Page 87 of Sliding into Love
"So Kenneth," Bishop says, loading his plate with an impressive amount of spaghetti, clearly sensing I need the subject changed. "I heard you used to play back in college."
Kenneth nods, and I see the slight tension in his shoulders that always appears when his playing career comes up. "Yeah. Pitched for a couple of years before an injury ended that."
"Injuries are a bitch," Bishop agrees. "I've had my share. Separated shoulder, fractured ribs, concussion that had me seeing double for a week."
"Jesus," Kenneth mutters.
"That concussion was terrifying," Atlas adds, his hand moving to Bishop's shoulder. "He couldn't remember where he lived for two days."
"But I remembered you," Bishop says, turning to kiss Atlas's knuckles. "That's all that mattered."
"Brutal Bishop is such a sap," Finn says, but he's smiling.
“For my boy, I always will be.”
Kenneth clears his throat, and I can tell he's gathering courage for whatever he wants to say. "So, uh, speaking of injuries and questionable decisions…" He pauses, glancing at me for support. I nod encouragingly. "Has anyone ever told you that watching Royce work is kind of intimidating?"
Everyone at the table goes quiet, then Bell bursts out laughing.
"Oh, you noticed that too?" my brother says. "I've been telling them for years that they have an intensity that makes people nervous."
"I do not—" I start to protest.
"You absolutely do," Kenneth interrupts gently. "It's not a bad thing. It's just… when you're focused, you get this look. Like you're planning seventeen steps ahead and already know how everything is going to play out."
"That's because they probably are and they probably do," Finn adds.
At least my brother has the kindness to throw himself under the bus too. "It's a Bellport thing. We're all like that. Well, most of us. Jake just kind of speeds through life and somehow everything works out for him anyway. I think he channels his chaos into a superpower."
"Jake has his own kind of intelligence," I say, defending our younger brother. "It's just less obvious."
"True. But you, Roycey Poo," Bellamy grins at the old nickname Jake still occasionally calls me, "you've always been the planner. The one who thinks everything through. Even more than Carmen, which says a lot."
"Someone has to," I mutter.
"See?" Kenny says to the table. "Intimidating. But also impressive. And kind of hot, if I'm being honest."
The table goes silent again. My little menace seems to realize what he just said out loud, and his eyes go wide.
"I mean… that's not… I didn't mean to…"
"Smooth," Bishop says, clearly entertained.
"Very smooth," Atlas agrees.
I can feel my face heating up, but I'm also fighting the urge to laugh. Kenny looks absolutely mortified, which somehow makes it even more endearing.
"For what it's worth," I say, loud enough for just our immediate group to hear, "I think you're pretty hot too. Even when you're putting your foot in your mouth."
Kenneth's mortified expression shifts, turning softer, and under the table, his hand squeezes mine again.
"Okay, you two are adorable," Finn declares. "I'm calling it now. This is going to last."
"Don't jinx it," Kenny says quickly.
Bellamy raises his glass in a toast. "Can't jinx what’s meant to be. To my sibling, who finally let someone past those walls. And to Kenneth, who apparently has the patience of a saint."
"I'll drink to that," Bishop says, raising his as well.
