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“Oh yeah?”
“She had the guys doing ridiculous drills. Something about making videos she can slowly release to introduce the world to the team—as if they don’t already know my guys.” He shook his head. “But she was great. It wasn’t as—” He looked around the tall hallway, searching for a word. “Intrusive. It wasn’t as intrusive as I’d thought it’d be.”
“Glad to hear it.”
I glanced at my phone and slipped it back in my pocket when I saw I had no new notifications. I wasn’t supposed to take Emily home for a little longer, so it wasn’t strange she hadn’t texted. But I was impatient to hear how her day had gone—from someone other than Mac.
“Speaking of Emily, have you seen her around?”
Coach Locke glanced up from his phone. “I saw her a little while ago with Savage. They were in the courtyard. I think the boy has a thing for her.” He winked and my stomach lurched.
“Great. Thanks.” I patted him on the shoulder and took off toward the courtyard.
After Em admitted Mac ate her out on my favorite trail, I braced myself, apprehensive about what I would find when I walked outside.
“Tell me about him?”
Mac’s voice, a little too eager but sincere, reached me first. I hung back, knowing I was being a creep. I would confess my trespassing to Em on the way home.
Em launched into a story about Rob and how he was crazy good on the ice. He would have played professionally, and I smiled at the way she described him teaching her to skate.
That day stood out in my mind, too. Em had been so sure she would break her nose, but Rob patiently took her around the ice and held her arms until she was ready for him to let go.
“I wish I could have met him. He sounds like an incredible guy.”
“He really was.” Em sniffed and Mac wrapped his arm around her.
I stepped forward, uncomfortable with them continuing to talk without knowing I was eavesdropping.
“Hey, Em.” I nodded to Mac, and he dipped his head to me.
Em glanced at her watch, and her eyes widened. “I’m late. I’m so sorry, Bash. I should have texted you—”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m not in any hurry.”
Mac brushed her tears off her cheek. And the three of us in one space, alone, didn’t feel as bad as I had thought it would. It was actually kind of nice seeing him care for her.
I walked over to the fountain in the middle of the courtyard, pretending to study the bubbles to give them privacy to say goodbye.
Mac had been so genuine and so tender with Em. It was no wonder she was falling for him. I knew what we had was strong, but this next phase was new. Would I be enough for her?
Em came up next to me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Ready to go, Bash?”
A few more tears had slipped from the corners of her eyes and I brushed them away. It was hard for her to talk about Rob on a non-anniversary day and I was already planning the comfort meal I’d make for us that night.
I kissed her damp cheek, holding back from doing anything more until we were home. “I’m glad you shared Rob with Mac.”
She tilted her head and smiled. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” I offered her my hand, and she laced her fingers through mine.
Chapter Twenty
Emily
“Excited for your first away game?” Bash screwed the lids on a row of bottles and plunked them into an Evergreens-branded cooler.
“I’m nervous, but yeah.” I dared a look at him and debated telling him I was looking forward to seeing Mac play out of town. He had modeled an away jersey for me and nothing else. It looked good on him.
