Kirby’s grin falls. “Not funny.”
“What? Just asking.”
“No, you’re trying to get in her pants. She’s a good girl, doesn’t need the likes of you.”
Dart acts as if Kirby shot him in the chest. “Kirb, I thought we were friends.”
“We are, but stay away from my nanny.”
“And my…” Nico pauses. “My Callie.”
Aviva rolls her eyes as we all try to hide our laughter. Meanwhile, Dart is grinning like a fool. “I cannot and will not resist the gorgeous Callie, and I’m waiting for the moment when Jean wants to come nanny me. I’m an equal opportunity man.”
I snort. This guy. “Do you mean when you shit your pants from having Nico and Kirby kick your ass? Because that’s the only nannying that girl will do for you,” I call to him, and that sends everyone into a fit of laughter.
He gives me a bored look. “Says the guy who scored a C on his date.”
I scoff as Audrina and Thatcher light up. “That shit was bogus, and you know it was!” I holler to the three of them.
Amelia looks up from the baby monitor she’s holding and asks, “You only got a C?”
“Right?” I ask, and I shake my head.
“Why were you graded?” Chandler asks.
Nico points to his best friend in agreement. “Is that how dating is going now? I’d fail.”
Aviva nods. “You would.”
“Shit, me too,” Kirby says. “I don’t know how I got Jay.”
“None of us do,” Dart says, and I snort before shaking my head.
“No, Audrina set me up on this hellish date with this chick who is trying to find the perfect dude. I was not him.”
Amelia makes a face. “But you’re a doll.”
I shake my head at her. “I’m not. I have one dimple. I’m apparently a mutant.”
Everyone is laughing at this point, and I really do enjoy being the reason for that.
Not.
Audrina is full-on guffawing as she comes and wraps her arms around my neck. “You’re not. You’re wonderful and, really, come on. She’s crazy. Dart got a B, when he’s an easy A.”
“Emphasis on easy,” Nico calls out, to which Dart flips him the bird.
“And Thatch got a D. Clearly, he is an A too.”
I give Thatcher a wide-eyed look. “You got a D?”
My buddy shrugs, his black hair loose in his eyes. “I left before the drinks came.”
“Smart man.” He nods, and I ask, “So I should have gotten an A too, right?”
Audrina smiles. “I mean…”
“I mean, what!” I yell, pushing her away playfully. “I am one good-looking motherfucker.”
“You have sex with moms? I gotta tell my mom before she gets here,” Dart adds.
“Problem is, kiddo, you’re not your dad,” Chandler says to me, and I give him a look. “He’s a solid 100+.”
“Are you saying my dad is hot?”
Chandler throws his hands up. “He’s Shea Adler. Yeah, he’s not ugly.”
Nico, Dart, and Kirby all nod in agreement.
“Yeah, this isn’t weird,” I decide, and then I look back at Audrina.
“What the hell? What would you give me?”
“Solid B++.”
“What? Why?”
She hesitates. “I mean, I’m not trying to push two kids out of my twat, but really, it’s the dimple. It is weird there is only one.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter as everyone laughs way too hard for my liking. “I have never been so attacked for only having one dimple.”
“For real, it’s not his fault. Evan stole the other one! His are so deep and pronounced,” Amelia jokes, her eyes wide and playful. The whole patio full of my teammates laughs and cuts up, and I’m left there, not laughing or even joking with them. I hate that I’m actually looking for Evan. To find him laughing, his dimples showing bright for everyone to tease. He’d know what to say, he’d rib me some more, and he’d give me an F probably. I know he’s not dead. I know I can go to the car and call him right now, but it wouldn’t be the same. Why is this so hard for me?
Fuck.
But more importantly, why do I feel so alone when I’m surrounded by so many people?
Chapter Seven
Angie
* * *
Without looking at my computer, I type in my notes as I read a report from the doctor. I’ve been at it for hours, and I really need to go. My eyes are crossing, and I’m exhausted. I woke up early to work out at the gym. I hated every second of it since everyone was there. I may have a bit of gym anxiety. Doesn’t matter, though; I’m going to keep pushing. Especially when there was this guy with these thighs… Jesus. I wanted to be trapped between those suckers. He was fun to stare at, even though I couldn’t see his face, though I did see the smallest little tattoo at the back of his knee. But he wasn’t the reason I pushed myself this morning. I have goals. I want to order size-twelve scrubs when I start on as a full-time researcher. When my phone sounds, I glance over at it to see it’s my mom.
Mom: How was your day?
I ignore her to finish. I’ll answer, just not right now. But then my phone sounds again.
Mom: I had lunch with Elli and Evan today. They couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful a job you’re doing for the athletes there.
Well, that’s nice. I want to know more, I want to know how Evan is doing, but still, I continue to get my work done so I can leave. I’m sure he’s doing great. No pressure from any angle and just enjoying time with his family. I’m sure Elli is spoiling him and helping him heal. I’m excited to see how he does at the University of Bellevue. I know he had plans for joining a different sport, maybe wrestling. Even though I suggested diving like my brothers. He’s apparently not a strong swimmer. I know he has so many plans, and I’m sure he’ll do wonderful. I know he will. He has to. He gave up his dream for his mental health.
In my mind, he only deserves the best.
With thoughts of Evan, though, come thoughts of Owen. As I quickly type and enter data, I wonder how he’s doing and if he’s adjusting okay. I can still see the absolute fear on his face and the sadness of knowing his brother was hurting. While I know it’s been almost a month since Evan left, I’m sure Owen’s pain is still there. His play on the ice is superb, but his interviews make me nervous. It’s obvious he misses his brother. I’ve even thought of reaching out to check on him, but since I haven’t talked to or seen him since that night after the gym, I feel that may be weird. I almost suggested to the doctor that we bring Owen in for a check-in just to make sure he’s okay. I didn’t, though, for the simple fact that it isn’t my business. Owen and I aren’t friends, and my job was to help his brother. I did, so I don’t know why I can’t shake the thoughts of Owen. I really want him to come in to see if he’ll flirt with me again because I’m unsure if he did or not. A huge part of me wants to think he did, but the smart part of me is like, there is no way.
Maybe he got hit in the head on the ice?