Some of us snicker at that, but no one looks away from Ezra. While the motherfucker staysquiet, building on the tension. Then a slow grin spreads across his face. “My engagement,” he announces.
There’s a moment of silence before the entire locker room bursts with screams, howls, clapping, and congratulatory hugs. Someone even whistles.
Though what I notice is that Seb is unusually quiet. It’s hard to think of him not bouncing off his seat to annoy the shit out of the next person. So, when he gives a strained smile, my hackles rise. I’ll have to figure it out.
What bothers me even more is that he has been ever since we went toThe Tapthe last time. Did something happen while I was busy planning the murder of the guy who was flirting with my Andie?
“She said yes?” I ask, not doubting that she wouldn’t for a minute. It’s just a shock. I didn’t even know he was planning to propose to her, let alone celebrate his engagement.
He shakes his head, once again halting us. “I haven’t asked her yet.”
“The fuck?” Is the only response I can think of.
“Then what the hell are we celebrating, Cap?” Levi scoffs from the other corner of the lockerroom.
Ezra rolls his eyes and continues getting dressed as if he isn’t speaking gibberish. I’ve heard love makes you lose your mind, but witnessing it with my own damn eyes has me internally shivering.
I step closer while the guys continue to look at him as if he has grown a tail. Resting a hand on his shoulder, I squeeze it. “We’ll talk to the team’s therapist first thing tomorrow morning.”
He looks at me as if Iamthe one who’s not making any sense. “What? Why? Are you not feeling well?”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to hide it from me,” I emphasize the point by pressing a hand into my chest. “Delusion is real. And I’m sure there’s a treatment for that.”
The guys try to hide their snickers but spectacularly fail. When the meaning of my words dawns on him, he slaps my hand away, his face twisting in a scowl. “Oh, fuck off! I’m not suffering from any sort of delusion, you asswipes,” he grunts, looking at everyone in the room.
“I plan to propose to Kaeli with everyone we care about present there, on her birthday! She’sgonna say yes, of course. Catch up, you turtle-minded, dimwits!” He growls, securing his shoulder pads with more force than necessary.
Oh, shit. Of course, that’s what he meant. A chorus ofohhhsandahhhsrings in the room as the guys give their captain a sheepish smile.
“Yes, OH, you fuckers!” He clips, taping his stick ritualistically before we head out. “Your invitation should be revoked!” he grumbles, clearly angry at us.
Though all I feel is amusement skitter down my body.
“So why don’t you?” Lucas mutters under his breath with a scoff. Dude has a death wish, surely.
Just as I thought, Ezra hears it. Pointing at him, he growls, “You! You can’t come.”
Lucas’s eyes widen, and he stutters an apology that Ezra expertly ignores as he walks out of the locker room, fully padded and dressed.
The whole game, Lucas keeps trying to apologize for being a smart-mouth, while Ezra keeps glaring at him. Though everyone knows that Lucas is invited.
I wonder how Kaeli handles his childish ass. It’s a miracle Andie and Ezra are related with howdifferent these two are, well, except for their eyes—hers are much prettier though.
I sometimes wonder how Andie is so mature when she has Ezra for her big brother. But that’s a mystery I don’t think even the scientists can solve.
* * *
Unfortunately, we lost the game.
But I see that the team is still in high spirits as I pull the car to the curb in front of Kaeli and Ezra’s Victorian house.
The street is lined with expensive cars, definitely a car voyeur’s dream come true. If I hadn’t texted Andie in advance to save me a spot right outside their place, I’d have to park way too far for my liking. That’s just one of the perks of being involved with your teammate’s sister, I guess.
Unnecessarily smug, I climb down from the car with the gift for the hopefully happy couple. Raucous laughter can be heard on the other end of the street, and for the first time, I’m excited to enter a gathering. Or it might just be that I’mexcited to see Andie.
It’s been almost twenty-four hours since I last saw her, or held her in my arms, or kissed those plump lips that taste like cherry chapstick, lips that I can’t get enough of.
I’m still not sure how I went so long without kissing her. Because now that I know kissing Andie is like coming home, I can’t ever see myself stopping, not until the day I stop breathing.