Page 94 of First Down Promise

By the time I pull into Josh’s driveway, the tightness through my middle has eased. He meets me outside and lets me in quickly. “How’s Pete?” Josh asks as he follows me into his bedroom.

I set my bag at the foot of his bed and turn to face him.

“Bitter,” I answer.

Josh gently places his hand on my hip, his eyes studying mine. “He’ll come around.”

“But what if he doesn’t?”

Josh caresses the back of my shoulder and pulls me to his chest. His voice vibrates against my cheek as he speaks. “He doesn’t have much choice. We’re amazing on the field, and you’re his sister. I wouldn’t drop one of my sisters if they were involved with one of my friends.”

I tilt my head back to see his face again. “Even if they lied for weeks?”

“There’s no easy way to process this, but you guys will be fine again. Might take some time,” he adds.

“I asked him if he wanted me to move out.”

Josh’s brows furrow. “What’d he say?”

“He wants me to stay.”

“Well, now that he knows, you can spend more time here.”

“I’m not moving in,” I state fast before my brain catches up.

Josh just chuckles. “That’s fine. Maybe eventually, but the offseason with you will be fun. Just one more game to get through.”

“Lost hope for playoffs?”

“Yeah, without Pete, it’s not likely. But the silver lining is we’ll have more time together.” I manage a small smile, even if I hate the reason we can be here together right now.

A couple of hours later, I curl up next to Josh on the couch with an oversized blanket covering our tangled legs. “You know, ice cream tastes better when you scoop it. It’s a weird phenomenon,” I say, scooping up a bit of ice cream from my bowl.

“Is that so?” Josh asks with a warm smile that spreads upward to his eyes.

“Yeah, it is.”

Josh’s phone chimes, and he checks the screen. “Oh, Dane’s here.” He sets his ice cream bowl on the coffee table and gets up to answer the door.

“Saw a little white SUV in your driveway,” Dane says to Josh, loud enough for me to hear from the living room. “Hi, Abby,” he says, walking in with Josh.

Josh returns to his spot next to me, his thigh brushing mine as he pulls our blanket partially over his legs. Dane sits across from us in a lounge chair.

“Want ice cream?” Josh asks, picking up his bowl.

Even I know Dane’s way too obsessed with his body for that. He laughs under his breath before declining. “No, thanks. I was on my way to see Pete, but I thought I’d drop in.” His eyebrows lift slightly as he glances over at me. “Hope I’m not interrupting,” he adds.

I snort. “We’re eating ice cream on the couch at eight at night. I mean, we’re so boring,” I say with a giggle.

“Guess you guys are the old married couple now. Who’s next?” Dane asks.

“To find their person?” Josh asks, and Dane nods. “Hmm, I hope it’s Coop, but Pete’s been horny.” My stomach turns as Josh side-eyes me. “Sorry, Ab.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

Dane and Josh both laugh. “Uh, Pete felt like he couldn’t bring a girl home with you living there,” Dane says.

I grimace and drop my eyes to my remaining ice cream. “Maybe I should move out.”