by?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder as she starts toward the kitchen.
“Didn’t say.”
Noelle stops walking, and I do a double take. “You okay?”
She plasters on a smile. “Of course.”
I can’t help but look over at my brother again. I notice that he’s looking at Noelle, and not for the first time, I want to ask if something happened between the two of them. The last time I mentioned it, Noelle broke out in a fit of laughter, telling me I’ve lost my mind.
Maybe, but I really do think something is going on with them. Ever since the night of the charity dinner, they haven’t been acting like themselves. At least not when the other one is in the same room.
The door chimes again, and I look up to see Amber coming in, a smile on her face.
I fight to keep from frowning. There’s something about her that I don’t like. I figure it has to do with the fact that she dumped my brother all those years ago, but I can’t be sure. Every time I’ve had any interaction with her, she’s been nothing but nice.
“I’m gonna check on Lance,” Noelle blurts, then bolts toward the kitchen.
I look back at Amber. The woman really is pretty, and she’s sweet, as well. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m still upset that she hurt Spencer all those years ago, I’d probably try to befriend her. However, because of that, I’ve managed to keep my distance.
Amber approaches the bar slowly. I get the feeling she’s sizing me up and I don’t know why. I wonder if she expects me to say something about how she treated my brother, but that’s really not my thing.
“Hey, Ellie.”
Interesting. She greeted me by name. “Hey, Amber,” I say with a fake smile.
“Could I get an iced tea? With lemon?”
“Of course.”
She surprises me when she takes a seat at the bar. I thought for sure she would join the team across the room. Thankfully, Noelle returns and greets Amber so I’m not left trying to figure out what to say to her.
“Hey, Amber. How’s the new job going?”
I cast a sideways glance at my best friend, but she offers me a shrug. It sounds like she’s become best buds with Amber, but I happen to know she hasn’t. So what’s with the freaky greeting?
“It’s good, thank you.” Amber reaches for the drink I pass her way. “We’re working on more charity drives.”
“Spencer’s helping, I assume?” Noelle smiles.
“He is. He’s great. I think he’s nervous, but people love him.”
Even I have to agree with that.
“What’s coming up next?” I ask, trying to be part of the conversation so I don’t look like an ass.
“We’re doing a food drive on the twenty-third. I’m hoping Spencer can convince the team to band together, put together boxes to be delivered to needy families.”
“I’m sure they’d be happy to help,” Noelle offers.
“Have you asked them about it?” To me, it doesn’t sound like she has.
Amber shakes her head. “Spencer offered, so I was hoping he’d do it before I had to.”
“Hey!” Noelle hollers, directing her voice toward the Arrows players. “Amber and Spencer are working on a food drive. Putting stuff together and delivering to those in need. Day before Thanksgiving. Who’s in?”
I shake my head because that’s Noelle for you. She’s always willing to do the hard things.
She gets several confused smirks, so she follows with, “Free beer for a month for any Austin Arrows player who signs up.”
“I’m in!”
“Hell yeah.”
“Count me in, too!”
Amber’s eyes widen as she stares back at Noelle, then over at me.
“There you go.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Amber says softly.
“Why not? It’s for a good cause, right?”
“It is.”
“Then it all worked out,” Noelle tells her.
I grab a couple more beers and set them on the bar. “And you can count us in, too.”
Noelle elbows me in the back, making me laugh.
“Wow. Okay, then.”
“Now scoot,” I tell her. “Go hang out with the team. They need to get to know you.”
Amber takes her drink and, with a quick smile, disappears to the other side of the room.
“Why in the world would you do that?” I ask Noelle as I stop her from escaping from behind the bar.
“Why not? She looks like she needs a friend. This way, she’s got a whole team of them.”
“I’m talking about the charity thing?” I clarify.
Noelle giggles. “Oh. Well, Spencer’s in charge as the team’s captain, so I figured I’d help him out a little.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Noelle Dexter,