Page 86 of Not Just a Trick Play

“You think you’ve got dibs because Luna pissed on her?” I return with a playful nudge of my own.

“What if I do?” She jabs me again. “I’m not fourteen. I can handle you dating a friend.”

“You sure?” I poke her back.

“Yes!” she declares, retaliating with a punch that packs surprising force.

And just like that, the two years between us evaporate. In unison, we yell, “Mom!”

“Kids! Stop! Time out!” Mom thunders, slamming her hands on the table.

We both shut up. I dive into my spaghetti once more. “Technically, I found her first. She’s the one who freed me after that whole handcuff incident. That means I win.”

“Wait, she’s handcuff girl?” Beatrice’s cackle fills the room. “And then you went from that to lovers?” She pronounces itlo-vahs—all British-like. “Forget Disney, your origin story is straight out ofFiftyShades!”

Yvonne’s still gaping. Finally, a bombshell that has her speechless.

Yep. I give her a victorious, “you see” smirk.

“Well, I was her friend first,” is her sullen response.

I grin. “Well, I fu?—”

Amelia slaps a hand over my mouth. “Please excuse him.”

I nip at her palm, prompting a round of laughs and a few “awws” from the peanut gallery.

“Don’t you guys work together? That has HR horror story stamped all over it.” Helena leans back, arms crossed, in full lawyer mode.

“Amelia’s a temp. Her contract’s over after the last home game. We’re going public at the gala.” I throw a pointed glance in my girlfriend’s direction, waiting for her confirmation.

“At the gala,” she echoes, surrender and acceptance in her tone.

“Perfect. Because I’ve figured out our couple name.”

She blinks. “Couple name?”

“Yep. As part of our big reveal. The official outing. Think Ameliake. Jamelia. Amejake. Jammies. Jakeamee…”

She looks at me in confusion.

“I know, right? They sucked.” I pause for effect. “Now, just wait for it.” Then, I spread my hands wide, as if asking her to picture a marquee at the cinema. “JAM,” I pronounce, satisfaction oozing from my voice.

“Jam?” she repeats blankly.

“JAM.” How could there be any other choice?

“Like the food?”

“And the dance. Simple. Perfect. Hard to misspell.”

She snorts, catching on. “Ah yes. A gift to the masses. The ability to spell our couple name correctly.”

I beam. “Damned right. It’s the pinnacle of couple names. What other couple names aspire to be.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

AMELIA

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