Page 28 of Wild About You
“I know. I know. I’m eighteen, not eight.” I’d bet anything that Everly’s rolling her eyes as she says it.
“Did Piper go home?”
“Yeah. She left when Declan got here.”
I want to ask more, but Leo is waiting so instead I say, “Here’s Leo.”
She sends a FaceTime request and I hand the phone over and watch as my teammate smiles at my sister. “What’s up, Little Sharpie?”
While they work on Ev’s homework, I finish packing and then take Leo’s seat in front of the TV.
Ash eyes me carefully. “You look stressed.”
“I’m never having kids,” I mutter and drop my head back.
They all laugh at me like they think I’m kidding. I’m not sure I am. How do people do this?
I stare ahead at the TV, not really watching, until Leo tosses my phone in my lap.
“Get it worked out?” I ask.
“Piece of cake.”
I let out a long breath. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Any time.”
Jack laughs. “Are you kidding? Lohan lives for this shit.”
“Any chance to show off his big brain,” Ash adds.
Leo flips them both off. “Time to go, boys.”
I’m the last to get to my feet as I hover over Piper’s name on my phone. I don’t have time to come up with anything grand. It’s real possible she’s blocked me anyway.
Thank you for staying with Everly. I appreciate it, Pipes.
I hit send and wait a beat to see if I’ll get something back. While I am thankful, I’m glad for an excuse to reach out to her. Maybe this time she’ll even respond.
* * *
We touch down in Minnesota right on time. I never thought much about arrival times until Everly came to stay with me. Now I have to know when and where and schedule things way in advance.
But I made it work again—somehow. We picked up two points with our win against Arizona this afternoon, too. All in all, a great freaking trip and I can breathe easy.
“Are you boys ready to celebrate?” Jack asks as we get off the plane. He rests a hand on Leo’s shoulder and squeezes. “The man of the night.”
“I appreciate you letting us use your house,” Leo says.
Jack shakes his head. “Happy to. Mav? Sharpie? You guys coming?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I say. “I need to swing by the house and check on Everly.”
We disperse. Most of the guys are going to Jack’s for Leo and Scarlett’s engagement party, but I don’t feel great about leaving Everly alone again tonight when I’ve been gone for the last few days, even if it’s just a couple of houses down the street.
Declan calls as I’m driving home.
“Hey,” I answer. “Everything okay?”
