Page 37 of Even Exchange

“Story for another time. So what do you say? We taking the kids camping?”

She eyes me, a searing gaze running down my body. “Looks like we are.”

* * *

Elijah tosses me a beer as I plop on a towel, burying my feet in the warm sand. I crack it open and take a long pull, and he lowers himself next to me.

“Won’t be the same without you next year,” he says, arms resting on his knees while his eyes remain glued on Sophia, who’s taking pictures down by the shore with Charlotte and Sage.

“Thanks.” We clank our metal cans. “You’re gonna do a hell of a job as captain.”

Elijah shakes his head. “I’ll never live up to you.”

“Stop being such a sappy fuck.” I nudge his shoulder, gratitude filling me.

“Sorry.” He huffs a laugh. “I think Sophia broke me.” A slaphappy grin is glued to his face as he watches her.

“I think she fixed you, man.”

His cheeks redden. “You may be right.”

“What’s up?” Theo asks, joining us with our friend and fellow teammate, Julian, following behind.

“Nothing, just discussing the fact Elijah’s man card has been permanently revoked,” I joke.

Theo laughs. “Yeah, it’s tucked tight in Sophia’s little pu?—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Elijah warns.

Theo puts his hands up. “I was going to saypurse.” He smirks. “Maybe you should getyourmind out of the gutter.”

“Whatever,” Elijah says, nudging Theo’s leg. “You’ll see someday. Poor girl.”

“Hey!” Theo says, hand on his chest. “She’ll beluckyto have a man like me.” Elijah and I share a look and laugh. “Assholes.” He waves us off.

“So, I’m not going to Daytona next weekend,” I say, deciding to drop the truth bomb on them all at once. Their heads whip to me.

“What?” Theo yells.

“Dude,” Julian deadpans.

“Are you kidding? It’s our last bro trip before you graduate,” Elijah says, guilting me.

“Tequila and tits,” Theo says, as if those two words alone should make me change my mind. “Tequila. And. Tits.”

“Sorry,” I say, fighting a smile.

“Why can’t you come?” Julian asks. “You got another top-30 meet?”

“No,” I say shifting in place. “I’m taking Charlotte and the twins camping.”

“They better be some hot cheerleader twins if you’re skipping out on our last guys trip for them,” Theo says.

“No, dumbass,” Elijah says. “He means Charlie’slittlebrother and sister.”

“What?” Theo shrieks.

“This dick is trying to saymyman card’s lost.” Elijah pokes me. “What the hell do you call this?”

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