Page 88 of Mine to Take

She will always be my ride or die.

“The whole group they hang with is cool.” The casual look he flicks in my direction belies the intensity brewing in his eyes. “Including my sister. You’ll have to meet her some time. I think you two would like each other.”

My teeth scrape across my lower lip. It’s tempting to tell him that we’ve already met and that I do like her. She was so sweet and kind. “Sure.”

“Sounds like you’ve already made plans to get together with them.”

I nod as my fingers twist in my lap. Whatever this is with Maverick feels so much more serious than before I met up with him at the library. We’ve hit the gas pedal and are now rocketing through hyperspace. “Maybe early next week.”

“I don’t think anyone mentioned it, but around the locker room, they’re known as the girlfriends.”

The girlfriends?

That’s kind of funny.

Before I can comment, a smile simmers across his lips and he adds, “Correction, Fallyn and Britt are known as the wives.”

My brows shoot up. “Excuse me?”

“From what I understand, Wolf and Fallyn were close childhood friends. Something happened when they were teenagers that ripped them apart, and he’s been secretly pining for her ever since. Once they got together, he decided to lock her down for good. Last month, we all flew to Vegas for their wedding, and while we were there, Colby and Britt tied the knot as well.” His gaze flicks my way. “Maybe I’m just clueless, but I didn’t even know they were going out. It all happened so fast. So, yeah…those two are the wives, and then Carina, Viola, Stella, and my sister Juliette are the girlfriends.”

I turn toward him, needing to clarify what I remember being mentioned at the lunch with Elle. “So, your sister is dating one of your teammates?”

Now that’s interesting.

River would flip the fuck out if I mentioned any interest in one of his friends.

Then again, he’d lose his shit if I got serious with anyone. His overprotectiveness knows no bounds.

Some of Maverick’s previous mirth drains away as sadness flickers in his eyes. “Yeah. Juliette is dating Ryder.”

“So…are you two just teammates or actually friends?”

“We’ve been neighbors since kindergarten and always played on the same travel teams. We all grew up together.”

I study him in the darkness. “Did their relationship take you by surprise?”

“Do you want an honest answer?”

“Of course.”

“It did. In hindsight, I realize there’s always been something brewing beneath the surface.” He jerks his shoulders. “Maybe I just didn’t want to acknowledge it.”

His response circles through my brain as I try to put myself in his shoes. “Is it weird between the two of you?”

His brows pinch, as if giving the question serious consideration. “Yeah, it is. We used to spend a ton of time hanging out, and now that they’re an item, that’s no longer the case. If Ryder has down time, they spend it together. It’s like they’re attached at the hip.” There’s a pause before he adds, “When it came to the two of us, Juliette was always the odd man out. Not in a bad way or anything. We had our inside jokes and stories, and now it’s them who have that. Sometimes, they’ll just look at each other and smile or laugh, and I’ll stare at them, feeling like I’ve missed something.” He chances a look at me. “She gained a boyfriend, but it feels like I’ve lost my friend. Kind of sucks.”

I can’t help but reach out and squeeze his thigh. “I’m sorry. Have you considered talking to him about it?”

The horror that flashes across his face as he shoots another look in my direction is enough to make me laugh. “Fuck no. Are you kidding me?”

“I’m really not. Ryder probably doesn’t have any idea that you’re hurt or miss your friendship.”

“Do you have any idea what a wuss that would make me look like?”

A sigh escapes from me. “You realize that it’s perfectly normal to discuss your feelings, right?”

“Maybe for chicks it is, but not for a guy.”

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