Page 57 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

I put my hands to my ears and look at Delaney, who’s holding a similar posture. Elliot was not kidding about the need for earplugs. But now that we’ve moved past that first awkward moment, which I now know was borne of the girls’ affection for Shane, I kind of like them. I want to sit here for the rest of the game, even if that means plugging my ears from time to time. The grin on Delaney’s face says she agrees.

Colt

I’mtired.Myribsache from the helmet I landed on during my last reception, and all I want to do is get home to Sam, who should be waiting for me since I gave her the garage code before the game. But two couples are blocking my path to the parking lot.

“Nice catch!” Elliot gushes, giving me a hug. That last reception ended up being the game-winning touchdown, and while I’m glad we won, I can’t say it was pretty. Things between Dante, Shane and I are still a little off. We haven’t spoken about the argument we had, and while that means things aren’t worse, they aren’t better. I don’t know if these guys really get where I’m coming from, and it’s hard not to let that bother me.

“Thanks,” I say gruffly, hugging her back before accepting a hug from Meghan.

“You could’ve just told us.” She frowns at me. I don’t have to ask to know she’s referring to Sam.

“I could’ve, but I don’t really do well with demands.” My gaze involuntarily drifts to Dante as I set my gym bag on the floor.

“Fair enough.” Dante gives me his hand, his way of apologizing for the whole ticket fiasco. “If you think we’re dumping shit on you, you gotta tell us. It’s not cool to be pissed at me for somethin’ I don’t even know I’m doing.”

I shake his hand and pull him close to slap him on the back. “Fair enough,” I agree, nodding at Shane so he knows we’re good, too.

“She’s wonderful.” Elliot smiles at me from under the arm Shane has slung over her shoulders.

“She is.” I grin proudly.

“Why’d you wait so long to bring her around?” Elliot chews on her lip, studying me.

“It took me damn near a month to get her to go out with me. I wasn’t going to scare her off right away by inviting her here. Besides, she’s not a fan. She only came today cause her friend wanted to come.”

“Ah, Delaney.” Meghan smiles wryly. “Poor girl tried to keep up, but I’ve got years on her.”

“Huh?” Given that Delaney is every bit as brash and outspoken as Meghan, I can’t imagine what that means.

“Let’s just say it might take her a few days to find her voice, but she made a valiant effort.”

“Which Sam and I will be feeling for days as well.” Elliot rubs her ear.

“I get why you didn’t bring her around, but how come you didn’t at least tell us about her?” Shane manages to look imposing and hurt at the same time, which is impressive considering I’ve got a few inches on him. “You’ve been dating her for months and didn’t say anything.”

“This feels familiar.” I rub my jaw, pretending to search my brain for answers. “Oh, that’s right. You two dated without telling us until after the Super Bowl.” I point between him and Elliot.

“Oh my gosh, will you guys get over it already?” Elliot shrieks, looking around the group. “If we had known you’d all be so touchy we’d have told you sooner.”

“I wouldn’t have,” Shane scoffs. “These guys are superstitious as fuck. If they thought my head wasn’t in the game, we’d have lost it, guaranteed.”

“Bingo,” I agree with Shane. Even though I kept things with Sam to myself because I didn’t want to move too fast. Superstitions are a convenient reason, and one that doesn’t call attention to her inexperience, which I know she’s sensitive about.

“I hate to point out the obvious, but your head wasn’t in the game last week,” Dante says, calling my bluff.

“Yours was?” I shoot him a challenging look.

“Nah man, it wasn’t.” He shakes his head and rests his hands on his hips. “But I was reacting to you.”

I want to be pissed about that, but it’s true. I didn’t handle things well last week. None of us did. That being said, my actions are on me, not Sam.

“You’re worried Sam is gonna mess with my head?”

“Did she last week?” Since his tone is curious, not accusatory, I know he’s not assigning any blame. He just wants to get back on track.

“No. Not directly.”

“Not directly?” Shane cocks his head. “What does that mean?”

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