Page 65 of Full Court Crush
TJ chuckled.
“Yeah, Michelle was having kittens on the side,” TJ joked. Then his tone changed. “Between you and me, I think she’s getting a lot of pressure from the higher-ups. They’ve invested all this money only for us to lose every game? They weren’t happy.”
“I can understand, but it is our first season.” Amelia swallowed hard.
“I, uh, don’t think they care,” TJ said bluntly.
She scowled. The team wasn’t going to adapt to playing at a much higher standard overnight. And they’d only signed two new players, neither of which were capable of carrying the team. Flashes of Keira and Sienna popped up in Amelia’s mind, and the corners of her mouth twitched downward. She glanced up at TJ, who had now moved on to cutting peppers, grateful he was distracted.
“Hey, Amelia,” came Evie’s voice from behind her, just before Evie pulled her in for a side hug. She was wearing a deep red towelling dressing gown with a white towel expertly wrapped around her hair. On bare feet, she padded across the kitchen, fetching a glass from one of the cupboards. She gently placed a hand on TJ’s back when she passed, and he turned for a quick peck on the lips before returning to his cooking.
“D’you want a drink?” Evie asked.
“Amelia brought wine!” TJ interjected before Amelia had a chance to answer.
“It’s not alcoholic. I’ve gotta drive home,” Amelia admitted.
“Perfect.” Evie put back her water glass and got three wineglasses from the cupboard.
TJ added onions, peppers, and mushrooms to the frying pan, and the sound of sizzling oil popped around the room. He quickly added some spices, and soon the room filled with a wonderful blend of aromas that made Amelia’s mouth water.
“Fajitas okay?” TJ asked over his shoulder.
“They smell amazing.”
“Why, thank you,” TJ said, giving her a half bow. Evie laughed as she brought two wine glasses to the table and sat down opposite Amelia. Amelia chuckled at her friend, then turned back to Evie, only to find herself being studied. She pulled down the sleeves of her jumper so they partially covered her hands.
“Are you okay?” Evie asked, squinting a little. “Something’s off.”
“I’m just tired,” she lied again.
“You’re always tired, so it wouldn’t be that.” Evie continued to study her. Amelia squirmed in her seat, avoiding eye contact. Perhaps this had been a bad idea.
“Did something happen with Keira?” Evie asked gently.
Amelia’s gaze snapped up.
“No, what — did she say something to you?” she asked, heart thumping.
“She didn’t have to. Not many people can look like a sad puppy while riding the bus home after a win, but she managed it.”
“Maybe she looked sadbecauseshe was riding the bus. Lucy wasloud,” TJ commented, as he added some mince to a second frying pan, seasoning it.
“That’s a different kind of sad.” Evie laughed, before turning her attention back to Amelia. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing.”
“Amelia—” Evie sounded stern.
“Not anymore,” Amelia admitted. She hated that her voice quavered. Evie reached across the table and took her hand. TJ turned down the heat on the frying pans, still stirring them, but clearly listening intently.
“What happened?” Evie asked softly.
“We — I — We…did things,” she admitted.
“So you slept together?” TJ asked bluntly.
“TJ!” Evie whisper-scolded him. TJ held his hands up in apology and returned to cooking. But despite her scolding, Evie continued his questioning.