Page 48 of Wild About You
“Me too,” I answer as I hand my stick and gloves to the equipment manager.
I haven’t had a game like that in months. An assist and two points—one of which was the game-winning goal.
I FaceTime Everly as soon as we get on the plane to head home.
“Congratulations,” she says, smiling.
“Thanks. How’s everything there?”
“Boring. River had to work tonight. Piper and I are getting ready to watch some reality TV.” She sets the phone down so she can get the popcorn and start the microwave. While she does all this, I get a view of her outfit that makes me want to grind my molars.
“Ev, did you wear that to school today?”
“Yes.” She tugs on the hem of her T-shirt.
“Do you have a single shirt that fits the dress code?”
She rolls her eyes. “No, actually. Maybe if you let me get a job, I could afford to buy myself some clothes. River said he could get me a job at the record store in the afternoons and weekends.”
“You need to focus on school.”
“School sucks.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. What else is new?”
“Nothing. You’ve been gone for like a day.”
I chuckle softly under my breath. “Good to know you missed me too. Is Piper around?”
“Yeah.” Everly nods.
“Right here,” Piper says from somewhere off-camera.
Ev picks up the phone and hands it to her, and I’m treated with a close-up view of Piper’s flushed face.
“Hi.” She repositions the phone farther away and tucks a strand of hair behind one ear. “Congrats on the game.”
“Thanks. All good there? Everly giving you any trouble?”
“I can still hear you, you know,” Everly yells.
Piper’s gaze lifts over the phone and she smiles before answering me. “We’re getting along just fine. You don’t need to worry.”
The thing is, I really haven’t. Not like I used to when I was gone on trips. I trust Piper.
“We’re headed home now, but it’ll be pretty late by the time I’m there.”
“Okay.” Piper nods like I’m giving her official orders.
“My buddy Frank is coming by in the morning to get my car. Can you set my keys on the seat for him? He has the garage code, so you won’t need to let him in or anything.”
“This the same Frank that fixed the mystery rattle on my car? Don’t think I didn’t notice you did more than clean it and change the tires.”
I bite back a smile. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure,” she says dryly.
“If your uncle knew you were driving around in that thing, he’d kick my ass.”
