Page 92 of The Obvious Check

I should be strategizing slap shots and defensive plays, mentally preparing to annihilate those cocky bastards. But my brain has other plans.

I tap each headrest as I pass, counting seats to keep my obsessive thoughts from spiraling completely out of control. Most of the guys have found their seats already. Their bags are thrown haphazardly across the aisle, and they stretch out like they own the place. Near the back, Dash is sitting alone, his duffel bag sprawled on the empty seat beside him like a giant “stay the hell away” sign.

Perfect.

Just the man I need to see.

He doesn't glance up from his phone when I stop beside his seat, so I nudge his duffel with my knee. He grumbles something unintelligible but keeps his eyes glued to the screen like I'm invisible.

“Move your shit, asshole.”

That gets his attention. Dash finally looks up, one eyebrow raised in that trademark expression that says he's already annoyed and I haven't even sat down yet.

“There are literally twelve other empty seats on this bus.”

“Yeah, but none of them have my best friend's ugly face attached to them.” I gesture to his bag. “Move it or I'm sitting on it.”

Dash quickly pockets his phone and silently stuffs the bag under the seat in front of him. He shifts awkwardly, probably feeling guilty for texting Madison instead of giving me any attention.

Honestly, he needs to get over that because I’ve got an important question for him.

A question that’ll prove, once and for all, I’m done being a possessive dick about him dating my sister.

I glance around the bus, trying to calm my nerves. Our friends are all around us. Scotty’s sitting with Erik, engaged in their usual back-and-forth bickering, while Brooks and Alex are in a deep conversation about something that probably isn’t as serious as they’re making it look.

“You feeling okay, C?” Dash asks, confusion clear in his voice most likely because I chose to willingly sit next to him.

I flash him a casual grin, hoping it masks the unease bubbling inside me. “Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

He raises a skeptical brow. “Do I really need to spell it out?” I don’t answer, making him sigh heavily. “You’ve barely said a word to me for the past couple of months. You claim we’re cool back at the hotel, then the next minute you’re slamming a puck at my balls during practice. To say you’re giving mixed signals is putting it mildly.” He clears his throat, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Apparently, that’s a Bright family trait.”

“That reminds me,” I say casually. “How are your nuts?”

The question alone makes Dash stop. “I hate you,” he says, leaning forward so his head rests against the chair in front.

I grin. “No, you don’t. See, that’s the thing about us. We can get frustrated with each other. Maybe have a fight every now and again, but hate? That’s not possible.”

He answers with nothing but a grumble of annoyance as I pat him on the back.

“Come on. Are they still sore?”

He exhales slowly and rolls his head just enough that I can see his dark eyes narrowing at me in annoyance. “What do you think?”

I glance down at my own jean-covered nut sack and consider the question. “I think getting hit in the balls with a puck probably isn’t great for your future offspring.”

Another grumble, to which I lean forward and talk into the space between Dash’s head and crotch.

“I’m sorry future nieces or nephews. Your uncle Cade didn’t mean it. I promise when you’re out in the world and thriving, I’ll take good care of you.”

“Are you talking to Dash’s balls?” Erik asks, pushing himself up from the seat in front. Great. Just what I need. An audience. I wanted to ask Dash this question without anyone else listening.

“No,” Dash says, resting back on the chair and covering his crotch with his hand.

I look at Erik. “I was merely apologizing for all the foul play and promising it won’t happen again.”

“Will you leave them alone?” Scotty says, glaring at Erik. “They’re trying to talk for once.”

Erik looks to the side and laughs. “Come on, you can’t expect me not to question things. These two have so much tension and your nicey nice approach hasn’t worked at making them up, so maybe we need to be more forceful.”

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