Page 94 of Actions and Reactions
Still, the shrill cry she lets loose is endearing, amusing, and really grating at the same time.
I can’t help but smile. “We’re gonna have to tone it down before that happens,” I tease her. And then I take out my phone and text them in the group chat we have with Lex.
Vin:
Just met your biggest fan.
I snap a pic of the poster and send it off.
Lex answers with three full lines of laughing emojis.
Hawk:
Awww, remember that album, Wolfie? You looked much better back then.
Wolf:
I always look spectacular, Birdie, and you know it.
Let us know if they want some signed shit, Vin.
I send back a thumbs up and smile like a maniac at my phone. It’s nice to see my cousins teasing each other like they used to. Then I see the time.
“Okay, I need to get something to eat then head over to the rink.”
“Thank you so much for your help.” Annie looks a little more composed.
“Noproblem.”
“Annie, what do you think about coming with us? I need to go talk to Gab, and we can grab something on the way or eat at the rink?” He directs that last question at me.
“Of course, you’re always welcome.”
I know Si’s nervous about her meeting the guys. The sooner that happens the sooner she’ll realize we’re all a bunch of puppies who are very obedient off the ice.
And I think meeting Gab will help too. She’s the one holding the metaphorical leash, so I’d like to think that would give Annie some peace of mind.
“Okay,” Annie says. She looks slightly hesitant, but goes right over to the armchair for her purse.
“One car or two?” I ask Si. He drove us here from my place, but it’s barely ten minutes away, they could drive by so I can get my car as well. The thing is though, the way I’m feeling right now, I don’t want to be apart from him until I absolutely have to, so I’m hoping he says one car only.
“I have no clue how much time I’m gonna spend working today, but I think one will be enough. I can’t imagine Gab thrusting me into anything today, and if I need to go out, we can always pick you up later.”
“Or Milkman can drive me. You wanna drive, right?” I’m guessing he does.
“It’s been so long since I have, I really want to.” His excited smile is not something I can refuse. “Let’s go, then.”
“Nice car,” Annie says, wide-eyed when we walk to Si’s G-Wagon in the underground garage.
“Thanks,” he says easily. “It was a gift from my parents after I graduated at the top of my class.”
“No, no, sit in the front,” Annie insists when I gesture to the open door I’m holding for her. “I get dizzy sometimes.” She settles in the back and picks back up the car conversation after buckling her seatbelt. “Your parents are awesome,” she says dreamily.
“That they are,” Si murmurs, and the little smile I see as he drives out to the street has a bit of the weight on my chest falling away. I know that appreciative look is genuine, and I hope that if things are going well with his parents, maybe he won’t have a hard time going to the rink or seeing me practice.
I definitely will bring the subject up at some point today, but when we’re alone. I like Annie so far, but I don’t know her nearly well enough to talk about my deepest fear with her present.
She looks around with wide eyes as we drive around the Strip and then keeps staring when we get on the highway.
