Page 143 of Most Valuable Players
I avoid his question altogether. “Scott gave his blessing?”
“He didn’t seem all that happy about it, but he said Ginny could make up her own mind who she dated.”
Jordan laughs and elbows Liam. “And threatened to beat your ass if you hurt her.”
“And that,” Liam admits. “But I’d never screw over a teammate’s sister.”
God, I hate that he’s such a nice guy.
“I think it’s a terrible idea,” Tiny says with a shake of his head. “It’s messy. If things don’t work out, then you’re on the outs with the team captain. No chick is worth that much trouble.”
I watch Liam’s face to see if he agrees. Part of me hopes he does and backs off.
“Some girls are worth the risk,” he says, and I grind down on my teeth.
Of-fucking-course Ginny is worth it, but Liam and Ginny? I can’t see it.
“Well, good luck, man.”
I go inside, do a shot, and grab another beer.
“Everything okay?” Mav says as he gets two beers from the fridge.
“Fine.”
He lingers as he pops the top on the first can. “You sure? You look… off.”
“Off?”
“Yeah, like at practice that time Coach tried to switch you to the left wing. You do this weird thing with your face.” He looks like a deer caught in headlights in some shit imitation of me.
“I don’t look like that. Fuck off. I’m fine.” I run a hand through my hair.
“Seriously, man, what’s up?”
“It’s nothing. Liam is interested in Ginny, and I can’t see it.”
“Because—”
“Adam asked me to look out for her, and I don’t know, it doesn’t feel right.”
“Because you like her.”
“I don’t… it’s not…”
He waits for me to string a complete sentence together, a smug expression on his face. “It isn’t a big deal. Ginny’s cool. Just tell Liam you’re interested and ask her out yourself.”
I tap my foot on the linoleum, consider it, and shake my head. “She probably isn’t even interested in him like that.”
Mav clears his throat and points with a finger wrapped around the beer can to Ginny and Liam standing in the doorway between the deck and dining area. They’re both smiling. Liam leans a hand above her, and she doesn’t look at all uncomfortable.
I take off in their direction without a plan and hear Mav mutter behind me, “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Four steps. Four, big, hurried steps is all it takes to get to her. I grab Ginny’s hand, mumble an apology I don’t really mean to Liam, and pull her through the party to my room.
She laughs, obviously not concerned that I’m dragging her to my bedroom like some sort of caveman. “What’s going on?”
“We need to talk,” I say once I close the door.
