AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rori shakes from silent laughter.
“As you can see, I’m doing fine on my own. I appreciate you guys looking out for me, though.”
“Maybe we could take a quick dunk in the pool,” Murphy suggests.
Ryder swipes his arm across his forehead. “Yeah, it’s a scorcher. I don’t like to toot my own horn, but…” He pauses, and I roll my eyes. “It was thoughtful of us to come over with the sole purpose of helping you.”
“Do you believe these two stooges?” I ask Rori. “Their purpose has more to do with my pool and grill than my lack of dating.”
“I’m okay with them being here,” Rori says.
“Are you sure?” I search her face for a sign she’s not being truthful, but I find none.
“Yes, I really am. Besides, they’re hilarious. And even if they want to swim and eat, they still wanted to spend time with their captain.”
“It couldn’t have anything to do with them wanting to see what you look like,” I droll.
“Okay, enough whispering over there. What’s the verdict? Are you feeding us or what?” Murphy asks.
“I said you could swim, not that I’d provide food.”
Rori nods at me. “I really don’t mind.”
“You will when you see how much they eat. When you fill your plate, take extra because it won’t be there later if you go back for seconds.”
She laughs.
“I’m serious. You’ve never seen anyone put away as much food as these two can. It’s kind of gross.”
* * *
I quickly flip the lock. “Christ. I thought they’d never leave.”
“We can hear you!” Ryder shouts from the front stoop.
My forehead drops against the door with a thud. “Go away!” I shout back.
“We know you love us.” Murphy gets the last word in.
I hear Rori laughing behind me and spin around. Her bag hangs over her shoulder and her keys are in her hand. I know she wants to get home before it’s too late, but I asked her to stay until Ryder and Murphy left.
“I’m convinced those two are harder to deal with than an entire classroom of preschoolers. They have the same level of maturity too,” I say.
She smiles. “They reminded me of energetic puppies running from one thing to another.”
“It’s amazing how well they both can focus while on the ice.”
“I think your teammates are great.”
“Really?” I ask.I knew she’d fall under their spells just like the rest of the female population.
“Yeah, they’re fun and personable.”
“And handsome,” I begrudgingly add.
“Are they? I didn’t even notice,” she says, maintaining a serious expression.
“Okay, now you took it too far,” I point out. “No woman, or man for that matter, can miss how attractive those two are. And believe me, they love reminding people.”
