Page 91 of Rebel Secrets
“You’re a pain in my ass.”
She burst out laughing again, nearly doubling over.When she finally got herself under control again, she said, “Rebel, you like her, right?”
Actually, I more than liked Erin, but I wasn’t going to give my sister any more ammunition than she already had.So, I glared her until she calmed down enough to speak again.
“You know I love you,” she shook her head, “but you’re an idiot.”
Now, I glared at her and, when that didn’t work, I sighed and studied the wall behind her.
“I’ve got to finish these reports?—”
“You know you could just ask her out, right?”
Of course I could just ask her out, but…
“What happens if I go back to Reading?”
Her eyes shot wide, and I realized what I’d said.
“What do you mean ‘if’?Are you seriously thinking about turning down the contract?Is everything okay?Did something happen?”
“Everything’s fine.Nothing happened.And would it be the end of the world if I turned down the contract.”
She shook her head.“No, not at all.Sorry, that’s not… I didn’t mean it like…” She huffed out a sigh.“Look, don’t take my head off when I say this, but I never really thought you were going to be a good fit with the Redtails.”
Biting her bottom lip, she looked at me like I was an unarmed land mine that could go off at any time.
Instead, I just shook my head.“Why didn’t you say that before I signed?”
“Oh please.You got what all the guys want.You gotaskedto play up.Theycame to you, which meant they think you’re good.Isn’t that what everyone wants?To be recognized for their skill?”
When I didn’t say anything, she heaved a huge, exaggerated sigh.
“Reb, come on.You’re not stupid.You know you’re a damn good player.And if you don’t, maybe you are an idiot.”She pulled a face.“Sometimes you are an idiot.Like this thing with Erin.Dude, we all know something’s going on with the two of you?—”
“What do you mean, ‘we all’?”A pit opened up in my stomach.
“I mean, do you really think people don’t see you two making eyes at each other every time you’re together?Trust me, we do.”
“I’m not making eyes at her.”
“Uh huh.Keep telling yourself that.Just don’t think we don’t see it.”
I bit my tongue, trying not to be that guy, the one who asks the juvenile question.
“I’m not sure she wants to deal with me.”
She looked at the ceiling as if it might agree with her that I was an idiot.“Have you tried asking her?”
She said that like she was speaking to my younger self.The awkward teenager who barely knew how to talk to girls.
I sighed, shaking my head.“I’ve got reports to finish.”
“Fine.I’ll go and leave you to it.”She stood and walked to the door, but I knew I wasn’t getting off that easy.She turned as she opened it.“Don’t be an idiot.And don’t miss out on something that could be amazing just because you don’t think you should want it.”
“Hey Coach,we got something for you.”
It was the last day of camp, and the kids had had a blast scrimmaging against the Devils players who were still in the area for the summer and a few of the parents.
