Page 87 of Honey Pot

”What’s that for?” Clementine asked as I ushered her toward the table with mugs in my hand.

“Every offseason, we do an exhibition game with the Lorettes just to keep the rivalry alive going into the season. It amps up the fans and the players. It’s a big deal this year.” I shrugged.

“Because you won.” She smiled up at me, and I could feel my chest tighten.

“Exactly.” I handed a beer to Van and offered Clementine a seat at the booth as I leaned over the side. “Are you going to be home for that?” I asked Arlo, who looked over at us as we settled into the group.

“The exhibition game?” He sighed, and Ella watched him for a moment. He knew the answer. He was just scared to say it out loud. “I’m hoping to be, but no promises.”

“Damn, man, the fans are going to show up at the stadium with pitchforks.” Dean scoffed at him and leaned over Clementine to grab his cup. The awkward tension between them was still thick, but neither of them seemed to notice. Silas watched the interaction carefully, gray eyes scanning up to mine with a parental scowl on his face.

“Has there been a decision by Coach who will take over as Captain?” Van asked the question we had all been thinking about for weeks.

Arlo’s eyes flashed to Clementine’s. “Probably not the best time to talk about it.”

Ever since we found out that she had been hiding a fiancé, Arlo had been making tight remarks about Clementine, insinuating that she might be lying about more than just her life back home.

“I’m off the clock, promise.” She raised her hands in the air.

Arlo didn’t seem convinced and turned to whisper something to Ella, who rolled her eyes at him. He laughed gently, rubbing his thumb along her jaw, and whispered a soft please that had Silas shaking his head at the interaction.

“Do you play pool?” She turned, breaking the kiss Arlo had started, and asked Clementine.

“Not very well,” Clementine shrugged.

“A new victim.” Zoey clapped her hands together, slid from the booth, and extended her hands to Clementine.

Brown eyes met, one set suspicious and skeptical, the other curious and intelligent. She understood what Arlo had done, but she took Zoey’s hand regardless of his intentions to get rid of her.

“What the hell was that?” Silas said the minute the girls were out of earshot. “And why the hell did Miele go along with it?”

“She’s still a reporter.” Arlo shook his head and leaned across the table. “We don’t need her writing rumors into that paper.”

Dean looked over at me, waiting for me to lose my shit, and by all means I should have but I inhaled, slowing the anger that coursed its way to my heart, and sat down.

“There’s been nothing from Coach on who he wants as Captain, he hasn’t even spoken to me about it,” Silas said. “Not that I have a say… I’m just the medical staff, but has he really said nothing to you?”

Arlo shook his head. "He’s keeping the decision close to his chest. I’ll be surprised if he announces it beforehand.”

“Do you think he’ll pick someone outside our circle?” Dean asked, worry lines forming on his face.

“If he picks anyone, it should be you,” Arlo said with a hard nod.

Van and I don’t flinch. “I agree.” I added.

I never had a chance at Captain. Even if I was ready for it, even if I had been a model player my entire career, Dad would never stoop as low as handing it to his son. Van had one more season before he was either drafted or focused on his career. Dean getting it made the most sense. Out of all of us, he had the most potential to go pro.

“There’s no one better for it.” Van slapped him on the shoulder.

“Enough shop talk,” Ella groaned loudly from the pool table across the loft. “Either come make things interesting or go home.”

Zoey laughed and leaned on the pool cue that was basically the same size as her, her eyes bright and full as Clementine shook her head in amusement.

“That’s my middle name!” I slipped from the booth.

“Shop talk?” Dean asked, confused as he followed.

“No, you dumbass,interesting.” I looked back at him and laughed. “It’s a damn good thing that you’re so handsome,” I teased and cooed at him like he was a dog, ruffling my hand through his blond curls as he scowled at me.

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