Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Foster
We’re in the locker room changing for the game. I should be dead tired after last night. Not from what Callie and I did, but from lying awake afterward, rehashing it all in my head.
She eventually got up and left my bed with the excuse that she can’t sleep in the same bed as other people, but I guarantee she’s lost in her head like me.
It wasn’t just sex last night. At least not any sex I’ve ever experienced. And the trust she gave me, telling me what she needed… but even after that, it left me with so many more questions than answers.
“Hey, Reap, I have a question,” Easton calls from his locker.
All of our lockers are right next to each other. Hayes is at the end, then me, Decker, then Easton. Not sure who thought it was a good idea for me to be next to Decker, but we make it work.
“Don’t ask,” Decker tells him.
I’m guessing they’ve already been talking on the side about the specifics of how and when Callie got pregnant, so it’s pretty easy to figure out what he’s going to ask. I figured it was coming.
“I’m pretty sure I’m with Goldie on this one. Let’s all remember she’s my sister.” Hayes clips on his chest guard.
“Come on. We’re all wondering. Either they were seeing each other behind my back, or it happened under our noses.” Easton fastens his chain around his neck.
I give Easton a look. “Let’s get one thing straight. You were trying to date her, but you never did accomplish that.”
It’s true. Easton and I were having a friendly little competition about getting with Callie.
I went along with it because I’m a competitive guy, but I had no intention of ever following through.
Plus, I never thought Callie wanted either of us, much less me, until that night.
It was just us boys busting each other’s balls.
“Just tell us when it happened,” Easton says. “And I want it noted that you weren’t dating her either. It was a one-night mistake.”
“A mistake?” Hayes glances at me.
I shake my head. It wasn’t a mistake. I might’ve been na?ve and thought that at first, but now… fuck, I can’t even process what’s happening with Callie. I’ve never in my life wanted to spend every free minute I have with a woman before.
“Stop stirring up trouble,” Decker says, tying his cleats.
“It’s what I’m good at, but I’m not this time. It’s genuine curiosity.” Easton stands up and faces us, hands on his hips.
I glance at Hayes, knowing two things. One, Easton isn’t going to let this go. Two, Hayes doesn’t want to hear about the time I fucked his little sister.
I open my mouth, but Easton quickly puts up his hand. “Wait. I want to guess.”
“Seriously?” Decker and I share a look that, for the first time in forever, says we’re on the same page.
Then we divert our gazes just as fast.
“Let’s see… how far along is she?” Easton stares at the ceiling as though he’s trying to do the math.
“I don’t like this game.” Hayes pulls his phone out of his locker and texts who I assume is Leighton.
I wouldn’t mind being able to text Callie whenever I wanted. “She’s fourteen weeks.”
Decker’s eyebrows shoot up like he’s surprised I even know.
“It’s my baby too, asshole.”
He holds up his hands.
“See, Kodiak… bad fucking idea.” Hayes gives Easton a death glare.
“Was it that day we went to Lincoln Park? For yours and Decker’s birthday? Yes.” Easton points. “That had to be it. You were a little extra grumpy since you’re turning into an old man, and you were looking for some comfort.”
“Careful there,” Hayes warns. “Don’t make it sound like he was using my sister.”
“Hate to break it to you, Carlisle, but it was a one-night stand. They were using one another.”
Hayes stares down Easton, but Easton is oblivious.
“Was it your birthday?” Easton asks again.
I don’t answer, pulling out my phone and burying my head in it, not entertaining this line of conversation.
“Let it go, East,” Decker says. “It’s their business.”
Thank you, brother. Although I’ll never tell him that.
“Fine,” Easton says, and I glance up, not believing he’s actually going to let this go. “I guess it’ll be left a mystery…” Then his eyes light up, and he points at me. “Saffire.”
I groan.
Decker glances at me quickly as if he knows.
“Math not your strong suit, Kodiak? She would have already been pregnant then.” Hayes shakes his head. “She’s fourteen weeks along. We went to Saffire right after the season started.”
That tells me Hayes has been wondering too. And maybe I should tell him, but would he really want to know? He wasn’t even with us that night.
“Not that night.” Easton rolls his eyes. “One night when your pussy-whipped ass couldn’t go out.”
“We’re not fifteen. You can call me pussy-whipped all you want. I have responsibilities. Are you just jealous because I’d rather be with Leighton than your sorry ass?” Hayes uses a crying tone.
“It was, wasn’t it?” Easton crosses his arms and stares me down. “You were at each other’s throats that night, I remember.”
“Which would imply it didn’t happen that night.” Decker eyes me, and it’s the same look we used to give one another when we got caught doing something wrong, and our mom was badgering us with questions. Like, you don’t tell, and I won’t either.
Did my brother see something that night?
“Fuck no—come on. Reaper is totally hot for someone who gives it back to him. I should’ve seen it. I was trying to be all flirty and sweet with Callie, but the real way to get into her pants is to try to tell her what to do.” Easton grins as if he’s the mastermind who’s figured it all out.
“Warning, Kodiak. You’re crossing a line.” Hayes doesn’t even bother looking up from his phone.
“Sorry, man. I went too far there. But it’s true, that’s what gets you both hot. The hate-fuck thing.” Easton carries on when he should really shut up.
“Second warning. Watch what happens the next time.” Hayes’s voice holds a touch more irritation this time.
“Okay, backing off now. Me and Reap can talk later.” He winks at me.
All I can think about after his proclamation is there was nothing hate-fuck about last night. Not even close.
But Easton has a point. Callie’s feisty side turned me on, but last night it was her vulnerability that really did me in.
I stand and pocket my phone. “I’m going to the bullpen.”
“Me too.” Hayes joins me.
“Oh, come on. We’re friends. Give me a hint,” Easton calls behind us.
“Let it go, man,” Decker says.
On the way to the bullpen, Hayes asks, “It was that night? The one I wasn’t there?”
I side-eye him. It’s odd not being able to talk freely with my best friend. I could use his advice after last night, and with any other woman, I would’ve already cornered him to talk about it. Then again, no other woman has made me want to talk about my feelings.
I glance at him. “Do you really want to know?”
“I don’t want details. Just when. I’m still processing.”
“Easton’s right. We went to Saffire one night. We were arguing a lot, and somehow it shifted and…”
I’ll keep the details of us making out until we hit the bathroom to myself. How I flicked the lock, bent her over the sink, and fucked her. And he doesn’t need to know that she lowered her dress afterward and walked out without a word or a backward glance.
He nods. “Let Kodiak keep guessing. It bugs the shit out of him.”
I chuckle. “I had no plans of telling anyone.”
“And whatever you two are doing in that condo you can keep to yourself too.”
I stop, and he continues walking. No way he knows about last night. He wouldn’t want to know. Some things are meant to be between Callie and me, and for us to figure out.
I think I’ve figured out what I want. Too bad I can’t have it.