Page 7 of His Team

“Thanks, Cam.”

“You know I’ve always got you. I’ll bring you something to eat too.”

Caleb sits, flexing and unflexing his hands. He might know he has an escape when we get to the house, but it’s still worrying him. Unnecessary stress.

My mama is the queen of creating it. For as long as I can remember, she’s made everything about what she wants. The rest of us just have to grin and bear it.

“Will Kay be there?” Caleb asks.

I think he needs a distraction. I glance over and find him squinting and pursing his lips. Fuck, I could strangle Mama for this.

“Yeah, she’ll be there. Dakota will too, and Thomas. If you want, we’ll come up and hang in your room,” I offer.

“No, Mama will get mad I took y’all away from the party. I’ll find something to do.”

“You excited for the season? I think it’s going to be a good one,” I ask to change the subject and distract him.

“Yeah, I’m excited, but I don’t think Coach Robinson likes us very much,” he replies.

“Fuck him. If he gives you shit, tell me or Coach Snider. You hear me?”

“Yeah.”

“I mean it, Cal. I’m not going to let him fuck with you as long as I’m around, but if something happens where I can’t be there, you let me know right away.

“That dude is an asshole. I picked up on that our first week of meetings.”

“I think he’s mad because I made him look stupid.”

“I’m sure that’s what it is.”

Caleb is nothing but honest and straightforward. Coach Robinson tried to embarrass him and got embarrassed instead. My brother is far from stupid and if you’re wrong, he’s going to correct you.

We pull up to the house and Cal releases a groan as all the cars come into view. Mama said it would only be a few people. This is far from a few people. I bite out a curse under my breath.

“You can go in through the side door and head straight upstairs,” I say.

“I did good this week, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did fucking awesome, bro.”

“We have four more years. That’s a lot of time and people. I’ll walk in with you. Baby steps, right?”

He turns and gives me a smile. My chest swells with pride. I’m so proud of this kid.

I nod and try not to get choked up. This is big for Caleb. I’ve been watching him try to find his own way more and more.

We climb out of the car and head into the house. Music and chatter greet us as soon as we walk into the door. Caleb looks around at all the people then makes a beeline for the stairs to head up to his old room.

I smile and shake my head. I’m not about to force him out of his comfort zone. Just walking in here knowing he could be bombarded by all these guests was a lot.

“Cameron,” my mama sings as she floats toward me, her gaze locking on a retreating Caleb.

I step up and tug her into a hug before she starts in on him. She has this thing where she doesn’t want Caleb to talk but she wants to show off her handsome twin boys at the same time. Not tonight—at least not with my little brother.

“Is everything all right? Where’s your brother going?”

“He had to use the bathroom. He’s fine.”

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