Page 11 of Houston, We Have a Problem
Jordan busts up into a laugh so hard that he nearly doubles over and takes me down with him. “Hear that, Texas? Not everyone knows who you are. It’s a miracle!”
“I play baseball for the local team,” Houston says casually, as if being one of the highest paid athletes in the country is no big deal. “And yes, please come in and make yourselves comfortable. Jordan and I can help you bring your stuff in as soon as I look a little moreprofessional.”
“I’d rather get started bringing stuff in,” I say, though the thought of gaining access to Houston’s house is tempting. I need to play the long game here if I want him to trust me, so I can’t look too eager. “We’ll stick to the bedrooms and living room for now.”
Houston nods once, flinches when Jordan lifts the hose toward him again, and then he stalks into the left side of the duplex without another word.
“He seems nice,” I say as soon as the door closes. I can’t help myself.
Jordan grins as he begins rolling the hose back onto its stand. “Don’t take it too hard. He’s had a rough week, and he’s not usually wound so tight. He just got back from his season, and he’ll warm up in a couple of days.”
I meet Jesse’s gaze, and we have a silent, micro expression conversation. We’ve gotten good at that over the years since he doesn’t talk much and I’m not allowed to move my face when he’s contouring.
Rough week?Jesse says.I thought they won.
They did win, I reply.This must be something else. I’ll try to get some more details.
Think he’ll actually tell you anything?
Guess we’ll find out. It’s why we’re here.
You wanna get a pizza?
Okay, that last part was probably just me projecting, but I’m pretty sure Jesse agrees with me; he’s already pulling out his phone as I nod. We’ve got a pretty good meal stipend while we’re out here, which makes me wonder yet again why Connor is so interested in Houston Briggs. The amount of money he’s shelled out for this story is honestly ridiculous, and way more than what I’m getting paid to be here. He’s looking for something, but I’m not sure yet what it is.
“I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” Jordan says with a salute, and then he disappears into the house.
“I ordered Chinese,” Jesse says, which isn’t exactly pizza, but I’ll take it.
Then we both look at the truck. Connor hired a moving company to load everything up, but he wanted us to look authentic when we got to Sun City. AKA not like we had the bank accounts of an award-winning news agency funding everything. We have to look like regular Jack and Jill while we’re out here, which means moving all of our boxes and furniture ourselves.Yay.
“Let’s do this,” I growl, hoping all of this is going to be worth it.
Chapter Six
Houston
I will never say outloud that I am relieved when Darcy announces that we’ve grabbed the last box from the truck, but I amworn out. You would think after a full season of keeping myself in peak shape I would be able to move a couple of couches and some dishes, but no. I’m ready to park it on the floor and take a nap right here in Darcy’s living room rather than stumble back over to my house and crash on the couch because the stairs will be too much.
It doesn’t help that Jordan is still full of energy, and Darcy’s giant of a brother barely broke a sweat. Even Darcy seems to have more stamina than me as she laughs with Jordan while they bond over Chinese takeout.
Jordan has been denying up and down for the last few days that he’s into my sister, Brooklyn, but there have been some pointed conversations that have me wondering if there’s more than new friendship between the two of them. I’m slowly wrapping my head around the idea, but that means I don’t like how friendly he’s being with Darcy. Okay, so Jordanisthe friendliest guy in the world. And I can’t say that I’ve seen him flirt in almost a decade, but I hope it doesn’t look likethis. This little banter thing they have going looks more like a sibling thing, so I’m trying not to overthink it so I don’t stress out.
Except Ican’tstop thinking about how Brook and Jordan might be secretly dating without telling me. They used to hate each other back when we were teens, and I can’t picture them being friendly enough to be anything but reluctant acquaintances. I know I’ve missed a lot in my siblings’ lives since signing with the Red-tails, but I don’t like knowing I missed my two best friends forming an attachment. What if it doesn’t lastand I have to choose between them? I don’t have enough people in my life to like the idea of losing my best friend.
So much for not stressing.
“Houston, thanks so much for helping us move our stuff in,” Darcy says, still grinning wide from whatever Jordan said that made her laugh. “You want some chow mein?”
My stomach growls just looking at the paper box, but Jordan jumps in. “Oh, Hou doesn’t eat anything processed or fried. He’s a chicken breast and broccoli kind of guy.”
I don’t miss the way Darcy’s eyes travel over me as I stand by the door. She may not know who I am, but at least she seems to appreciate the hard work I’ve put in. “I’m guessing you prefer protein shakes over waffles?” she says, laughter in her voice.
Thanks for making me sound like a stick in the mud, Jordan. Though my bed is calling to me, I settle on the floor on the other side of the coffee table from Darcy and accept the container she holds out to me. “It’s the offseason,” I say, trying not to sound as exhausted as I feel. “And I love waffles. Especially when Jordan makes them.” Why did I say that? I’ve only had his breakfast offerings once.
Darcy glances between us as she chews on some noodles, a lot of questions rolling around behind her brown eyes. “So… Are you two—”
“Friends!” I say quickly before she starts to get the wrong idea. I can see it in her eyes just as easily as I can see how tempted Jordan is to argue against me, just to make things awkward. I willnotlet him try to diffuse this not-tense situation with one of his terrible jokes. “You can ask my sister. Jordan and I are just friends. Definitely friends.”
