Page 102 of Defensive Zone

“You’re reading a lot into this. What happens when it doesn’t work out?”

“What happens when it does?” she asked.

“I can’t believe after everything you’ve been through, you’re still a romantic,” Gabi said.

Ava grimaced and Gabi instantly regretted her words. She was doing that a lot tonight.

“I’m sorry, Av.”

“No. Just because I ended up with an asshole doesn’t mean that happens to everyone, and I happen to know that my brother is not an asshole,” Ava said. “A pain in the ass, but not an asshole.”

Gabi laughed softly. “Okay. Okay. Um, is it weird to talk about this?”

“Because I’m a new widow to a cheater or because you’re hooking up with—and falling for—my brother?”

“Both,” Gabi said. “And I never said I was falling for him.”

“You are full of shit,” Ava said.

Ava put her arms around Gabi. Then she stepped back.

“Ew, maybe shower first before hugging since you and my brother,” she said, waving her hand in Gabi’s direction.

Gabi laughed and her cheeks flamed. “Very funny.”

“I thought so. Now maybe go in there and apologize to my brother. We can’t have him unfocused for tomorrow’s game. They’ve got to start out strong, you know?” Ava said.

Gabi shook her head. “I see your priorities. Thanks for not making this too weird.”

“Seriously. You two were obvious. I’ve just been waiting. Have a good night, Gabs.” She paused. “Um, but maybe no details, please.”

“Promise,” she said, watching Ava walk back toward her room down the hall. Gabi took in a deep breath and, for a split second, thought about going to her own room and dealing with Max another day.

She stood in front of his door and knocked softly. Maybe he was already asleep.

“Buck up,” she muttered to herself and opened the door. “Max?”

A loud snore came from the bed.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her hand on the door.

He let out another loud—and fake-sounding—snore.

Dammit, Max.

Not that she didn’t deserve him ignoring her.

“I don’t know what this is between us and I panicked,” she said, walking toward the bed. She was not going to take the coward’s way out, even if he was asleep.

She stood at his side of the bed, and before she could blink, his hand snaked out from under the covers and he yanked her into bed.

“You could’ve just asked,” he said, rolling on top of her.

She sighed. “You could’ve just said something.”

“We danced around the topic all night before you ducked out of here.” He sighed. “So what are we?” he asked. “No. What do you want to be?”

“Dating? Not a secret? Hoping it doesn’t become a disaster? What about you?”

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