Page 25 of Off Sides

I don’t look behind me to see if Calvin is coming because I don’t want to draw any attention to him, but I walk slowly enough to hear his footsteps behind me. I don’t think I’d have been able to leave him there alone with Adler and Shields, not knowing if they’re questioning him too.

This protectiveness I feel over him doesn’t seem to be waning at all. If anything, it’s doubled in the short time I’ve known him. We walk out to our trucks, and when I reach mine, I have to stop and look over at him. “Still coming over?” I check.

He looks around nervously. Some players walk out to their vehicles, but none are close enough to hear us or pay any attention. He gives a small nod, and I know enough not to push.

I nod at him and hop in my truck, relieved when I see he’s following behind me as I drive to Micah’s. When we get there, the house is quiet, which is kind of eerie.

“No one is home?” Calvin asks, his bag slung over his shoulder, and it hits home that he’s staying the night. Holy shit. I can’t believe this is actually happening.

“Jenna and the girls went to the game. I guess they waited for Micah.”

His grin is small, but it’s there on his face as we stand by the door. “It’s cool they go to every game.”

“Coach’s family life,” I say, and yeah, I think it’s cool too. Jenna has always been there to support my brother, and the girls love the games. “You can put your bag down in here or in my room.” He doesn’t move. “I mean, not that we’re sleeping in my room or anything.” I point awkwardly at the huge L shaped couch in the living room. “We’ll be out here, but if you want to get it out of the way . . .”

He smiles again, and God help me, I can’t seem to shut up around him. “Sure.” He walks back to my room confidently since he’s been there a few times before, and I resist the urge to follow him. I’d love to be alone in my room with him, with the house empty like it is right now, but I’m trying to remind myself to go slow.

Right now, we’re just friends and barely that. Anything could scare him off at this point, and I’m starting to realize how devastating that would be. Just as I kick off my shoes and get settled on the couch and Calvin is walking back in, I hear the door open.

Great, I love my nieces to death, but it’ll probably be an hour before they settle down and I can just hang out with Calvin. But I’m shocked when Micah comes inside with a silent, sleeping Ruby in his arms and Jenna walks in with an equally silent, sleeping Hannah in hers.

My eyes widen, and Micah shoots me a look, like for the love of God, be quiet. They might as well be carrying very delicate explosives as they walk down the hall toward the girls’ rooms. Calvin tiptoes toward me, sitting next to me, stiff and still—clearly picking up on the precarious moment.

I hear the soft click of one door, followed by another before Jenna and Micah walk into the living room with a soft high five. “We did it!” Jenna whispers.

“I think they’re totally out,” I say, not whispering, but I keep my voice down.

“Yeah, but you never know. Very delicate business,” Micah says, and the poor guy looks terrified. Like they could wake up any minute. I can’t help but laugh at that. They love their girls, but I can tell a couple who needs some alone time when I see it. I almost feel bad for not going to the party for an hour or two tonight.

But Micah doesn’t seem bothered at all with Calvin and me being here. “Good game, guys.”

“Yes, you boys did a fantastic job,” Jenna says, going to the kitchen. The house has an open floor plan, so it’s connected to the living room, and I can see her buzzing around in there. “You two are a really good team. Work really well together.”

Okay, Jenna. Let’s be subtle here. I don’t think she knows anything, but she knows I’m gay. She doesn’t know about Calvin though—and neither do I, for that matter. Still, I can sense by her tone, she thinks something could be there.

Well, join the club, sister-in-law. But we can’t rush this.

I think Micah is clueless, though, as he starts going over highlights from the game and how we worked well together out on the field. Jenna’s face the whole time, though, is shooting me these conspiratorial looks, and I swear, if I didn’t love her so much, I’d be mortified.

But it’s Jenna. She sees things others don’t. She’s hopeful in ways most people aren’t.

“I got you guys lots of snacks. And I know you probably want to play your game all night, but we do have Netflix and Hulu. So feel free to find a movie. I got popcorn!”

I try not to laugh, and Calvin just looks at me like is she serious? He looks back at Jenna, and I can see the softness he feels for her too. “Thank you. That was nice of you. You didn’t have to go to all that trouble.”

She waves him off. “Oh, it was fun. I want you guys to have a great night.” She looks over at me and winks, and I face-palm, a blush coming over my cheeks, but I just laugh because—Jenna.

“Thanks, Jenna,” I say.

“Yeah, well . . .” Micah looks at me and then his wife, clearly confused but also not asking and then grabs a bottle of wine and some glasses. “We’re going to go to sleep early. Super tired. You guys have fun out here. Don’t wake the girls.”

Jenna’s face lights up, and okay—sure, Micah—you’ll be sleeping. “Oh yes. Very, very tired,” Jenna says with no shame at all. “It’s been way too long since we’ve had any sleep.”

“Gross,” I laugh. “You’re not fooling anyone,” I say as they head down the hall toward their room, giggling like teenagers.

“Wasn’t trying to, little brother,” Micah whisper-shouts, and then there’s a click of the door. I laugh, shaking my head.

“They’re ridiculous,” I say to Calvin, who’s smiling at their antics.