Page 14 of The Rebound Plan

“Overprotective. And I?—”

“Don’t be like that. I just followed a few people. And we might have DMed about training and food.”

“Well, the kid can sleep on a couch downstairs, because he didn’t RSVP.”

“No, don’t make him do that. That’s so close to rookie hazing.”

“Hazing? It’s a perfectly nice couch!”

“He can have my room.”

“You’re not sleeping on acouch.”

“You just told me it’s a perfectly nice couch.”

“For a rookie. Not my guest of honour.”

“Awww, that’s sweet.” She pulls on her lower lip, thinking. “These guys already think we’re together, so maybe I should just sleep in your room.”

“Theywhat?” I agreed that she could host a party with me. We never agreed on actually pretending she was mydate.

I can’t tell her why that feels so fucking wrong my skin wants to turn itself inside out.

“I wasn’t going to tell them that you’re suffering from mid-life crisis ennui, Russell.”

“Russ.” I feel the start of a headache coming on. “What did you tell them, exactly?”

“Who can remember?”

I give her a murderous look. “You. You can remember. Now.”

She has the good graces to look slightly embarrassed, at least. “Ummm…” She taps on her phone, then hands over a DM chain between her and some of the rookies.

Emery: Hi all! Just wanted to introduce myself since we’re all going to Rusty’s cottage this weekend and I’ve self-appointed myself the Queen of the Charcuterie Boards. Any food sensitivities I should know about?

Malik: Granger…any relation to Camden or Wyatt?

Emery: And Forrest, too, yes, I’m their little sister

Emery: And I’m bringing my skates, btw

Malik: Nice. Looking forward to meeting you

I stop reading and scowl at Emery. “I’m not sure I like how he says,looking forward to meeting you.”

“Good, that’s good. Channel that energy into pretending to be jealous.”

I skim past Hiro and Roan answering her questions about food, and then stop again when I get to the part where Malik assumes she’s my girlfriend.

Malik: Rusty’s been keeping you a hot secret this summer, huh?

Emery: Maybe you’re just not on the need to know list yet, rookie!

Roan: LOL Malik got told

Hiro: Real

Roan: See you this weekend, Emery…keep that blade sharp!

---