“I think so. She loves the dog, but the stress of walking him and keeping my dad happy are a little much. I can ask her what she thinks. It’d be great to give her a break at the very least. Are you sure, though? That dog is bonkers.” I felt my heart lifting. I'd love to have Axel all the time.

“We have Rocket. Cocker spaniels and bonkers go hand in hand.”

When we got back to the crowd of people watching the game, he squeezed my hand once and then lifted it to his mouth to give my knuckles a quick kiss. No one looked at us twice because Austin was affectionate with everyone. But I felt that kiss feed my hopeful heart. Again.

Austin waded through and waved a hand at Fred, who had arrived so Austin could take his break. Then he was back in the game, trash talking the shirts and winking and blowing kisses at people on the sidelines.

He was made of swoon and sex. I loved him so much. He could never know. Teddi could never know.

I caught Peaches’ eye and she was giving me the thinking Kermit the Frog smile. All my secret thoughts were right on my face, and she could read them easily. With that, I heard a car door slam. My ex from high school, Brutus, and his crew of friends had just shown up.

11

AUSTIN

Maybe it was being the eldest brother, but I always kept tabs on who was dating who in Teddi’s circle of friends. I wasn’t a hater of her having a relationship or anything, but I took the job of being her confidant seriously. I used my networking and people skills to make sure there wasn’t anything too horrible headed in my sister’s direction. Of course, she ended up dating a criminal anyway.

I knew Taylor had dated Brutus. They had broken up on a Me Party weekend, so it had been a group event. I remember being impressed with how Taylor handled it and less impressed with Brutus. He had pouted and stomped around while we all worked to help Teddi make a kid with cancer’s day.

I missed a chance to block Gaze’s shot, so I tapped out. Once I had a replacement, I went to the water jug Mom had filled on the picnic table by the court.

Taylor was focused on getting the signatures on the number five. Brutus hit his friend and pointed to Taylor. I took her in again as if I was her ex-boyfriend. Short skirt and red lips, she was aging well. Too well.

I splashed some of the water onto my face and wiped my eyeliner off of my cheeks. Peaches flounced over and pulled on Taylor’s arm. They gave each other a knowing look.