Page 102 of Forever Relentless

“Next season we’re bound to see him on the field,” Dustin reminded him.

“Yay.”

I hid my grin around my next bite.

“What were we talking about before that?” Dante asked, changing the subject.

“Profiles.”

He sat back in his seat. “Right. I don’t think Hembry is correct. I think after my recent run-in with our coaching staff, I’m the least likely person to be termed ‘safe.’”

“It’s what he said,” Dustin put his fork down. “And let’s face it, it’s always the quarterback who gets the attention.”

“Bullshit.”

I wasn’t getting involved. It was the age-old argument: one man did not make a team. Easy to say it didn’t when you were the man, but I also didn’t believe it. A team made a team.

Dante was frowning at whatever Dustin had just said, and I’d tuned them out, so I’d missed it.

“You weren’t going to tell me where you were?”

“I—”

Dante leaned forward. “You weren’t going to tell me!”

For fuck’s sake.

“Of course he was,” I cut off whatever Dustin was going to say. “We just hadn’t had time.”

“I’ve been with you all day.”

Dustin pushed his plate away. “And we haven’t been alone, until now. Have we?” He challenged.

“Oh.” Dante sat back. “I need something sweet. Who wants anything sweet?” We both said no, and he walked back to the food counter.

Dustin watched him walk away. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“I wasn’t going to tell him.”

“I know.” I finished my pizza.

“Why did you tell him?”

“Because we’ve enough shit to handle without secrets between us.”

Dustin grinned. “You sound like an adult.”

“We are adults.”

“Not yet, I still can’t legally drink.”

“My mistake.” I finished my water and turned to look at him. “You really weren’t going to mention it?”

Dustin rolled his head on his shoulders. “I want to say I was . . .”

“Dust . . . this involves all of us, every man for himself isn’t who we are. Is it?”