Law #3: Don't Fall for the Athlete: Sweet Second Chance Romance (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (black books to read txt) 📗

no one gets an inappropriate glimpse at your treasures - in case you bend. That’s not cool at your age.”

“Or any age,” I mumble.

Cora nods, then pats Hope’s back. “You can pair this outfit with white vans or cowboy boots, and you’ll be ready.”

Hope grins. “Okay, just a sec.” She rushes out of my room.

I poke Cora on the shoulder. “Want to tell me what’s going on now? Why are you both geared up like it’s game day?”

She smiles. “Because we’re going to watch a football game.”

My brows jump to my hairline. “You’re what?”

Our doorbell cuts me off.

“Who’s that?” I ask.

“Laia, who else,” Hope calls out from the living room. I catch a glimpse of her hopping to our entrance door in white sneakers.

“What’s Laia doing here?” I give Cora an accusing glance. “I hope you didn’t call her because I…”

“No, no, no. Of course, not.” She answers with the perfectly symmetrical smile I’ve seen her give Andrew’s mother and sister when they made some inappropriate comments about her Southern twang. “She’s coming with us, too.”

Before I can react, Laia walks in beside Hope.

Laia’s tied her long dark hair in two braids, making her look much younger than she is, but her outfit is relatively everyday—simple jeans with a white top. Still, she too has a weird token in the form of a pair of shades with orange-colored lenses.

“Ready to cheer the Cougars?” She grins at me.

“I’m sorry,” I shake my head, “who?”

Laia raises her brow. “Didn’t the girls tell you we’re going to a friendly match between the Cougars and the Defenders? And by we, I mean you too.”

My eyes widen. “Aren’t those high school teams?”

“Yep.” Hope nods, holding out her hand to me.

I spot a navy blue and burnt-orange sticker in her palm.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“It’s an old football sticker I found in my cupboard,” Hope declares with a proud glint. “I knew it’d come in handy someday. That’s why I never throw away anything. It’s originally for Auburn, but the hues are like the Cougars’ colors. You can stick it on any top, and you’ll be good to go.”

I bounce my glance between my friends’ excited faces, then shake my head. “I’m not in the mood for hollering for a bunch of strangers.” Especially when watching them play will do nothing but remind me of Wyatt.

“Why?” Cora asks.

I give her a ‘Who are you again?’ glance. “The last time I went to a high school football game was when I was in high school. We don’t even know any of the players.”

Laia adjusts her top’s shoulder line. “That’s not true. There’s Richie.”

“Ah right, Ariana’s nephew plays for that team.” I nod as I recall Jimmy’s wife’s constant ode about her sister’s son’s talent. I furrow my brows. “Still, I don’t get why you’d want to go.”

Hope wiggles her brows at me. “Would it help if I told you there’ll be a complimentary barbecue after the game?”

I wait for one of them to crack up and tell me it’s all made up. “Seriously, girls, what’s going on? Is this some kind of April Fool’s joke? If it is, I’ll remind you we’re at the end of July.”

Hope and Cora exchange a quick glance. Cora squints at Laia. Laia nods imperceptibly, then blinks at me.

“Fine,” Laia says, “if you need full disclosure, it’s a favor to Jimmy.”

I round my brows.

“Yes, I called last night to explain it all to you, but since you were…uhm, busy…” Laia throws a meaningful glance at my bin that’s chock-full of white tissues. “…your roomies didn’t want to disturb you. Jimmy’s wife has organized the press coverage for today’s game. She’s afraid that only the families of the players will show up because of the summer holidays. Which wouldn’t look that nice in the pictures the reporters will be taking so—”

“Didn’t you say it’s a friendly match? Why do they need journalists for that?” I interject.

Laia opens her mouth then closes it.

Cora jumps in. “There’ll be a special announcement after the game. The reporters are coming because of that.”

“Indeed,” Laia continues, suddenly more relaxed, “that’s why Jimmy asked Devon to round up as many spectators as he can. We’re going to help Ariana create ambiance at the game.”

Jimmy has become practically family to my brother. If Jimmy needs a hand, Devon is always ready to help him. My brother often plays piano in Jimmy’s jazz club when one of the musicians gets sick.

But even so, isn’t it a bit of a stretch to extend it to also supporting Jimmy’s wife’s sister’s son?

Before I can protest, Hope chimes in. “Let’s not forget those free hamburgers.” She gives me a confident smirk as if she’s just handed me a document with the crucial detail to win in front of a jury.

“As if we couldn’t afford to buy our own meat,” I murmur grumpily.

Hope shrugs. “We can, but I still won’t turn down a bonus meal. My mom taught me better than that.”

Cora rubs my shoulder. “Come on, sugar, you’ve been with this bitter expression on your face since…” She pauses. “…never mind. Just know that all the frowning will give you wrinkles.”

Laia gives her an ‘Is this your best pep talk?’ glance, then turns to me. “We hate to see you hurting. Let us help you. This game will be fun. Or if not fun, at least something different.”

“I’m not hurting.” I shake my head. “I can’t be. I was the one to decide against Wyatt this time, so I must be fine with it.”

“But you’re obviously not,” Cora says.

“We could hear the sobs through the wall,” Hope adds with a sympathetic smile.

“That was nothing, just a moment of confusion,” I say bravely. “I told you, what’s done is done.”

I blink at Hope and catch her mouthing something at Cora and Laia. I can’t decipher what because she stops as soon as she notices me watching her.

Laia gives me a cheery smile. “You need a change of scenery—a distraction to kick you out of this somber mood before Monday.”

She’s right. I need