Page 124 of Sweetheart

"I didn't know if you'd need it."

"Hmmm."

"I washed it," I added. "So, it's clean. You don't have to worry."

"I wasn't," he said then lifted the shirt with a shrug. "You could've kept this you know."

I cursed internally, wishing I had done just that. My heart leaptat the offer, reading more into it than I should have—but then he kept talking.

"I have other jerseys. It's no big deal."

"Well, I wasn't sure."

"You positive you don't wantto come in?" he offered again, gesturing inside. "My parents are out, but the twins are home.I know they'd like to see you."

I threw him a smile. "Babysitting? That's such a normal thing for the Sam Bishop to be doingon a Saturday."

Sam shot me a grin. He was about to say something whenBennet ran around the corner and spotted us.

"There you are," Bennetsaid to his brother. "I need your help. ASAP."

"Is it urgent?" Sam asked.

"Yes."

"Are you or your sister dying?"

"Well, no," Bennet said.

"Then can you give me five more minutes, B? I was talking to someone."

The boy's eyes lit up when they landed on me. "Oh hey, Scarlett."

"Hey, Bennet," I said. "How are you?"

"Terrible," he said seriously.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going through something."

"That doesn't sound good."

"I know, and I need Sam's help. This could affect my entire life—but what's another five minutes?" the boy said with a frown. "Oh yeah, andBetty won't stop blocking the TV, practicing her dumb dance routines."

"They're not dumb," Betty said, appearing at his side. "I have a recital coming up."

"Yeah, in like three months."

"I need to practice."

"Whatever. Sam?" he asked again. "Are you done yet?"

"Don't be like that, Bennet.He's talking to his girlfriend."

Betty threw me smile.

"Hi, Scarlett. Did you come to see our brother?"

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