Page 33 of His Team

“My brother cooked, so we could go to my place,” he says with a cocky grin.

“He’ll be home? So it won’t be just the two of us?”

“Yeah, he’ll be there. He goes to bed early, but we can eat then hang in my room.”

The pulse between my legs tells me this is not a great idea. I chew on my lip, thinking about accepting the offer, but my phone rings before I can answer. I pull it from my back pocket and groan, rolling my eyes as I scowl.

I guess Dez didn’t get enough of telling me how much my life sucks because I’m going to marry him whether I like it or not. His timing couldn’t suck more. I send the call to voicemail, not wanting to deal with him again tonight.

“Can I take a rain check? I think I should head home.”

“Is that the drama you were talking about?” he asks and gestures his head toward my phone.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Cool. I won lunch with you for a week. I won’t be greedy. Can I take you home? I can get in a few more laughs before I get you to your door.”

“Sure, I would like that. I had fun, Cam. Thanks.”

“No, darlin’. Thank you. This was the most normal date I’ve ever been on.”

I hear a note of a story in those words, but I don’t pry because I get the feeling that will make things too intimate between us. We are already skating a thin line. Instead of asking questions, I keep my mouth shut and go to change my shoes.

Cameron

I probably shouldn’t have pushed things at the bowling alley, but I couldn’t help myself. When she asked to come to my place, I couldn’t help wanting to let my guard down with her. For a moment, I dared to dream about her being safe—being able to join the team.

If not as a support for Caleb, then a support for me. Sometimes I just need a space for me. I need time not only to be an individual but to decompress from being a shield and role model.

I wouldn’t want my brother to have to count on anyone else to model after, but sometimes it’s exhausting to have to remember I can’t go with my first reaction. Especially when I’ve been doing so almost all my life. Caleb looks to me first for what’s an appropriate response to situations and I can’t fail him.

I think he would love Amina. I know her sarcasm would challenge him as much as mine does, but that would be good for him. He learns from immersion—fully being involved.

I hate to lose, even though I would have won either way. I only meant to distract her from making a strike. However, she threw her turn to lose.

I don’t know how to feel about that. I might be coming on too strong. I’ve never felt this self-conscious in my life. Amina has made me think more and more about how much I haven’t experienced because of my long-standing relationship with Kay.

“Cam?”

I come out of my thoughts as Amina calls my name. I glance at her in the passenger seat. She’s looking back at me with her brows knitted.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

I didn’t mean to space out. I just haven’t been able to stop thinking about the change in her face and body when her phone rang at the bowling alley. I’ve been wondering what’s keeping her from giving me a real shot.

“You mentioned skating and hanging out again. I think skating would be fun.”

“Want to go next weekend? I’m going to the team kickback the following weekend,” I reply.

“Sounds cool. We can do that.”

“Cool. I’m down.”

“Tell me more about this kickback?”

“No big deal. Just the baseball team getting together for a bonfire or some shit.”

I get ready to invite her but pause. Cal will need me to be there for him. I don’t think it would be a good idea to introduce her for the first time that night.

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