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CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
AUSTIN
“All right,that’s the last paper to sign,” Uncle Marty says, gathering my paperwork. “Want to see how I file everything?”
I rub at my eyes, the beginnings of a headache forming after looking at legal fine print for so long. “Maybe some other time.” Instead of signing things without reading them like I always do, I actually read through all the forms and asked questions, figuring I should understand what it all means if this will one day be my job. Paperwork that would usually take five to ten minutes somehow stretched out into an hour and a half as we went through it all line by line.
“How about we take a break?” he asks as he steps over to his filing cabinet. “That was a lot for me, too. I don’t normally think much about all this legalese stuff. But you seemed to pick it up quick.”
Did I? It didn’t feel like it to me.
He files the papers, then looks back at me. “How late can you stay tonight?”
Not too late. I still want to go home and shower before Tessa gets off work. “I’ve got plans at nine-thirty. So I need to be out of here before nine.”
God, I can’t fucking wait for later.
“Let me guess. With that girl that came in here a few weeks ago? The one you mentioned yesterday?”
How the hell is all my family reading my mind lately when it comes to Tessa? “Yeah,” I admit. “How’d you know?”
“You’ve got a lovesick smile on your face.”
The smile I didn’t realize was there drops. “No, I don’t.”
He laughs, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I heard from Lawrence how Johnson finally landed one on you that day she came in.”
Why’s he bringing that up now?
“First time he said he’s ever seen you distracted in the ring.”
Jesus. You get hit one time…
“So, what do you two have planned for tonight? Netflix and chill?”
I groan. “No one says that anymore.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t say no.”
“Uncle Marty…”
He raises his hands in defeat. “Sorry, sorry. But I’ve never had the chance to tease you before. I haven’t seen you show real interest in a girl.”
I nod, looking down at my shoes. “She’s pretty amazing. But we’re not a couple or anything. She… Well, I actually thought she wasn’t interested in me until recently.” As in last night. “I’m going to ask her out tonight. Like on an official date. Not just hanging out at home.”
He rubs his mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a smile. “Good luck. How about you get going now so you have time to get ready? If you’ve got that on your mind, I won’t get much more out of you.”
He doesn’t think I’m slacking on the job already, does he? “No, I can—”
“It’s a good thing,” he says. “You deserve it. She seems like a nice girl.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, getting up from my seat. “And just letting you know, I’m working on a plan for my guys this weekend at the tournament.”
“Glad to see the initiative. Now go prepare for your otherplans.”
I finally let loose a grin, nerves floating in my stomach. It’s a good kind of nervousness, though. One that’s tinged with excitement and possibility. Anything could happen tonight.
I head out on the main floor, getting stopped by Ethan before I make it out the door.
