“I just…fuck, I wanted to believe her for once. Like, shit, I didn’t want to think she was just out to fuck me over for money.” I shake my head and drink my beer, still reeling of what Kai told me.

My lawyer and agent starting making calls immediately, finding out more shit as they went. I told them to just do whatever they thought was necessary, and to tell me the details later.

I’d rather not deal.

“My first thought was that the bitch was lying anyway.” Dane shrugs, pushing his chips forward. “Raise.”

“You think that’s why Kaija has been acting so weird, maybe?”

“Nope.” Leo sips his beer and peers over his cards. “Sounded like she just found this stuff out tonight. You said she’s been being suspicious for 2 weeks now.”

“I have no idea then, and it’s frustrating.”

“You know you don’t need to know every little thing that’s happening in each other’s lives, yet. Give it some time. You’re not even near the three month mark. If you break up, it can’t even be considered a real relationship. And didn’t she have sex with you before she left? Well…I guess that doesn’t actually say much.” Dane pops a chip into his mouth, blasé per usual.

“I think it’s nice that you’re so wrapped up. Some people get lucky and find a connection that just…fits.” I can always count on Hanson for a little more positivity. He and Dane are fire and ice when it comes to dating and women. Leo is probably somewhere in the middle, but I’d bet closer to Dane.

“Yeah, fits until someone else comes along and they fit them in too.” Dane makes a finger in the hole gesture and I glance over at my phone when it rings again. “Your girl again?”

“Yeah.” I frown. It’s not like Kaija to keep calling when we’re both doing something. I get a bad feeling, and swipe up to answer. “What’s wrong?”

“Harlan, I think someone’s watching us.” She whispers and I turn up the volume on my phone, wondering if I heard her right.

“Baby, are you drunk?”

“No. Kinda. A little bit. And a little high, but that’s not…” she hiccups, “that’s not the point. You have to come.”

“Where are Keyra and Mickey?”

“They’re in the closet with me, duh.” Oooooookay.

“Okay baby, we’ll be there soon. Don’t move.” I guess it wouldn’t hurt to humor her. I need to get them on tape, something tells me Keyra doesn’t let loose often and won’t believe it.

“Okay.” She whispers, and clicks off.

“So, the ladies are drunk and maybe high, and paranoid. Mind if I drop in? Just make sure everything’s good?”

“I’m always up for more entertainment. Brandon’s gonna be sorry he missed this.”

“Yeah, we’ll have to send him a video.” We grab our shit and head out the door, taking Leo’s truck since we’ve only had one beer each so far.

This should be good.

* * *

“Kaija?” I open the door using the spare key she keeps under one of the shingles, and it’s completely dark.

The guys move in behind me and we listen for anything suspect, moving through the house. Kaija never said which closet they were in. I pull out my phone and dial her number.

The startled shrieks coming from the guest room let us know where they are. I open the double doors, and bust into laughter.

Three grown women, huddled together in the middle of the closet. They look all disheveled and nervous, and scramble up when they see its us. Kaija flings her arms and legs around me.

“I was so scared!” She strokes my face like she’s fascinated.

“I can see, baby. How much have you had to drink?”

“A lot.” Mickey pipes up, eyes wide. “And this many,” she holds up her hand, peering at it like it’s not attached to her body as she holds up two fingers. “Two brownies.”

“Did I tell you how sexy this tattoo is?” Kaija presses kisses to my bicep, clinging to me. “I just want to lick it.”

“Brownies?” Dane questions, voice amused.

“Really, really good brownies.” Keyra pipes up, biting her lip. “Have we met?”

“Yep.” Dane pops the p, shaking his head. “You’re high as a kite.”

“High?” Keyra questions, screwing up her face and shaking her head. “Nope. Justtttttttt the drinks.”

“Weed brownies.” Kaija whispers loudly, and Keyra doesn’t seem to notice. She’s too fascinated by poking Dane’s bicep.

“Are these guns real, sergeant?”

“I think I need a brownie.” Hanson muses, and Mickey grabs his hand and drags him to the living room. We all follow, and it’s so fucking funny to see Keyra holding onto Dane.

I can’t read his face, either. He looks more amused than annoyed, maybe a little…interested?

That would be a wild ride to watch. I almost wish it on him.

Oh shit! Hanson can’t eat a brownie, we’ve got physicals tomorrow.

Goddammit it, greedy motherfuckers. They’re already stuffing their faces and I cross my arms, surveying them all.

“Am I the only one that remembers testing’s tomorrow?”

They stop chewing, looking at me guiltily. Dane swallows first, shrugging. “Well…it’s too late now.”

Mickey holds out a brownie to me, grinning. “You might as well jump on this sinking ship.”

Fuck. If we’re going down, we might as well go down together.

* * *

“Whose idea was it? Which one of you fuck ups decided it was a grand idea to get fucked up the day before my camp?”

It’s been awhile since I’ve felt like I was back in grade school, back in the principal’s office, but that’s exactly how I feel like now.

On top of being tired as fuck. Those were some potent ass brownies. Never in my life have I had a weed hangover, never back in my youth when I did that shit and definitely not since I stopped.

We all sit there silently, not looking at each other and not looking at Coach.

“Oh, so no one’s gonna say a fucking thing? I should bench all of your asses for the first game, this stunt. What the hell kind of example are you setting for the rookies, huh?”

“In our defense, they’re adults too.” Leo speaks up, and we all look at him incredulously.

Not the time for logic.

Coach walks up to Leo and stands in front of him, staring him down. “You wanna repeat that, son?”

Leo, unflappable Leo, squirms. “No, Sir.”

“I expect more from you four. I count on you four to get me results and I’m going to be pissed if you can’t hang up your childish shit and do that this season. Fuck around one more time, and I’m replacing you all in the starting lineup with rookies. You got that? Get the fuck out of here and have your asses ready to perform tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Coach.” We clear our throats, rising and fleeing the office. Well, as quickly as we can. I’m sore as shit, even more than usual.

Note to self, apparently can’t recover from weed as well as I used to.

“I need to ask Mickey who her dealer is.” Hanson jokes, and Dane punches him in the arm. “Okay, too soon.”

“He wouldn’t really bench us. Right?”

“Shit, I don’t know. But I don’t want to find out.” I mumble, and Hanson and Leo break off, leaving Dane and me.

“So…you and Keyra.” I open my bag, throwing my shit in.

“There is no me and Keyra.”

“I don’t know, you two were pretty cozy last night. She seemed particularly happy with your physique.” We shoulder our bags and leave, turning off the light in the room. Coach kept us back, we’re the last ones around.

“She was under the influence. It was nothing. I doubt she even remembers doing it and I’m not gonna bring it up.”

“What if she does? You like her?”

“I don’t know her.” He answers, narrowing his eyes. “Actually, I know everything I need to know. She’s a woman. Which means I’m not going down that road anytime soon.”

“Oh, you joining Nico?” I grunt when he knocks me into the wall, and shoot him the finger.

“I’m done getting involved. End of story.”

“She’d probably eat you for breakfast anyway. The woman is scarier than if put Leo and Jones together, then combined them with like…the Hulk.”

“Oh come on, she’s one woman.” I incline my head, pursing my lips.

“Underestimate her if you want. She’s a one-woman force, I promise you.”

He snorts, and something tells me that it’s just something he’s going to have to find out for himself. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I check the screen.

“Speak of the devil.” Dane sees the caller ID, and I answer.

“Keyra?”

“Kaija needs you.” Her voice is shaky, something I’ve never heard from her before and that pit is in my stomach again. Something tells me it’s about whatever has her acting weird.

“Dinner? I’m starved.” Leo walks up with Hanson, but I don’t even hear them, I just take off running to the parking lot.