Page 139 of Rush the Edge

“I’m fully annoyed with men today.” I grab my mug of matcha and head for the door, bypassing all three guys.

“Where are you going?” Kane asks.

River leans against the counter with his hip, unbothered by my tantrum, while Malaki tries not to laugh.

I stomp the rest of the way to the exit and turn with my hand locked on the doorknob. “I made a pact with my plants!” I snap. “I’m going to go water them and tell them all about how irritating you three are.”

“Hey!” Malaki scoffs. “What did I do besides give you multiple orgasms?”

River glares at him. “You’re pushing it.”

“I agree,” Kane growls.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“You know what…” I try not to smile with my sudden payback. “You’re right, Malaki. You can come with me and learn all about plants.”

Surprise washes over his boyish face, and he quickly strides forward. “Here…let me.” He grabs onto the door and opens it for me while Kane and River remain in the kitchen.

“Put some pants on!” Kane shouts.

Malaki snickers as the door shuts. We rush to the elevator, and when we’re fully enclosed, he nudges me with his elbow. “So, tell me,” he says, “was I good in bed?”

I can’t hold back my laugh. “The best.”

“Good. Tell Reese that, will ya?”

I roll my eyes, and we head into my apartment, where I tell him all about my plantsandReese.

* * *

Kane

Are you still mad at me, little devil?

I scowl at my phone as soon as the message pops up.

Me

Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the game?

Away games are always a nice breather for me. It gives me a chance to relax in my own space without wondering what Kane is doing upstairs. I pull open my journal and scribble some less than ideal symptoms I’ve been having lately before flipping to the back to work on mygoalspage.

It’s the same worn piece of notebook paper that I’ve had since high school.

New notebook but same piece of paper, just paperclipped in the back, splattered with matcha stains and new and improved goals throughout the last several years.

I’m no closer to achieving them than I was before moving to Chicago, but my grandma always said dreaming was good for the soul, so I’ve never stopped.

My phone goes off again, and I put the journal down.

Kane

I’m not playing tonight.

I sit up a little taller. Worry sits on my shoulders.

Me

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