Page 52 of Their Favorite Game

“We need to get Frankie to approve.” Matty tossed his hands up like that was the reasonable answer.

“Yeah, okay. That’s not gonna happen.” I crossed my arms.

“It has to. How else are we gonna get her back? He is the only thing in our way,” Rex said.

“There is also the looming ending of the summer.” Matty pointed his beer bottle at me.

Knock. Knock.

All three of us turned our heads toward the door. No one else was supposed to be here. My mother was out of town again on another business trip. I pulled out my phone and checked to make sure no one had texted that they were coming over.

I got up and answered the door. My mouth dropped as Frankie stood there. He had two black eyes and his nose was swollen. I grinned as I waved for him to come in.

He kept his hands in his pockets as he joined the rest of the guys in the kitchen. “Look, you guys are my family. I don’t want to lose you guys, but you gotta stay away from Mal.”

“Why?” Matty crossed his arms and glared at Frankie.

“Well.” Frankie rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “For starters, there are three of you. Come on. I may have understood one of my best friends with my sister, but all of them?”

"Sorry, but we all want her.” Rex shrugged.

“No shit. I’ve known that you guys all had a thing for her for a long time.” Frankie rolled his eyes and sat down.

“Then you know we can’t just walk away from her.” I sat down as well. As angry as I was at Frankie for Mal not talking to us for five days, I couldn’t hate him. He was my best friend and looking out for his sister. The problem was that he needed to realize we were looking out for her as well.

“Come on. This isn’t fair to her. Matty, you leave in what, two weeks? Rex the week after and Jake, what about you? When are you going to work at your dad’s company?” Frankie sighed and looked down.

“Is that your issue?” I grinned.

“Well, part of it. I mean, I would rather none of you touched my sister, but if it had to be anyone, at least you all are good guys.” Frankie raked his hand across his face. “And honestly, I’m tired of seeing her cry.”

Yup, my heart ripped into a million pieces when he said Mal was crying. Anyone worth your tears should never make you cry, and yet she was crying. No matter what I had to do, I would make sure she never shed another tear again.

“I’m glad you are okay with this. Because we can’t live without her.” I leaned forward.

“But what about you three leaving?” Frankie asked.

“I have a plan.” I clapped my hands together.

“Me too.” Matty leaned forward. “I think. I’m kinda nervous about it, but I think it’ll work.”

“What plan? This isn’t fair, guys. I have to go to Florida University,” Rex pouted. “Oh, that’s not permanent. I think I know what you guys are up to.”

“Are you gonna fill me in?” Frankie scoffed.

“Okay, I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell Mal. Not yet.” I leaned forward and filled him in.

CHAPTER23

Mal

The door slammed shut.I crawled further under my blankets. Whoever was here it didn’t matter. I had no intention of seeing anyone. It was my day off and I had one plan. Hide in bed all day.

Someone yanked at my comforter. I buried my face in my pillow. Why was anyone bothering me?

“Get up!” Sammy snapped.

Of course, it was her.

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