Page 133 of False Play
He let out a tired sigh. “Pretty much.”
Olivia gaped at Hayes. “And if you?—”
“Okay.” Henry clasped his hands. “If I don’t shut this down now, neither of you will ever shut up.”
“Noooo,” Val whined. “I was having fun.”
“Watching these two banter is more entertaining than the enemies-to-lovers book that’s waiting for me in my room,” Aurora said.
“It’s not bantering if I’m only pointing out how annoying he is.”
“Oh, like you’re?—”
“Guys,” Henry warned. “Enough.”
“Whatever,” they both muttered.
I dropped a quick kiss on Henry’s cheek before getting up to pour myself a glass of wine. As I filled it, the sound of footsteps against the concrete caught my attention.
I turned just as Olivia stepped into view. “Hey, want a glass of wine?” I offered.
She shook her head. “If I drink one more glass, I’ll end up bickering with Wes all night, and I’m already wiped from today’s flight.”
I took a sip and leaned back against the wall. “When are you officially moving?”
“As soon as the season’s over.Finally,” she groaned.
“I’m excited to have you work with us,” I said honestly. I loved hanging out with Olivia. She was sharp, and had a no-bullshit attitude I admired. Which made sense, considering she was an athletic trainer. She had to be tough if she wanted these players to take her seriously.
“I’m excited, too,” she beamed.
“Even if it means living with Hayes?” I asked, a knowing grin tugging at my lips.
“Surprisingly, yes.” Olivia’s gaze drifted toward the pool, her expression softening. “I want out of New York. Desperately,” she murmured.
I reached out and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. She still hadn’t opened up to any of us—not even her brother—about what really happened with Holt or what made her pack up her life and walk away. She’d been saying it was because she wanted to be closer to family, but Henry wasn’t convinced.
“You know you can still come live with us, right?” I said. “I moved into Henry’s room—well, our room—already.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I love my brother, but I don’t want to live in an apartment where he’s constantly…” Her voice trailed off, and I lifted a brow. “You know,” she added, waving her hand vaguely.
I pretended to think. “I believe Hayes called it ‘fucking like a caffeinated rabbit,’” I said while doing air quotes.
She faked a shiver. “Oh God, not you, too.”
We both shared a laugh without a word.
The door to the back patio opened, and Owens’s head popped out. “I’ve had enough socialization to last me a lifetime. You ready to go, Pecas?*?”
“Yeah.” She gulped the rest of her wine, and when she stood, she wobbled a little. “Whoops.I think I overdid it with the wine tonight.”
Owens stepped outside and was next to her in an instant, holding her by the waist. “I got you.”
Val padded his cheek. “You’re always so nice to me, Nico.”
I swore I saw Owens’s cheek blush. “Let’s get you home before you start talking too much,” was the last thing I heard him say as they went back into the house to get their things and head out.
“We should head out, too,” Henry said as he approached me and Olivia. “Big game tomorrow.”
