Page 146 of Test the Ice
We’re his girls?
I smile to myself.
We arehisgirls.
Forty-Seven
MALAKI
With the scheduleof the game and different time zones, we won’t be back in Chicago until tomorrow, which is unfortunate because all I want to do is celebrate the win with Reese and Charleigh. Zoe can tag along too, I guess.
She doesn’t scare me anymore, but I most definitely won’t cross her.
I may get her a new baseball bat for Christmas, though, just to be funny.
I spot Rhodes walking ahead of me and jog up next to him. I know he’s one of the only ones who probably listened when Coach was talking so I ask, “When does the flight leave?”
“Supposed to take off at nine.” He stares at his phone. “There’s a storm coming, though, so it may be delayed.”
Mother Nature, don’t fuck with me.
I sigh annoyingly and sling my bag over my shoulder.
Rhodes chuckles.
“What?”
“Oh nothing.”
I keep up my pace beside him. “No, tell me. What is so amusing to the grumpiest man on the team?”
He scoffs. “I’m not the grumpiest on the team—not anymore, at least.”
“True. Not after aLittle Miss Sunshinewalked into your life,” I say.
He rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t argue. He, along with everyone from here to Chicago, knows it’s true.
“It’s just funny to see you so cagey after a game for once. Mr. Never Settling Down is itching to get back to his girl.”
“Girls,” I correct him. “I’m eager to get back to my girls.”
Rhodes shakes his head, but he can’t hide his smirk. He gets it, which is exactly why I nudge him with my elbow and say, “Guess what?”
“I’m not guessing.”
Fair.
“Charleigh called me Dada.”
Even hours later, I can’t stop smiling.
I’ll admit, when I first found out the woman I was lusting over was a mom, I was shocked. The thought of heading out the door was there, but I’m not one to back down from a challenge or help a gal out when she needs it, especially Reese.
So I willingly took charge and accepted my new position as her fake fiancée.
Now look at me.
I’m so high on life that I’m walking on clouds.
