Page 47 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
Elliot's heart fluttered as he stared down at her face with affection.She looked so happy.It made his chest swell…and for the first time, and to his relief, it was the only thing that swelled.He pulled her in for a tender kiss."I'm glad you were able to talk."
"Me too," she croaked.
"Your voice is a little raw," he teased, tugging on her lower lip before kissing the tip of her nose."I've got a fix for that."
"Oh, do you now?"she teased, eyes flashing open.
"Hey, now," Elliot wheezed as the tug on his loins returned."I meant actual healing balm."
"Same thing."Cassie winked at him, taking him by the hand, and lead him through the restaurant to the back table.He jogged after her, warmth flooding his pelvis and his chest.She slapped at the chair beside hers before flopping into her own.Andromeda ordered two large pizzas for everyone to split and everyone grabbed bubbling mason jars full of soda before conversations filled the room.Haylee and Katterina, the twins, were immediately on the hunt for answers.When had Cassie and he met?How did it happen?What was his favorite thing about Cassie?Elliot could babble about his girl for ages."It's gotta be the eyes—no, the hair, love those curls…hmm, wait, no, it's the way her nose scrunches up when shes angry or the way she flat out flaps her mouth when she's flabbergasted.Yeah, all of it."
Andromeda snickered, "Anything to say about that, Cassiopeia?"
"I do not flap!"Cassie scoffed, looking away into her mason jar.Blistered, tomato-red painted her cheeks as Elliot tossed an arm behind her chair.
"What about you, Cass?What's your fave thing about Elliot?"Haylee beamed.
"Oh!I bet it's the muscles, I mean, come on!"Katterina giggled sweetly.
"No, guaranteed it's the smile," Lyra winked at Elliot before tossing a straw wrapper at her sister."She's got a weakness for people's smiles."
"I do not," Cassie squawked.
"Do too," Elliot purred in her ear, leaning close to her.Cassie melted, twisting to catch his face before he could pull away.She stole the air from his already battered and abused lungs.Elliot reached across himself and her to stroke a finger along her jawline.She leaned into his touch, the fight in her already melted away.That's when he flashed her the biggest, shit-eating-ist grin."I mean, come on, my smile's pretty great!"
"Gah!"she huffed, slapping him hard in the center of his chest.Toad and Elliot wheezed with laughter.The whole table erupted into mad cackles as the Darling sisters all slapped at each other furiously.Cassie leaned in and kissed him hard on the cheek."You do have a good smile."
"Then why'd you slap me?"He rubbed his bruising bones.
"You deserved it."They shared a knowing, teasing exchange before she ruffled his slightly damp hair on top of his head."Besides, I think my favorite thing about you is how you treat everyone."
"Ooooooh?"Toad leaned forward."He is pretty sweet-a-licious.I mean, Captain's always good to me."
"And his brothers.I know he cares about them even though they're all kind of estranged a little."
The pizza arrived and the conversation slowed as people ripped apart ooey, gooey pieces of cheese and crust.The hot oil, heavy cheese, and tang of a zingy tomato sauce hit the spot.Elliot snarfed down several slices before he slowed down.Toad, finishing only a few seconds after him, raised his soda glass to him."To the first of the last games."
"May we not lose a single one," Elliot cheered as he clinked glasses with the Dragos."Thanks, Toad, for being the best right-hand dragon."
"So, Toad, that's your real name?"Lyra cocked a brow, eyeing the green scaled man beside her.
"Not legally," he snorted, "my government name is Thodaious Devarie."
"Wait!No!The Maylor Devarie's?Like practically royalty Devarie's?"Elliot could see the shock and awe on Lyra Darling's face as Toad shrugged nonchalantly.Lyra let out a flirty scoff, slapping at his arm."You didn't tell me you were basically a prince."
"I just…like playing ball, is all."Toad peeked at Lyra, watching her face intently as the lawyer eyed him suspiciously."People treat me different if they know my parents are rich and own the field in the Maylor Kingdom.So, I just don't bring it up."
"Oh, don't worry, Mr.Toad, your secret is safe with us, isn't it?"Lyra looked around the table.
Toad tossed his head back, snorting."Appreciate it, Ms.Lyra."
Elliot leaned closer to Cassie, whispering in her ear."What are the chances that Toad has a shot with Lyra?"
"Oh, a hundred percent, if he asks, she's his, hands down.You just gained a huge fan who will never miss a game," Cassie giggled under her breath, twisting to look at him.As the conversation softened once more, the pair was left in their own little bubble.Elliot's heart longed to see his own brothers at the table.If they weren't already busy, he'd text them to see if they could make it.Next game.He grinned at the idea of seeing the Bonesaw Brothers and the Darling Sisters munching down on some pizza, swapping stories, and having a good time.Plus, seeing Toad shoot his shot with Lyra.It made Elliot immensely happy at the idea.
"Next game, I want to invite Jessie and Rex," he blurted out.
"Do it, but maybe we should do it not in a restaurant.We'll take up all their tables," Cassie whispered, glancing around."What about next game we bring home all the pizza back to my place?I'll ask Lily if she's good with everyone coming over.There's more than plenty of sitting room and that way we can linger as much as we want."
