Page 31 of The Shot You Missed
“Sure, yeah. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
The rest of the guys chuckle at that, and I hope they’re all so hyped up on our win that they don’t notice my nerves. Pretty sure a swarm of hornets has taken up residence in my chest cavity. I’m ready to crawl out of my skin.
“You said your date went well, right?” Ryder pulls a hoodie on over his undershirt, staring at me expectantly. “So, why do you look so nervous?”
Of course, I’m not hiding it well. “It wasn’t a date. At least, not in her mind, I don’t think. I just… Every time I see her, I get the feeling she’s ready to bolt. I’m trying not to freak her out, so I need you guys to be cool tonight, okay?” I level a stern look at Griffin. “And that means you, Wright. Treat her like she’s one of the guys or something. No dating talk, don’t ask her when we’re going to get married, and absolutely nothing about how we would make the cutest babies.”
“But you would,” Griffin says, pouting.
Maddox nods. “You really would.”
“Jesus Christ.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turn to Logan for some help. His relationship is the newest, so he should understand where I’m coming from. Unfortunately for me, I tend to be the voice of reason in this group, along with Maddox. And if even he’s participating in Griffin’s bullshit, I’m worried about what that means for me tonight.
“Lay off, assholes,” Logan says with a sigh. “Get all of this out of your systems now, because you’ll never forgive yourselves if you run off the woman our boy’s been pining for since he was a teenager.”
“Such a killjoy, Logie.” Griffin drops his ass onto the bench in front of his locker to put on his shoes. “But fine. You’re right. We’ll play nice and pretend that the two of them aren’t secretly in love with each other, and that we aren’t aware of how emotionally constipated they both are.”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to mess things up for you,” Ryder says.
“Thanks, man.” Ryder may be the youngest of us, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders.
“They going to be good with hitting up Chasers?” Griffin asks. I’ve told all the guys the general background about Indie and our relationship, but Griffin knows the most. He’s aware of Indie’s dislike of being a public spectacle, and after tonight’s win, it’s entirely possible being seen with us could expose her to attention she doesn’t want. “We could head to mine and Mira’s place instead, if that’s better.”
“We can ask her.” I hurry to finish getting dressed, anxious to get to the family room as quickly as possible. Each extra minute spent in the locker room is another opportunity for Indie to decide to leave.
“Let’s get our ladies, then,” Griffin says with a broad smile.
There’s a strange sort of jealousy swirling around and mixing with my anxiety as I follow my teammates to the family room. It’s been amazing to watch each of them fall in love with women who are funny and kind and intelligent. They make these guys better men, and I’m so happy for them. But I can’t deny how much I’ve wanted the same.
It just seemed completely out of reach.
I hate being jealous of them. A real friend shouldn’t feel that way, right? Which is why I’ve kept my feelings to myself.
But following them into the family room, watching them all embrace their wives and partners, I can’t help the sharp pang of longing that slices through me. Because their women practically leap into their arms, and at one point, that’s the kind of future I envisioned for Indie and me.
But Indie is standing off to the side of the room with her arms crossed over her chest, Lola chatting animatedly while Indie watches my friends and their partners embrace. When her gaze finds me, her expression is guarded and hard to read.
Is she excited to see me? Or is she regretting agreeing to go out tonight?
Plastering on a bright smile to hide my nerves, I approach Indie and Lola. “Hey, ladies. Did you enjoy the game?” I lean in and give Lola a quick hug before turning to Indie and folding her into my arms. I linger a little longer with her, breathing in her citrusy scent for as long as I can before it gets weird.
“It was awesome. Thanks for the tickets,” Lola says brightly.
I notice her jersey and Indie’s hoodie. “Did some damage in the team shop, huh?”
“Hell yeah. Gotta rep my favorite player.”
I chuckle at that. “Do I want to know who that is?”
“Griffin, obviously,” she says, turning around and pointing her thumbs at his name on her back.
I bark out a laugh, and so does Indie. Griffin is standing close enough that he must have heard her proclamation because he holds out a fist for her to pound.
“Hell yeah, girl. You know what’s up.”
“Wow.” I cross my arms over my chest, feigning offense. “And here I thought we could be friends.”
“Don’t be sad, crab boy. You’re my favorite goalie.”
