Page 40 of Robbin’ the Rich

Around us, the team buzzed with familiar energy. Belle, who was finally back practicing with the team after an injury, stretched while arguing with Sonia about the playlist. Eleanor sat cross-legged on the floor with tiny bats on her nails, no doubt put there by her amazing creepy little daughter, even though practice would destroy them within an hour. Bianca laughed brightly, sitting on the bench further down, replacing her worn toe stop. Found family wasn’t always soft, sometimes it looked like bruises and screaming, and shared fries after practice.

I slid onto the bench beside Zella, who was already halfway through braiding her impossibly long blonde hair into two tight plaits.

“You look suspiciously glowy,” she commented.

I narrowed my eyes. “Mind your business.”

“Happiness suits you, you should try it more often.”

I rolled my eyes and bent to tighten my skates while she bumped my shoulder playfully.

The truth was, I probably did look different. I was happier… which was extremely annoying.

My phone had buzzed twice on the drive over already.

Micah: hope derby practice goes well tonight trouble

Then five minutes later:

Micah: try not to commit felony assault

Which, unfortunately, had made me smile in my car like an idiot.

“Okay,” Belle announced dramatically as she dropped onto the bench across from us. “I waited almost fifteen whole minutes before asking.”

“Patience is a virtue you don’t know,” Mel muttered.

Belle pointed directly at me. “Tell me about the hot priest.”

Zella gasped loudly. “YES.”

I buried my face briefly in my hands.

Across the rink, Mel barked out a laugh. The team dissolved into overlapping laughter while I focused very hard on my skate laces. I wasn’t sure what to say because this was weird territory for me. I didn’t usually bring people up here. I hadn’t wanted to before. My relationships lived in carefully separated boxes most of the time.

But this team? These were my people. They were the ones who showed up when life imploded, the ones who held each other upright through heartbreak and injuries and terrible jobs and grief and joy and everything in between.

If I was going to tell anyone, it would be them.

I sighed dramatically and looked up.

“Fine,” I said.

The entire bench immediately leaned closer like raccoons sensing food.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered.

Zella bounced slightly. “You like him.”

“I barely know him.”

“That’s not a denial,” Belle sang.

I glared at all of them before finally giving in.

“He’s...” I hesitated briefly, searching for the right word. “Unexpected.”

Mel’s expression softened slightly at that. “How so?”