Page 27 of Sliding Into Love
What. The. Fuck. What was happening?
Are you okay? Jase and I saw you get carried off the field.
Ivy ignored the other messages he’d sent because what the hell? She hadn’t known him long enough to know him well, but the man had been terrified when she’d hugged him and now, he was…flirting?
You guys watched me?
That’s so nice.
You’re really nice.
I’m okay. Dislocated my knee. Doctor gave me drugs before they popped it back in!
Did I say you’re nice? And cute? Cause you are.
I like your freckles. And dimples.
Unsure how to respond to him, Ivy pocketed her phone and found a swing beside Jase. When she told him Ethan’s injury was a dislocated knee, Jase seemed relieved it wasn’t worse.
“Will he be able to play anymore?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask him.”
Jase wants to know if you’ll be able to keep playing.
So sorry about your knee!
I think so. I’m getting an x-ray now, but I definitely can’t play anymore this week.
Which fucking sucks.
Ivy texted Derek to find out what was happening.
Derek
Derek! We watched the game! Great job! Is Ethan okay?
Yeah, he’s good. A little loopy now, though.
Yeah I noticed…
A picture of Derek giving a thumbs up and a confused-looking Ethan doing the same beside him appeared on Ivy’s screen.
You’re so pretty!
Umm thank you?
It’s Ethan.
I stole Derek’s phone! He said to stop saying how nice you are. But I wanted you to know!
The bright opening notes of “Happy” by Pharrell played as Ivy’s phone lit up with a FaceTime call. Ivy wasn’t certain what to expect as she accepted the call.
A dark blur covered the screen, and Ivy saw glimpses of both men’s faces. They were…wrestling? A flash of blonde hair crossed the screen, then both men yowled in pain as Jen yanked them apart by the ears. She squinted at the phone for a moment, and Ivy waved at the other woman.
“Behave, children.” Jen’s stern voice seemed to chasten the two men, but only for a second.
“Ivy!” Derek and Ethan shouted at the same time. Derek sounded exasperated and Ethan sounded…different.
