Page 102 of Too Safe

“Decker. Let’s go!” And with that, the spell is broken.

Chapter 42

Josephine

AnotherFridaynight.Anotherfamily dinner.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, considering there isn’t a game tomorrow. But when I asked Locke if we were still having dinner, he scoffed and looked at me like I was crazy.

Maybe I am. Maybe that’s why I’m casually sitting around the table with the guys long after we’ve finished eating, simply because I’m enjoying their company.

That, or this spiked lemonade has gone to my head.

Kylian glances up from his iPad and flicks his attention to each of us. “Everyone’s good with the itineraries I sent out for Shore Week? We all know where we need to be and when?”

I thought a bye week meant things would be more laid back around here. Clearly, I was wrong.

There’s no game tomorrow, but there’s still a party. An all-day event, it seems. The team doesn’t have anywhere to be, so they’ll arrive after lunch and go all day and night. Decker has extra security coming to the house since the crowd will be larger than usual.

Sunday marks the official start of Shore Week.

I’ve been hearing about this stupid rivalry for weeks, so I’m more than a little curious about how it’ll all play out.

I gawked when I saw all the events on the schedule Kylian emailed me this morning. But when I FaceTimed with Hunter this afternoon, she promised she’d be at most of them, too. Apparently, it’s a whole thing around here. The Lake Chapel vs. South Chapel game is a huge deal. People from all over the state and beyond will travel to watch it.

There’s the charter cruise on Sunday night. A bonfire on Monday. The guys have NIL appearances Tuesday through Friday. There’s even a parade on Saturday morning.

Locke mentioned a team prank during dinner, but Kylian already explained to me that the four of them don’t mess with those anymore. Decker likes to be in the know in terms of what the players are planning, but otherwise, he leaves it to the underclassmen to figure out.

Rapping his knuckles on the table, Kendrick nods at Kylian, then looks to Decker. “I’m good. We’re done here?”

Of course he wants to dip out as soon as possible. Typical.

At Decker’s nod, Kendrick pushes to his feet and strolls into the house.

“He’s agitated,” Kylian remarks. Not a question. Just an observation.

“He is,” Decker confirms, blowing out a long breath. He pinches the bridge of his nose.

Instinctively, I track the movement, looking for other signs of discomfort.

As if he can sense my concern, he taps his foot against mine twice under the table to get my attention. When our eyes meet, he shakes his head and mouths, “I’m fine.”

I offer him a tight smile. I’m glad he’s okay, but I’m annoyed with Kendrick. Is it that hard to act like an adult and sit at the table with all of us for more than five minutes after finishing a meal?

“I cooked. You two are on cleanup.” Locke yawns, stretching his arms overhead and leaning as far back as his chair will allow.

Mrs. Lansbury prepares most of their meals throughout the week, but one of the guys typically cooks for Friday night family dinner.

He stands, catching my gaze and smiling.

“You want to watch another movie tonight, Hot Girl?”

I return his smile but wrinkle my nose. “Sorry,” I apologize. “I already have plans.” I side-eye Decker, still unsure of whether things are going to come together. I’ve got to figure it out fast. It’s almost eight, and Hunter might already be on her way.

Decker sits up, regarding the guys. “I’ll wash if you want to clear, Kyl.” Then he turns to Locke. “You still up for fishing tomorrow morning?”

Locke grins, then pulls out his phone. “Hell yeah. We haven’t done that since before two-a-days started in July. Is six too early?”

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