Page 66 of The Perfect Snipe

My cheeks flush and I pull at the collar. But that’s not the only place heating up. Can’t remember the last time I’d had phone sex. Or video sex. Or whatever the fuck it is.

Just glad it was Garrison who’d been the unfortunate person on the other side of the wall. If it had been Wyatt, Mykyta, or Smitty the whole team would’ve known what I’d been doing while I was doing it.

Cat chuckles and resumes eating her Chicken Cordon Bleu. “Anyway, my mom thought I was going to turn streaming into a career.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“It became too much about video editing and acting rather than the game itself. Besides, I like influencing little minds instead. My kids at school—they're my audience now.”

She is one hell of a teacher. I’ve witnessed the way she’s helped my kids and Jake. But I’ve also overheard her a few times on thephone with parents. She genuinely cares about her students, and takes the time to learn about the families as well.

The conversation continues to flow naturally, moving from topic to topic with the kind of ease you don’t often find on first—hell, even second—dates. She tells me how her parents moved out to Arizona, how she hated transferring halfway through high school, and more about her time in college with Nora.

“I didn’t realize how close you two were. That you were there for all that shit with Michael from the beginning.”

She tenses and I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. Cat sits straighter. “One of the toughest parts of my life was watching my best friend stay with that asshole, especially after she had Jake.” She shakes her head. “I’m just glad she’s with Wyatt now.”

While my best friend may be annoying at times, and act like a manchild at others, he’s a good man. He’d do anything for his family and friends. And he tries to learn from his mistakes.

I’m proud of him.

“Guess him punching that Ravens player ended up being a blessing.”

Cat snorts. “What I don’t get is why he doesn’t get picked on more for reading those romance novels he reads.”

I blink rapidly, the statement taking a bit to sink in. “He reads what now?”

“Wyatt reads romance novels. Now, I’m not one to shit on anyone’s enjoyments but . . . space velociraptors and main characters who are humanized forms of diseases?” She pulls out her phone and taps on the screen before turning it to show me.

For fuck’s sake.

Sentient Food? A sexy library card?

“You should see your face right now.” Cat pulls back her phone. “Trust me, Nora and I spent three hours just lookingat this author’s titles. Supposedly, they are satirical as well. Honestly, I think I may want to read one.”

“Yeah?”

She nods. “Except I don’t want Wyatt finding out. You know he’ll try to turn it into a book club.”

That’s exactly what my best friend would do.

My heart’s beating a little faster and my muscles are tense. I’m even clenching my jaw. Fuck. Guess it bothers me not knowing about Wyatt’s hobby. But it’s also on me for keeping my walls up.

“After playoffs, you should host the next game night. Nora and the kids have mentioned it’s been awhile.”

I lean back in my chair, brow quirked, as I shoot her a lopsided smile. “You going to join?”

She waves a haphazard hand. “I got invited one time, and I had plans. Trust me, I rather would’ve been watching you lose. Heard all about how grumpy you get, especially when Wyatt’s beating your ass.”

Of course.

It seems making me grumpy is my best friend’s favorite pastime. “Wish I could return the favor.”

Cat leans closer. “You know, Nora said his mom sends these delicious cookies. Maybe we should steal them. Send him pictures of us eating them.”

I snort, then laugh. “Fuck. I heard about those cookies from Hudson. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe we could get the whole team to eat them. Blame it all on Stella.”

Her mouth goes agape. “I’m sorry. Did you just suggest pinning it all on your own daughter?”

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