Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“I had zero involvement in it.” I shrug at him. “Take it up with Coach. Maybe he knows.”
Trager is about to respond when he notices Charlie sandwiched between us. He openly checks her out, and I don’t blame him. She looks damn cute tonight. Short skirt, tall boots, and a black top under her signature cropped cashmere sweater.
“Is this your girl?” Trager asks me.
“Yes,” I say, at the same time Beckett drawls, “Yup.”
Case doesn’t bother hiding his grin. He knows about this arrangement already. I told him weeks ago. But this is the first time the rest of the team is hearing about it.
Trager looks between me and Beckett, visibly confused. “Wait. Who—?”
“This is Charlie,” I say, keeping my tone casual. “She’s with both of us.”
Our teammate’s jaw drops. Then he grins and says, “Nice.”
“Wait, I don’t get it,” Patrick Armstrong says, and I realize he and Nazem have been eavesdropping on us. He steps closer, frowning at me. “How is she with both of you?”
“She just is,” Beckett says, his arm looping around Charlie’s waist protectively.
Patrick’s eyes narrow, bouncing between me, Beckett, and Charlie like he’s just stumbled into some alternate universe. He sips his beer, then purses his lips, scrutinizing Charlie. “Uh…and that, like…works for you?”
She hesitates, cheeks flushing. “I mean…yes,” she replies. “It works for us.”
Poor Kansas Kid looks like he’s trying to do mental gymnastics, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Hold on,” Patrick says, raising his hand like he’s still trying to process this. “So, if she’s your girlfriend…or yours…then, like…who buys her flowers and stuff?”
I put on a super solemn expression. “Both of us.”
The two underclassmen glance between us again, skeptical. “You’re messing with us,” Patrick finally says. “You don’t have the same girlfriend.”
“No, they do.” Charlie surprises us both, lifting her chin confidently as she looks at our teammates. “And they’re both great boyfriends.”
“I’m sorry, you’re telling me you’re dating both these losers?” a new voice says, and I roll my eyes as Shane strides over with Diana at his side.
Charlie’s face fills with relief at the sight of Diana. “Oh my God. Estrogen. Thank you. I need you.”
Diana throws her head back and laughs, then pulls Charlie in for a hug. “Are these dumbasses bothering you?”
“Not really.”
Meanwhile, Patrick is still staring at her like he’s processing the world’s hardest math equation. “Okay, so if she’s your girlfriend, Beck, or, wait…no, Larsen’s girlfriend too. How does that…” He stops and regroups. “Who decides when you do boyfriend stuff?”
Beck and I both shrug like it’s no big deal.
“For example,” Patrick says, “back to the flower dilemma—”
“Why are you so focused on flowers?” Nazzy demands.
His friend ignores him. “Do you both get her flowers? Like on the same day?”
I sigh.
“No, this is a great question,” Shane says, grinning behind Patrick’s head. He’s clearly toying with the kid. “Is there a staggered flower schedule?” he asks Charlie with a grave look. “Beckett one week, Larsen the other? That way you always have fresh flowers in your room? Or do they double up on the flowers so your room is always overflowing with them?”
“I don’t really care about flowers” is Charlie’s response, and I swear Patrick’s brain implodes.
“And what about Valentine’s Day?” Shane pushes. “That’s gotta be a war zone for you guys.”
“Yeah,” Case says with a grin. “Do you have a Google Calendar or something for this whole setup?”
“Don’t get her started about her calendar,” Beckett groans.
“Dude, I’m out,” Trager says, gulping the rest of his beer. “This is giving me an anxiety attack. I feel pressured when a chick even asks me what my favorite color is. You two assholes are over here on next level relationship mode.”
“Go away, all of you,” Diana orders. “You’re putting Charlotte on the spot.”
Thankfully, Diana succeeds in shooing everyone away, until only her and Shane remain.
“See?” Beckett says to Charlie. “That was easy.”
“What are you talking about!” she huffs. “I’m exhausted from that grilling.”
“Nah, that went better than I thought it would,” I admit.
The five of us drift into the other room, where Charlie and Diana huddle together talking, while the boys and I talk hockey. Eventually, Diana drags Shane to dance, although I don’t know if there’s much coercion involved. Dude can deny it all he wants, but he totally likes dancing now.
Charlie returns to tuck herself between us, and Beckett leans down to brush his lips over hers. Then he nudges her toward me, and I draw her back against my chest, kissing her cheek.
A few girls nearby glance our way. I notice they’re giving Charlie looks, and not the good kind. Raised eyebrows, thinly veiled annoyance. Whispering to each other behind their drinks.
Charlie notices too, and she shifts a little closer to me, uncomfortable.
Beckett gives her hand a gentle squeeze. “Ignore them,” he says.
She nods, but I can tell she’s still uneasy.