Page 78 of Bad Teammate
Their nods were perfectly synchronized and full of sass. “We hung out with her earlier.” And now I understood what had changed when they looked at me. Piss a girl off and you’ll see how quickly all her friends look at you with scorn in their eyes, like you personally trampled all overtheirhearts, too.
I lowered my head, the wheels in my head turning as I shamefully ate my pasta.
If Emma and Austen knew about me and Katerina, how long would it be before they told Hath and Dane?
I didn’t know what to do. I could just come out and say it to Hath and Dane—but the more people that knew, the greater the risk that Niko would find out. And then he might follow through on his threat to go back to Russia.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
A sleepy Mackenzie came staggering into the kitchen, clutching her blanket in her arms. “Uncle Reavoooo.”
“Mack,” Emma said, surprised. “What’re you doing out of bed?”
“I heard Uncle Reavo,” she muttered. She came over to where I sat and buried herself against my side.
I patted her tiny back. “Aw. Hey, kiddo.”
“You have to go back to bed, missy,” her mom said.
She shook her head. “I want Uncle Reavo to read me a bedtime story.”
“Uncle Reavo is eating dinner,” Emma said. “And Mommy already readfourstories to you. Now come on, let’s take you back to bed.”
Little Mack grabbed hold of my shirt tightly. I could feel her digging in and I knew it’d be a fight to get her off me.
“It’s alright,” I said as I set my fork down. “I can read her a story. Just one though, okay, Mack?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Emma frowned. “You don’t have to do that, Reavo.”
“I know.” I stood and scooped up Mack. “But I don’t mind.”
“Then we’ll keep you company,” Emma said.
She and Austen followed me as I carried Mack in my arms.
***
I was halfway through the kid’s book when I noticed Mackenzie had dozed off. Quietly, I rose to my feet and stealthily backed away. Emma and Austen followed me out, gently shutting Mack’s bedroom door behind us.
“Pst.” Emma and Austen motioned me to join them in the guest bedroom. “Reavo, come here.”
Uh oh, here we go,I thought as I followed them in.
“Katerina told us what happened,” Austen said. They stood with their arms folded.
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“So what really went on between you two?”
I sighed. “Look. Nothing. It’s over now, and I’m going to come clean to the guys tonight, okay. So you don’t have to break the news to them.”
“What?” Emma asked, squinting. “We’re not trying to get you into trouble. We just want to know what the heck is going on and why you’re acting so weird with her.”
“Be honest.” Austen butted in. “Were youreallyjust trying to get laid?”
“Jesus,” I mumbled. “How much do you two know about our situation?”
