I hang back, trailing the guys up to our apartment. I pull out my phone and text Ginny.

Me: Where’d you go? You coming by? Halo rematch?

I cringe a little at my borderline needy message, slide my phone back into my pocket, and force myself to chill the fuck out.

After grabbing a beer, I look for Ginny. I don’t see her or Dakota and Reagan. The three of them are inseparable these days. I check my phone, but she hasn’t texted back.

Liam is outside and I head toward him.

“What’s up, Liam?” I tip my chin up in acknowledgment to the other guys on the team standing with him.

“Hey, Payne. Nice assist tonight.”

“Thanks.”

I spot Dakota walking out the back door to the deck first. Ginny and Reagan follow.

They go to the opposite side, stopping to talk to Taryn and Adam.

“Heard you asked Scott for permission to ask out Ginny?” I go for a teasing tone, but don’t quite hit the mark.

Liam nods. “She seems like a cool chick. You two are friends, right? Any advice?”

Back the fuck off. Find someone else. Anyone else.

But that’s not really fair. Ginny is a cool chick and Liam is a decent guy and hockey player.

I avoid his question altogether. “Scott gave his blessing?”

“He didn’t seem all that happy about it, but he said Ginny could make up her own mind who she dated.”

Jordan laughs and elbows Liam. “And threatened to beat your ass if you hurt her.”

“And that,” Liam admits. “But I’d never screw over a teammate’s sister.”

God, I hate that he’s such a nice guy.

“I think it’s a terrible idea,” Tiny says with a shake of his head. “It’s messy. If things don’t work out, then you’re on the outs with the team captain. No chick is worth that much trouble.”

I watch Liam’s face to see if he agrees. Part of me hopes he does and backs off.

“Some girls are worth the risk,” he says, and I grind down on my teeth.

Of-fucking-course Ginny is worth it, but Liam and Ginny? I can’t see it.

“Well, good luck, man.”

I go inside, do a shot, and grab another beer.

“Everything okay?” Mav says as he gets two beers from the fridge.

“Fine.”

He lingers as he pops the top on the first can. “You sure? You look… off.”

“Off?”

“Yeah, like at practice that time Coach tried to switch you to the left wing. You do this weird thing with your face.” He looks like a deer caught in headlights in some shit imitation of me.

“I don’t look like that. Fuck off. I’m fine.” I run a hand through my hair.

“Seriously, man, what’s up?”

“It’s nothing. Liam is interested in Ginny, and I can’t see it.”

“Because—”