Page 32 of Butterfly Effect

“I’m serious,Wade. No screwing around.”

Maddie, the team’s new social media manager, glares from across the plane. The previous one was fired at the end of last season after a fan had an unhinged reaction to some posted thirst traps of Landon. It became a whole thing and now we all have to tone it down.

No more fun choreo. No more slo-mo sultry walks from the bus to the locker room.

I’m already on her bad side. Hey, she was the one who asked, ‘Who wouldn’t you sit next to while on the road?’ for a video. I answered honestly, ‘Hands down—Theron. He fartsa lot.’ How was I supposed to know they’re cousins? Eh. She’ll get over it. If she ever sat next to him, she’d know I was right.

“So what do you need me to do?” I lean into the aisle. “Run my fingers through my hair? Slowly button my suit?”

Maddie’s nostrils widen. Her eyes go flat. “Hold your coffee cup. Answer whether you like it hot or iced. Take a sip. Smile.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“Bo-ring,” I sing. “I’ll add a little pizzazz.”

She sighs. “We talked about this. Tim Hortons is sponsoring the video, and it needs to go well. No. Screwing. Around.” Maddie pops on her over-the-ear headphones and taps on her tablet as her threat ends. I straighten to give her a dramatically serious expression and an exaggerated salute.

“Stop antagonizing her,” Jaeg grumbles. “She’s just trying to do her job.”

“Buncha party poopers.”

My attention redirects to my phone, and to Gabe’s latest one-word response.

Me

We still on for Thursday?

Freckles

Yep

How enigmatic. I can’t figure her out, but I can’t forget either. And I’m not sure I want to.

My face tilts toward the ceiling, eyes fluttering closed. I sweep the tip of my tongue across the seam of my lips and back, remembering, savoring. It’s been days, but the traces of stale whiskey from Gabe Finch’s warm mouth linger.

A text notification scares my stirring dick into hiding.

Skylar

I need to talk to you.

Me

Now? I’m in the air

Skylar

Not now, you twit.

Me

Tonight?

Skylar

Nope, Jaeg, Doug, and I are having a family night.

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