Page 67 of Game Misconduct

“Hey.” I reached for his arm.

He looked down at me, and relief washed over his face. “There you are.”

“We missed something already?” I ask as Chloe moved closer.

“Hey, Viv.” She gave me a side hug, and Callen, her baby, reached for me. “Oh, guess he has a new friend.”

Then he was in my arms. “Oh.” I shifted to hold him on my hip as she had. “Hi, bub.”

He cooed at me and started jabbering away in baby talk. Just like that, I fell in love. He was ridiculously adorable and chunky, and Chloe was going to have to pry him away from me.

“I’ll be back.” She waved and disappeared to the back of the house.

“He’s yours now,” Mitch said with a small smile. “I’ve heard the guys complain about how the babies get dumped on them for the night.”

“Fine with me.” I grinned down at Callen.

“Can we talk?” Parker asked and led me down a hall before I could answer. I glanced over my shoulder at Mitch, but he just winked and turned away.

“What’s going on?” I asked once he stopped.

“A few things, but the most pressing is something Mitch pointed out to me.” He seemed stressed. “This is the first time we’re attending a team activity together.”

I swallowed. “Okay.”

He looked at the ground, then Callen squeaked and Parker cooed at him. “I’m not sure if you’ve told anyone about us.”

“Jess and Dani. I told them on the way over.”

He blew out a breath. “What did you tell them?”

Why was he acting so strange? Was he having second thoughts? We only agreed to a date. Was I being presumptuous in thinking that meant more? Did he want to keep it between us? It seemed like Mitch knew about us.

“That we talked and both have feelings for each other, and that we’re planning on going out this weekend.”

He nodded. “That’s what I said to Mitch.”

“So, what’s the problem?” I bounced Callen gently when he starting fussing.

“I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”

I thought we were until this conversation. He was keeping something from me. Not saying something he was thinking.

“Which is?” I asked.

“I’m not sure.” His shoulders slumped. “I don’t know if this means we’re a couple. I feel immature saying you’re my girlfriend just because we told each other we like each other.”

I grinned. “When you say it like that, it does seem like a very middle school thing to do.”

“Exactly, and I’m pretty sure that was the last time I was in a relationship.”

He laughed, and I wanted so badly to kiss him. We were both pretty hopeless when it came to this stuff.

“Well, I like you and don’t want to date anyone else.”

“Same,” he agreed.

“Then we’re exclusive,” I offered. “That sounds a little bit more mature, like we’re at a high school level at least.”