke. No follow-up. He takes another bite of cereal, chews, and says, “Cool. I need a ride to the rink.”

Blue laughs from the other side of the kitchen.

I shake my head. “Ten minutes.”

“Perfect.”

My phone buzzes on the counter before I finish cooking.

Gianna: Good morning, boyfriend.

I look at the screen.

Stanley immediately leans sideways trying to read it.

I turn the phone over. “Absolutely not.”

“What did she say?”

“Nothing.”

“Was it about me?”

“No.”

I wait until he looks away, then pick the phone back up.

Me: Morning, G.

Her answer comes immediately.

Gianna: Does G stand for girlfriend?

I smile despite myself.

Me: Yeah.

There’s a pause.

Gianna: Wuss.

Gianna: Say it.

Me: Morning, girlfriend.

Gianna: There.

I’m still looking at the screen when Stanley catches the expression on my face.

He points his spoon at me again. “Disgusting.”

I throw the dish towel at him.

Monday is the first day I realize being official mostly means Gianna stops pretending. Not in private. She was never especially good at pretending there. It’s everywhere else.

I’m walking out after practice with Mackey and Marsh when she comes around the corner from equipment carrying a clipboard against her chest. She sees me, changes direction without hesitation, and walks straight over.