Page 106 of Call the Shots
“You must be the dumbest dude I’ve ever met,” Fridge interrupted. “You might as well have written a manifesto and slipped it under everyone’s doors. At least most of them went to lunch. I swear, you’redumbbut lucky—if Elijah heard that?—”
A door creaked down the hall. “Oh, Elijah heard everything.”
“Elijah,” I breathed out. “No.”
He shoved something in his back pocket. “This would be theperfectopportunity to fuck with you. But…” He shrugged. “Thank you for defending me to Vernon. That’s not a joke.” He opened the door to the stairs. “Your secret’s safe with?—”
“You’d have to have fucking amnesia to believe him,” Nick said.
“I don’t care what you believe, Nick,” Elijah laughed.
“So…” Montoya swallowed. “You won’t tell June?”
“No. Maybe.” Elijah grinned. “I’m kidding!”
The door swung shut behind him and I put my head in my hands. “Ah,shit.”
“Yeah, it’s not even funny,” Fridge said solemnly. “You’re fucked.”
CHAPTER 39
JUNE
WHIRLWIND KING
Elijah caught me outside,the gleeful twist of his mouth making him look like a cartoon cat who caught the mouse that used to drop anvils on his head. And his weird expression was directed atme.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re grinning like that?”
“You want to know your astrology?” he teased.
“My what?” I paused. “My horoscope?”
“Yeah. Your clouds indicate everything’s about to gethilarious.”
“What does that mean?”
“I wouldn’t be on any other team. The Gladiators are the best.” His grin widened. “I’m changing my vote for the bet. I’ll make you two happen.”
“Are you speaking in riddles?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Thank me later, June!”
The rest of my questions were ignored as we approached the hill. No buses yet, but there were more than a hundred football players waiting for them. Their light chatter died when we approached. Eyes swiveled to Elijah. I could see his chest puffing out, pleased he had such a reaction.
“Good morning, baby!” he bellowed, and I caught his line of sight.
It turned out Elijah’s girlfriend, Willow, was the football coach’s stepdaughter. Goodness, was she pretty. Her dark skin was highlighted by the sun, and while everybody was dressed for the bus—sweats and t-shirts—Lawson’s stepdaughter looked ready for a photoshoot. The necklaces, the nails, the shoes, her thick, dark curls framing her sunglasses, gave her an undercover movie star vibe.
No wonder the team had to have so many off-limits talks about her.
Elijah headed to Willow, and I went to King. Except when I came close, my best friend’s eyes were trained on Elijah.
“What ishedoing here?” he whispered.
“He wanted to see Willow off,” I explained, hugging him. It was like hugging a block of wood, he didn’t budge. I drew back. “King?”
My question was interrupted by other football players, quick to throw their arms around me.Thatwas a proper hello, especially after how little time we’d spent together this summer.
