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“Like…paramedics?” I clarify, surprised I didn’t know this beforehand.
“Yeah. And since my boss found out I’m related to Theo, I’m usually at the LAU games whenever they play at home.”
“Really? How did I not know this?”
He shrugs, digging his thumbs into my instep and pulling a moan of appreciation from my lips.
“Man, that feels good.” My eyelids flutter as I melt into the cushions a bit more.
“How to be an Awesome Guy 101. I highly recommend the course for your future significant other.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
18
KATE
Mack drives me home a couple of hours later. And it’s nice. His company. The way he’s thoughtful and seems to anticipate what I want or need even when I don’t recognize it myself.
After saying goodbye, I head up the front steps and open the door. Mia, Blake, Ash, Colt, and Theo are all in the family room, making the relatively average space look like a can of sardines as the guys take up every inch of the couches while Mia and Ash go head-to-head in the center of the room.
“Look, it’s not a big deal,” Mia defends.
“Bullshit, Mia!” Ash snaps. “It’s a huge deal. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t want to stress you out––”
Ash laughs, though there isn’t any humor in it. Theo and Colt push themselves up from the couch, exchanging worried glances.
“Aaaand, we’re gonna go,” Theo mutters.
Apparently, I missed something.
A big something.
“Hey, Kate,” Colt greets me quietly when he sees me standing next to the front door.
“Hey. What’s going on?” I keep my voice low as Ash and Mia continue bickering back and forth.
“I’ll let them catch you up,” he mutters. “You doing okay?”
“As good as ever, I guess.”
Colt nods and squeezes my bicep. He slips out the front door, and Theo follows behind. It closes with a quiet click.
I flip the lock and turn back to the shitshow in front of me. I’ve never seen Ashlyn mad. She’s the mother hen of the group. The caregiver. The cheerleader. The fact she’s looking at Mia like she wants to strangle her is off-putting and so out of character, it takes everything inside of me not to run to my bedroom, close the door, and lock it to block out the noise. The anger. The frustration.
“Ash, calm down,” Blake interjects from the couch. “Let Mia explain.”
“What’s there to explain?” Ash laughs, her tone bordering on hysteria as she throws her hands in the air. “Mia’s been selling naked pictures of herself on the internet instead of asking for help for once in her damn life! And now look what’s happened, huh? An absolute shitshow!”
“Okay, pause,” I snap, marching into the family room and shoving myself between two of my best friends. “Someone catch me up.Now.”
Mia’s arms are folded, and her lips are nothing but a slash of red across her face as she keeps her head held high, refusing to speak. Refusing to cower. Refusing to show an ounce of emotion other than pride. And Ash isn’t any better. The girl looks like she’s two seconds from blowing a gasket. I can practically see the steam coming from her ears.
Finally, Blake looks at me and lets out a slow, controlled breath. “Some drunk guy started groping Mia at SeaBird and was spouting off a bunch of gibberish we couldn’t understand until Theo and Colt stepped in and put him in his place. The guy claimed it was okay because he’d already paid Mia for the photos and knew what she looked like. And then…” Blake’s attention darts to Mia, like she can’t decide whether or not she should continue.
“He’d bought my pictures on OnlyFans,” Mia snaps. “It’s not a big deal. At least it wouldn’t have been if Shorty hadn’t found my account and decided to announce my real identity to the entire fucking world on the internet. Now, I have stalkers to worry about.There. You’re all caught up.” She gives Ash a dirty look. “Happy?”
