Page 66 of His Team

“You okay?” Dakota asks as she places a hand on my arm.

“Mm-hm. I’m fine.”

“I’m sure she was only teasing. Don’t look so upset.”

“I’m not,” I say harsher than I mean to.

“Oh my God, yes, Cam. Let’s fucking go,” Maribel screams, cutting off my next words to Kota.

I focus on the field. Cameron has hit a home run, and the crowd is going crazy. However, it’s Maribel’s voice I hear the most, not because she’s in my row or because she’s louder than everyone else, but because, for once, I’m not confident that what’s mine is safe.

Who is the girl?

Cameron

“Oh my God, why do I keep running to the bathroom?” Joelle groans as she jumps up.

“Maybe because you’ve been drinking up all their damn beer like you don’t have any home training,” Maribel calls after her. “Or you’re doing some weird shit in their bathroom like smelling their towels or some shit.”

“I’m going with option number two,” Taylor giggles.

I snort a laugh and shake my head. I switched to water a while ago. I may smoke and drink more than I used to, but I never overdo it.

Besides, the tension in this place could be cut with a knife. I could have strangled Kota when she invited Nicole and all her friends over to my place after the game. I’ll admit, Amina is on one tonight.

However, I don’t think she’s joking to be mean—that’s not her vibe. I know her well enough to know it’s one of her quirks. Not to mention, she’s dialing it down when it comes to Kay.

I’m starting to see it as more of a nervous mechanism. This shit is uncomfortable for her and her way of coping is her sarcasm.

I’ll be honest, I’m not helping. I’ve been matching her energy all night. It’s hard not to.

“Oh my God, you’re like the female version of Cam,” Kota laughs, shaking her head.

“That all depends. When’s your birthday, Perry? If I’m older, he’s a male version of me. I would be the original.”

I smirk because she already knows my birthday and that I’m older. Besides, she was skipped a year. I have a full year and change on her, given that her birthday is in October.

“We were born in April,” Cal answers before I can.

He’s been trying to stay involved in the conversation all night. Although he’s been distracted by Nicole, and Maribel’s sarcasm has given him a challenge, I haven’t missed Nicole helping him.

Nicky has fast turned into one of my favorite people. She’s replacing me as one of the most important people on his team. I had thought I would be jealous if this day ever came.

However, now that it’s here, I’m grateful. Not because she’s taking my place but because she’s giving my brother things I never could. There’s no question that he loves her. He talks about her all the time when she’s not around.

His biggest worry is that she’s not falling for him the same. My brother can’t read the looks like I can. The way Nicole looks at him tells me all I need to know.

She’s in love with him all right. All my initial worries have been put to rest. Cal’s heart is safe with her.

Joelle returns and Kay excuses herself to head to the bathroom this time. My thoughts shift to how unwelcoming she’s been all night. I get it. Most of the time, we’ve all been talking about classes and who’s graduating at the end of the semester, but that’s no reason for her behavior.

Amina stands to head into the kitchen for another beer. I can’t help myself. I end up following her. I’ve kept my distance all night, but I can’t any longer.

“Hey,” I say quietly as I grab a bag of chips from the cabinet then lean against the counter.

“Hey,” she says back, turning to look around at everyone.

“This is interesting.”

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