Page 61 of First Down

“It’ll be good to spend time with her,” Coop says. “Mom was telling me that she broke up with that weird guy.”

I do a little fist pump. “Finally.”

“I know, right? He sucked.”

My excitement fades as it occurs to me that she might be heartbroken. “Did he hurt her? Do we need to go kick his ass? Shit, that was her first real boyfriend.”

“I think he was flirting with other girls, like an idiot.”

“What a prick.”

“I’d offer to go find him and beat him up, but I’m sure she has that handled.”

“She’s scrappy, I’ll give her that. I don’t envy you and Seb having to keep an eye on her next year.” I laugh. “Wait, so tell me what’s up with you. I thought I’d see you more often since we’re living together right now, but this is like when you had ice time right after I got back from practice.”

“That season sucked,” he says with a groan. “And I’ve been buried in readings. I haven’t scored a chick in weeks. It’sterrible. I’ve forgotten what pussy feels like.”

I laugh so hard I snort.

Chapter 29

Bex

“Is it cool?” I say into my phone from the entryway of Aunt Nicole’s house. The December chill cuts through me, even wearing a thick sweater I stole from James, so I move away from the window. It’s flurrying outside. “Are you nervous?”

“Very cool,” James replies. Even over the line, I can’t help the little smile that crosses my face at the low tenor of his voice. “Lincoln Center is gorgeous. Joe Burrow just congratulated me, and I think I pissed myself a bit.”

I smirk, even though he can’t see me. “He is very attractive.”

“Hey,” he says.

“Of course, not as attractive as you,” I amend. “Or Aaron Rodgers.”

“Babe, no,” he says, a horrified note in his voice.

“I don’t know, I feel like the whole Nicolas Cage dirty mountain man thing works for me. Don’t act like you don’t have celebrity crushes too. I saw that photo of Jennifer Lopez on your phone.”

“I’m hanging up.”

I giggle. “Sorry. But really, are you nervous?”

“Nope. I don’t get nervous about performing.”

“I feel like there’s a dirty joke in there,” I say. “Seriously? I’d be melting into the floor.”

“I mean, I hope I win,” he says. “But even if I don’t, it’s an honor just to be recognized.”

“Such a diplomat already.”

“Don’t you know it.” He says something to someone off the line, then comes back to say goodbye.

“Good luck,” I tell him.

His voice is soft as he replies, “Thanks, princess.”

I’m grinning like an idiot at my phone when Aunt Nicole pokes her head in to look for me. “It looks like the ceremony is going to start soon. Do you want me to heat up some queso?”

“That would be awesome.”

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