Page 25 of The Anaconda Downstairs

I opened up the GrubDash app and ordered delivery. Hopefully Javi wouldn’t be the one making the food. Why had I reacted so strongly to the mere possibility of him asking me out? Wasn’t the whole point of Everett’s lessons to help me date?

So why did the thought of going out with anyone make me panic and spout random facts about peppers and giraffes?

I didn’t act like this around Declan or Everett or any of their brothers. Because I was never going to date any of them. Everett was right. The second I even thought about romantic anything was when I turned into a blathering idiot.

At least I had that private lesson about body language to look forward to. Or dread. At this point, I wasn’t sure which.

The week flew by, and before I knew it, Sunday arrived, which was, of course, game day for the Mustangs. But instead of cheering from the stands, I found myself on a the side of a chilly mountain, clipboard in hand, as Kelsey filmed a scene for her next music video.

“Alright, people,” the director shouted. “Let’s take it from the top. Kelsey, remember, you’re a warrior queen leading your army into battle. But make it sexy.”

I stifled a laugh as Kelsey rolled her eyes at me before striking a fierce pose. As the music started and Kelsey began her sexy warrior routine, I checked my phone. The Mustangs’ game would be starting soon.

A text from Everett popped up.

Missing you in the stands today. Cheer for me from your super-secret sneaky undisclosed location.

My heart did a little flip. He was missing me? I quickly typed back.

Break a leg! (But not literally, please. I don’t want to have to help you explain that to your FlipFlop followers.)

Hours later, as we wrapped up the shoot, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Jules, Everett’s sister, and it was in the Kingman family group text. I was in the family group text?

Reminder - It’s surprise family game night at Cool Beans in an hour. Anyone who played football today is required to shower...with soap and water first. See you there.

Ah, crudmuffins. Cool Beans. The scene of my coffee disaster with Everett. Where Javi worked. I wondered if I could beg off.

But another text from Jules popped up and this one was just to me.

Extra excited you and Kelsey can make it tonight. I know it was a big ask, but we’re getting THIS CLOSE to having as many girls as boys for the teams. My plans for female domination have almost come to fruition! #bwahaha #feminominon

Before I could come up with an excuse, Kelsey peered over my shoulder. “Ooh, right, it’s game night. You’re going to love this, Pen.”

And just like that, my fate was sealed.

An hour later, I walked into Cool Beans, Kelsey at my side. The café had been transformed, with tables pushed together and board games stacked high. The Kingman clan was all filing in too, and they were ever the boisterous group that filled a space with laughter and friendly bickering.

Everett spotted me first, his face lighting up in a way that made my knees weak. He made his way over to us, and I scanned the room anxiously. No sign of Javi. Thank God for small mercies.

“How was the game?” I asked when Everett reached us.

He grinned. “We won. But it probably would have been a blowout if you two were there.”

“Smooth, bro,” Declan called out, earning him an elbow in the ribs from his fiancée, Kelsey.

Hmm. Had Everett said something to his brother about our little arrangement? Because if Declan knew, Kelsey knew, and that would explain why she hadn’t been pestering me about it.

“Alright, everyone.” Mr. Kingman clapped his hands, his voice booming over the chatter. “Time to pick your teams and your kitten mascots.”

There was a mad scramble as the guys, all grown men who towered over six feet, dove for the box of kittens like they were going after a fumbled football.

“Dibs on the orange ball of chaos,” Everett shouted, scooping up a squirming ball of fur. “And I choose Pen as my partner in crime.”

Okay, first of all, where had the kittens come from, and also... had he really just picked one that matched the shade of my hair perfectly and then declared me as his partner in front of everyone? He was going to blow our cover... and make me blush.

Everett grinned at me, holding out a tiny orange kitten. Something was different with him today. He was acting more like a boyfriend or?—

Oh.

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