Page 33 of How to Score Off Field
My flowers.
“You know, I’ve always thought the true essence of a person is revealed by their bedroom,” he begins. “A lot can be deciphered from the books they read, the clothes they wear, and the questionable decor choices they make.”
He pokes at the Star Wars Lego creation of the Millennium Falcon.
Wanders from the desk to the bookshelf.
I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. “So what’s your brother’s essence, according to his room?”
He looks around with seriousness. “Well, I’d say Drew is ‘post-modern minimalist meets chaotic laundry pile’ aesthetic.”
I can’t help but laugh when he says, “He should go into interior decorating. His room is way better than mine.”
Way better than mine…
He leans against the dresser, his expression softening. “What’s going on with you and my brother?”
“I…”Don’t know. “Nothing.”
Now he’s the one arching his eyebrow. “Funny, that’s what he said this morning when I asked him the same thing.”
My mouth opens.
Closes.
“You asked him what was going on?” I pause. “What did he say?”
“He said nothin’. Same as you.”
I let out a sigh, my gaze wandering to the floor. Bookshelf. Closet door. “It’s... complicated.”
Drake arches an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. “Complicated, huh? That’s a word I’ve heard quite often lately.”
I glance up at him, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
He tilts his head, studying me for a moment. “I know that you’ve had a lot going on, what with the baby and then not having a baby, but you’re not the only one affected. Drew’s been actin’ different since your date last night.”
I frown. I thought it was just me.
“Different how?”
He sighs. “Look, obviously, I don’t know any details, but I know something happened between you two.”
He’s not wrong.
“I can feel it in my gut.” His massive shoulders shrug. “It’s a twin thing.”
I shift uncomfortably, suddenly feeling exposed. “I’d be lying if I said you were wrong, but I’ve been trying to figure things out.”
Drake regards me for a few moments. Crosses and uncrosses his arms. “Out of the two of us, he’s always been the sensitive one. I’m not sayin’ you can’t count on me, but if you ask anyone who’s the most reliable, they will almost always say Drew.”
Silently, I nod.
He’s not telling me anything I don’t already know.
“And before I met Daisy—before we started datin’ and getting to know each other—I knew Drew was going through a tough time. He never said it directly, but I think he was thinkin’ of quittin’ the team.”
My eyes widen. “He was?”
