Page 47 of Shutout
“I know, I’ll go wash it later.” Sighing, she lifts her eyes to mine and her lips part.
But a different voice comes out. “Well, what do we have here?”
Oh, shit. I forgot there was someone else home.
CHAPTER 18
OLIVIA
Ipull my hand from Brooke’s right before Mina gets in position to see it. I almost grab my slice again until I remember I might’ve picked up flour crumbles from his hand.
“Brooklyn’s here, and he brought pizza,” I announce as I stand up and walk around her to the sink.
“Wow, you won’t catch me complaining,” Mina says. “A hot guy in a button shirt and free pizza in my living room is truly a one of a kind experience.”
No me digas, I almost say. Brooke nearly gave me a heart attack when I opened the door and saw him outside.
But then, every interaction since has been just as dangerous. If Mina hadn’t come out of her room at that moment, I might’ve leaned forward and… completely ruined this new delicate balance by kissing him. Also, potentially sending myself to the hospital from the taste of normal pepperoni pizza on his mouth. Small details.
“Do you have any dietary restrictions?” There’s concern in his voice, which makes me shake my head. I’d have thoughtthat telling him she can eat any part of an animal would give him a hint.
“Nope. I could even eat you up if you were interested.”
I choke.
So does Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, Mina casually comments, “Oh, sounds like you guys need some water. Be right back.”
I’m still coughing while I dry my hands up with the kitchen towel. Mina pulls open the fridge to get a pitcher of cold water, and uses it to hide her face as she gives me an exaggerated wink.
What is this devious woman playing at?
It’s not like she’s legit hitting on him. I know what her flirty tone of voice is, and that wasn’t it. And also, after a few parties at the Bolt House, she’s started to develop a little thing for Brooke’s friend, Dane Bloom. He’s a ginormous brunette who’d look very nice wrapped up around her little finger—her words, not mine.
She also knows I unfortunately still have a thing for my childhood friend. So it’s almost like she wanted to make me give myself away with that comment. I wouldn’t put past her.
I walk back to the living room like it’s a mined field and not a regular floor with linoleum tiles. Mina’s setting down a tower of clean cups along with the water pitcher when I join them.
“There’s enough pizza for an army,” she says as she surveys the two massive boxes.
Brooke motions at it as he chews, one cheek full to bursting. “Speaking of armies, where is your other friend?”
Mina gives him a side eye. “She has the away game tonight, you know.”
“Right.” He sounds more distracted than usual. I wonder if the loss really hit him that hard? But now I don’t know if he’ll want to talk about it with Mina here. He’s always extrasensitive after a loss, so he tends to hide all by himself rather than socializing his feelings.
Speaking of, Mina’s eyes are narrowed, head tilted in a thoughtful expression. “Brooklyn Tatum, are you self-absorbed or clueless?”
“Clueless,” Brooke and I say at the same time. We look at each other.
“Ah.” Mina presses her lips tight.
While his curl into a goofy grin, I pick up my abandoned slice and lament that it’s grown cold. To distract myself from that sad fact, I add, “This is why I have a special nickname for him.”
“What’s that?”
“Blimbo,” we say at the same time again, which makes Mina’s eyes widen.
