Page 26 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“It’s a little sweet,” I admit, slowly leaning forward to set it back on the coffee table without waking Callum. “How’ve you been?”
“Okay. School is harder this year. I need a tutor in just about every subject.”
“It’s that bad?”
“Nearly. I had to stop going out on weekdays to stay home and study. Bleh.”
I chuckle softly. “You poor thing.”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “But Grace and I are loving the new place. You need to come by and see it. It’s so cute. I’m pretty sure Ty is renting it to us at a steal, but I love it too much to protest too loudly. When he and Piper have kids, I’m gonna owe them so much free babysitting.”
Her brother bought a house near campus for Everly to live in while she’s going to college.
“He’s happy to do it, and real estate near Whittaker is smart.”
“I guess so. It’s a three-bedroom, so Grace is going to ask her cousin if she wants to move in. Or we’re going to turn it into one giant closet.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Little Callum, who’s slept through everything else, protests swiftly and loudly.
“Uh-oh.” Everly reaches over and takes him from me. She holds him away from her body like she’s scared of him while I dig my phone out. I scowl at the message.
“I’m guessing by your expression that it isn’t from the nurse.”
“How do you know about Bridget?”
“Oh, please. You’re the hottest gossip around right now. Now that you and Jack are the only ones still single, Ty and the others just sit around talking about their women and any fresh gossip about your dating life.”
Yeah, that sounds about right.
“I heard she turned you down. Several times.” She’s still holding Callum all awkward, so I slide my phone back into my pocket and motion for her to hand him back.
“She only turned me down once. We were going to have coffee but then it didn’t work out.”
“Okay. So text her and ask her to go out tonight. What else are you doing?”
“Thanks for the reminder I’m out of commission,” I grumble. “I didn’t get her number.”
Everly’s eyes widen. “Oh, crap. So she really is playing hard to get. I like her already.”
“There was something there. Her ex was a dick, so she’s hesitant, but I’m patient.”
“Of course, you are. You have random girls texting you to fill the void.” She pointedly glares at my pocket where I slid my phone.
“It was just Talia and I’m not interested in seeing her again.”
“Good. She was kind of a bitch when you weren’t around.”
Which is exactly why I ended things. My team is family. I could never be with someone that didn’t get along with them.
“Are you going to Jack’s party for Meredith?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I was hoping to bring Bridget, but that’s not looking like it’s going to happen.”
“I was summoned to stop by but not touch the alcohol.” She gives another eye roll.
“Jack invited you?” Those two are at each other’s throats more often than not. Mostly because Jack is an asshole. He’s a great captain and friend, the best actually. But when Everly came to live with Tyler, we all took on some of the responsibility of looking out for her. Jack’s way of doing that was just a little more abrasive than the rest of us.
“Yeah, but probably just because he wants Grace to come and talk baseball or whatever.”
