Page 72 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
“We wanted variety,” Jake says innocently.
“Bullshit.”
Ford sits in the booth behind ours. “Connor followed your location.”
“You’re such a stalker, Byrns,” I grumble.
Peyton chokes laughing.
Connor points at Ford. “Snitches get stitches.”
“You literally announced it in the group chat,” Cole says.
Jake nods solemnly. “Multiple times.”
Peyton looks confused. “Group chat.”
I nod. “The team group chat. That I ignored.”
Big mistake.
Connor ignores them before focusing fully on Peyton. “So, Peyton, how’s life with Vermont Batman?”
Allie pokes him in the side. “Stop embarrassing her.”
Peyton snorts into her drink.
My eyes narrow. “Don’t encourage him.”
“Oh, she absolutely should,” Jake says.
Connor points at me dramatically. “Rumor has it he bought you enough winter gear to survive Everest.”
Allie smacks his arm. “I told you that in confidence.”
Harper leans her head on Ford’s arm, trying to hide her laugh.
Peyton raises her hand. “I confirm the rumor.”
Cole looks horrified. “Jesus Christ. He’s nesting.”
“I am NOT nesting.”
Ford leans back casually. “You bought her fleece-lined leggings.”
“Harper,” Peyton says, a pleading tone in her voice.
“Sorry. That one got away from me.”
Silence.
Peyton slowly turns toward me. “Sorry. It just… slipped out.”
Fuck.
Connor wheezes, while Jake nearly falls out of the booth.
And Peyton? She’s smiling at me again. That soft one that feels like it’s digging straight beneath my ribs.
