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I narrowed my eyes. “They were under your bed.”
She raised a brow and crossed her arms. “Good try, but we’re not talking about me.”
“Maybe we should be,” I muttered.
Eva snorted. “Nothing to talk about. Now explain to me why you haven’t told your brother you’re banging one of his former teammates and current best friends.”
I sighed, rolling over to stare at her blank white ceiling. “When I’m with Noah, it’s like no one else exists. I’m not D’s little sister and he’s not D’s friend. We’re just…”
She sighed and joined me on the bed as I trailed off. “What does your relationship have to do with D?”
“Nothing. For now. But the second he finds out, he’ll get involved.”
Eva chuckled quietly. “D is the farthest thing from disapproving. He’ll be happy for you as long as you’re happy.”
I rolled my head to meet her eyes. “I know, but he’llbethere. I wasn’t even sure I wanted a relationship with Noah beyond a quick fuck.”
“Girl, same.” She held up her fist, and I reluctantly bumped it.
“But he wouldn’t let me bang and bye—claimed he wasn’t interested.”
She scoffed. “Don’t lie to me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, not to mention Mac’s aforementioned inability to stop talking and Noah’s inability to keep his hands off you when you’re together.”
“Exactly. Plenty of banging, none of the bye.”
Her face softened. “I get it. Noah’s always been the burnt marshmallow of the group. Hard outside, squishy, delicious center. He wants more than banging.” I shook my head at the weirdly accurate comparison, and she pointed a finger in my face. “You’re happy though.”
“I’m happy,” I confirmed softly. “Noah makes me happy. Not that I can’t get there on my own, but it’s different. I want to spend all my time with him, even if we’re not naked, which is why I wanted some time without D’s interference. He’ll get all invested. What if all this happiness fades? What if Noah gets tired of me or realizes I’m more trouble than I’m worth?”
Eva laughed in my face. “I have so many reasons why your fears are unfounded, but let’s start with the fact that Noah calls you Trouble as an endearment. I don’t think your wild side is going to scare him away. That said, it’s not fair to Noah if you’re going into a relationship with a bag packed waiting for it to fail.”
“I know,” I said again.
“Do you want it to succeed?”
“Yes.” An immediate rush of certainty calmed some of my fears. I wanted to make the relationship with Noah work. Probably I always had, but the last few weeks had given me enough confidence to admit the truth to myself.
She leaned forward, clasping my hands. “Good, but have you considered how he feels about you wanting to keep him a secret?”
“It’s not much of a secret. You guys all know. Honestly, it’s a miracle Mac hasn’t spilled to D already.”
“You know what I mean. Call your brother. See what he wants, and if you’re feeling it, tell him you’re spending every night riding Noah’s dick. Maybe go into excruciating detail. Actually, call Nadia first so she can film his reaction. I’m going to check on Henry while you do that, then we’ll go get coffee.”
I glared at her as she tossed my phone at me. “This is duress.”
“I prefer to think of it as positive realignment.” She pointed to the phone. “Call.”
Henry quacked when she opened the door, but at least she closed it again behind her. I considered pretending he didn’t answer, but she’d know. Somehow, Eva always knew.
I pulled up D’s contact and took a deep breath before hitting call. Maybe he’d be at practice. In the off-season. An hour after he left a message saying he’d be free all day. Hope springs eternal and all that. I deflated when he picked up.
“Hey Clo, finally. You’re a hard lady to get ahold of.”
As much as I’d been dreading talking to him, D’s voice always made me feel like I was back home. Stupid insecurities aside, he was still my big brother.
I cleared my throat, trying to adopt my usual sarcastic tone. “Yeah, I’ve been busy horning in on your friends. They like me better by the way.”
He scoffed. “Of course, they do. What’s not to like?”
