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They seemed genuinely interested in Evie. It was hard to fake the affection they’d shown her during dinner. If they did move to London, and they weren’t assholes about the custody situation, they could be a big help and a steady presence in her life.

Logically, I understood all of that.

And yet, for some reason, the little alarm bells in the back of my head wouldn’t stop ringing.

CHAPTER 24

NOAH

“I’m in love.”

Adil’s declaration after training the next day was met with pin-drop silence. Every head swiveled toward him as the team took a minute to absorb his words.

“With who? Your dinosaur plushie?” Gallagher cracked.

The tension broke, and raucous laughter bounced off the walls.

“Leave Minerva alone, and no,” Adil huffed. “As much as I rely on Minny for emotional support after a hard day, I’m in love with a human. Her name is Yasmin. We met on Konnect, and she’s perfect.”

“When did this happen? I didn’t know you were on the apps,” Samson said.

“Does she know she’s in competition with Wilma Pebbles?” Gallagher wouldn’t let the dinosaur thing go.

Wilma Pebbles was a famous dino erotica author and practically a celebrity in our book club. We’d read half her backlist by now.

“I kept it a secret until we were official because I didn’t need you guys being nosy,” Adil said, which was ironic because he was the nosiest member of our team. “And yes, she’s aware of my reading tastes and very supportive.” He nudged my shoulder with his elbow. “All I’m saying is, Konnect works.”

I ignored him and laced up my shoes. I didn’t have time to indulge him. Today was Evie’s big piano recital, and I had to hustle if I wanted to get there in time. Plus, I’d sooner die than Konnect with anyone (that was what they called it when two people matched).

However, I couldn’t tamp down my surprise at Adil’s news. He’d never been in a serious relationship, but I supposed it was only a matter of time. As unserious as he could be, he was a romantic at heart.

My mind flicked back to Carina and that damn challenge list of hers. Was she on the dating apps, and had she crossed off the Love & Relationships item yet?

I’d never ask, but the unanswered question flitted through my consciousness every hour like an annoying gnat that wouldn’t go away.

I tuned back into the dressing room chatter just in time to realize why I shouldn’t even think about Carina around these idiots.

“Whatever happened between you and Carina?” Stevens asked Samson. It was as if my thoughts had manifested her as a conversation topic, albeit one I didn’t want to hear. “I saw you two flirting at the pub after the Arsenal match.”

“Nothing happened beyond that.” Samson grinned. “Wouldn’t mind if something did happen though.”

“I thought you were dating that model,” Gallagher said. “The one in that lingerie ad.”

“We went on a few dates. We’re not dating. There’s a difference. Anyway, I’m kinda tired of models. Too high maintenance.” Samson shrugged, his eyes lighting with anticipation. “I did invite Carina to my end-of-season party. Let’s see what happens.”

My teeth clenched hard enough to hurt. I yanked my gym bag zipper closed, but it got stuck on a piece of shirt fabric. A growl swelled in my throat. I tried again, this time with more force than necessary, and it gave way with an ugly tearing sound. Zipper and shirt, both fucked. I couldn’t bring myself to care.

The guys stopped talking to stare at me.

I slung the half-zipped bag over my shoulder and stomped out toward the exit. I’d deal with the tear later. I just needed to get out of here.

“What’s his problem?” I heard Samson ask as the door slammed shut behind me.

In hindsight, my reaction was an overreaction. I couldn’t stand to sit there and listen to Samson talk about Carina like he had any shot in hell with her—she was way too fucking good for him—but I had plenty of time to admit I’d let my jealousy get the better of me while sitting in traffic. I also had plenty of time to panic about missing Evie’s performance.

I glanced at the time, my palms clammy, my stomach tight. I was already half an hour late.

It usually didn’t take me that long to drive from Blackcastle’s training grounds to Evie’s school. I’d done the math, and I should’ve arrived in time for the start of her recital, even when I took rush hour into account. However, the traffic gods had screwed me over by closing a key road and throwing not one, but two accidents into the mix.