Page 45 of Shots Fired

Swallowing my mouthful, I smirk around the spoon. “Just a friend.”

Mum picks up the phone and hands it to me, eyes a little wide at the message on display, and I cringe, wondering what the hell he wrote.

“A friend to you, perhaps. I’m not sure that feeling is mutual, honey.”

I open up the message thread just as Mum leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

Thigh Boy: It’s funny you mention hallucinations because I can’t stop thinking about you or the way you looked beneath me. So fucking beautiful.

Me: You wouldn’t be saying that right now. More like the bride of Frankenstein.

Thigh Boy: Show me.

Me: No.

Thigh Boy: *picture attached*

My tray of food almost cascades to the floor when I open the message from Archer. He’s standing in front of a mirror—in what I presume to be a changing room—completely naked from head to toe, pointing at his thigh tattoo with one hand while flexing and holding his phone in the other. I can see everything—and I mean,allof it.

Thigh Boy: Make sure you keep that image on lockdown in your phone.

Thigh Boy: Now you’ve seen me. Let me see you.

Me: Where the hell are you?

Thigh Boy: In the gym changing room.

Me: And where is everyone else—aka my brother and stepdad?

Thigh Boy: Both at a safe distance. Jack is in the shower stall behind me.

Me: You’re crazy—you know that?

Thigh Boy: Maybe I am. Still waiting on your picture …

I open my Camera app and flinch. Unwashed hair over several days, combined with a general look of malaise, is not attractive. On a sigh and with a face like a slapped arse, I snap the photo and send it to him.

Thigh Boy: Yeahhhh … I’m gonna need to see you.

Me: I promise I don’t feel as bad as I look.

Thigh Boy: That’s not what I was thinking. Let me come over, even if only to watch a movie with you and heat you some more soup. I’ll be on my best behavior.

Thigh Boy: If I told you I missed you, would you freak out?

Me: Well, you just did, and, no, I’m not freaking out. I kind of miss you too.

Thigh Boy: Of course you do. Anyone would miss this face. How about tomorrow? I can sneak off after our warm-up game against Philly.

By tomorrow night, there’s a chance I’ll be feeling way more human. That, and I’ll have at least had a shower.

Me: Yeah, that works.

Thigh Boy: I’ll bring all your favorite snacks.

Me: You don’t know my favorite snacks.

Thigh Boy: Oh, Doll. I thought you were finally working me out when you said I was crazy. Now I’m thinking we have a long way to go.