Page 42 of The Wildcat

Everly clings to me as we make out like two teenagers in the dark, until the crackle of the monitor, followed by Jax’s piercing cry, stops us.

She pulls back first and drops her forehead to mine.

We’re both breathing heavily as I wait to see if Jax will stop crying.

“I should probably get going.”

I press my lips to her forehead. “You gonna run, Cinderella?”

“Not yet, big man.”

It’s theyetthat I’ve got to work on.

You don’t have to marry the prettiest girl at the game. Marry the girl screaming the loudest because her team is losing. That girl is going to raise winners, and you want your kids to be winners.

EVERLY

Idrop down onto our couch Sunday afternoon, cradling a bowl of popcorn and my sketchbook, as we all pile on to watch the Kings hopefully destroy Dallas. I hate away games. There’s nothing like being in the stadium. The energy. The intensity. I freaking love it.

I wish the cheerleaders traveled with the team, but we only cheer at home games. Our team typically makes the playoffs, though, so we do travel for those games. Same for the championship, when we make it to those, which luckily, we’ve done a few times during my time cheering for the team.

“So, Evie...” Brynn throws a piece of popcorn at my face to get my attention. “What’s going on with Cross?”

“Oh, come on. We’re watching football. Don’t pull the girl-talk shit during the game,” Maddox grunts, then ducks when Brynn tosses a pillow his way so it hits Kenzie instead.

“Hey!” Kenz turns around and smacks him with it. “Do not make me an innocent bystander.”

“Like you’re so innocent.” Maddox clenches his jaw, like he doesn’t secretly love us all. “Yell at Brynn, not me.”

“It’s not like the game has started yet.” I grab the bowl of popcorn from Brynn and stuff a handful in my mouth.

“Take your time and chew. I can wait you out, evil twin,” she threatens, and I know she will. I’ve been avoiding talking about Cross since I came home in his shirt last week. Of course, all the girls were home and in the kitchen when I walked in the door and refused to talk about it. “You’re smiling, Everly.”

“Nothing’s going on. We’re talking.”

Kenzie looks up from whatever med school assignment she’s got her nose buried in. “When are you seeing him again?”

I flip open my sketchbook and grab my pencil. “I’m not sure.”

“Why don’t you invite him over to watch the game today?” Brynn asks, her voice saccharine sweet as she steals back the popcorn.

“It starts in thirty minutes. I’m not asking him now. I’ll look like an asshole.” Not that I hate the idea of seeing him today. “Plus, what’s he supposed to do with his kids here? They’ll be bored.”

“That’s up to him. Don’t come up with reasons not to ask,” Kenzie adds her two cents, and I have to begrudgingly admit she’s not wrong.

“But what if I look needy?” I ask in all seriousness, and Maddox laughs at me.

“You’re the least needy girl in this room, evil twin.”

Two pillows fly at his head from opposite sides of the room as Brynn and Kenzie both yell at him. Cross did invite me to his house. I guess it would be nice if I gave up a little of my control and at least extended an invitation, right? I mean, it’s not like he’s going to really come with both kids.

I ignore the looks the three of them throw at me when I get up and walk into the kitchen to FaceTime Cross. The screen lights up, and he answers right away, his dark eyes shining. “Hey, Cinderella.”

“Hey, big man. Your house sounds quiet.” Brynn yells at Maddox in the other room, and I stifle a laugh.

“Yours doesn’t.” Cross’s crooked smile does wicked things to me.

“Yeah well, we like to watch the Kings games together when the team is away. I thought maybe you’d like to come over and watch with us. You could bring the kids. But I totally understand if you don’t want to. I mean...”

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