Page 73 of Mr. Charming

“So, Tedi was yours?”

“Yeah.” I don’t ask who told him. It could’ve been anyone at this point. Decker knew about Tedi and me before.

“And you’re okay with him dating her?”

My jaw tightens. “What can I do?”

Tedi makes the woman laugh again, and I lean forward, resting my forearms on my thighs as if I want to be in on the joke too.

“I’m not saying do something, but how can you hang around them all the time?”

I tip my head in Easton’s direction, giving myself time to form the right words. “With the hope it helps me get over her?”

His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, and he rocks his head back. “Fuck.”

“Fuck what?”

“Fuck that you want the girl my friend is dating. Fuck that I think she wants you too. Fuck that we already had a shitty season, and now if Decker is all heartbroken, there isn’t much hope for this coming season.” Easton shakes his head.

“She doesn’t want me. She’s clearly happy.” I nod in their direction.

She seems like it. Sure, she’s different with him than she was with me, but that’s to be expected, isn’t it? No two relationships are the same. I think. I’ve only ever had one with Tedi.

Sometimes I think I see her almost second-guessing her decision to touch him, but maybe their relationship is newer. I have no clue. And I wasn’t about to call Aiden and act like I cared, letting it get back to Saige, who would definitely tell Tedi.

“Is she?” Easton sits up and rests his arms on his legs, mimicking my position. Both of us look at them. “The first thing I noticed tonight is how he stiffens a bit when she leans her head on his shoulder.”

Tedi does that all the time. She used to do it to me, but I was so annoyed every time she did it to Decker, I never noticed his body language.

“See.” He nods, and sure enough, Decker’s back goes up as Tedi lays her head on his shoulder. “She didn’t fawn over him in the car.”

I shrug. “He was in a shit mood.”

“What woman do you know wouldn’t feel so bad they’d be asking nonstop if you were okay?”

My mind travels back to when I was injured and how Tedi was constantly asking me if I needed anything, if I was in pain. At one point I told her to sit down, I was good.

I huff and meet Easton’s gaze. He nods as if his point is made.

Could Decker and Tedi be in trouble? In danger of a breakup? I curse the moment of hope I felt there because I don’t want Decker to break Tedi’s heart. I hate seeing her in pain even if I wasn’t the one who caused it.

Tedi and Decker come over and join us.

“He should be called in soon,” she says, sitting down and pulling out her phone.

“Make sure you keep the group updated,” Decker sneers.

“They’re worried,” she says.

Decker nods and doesn’t say anything.

Easton must know him well because he doesn’t say much else. Maybe it’s best to leave Decker alone when he’s in a shitty mood.

A few minutes later, a nurse comes out and calls Decker’s name.

He stands and Tedi follows, but Decker stops. “I’m going to take Easton with me.”

Tedi freezes, and her eyes widen. “Why?”

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