Page 103 of Pucking Them
In fact, what’s the sweetest thing I could imagine Neve doing to show her love for this woman who clearly means so much to her?
My expression gentles. “Paintballing.”
Cody doubles over with laughter, reaching across the table to grasp my hand. “Awesome, sis. I knew that you would guess it. Oh, shit. That means you can choose my next song.”
I shoot him a devilish smile.
He lets go of my hand, looking even more nervous. He should do. I’ve been saving up several karaoke songs for a moment just like this.
What are sisters for?
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from any scary song choices.” Michael pulls Cody’s head against his chest. “We could duet.”
I rub my hands together.
This is getting better and better.
“Have I told you how sexy you look when you’re being a little devil, love?” Shay murmurs.
His silky hair brushes my ear.
“Don’t you mean a brat?” D’Angelo harrumphs.
“Neve will be brilliant at paintballing,” Shay declares. “Also, isn’t it team building? Why don’t we play too?”
“No,” we all chorus at the same time.
Dad would have a heart attack if he knew that two of his players were taking risks like that during the playoffs. It’s already better that I don’t tell him half of the stunts that Shay pulls on his motorcycle drives by the coast.
Shay pouts. “I reckon that I’d be a good shot.”
When D’Angelo tips his whiskey glass at him, a flicker of pain crosses his face before he can hide it.
How badly was he hurt in practice?
Shay stiffens next to me. He must have noticed too.
“Not as good as me,” D’Angelo boasts with his typical cockiness. “Maybe Emos love being painted on the outside like broken rainbows. Neve can write a song lyric about the neon existential dread and… Neve is standing right behind me isn’t she?”
“Fuck you too, Hood Ornament.” Neve slams down the tray of beers onto the table.
“Come to Daddy.” Cody dives on the beers, snatching up a second bottle.
Michael wrinkles his nose. “Never call yourself that again.”
“No whiskey for me…?” D’Angelo drawls. “I’m hurt. I’m going to regret asking, but why isHood Ornamentthe insult of the week?”
Neve is creative in her insults for D’Angelo. Last week it wasglitch.
Shay has been taking notes. He says that his chirps are garbage, and Neve’s burns for D’Angelo have been helping him improve that skill.
I should simply allow him to read my texts from Neve. Shay would find themveryeducational.
Neve sprawls next to Shay, throwing her booted feet up onto the table.
She looks D’Angelo up and down dismissively, before gesturing at his suit. “It means you look shiny with your designer gear and mansion. You’re the captain. But in the end, the ornament doesn’t run shit. It’s the rest of the team who are the engine.”
I expect D’Angelo to laugh. Instead, he flinches.
