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His blue eyes pop open, and his mouth hangs open. “Really?”
I hand him the puzzle. “Really. You’re very brave.”
He looks at his mom. “I didn’t feel it.”
She mouths “Thank you,” and I nod.
“I see you’re working your magic again this year,” Ellery says, coming over between us.
Bradley and I stand, him moving closer to her, and I refrain from growling like a guard dog.
“Cooper’s known for putting the kids at ease,” she tells Bradley.
And just like that, someone calls me over to their booth.
“Gotta go where I’m needed.” I wink.
Bradley shoots me a look that says “whatever” while Ellery smiles, completely oblivious to the fact that both of us want her—even if only one of us should.
Chapter 5
Ellery
“So, you’re bringing Bradley to Peeper’s Alley?” Bryce asks while we’re waiting for the guys to come out onto the field, her gaze diverting to Adeline.
“Um… yeah, why?”
Bryce shrugs, but it doesn’t seem like she was just wondering. She’s judging.
“Since when are you at a loss for words?” I ask.
“We just don’t normally invite other people.”
“Isn’t that because two of us three are dating players? Cooper is welcome to bring someone. Heck, after game day, he can grab any available woman hanging out to get a pic and bring her into the back room if he wants.” I grab my popcorn and shove it in my mouth.
Neither of them says anything, and I get it. Me dating Bradley has rocked the boat in this glorious six-person friendship. But it was bound to happen at some point. It just never has happened until now. Neither Cooper nor I have ever brought the person we’re dating around each other, but I can’t help that they’re teammates. Neither of us has found anything serious since we came into one another’s lives back in college.
“And Cooper knows?”
“Oh, I didn’t know he gets to police who I can and cannot bring.”
Bryce is annoying me, and the game hasn’t even started yet. The seats next to me fill, and we have to lower our voices.
Bryce says, “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… weird.”
“Well, I’m sorry you’re not comfortable.”
“Jeez, Elle, I was just conveying my feelings.” She turns her body away from me and sips her beer.
Adeline pretends she has to get something out of the diaper bag while Clover is dancing on her lap to the music. The Grizzlies are announced and come out onto the field as the crowd roars. Clover leans to look over toward the tunnel with her pacifier in her mouth.
I’m just happy I don’t have to talk about Cooper anymore.
I’m not sure what Bryce expects me to do. We’ve been over this. He and I will never be a couple. Sure, our relationship isn’t in sibling territory, but we don’t want to lose one another, and we promised each other that a long time ago. And it’s not as if Cooper has given me any indication that he wants to change anything.
Damon jogs over, and Clover claps, smiling around her pacifier. It might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and for a moment, I wonder what it would be like to have a little one like her. How would Cooper be as a dad? He’s a great uncle figure to Clover.
As usual, Damon plays with fire as he lifts himself up on the ledge and wraps his arms around Adeline, squeezing Clover between them. His lips find Adeline’s, and the people around us all squeal with joy.
