Page 90 of Rebel Secrets
I needed to finish these developmental reports for the kids, giving them suggestions for areas they should focus on before their season started.It’d taken me longer than it should have.My mind kept wandering.
I had to give the Redtails my answer next week, and I still wasn’t sure what it was going to be.And if I wasn’t chewing that over, I was thinking about Erin.Namely, about what we’d done the last time she’s been in this building.
I covered a wince at the sound of the door hitting the frame and threw my pencil on the table.
“What thehelldid you do to Erin?Her mom shows up in a freaking Town Car, does I-don’t-know-what to upset Erin and then you follow her into the kitchen, and you both disappear for, oh, between five minutes and half an hour, according to certain sources.Then you walk out, don’t say a word to anyone, and Erin isn’t talking.What gives?”
Good question.Leaning my elbows on the desk, I watched her drop into the chair across from mine and glare at me.
“Hello to you, too.”
Rain’s brows arched.“I’m not kidding, Reb.What’d you say to Erin?She’s been quiet, and that’s not like her.”
Damn it.Yeah, it probably was my fault.She’d sent someone else with the lunches today, and I figured I wouldn’t see her tomorrow either.
What did you expect, asshole?You’d told her she was amazing and walked out the door.Of course, she wasn’t talking.You confused the fuck out of her.
“Your sources tell you her mom is a fricking ice cube?That woman could freeze the balls off a reindeer.”
My sister’s mouth opened and closed twice before she shook her head, amazed at my skill with words, probably.Then she started to laugh.And laugh.She continued for at least half a minute, and I wasn’t sure she was going to stop any time soon.By the time she did, she had to wipe her leaking eyes.
“Oh, my god.What the hell does that even mean?No.”She held up her hand, trying to catch her breath.“Don’t explain.I think I might have a stroke if you do.Just…give me a minute.”
It took her at least another fifteen seconds before she calmed down enough to continue.
“Damn, Reb, you gotta warn a person when you’re going to be funny.It’s not like you.And yeah, I know her mom’s not exactly warm and fuzzy.But I don’t think that’s all she’s upset about.What did you say to her?”
Should I tell her?“Your source didn’t tell you?”
Her nose wrinkled.“No.They weren’t close enough to hear anything.”
I paused for a few seconds.“I told her she shouldn’t let her mom get to her.”
“And…”
“And what?”
“What else did you say?”She enunciated each word perfectly and slowly.“I know that’s not all that happened.”
I paused, considered, and decided fuck it.I wanted to know what Rain had to say.“I told her she was fucking amazing.”
I don’t know what I’d expected Rain to do with that, but it wasn’t grin like the fucking Grinch, and not the three-sizes-too-big Grinch.No, it was the evil Grinch grin, the one who was planning to steal Christmas.
She shrugged.“Okay.You’re not as stupid as I thought you might be.”
I frowned even harder.“What the hell does that mean?”
She looked way too innocent.“I’m not sure what you’re asking?”
This was a trap.I’d already told her more than I should have.And yet…
“You’re a menace.”
“Not the first time you’ve called me that.”
“Won’t be the last.”
“Aw, there’s the grumpy older brother I know and love.”She studied me for a second.“Are you going to take her to that wedding?”
