Page 105 of Always Yours

Teddy and Bleecker come out and join us. “You’re right. We’re going to make it.”

“We are,” I agree, taking a long pull of my water bottle. Almost downing it.

“Well, we all know you will, at least,” Teddy calls to me, and I glance up at him. “Especially after everyone saw you with Austen at the wedding.”

Before I can say anything, Flynn snaps, “Fuck off, Teddy.”

“It’s true. Why wouldn’t he make it when he’s sleeping with the GM?”

Anger vibrates inside me, but once more, Flynn is popping off. “Fuck you again. Austen isn’t the GM here, so it doesn’t matter.”

“But her grandpa owns the farm team. She has pull, we all know it.”

I make a face. “I’m not going to be offended that you assumed my girl would put me on a team if I didn’t deserve it.”

“Exactly,” Flynn says. “She didn’t even like him until, like, yesterday.”

I look to my cousin. “I mean, damn.”

Flynn shrugs. “What? I’m not even sure she really likes you,” he teases, and I chuckle.

“Fuck you.”

“Love you too,” he calls back before looking back at Teddy. “So, yeah, don’t talk about shit you don’t know about.”

My cousin will always be my ride-or-die. “It’s cool, Flynn.”

Teddy looks at me. “I’m just saying, first you get the chance to come here after playing in Russia because of who you know, and then you start dating the future GM of another team. Seems suspect.”

“The only suspect thing is your whack-ass wrister. Don’t worry about me or mine. Worry about yourself.”

Flynn points to me. “Or since his girlfriend has such pull, worry that she’ll make sure you don’t make the team since you want to disrespect her professionalism.”

Anger moves across Teddy’s face. “She said I was a great player in my meeting and I made it.”

“Oh,” Flynn says, waving his hand with a mocking voice. “So, you shouldn’t worry then, right? She won’t use her pull to change everyone’s mind?”

Teddy exhales. “Whatever, dude. Come on, Bleecker.”

We watch as they head back in, and Flynn meets my gaze. “You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him.

“Fuck them,” he says simply. “Austen isn’t like that, and I don’t appreciate it. Plus, you’ve worked your ass off. The spot is yours because you worked for it.”

Pride swells in my chest. “Thanks, Flynn.”

We share a look, but then my phone sounds. It’s my girl. I bring my brows together because while it’s just her words, I can feel her anxiety.

“Austen’s grandpa is here. She’s worried.”

“Can’t today just be easy?” he asks, and I laugh at that.

“For real, though,” I agree as I text her back. “I love fucking with her.”

Flynn gives me a look. “I know. You’ve been doing that since you met her.” This is true. As I type back the naughtiest of things, a grin plays on my lips. “Dude, you’re so in love with her. It’s gross.”

I look up at him. “Huh?”

“Oh, are you not aware you’re in love?”

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