Page 74 of Little Do You Know

Just before I’m about to win, Owen knocks the controller out of my hands, causing Princess Peach to fall way behind, allowing Bowser to catch up to her, ultimately winning. Instead of shoving him like he most likely expected me to, I lean back into the couch cushions and laugh.

“You’re a sore loser.” I roll my eyes, still smiling at him.

Owen motions to the television. “It looks to me like Bowser beat Princess Peach, so who’s the sore loser?”

“Only because you cheated! I’m pretty sure there’s a good chance you broke your controller. I want a rematch if it still works. No cheating either.”

“I don’t need to cheat to win.” He smirks triumphantly. “No promises.”

The remote still works, and we play best out of five. I don’t want to let Owen’s first win count since he technically cheated, but when Princess Peach crossed the finish line three times in a row, I have no problem gloating. That smirk has been wiped clear off his face. “Damn, when did you get so bad at this? I thought you were supposed to be good at video games?”

“Maybe because I spend all my time practicing for football. There’s hardly any time left for video games!” Owen defends himself quickly.

“Excuses! You’re a sore loser. I’m not great at them, either, but I’m certainly better than you at Mario Kart. You just didn’t want to lose to me.” I stick my tongue out at him, dutifully playing my role as little sister. “You never bothered spending much time in the basement playing video games once you were introduced to football.”

“Video games will always be there.” Owen shrugs, tossing the remote down. “I love football. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

“I hope you never have to find out.” I mean that. Owen loves every aspect of the game; it’s clear when he plays. It’s not the same as watching Sebastian. Owen revels in the attention, the glory, the game entirely. They balance each other out well.

“I won’t. I’ll be playing in the pros for a very long time.”

I laugh because it’s such an Owen thing to say. “How does Blake put up with you?”

“Well, she’s not putting up with me. She’s mad at me right now. Amelia texted me looking to hook up, and I never responded. Blake couldn’t find her phone earlier and wanted to check with you to make sure the truck started, so I let her use my phone. Blake saw it in my recent texts because I forgot about it,” he admits sheepishly, his ears tinging pink from embarrassment. “I wasn’t going to take Amelia up on it. I like Blake, and I need her to believe that I was going to say no.”

“For how smart you’re supposed to be, you’re an idiot. What were you thinking?”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I know I shouldn’t have started fucking around with Amelia again. I just…I didn’t think Blake would break up with her boyfriend. I’m glad she did, but I don’t want her to feel like she had to break up with him because of me.”

“Yeah, you shouldn’t have started fucking around with Amelia again.” I snort before shaking my head at him. He’s an idiot. “Blake didn’t break up with Thomas for you; she broke up with him for herself. She said something about them outgrowing each other. Blake has feelings for you, but she needs time. Do you even want a girlfriend right now? It’s football season,” I remind him, and Owen’s brown eyes widen as he realizes how he sounds. Typical stupid boy.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to put the rest of my life off for football. Is it bad to want someone you can always talk to? All the success in the world doesn’t mean anything if there’s no one to share it with.”

Owen’s words almost stun me into silence. He has a point. “When did you turn into such an adult?” I tease, pushing a smile on my face so he doesn’t notice how deep they strike.

“Somewhere along the same time you turned into a raging bitch. What’s going on with you?”

His tone is teasing, but my cheeks still flush with embarrassment. I have been a raging bitch.

“I think I’d call it more of a slow-burning bitch instead of raging,” I attempt to joke, but it’s a weak attempt. “I just haven’t been sleeping well, and it’s having a shitty impact on my temper. I promise I’ll do better to control it.”

“Have you thought about going to a doctor? Maybe they could give you something to help you sleep easier? Your insomnia or whatever has been worse since your birthday.” He’s trying to slide into it subtly, but there’s nothing subtle about it.

“Even though I shouldn’t have hit him, Sebastian deserved it if that’s what you’re working your way toward asking about,” I say flatly, fighting my remorse.

His hands go up in defense. “It wasn’t. I’m sure he did deserve it.”

The fact he doesn’t immediately jump to his best friend’s defense makes me lean over and hug him tightly. Owen’s arms wrap around me as I rest my chin on his shoulder. “Thank you for being the best brother.”

“You won’t say that after I beat you again in Mario Kart.”

I pull back, laughing as I do.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sebastian

PRACTICE WAS A long one today. The field seems to be the only place I can clear my head, so I didn’t mind. I spend most of my time here either running sprints on the field or reviewing the playbook and film to find ways for everyone to improve.

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