Page 42 of The Captain

“I’m fine, I miss the shit out of you, though,” he says sincerely. “Where have you been?”

I shrug and glance over at Lincoln. “Just working mostly.”

He eyes me for a minute. “Working and avoiding, more like it.”

I tilt my head and give him a dead-eyed look. “I’m not avoiding.”

Crew looks over at Lincoln, who’s still caught up with parents, and back to me. “He said we could be friends, Cassie.”

“I don’t need his permission.” Ugh, I don’t even like the cattiness in my voice.

“And yet…” He trails off, his golden eyes drilling into me. Since I last saw him, I swear Crew grew another three inches…everywhere. He’s got even more massive shoulders; his height is well over six feet, and his boyish blonde hair that he used to have has started to fade into something browner.

But I still see him as a little brother.

“I just don’t want to step on any toes. We have enough drama without me hanging out with his best friend.”

“Cassie, you’re my friend too. That’s unfair.”

I bite my lip. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

We look over at the same time and see Lincoln sitting to unlace his skates.

“Did you get the new Heart Kingdom book?”

I smile and nod. “Yeah, I pre-ordered that months ago.”

“And?” he says, asking for my thoughts.

“And it was pretty freaking amazing. But I’m not surprised, coming from that author.”

“Right! He’s fucking awesome. The world building was stupid good, which you know is usually my least favorite part.”

“That’s because there’s no dialogue, you’re just bored. You need to try harder to get inside the book. I’m telling you, it helps.”

He groans and shakes his head. “I know, I know.” Lincoln starts to make his way over to us, and Crew pulls me into another hug. “Have coffee with me sometime soon? We need to discuss Madigal. That guy is a prick,” he says, referring to one of the hated characters in our favorite series.

Well, current favorite, anyway.

“Yeah, okay, let’s do it.”

He gives me a wink and steps down the stairs, I follow until I’m on the flat landing and watch with amusement as he taps Lincoln’s fist and walks off.

Most of the parents have gone now, and Crew picks up his bag before he exits the arena.

Lincoln stops and stares at me, questions brewing behind his eyes. “How are you?”

I blink at the question, surprised he led with that. “I’m okay. How are you?”

Ugh, the stented small talk was the root of evil.

“I’m doing good, Sunshine.”

I glance up quickly at the nickname, the urge to ask him not to call me that is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

I track my eyes over him, he’s got a light sheen of sweat on his brow, not nearly what it would be when he’s finished a game, but enough to say his class this morning was a workout.

“I’m surprised to find you here,” he comments when I don’t reply.

---