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“Hey, I lookdapper,” I say with a pout, smoothing my hand down the front of my suit jacket. “You’re just jealous of my awesome body.”
Ross offers a wry smile, patting the extra padding he’s now sporting at his waist. “It’d called four kids and a desk job. But, trust me, if I still had a body like that I’d be dressing it in somethingwaynicer.”
“Some of us have to make do with a coach’s salary,” I point out dryly. Although, considering three of my brothers are planning on getting hitched at some point in the near future, maybe investing in a new suit might not be a bad idea.
We’re interrupted then as KC rushes over, no doubt seeking out his father. “Hey, coach,” he says quickly, then turns to Ross. “Hey, Dad, can I have a hundred bucks?”
Ross’s brows creep up. “Why do you need a hundred bucks?”
“I want to bid on that Jonny Wilkinson book.”
“And you think a hundred dollars is an appropriate bid for a decade-old unsigned biography?”
“Dad, it’s for the team!” KC pleads.
Ross sighs, shaking his head wryly. “Fine. Put the bid down. If you win I’ll give you the money.”
“Awesome, thanks!”
“Cass tells me you’ve been doing pretty well with History this semester,” I say before KC can rush off again. “They’re really impressed with the way you’ve turned things around after that test.”
KC nods enthusiastically. “Yeah, I mean it’s been hard but it’s also pretty cool. Some of the stuff is really interesting. Like, did you know there used to be this law that banned Chinese people from coming here? And even Chinese men who were already working here weren’t allowed to bring their families over.”
I nod, impressed by the passion in his voice. “I did know that. It was called the Chinese Exclusion Act.”
“Yeah! That’s it. I learned all about it when I did an extra credit project on Mom’s family. It was so cool! Well, notcool—it sucked, the way they were treated. But it was really interesting.”
I can’t help feeling a little amused by the undisguised enthusiasm on display. Here’s someone who’s definitely changed their tune since earlier in the year. “So are you going to stick with the extra credit stuff next semester?” I ask.
“God no,” KC exclaims, looking almost offended. “We’ve got actual games next semester, coach. I won’t have time for extra schoolwork.”
And then he’s off again, dashing across the room to join up with some of the other players. Ross and I just stare at each other for a moment, and then we both burst out laughing.
7
ELLIE
“Okay, what do you think?” Finn asks, holding a makeup brush in front of the camera. “Shimmer or smoky?”
“Shimmer,” I say with a nod. “Do you have a nice burnished gold? That would work perfectly with your skin tone.”
He glances down, presumably to inspect his selection of eyeshadow colors. “I have something that might work.”
I smile softly as I watch him delicately apply the eyeshadow in a mirror he has set up next to his computer. “You’re getting really good at this.”
He grins. “Not as good as you, though.”
I wave a dismissive hand. “Well, no one is.”
“I love how modest you are, Ellie Cat,” he murmurs wryly. “Definitely your most redeeming quality.”
“I thought my ass was my most redeeming quality?”
His lips spread into a broad grin. “You have many excellent qualities.”
“I think you should go light for the lips. Maybe a glossy pink.”
He chuckles. “It’s killing you not to be here doing this yourself, isn’t it?”
