The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,53

up’ as you crudely put it, that’s between me and that person.”

“But—”

I shook my head. “It’s none of your business.”

Baylor couldn’t take a hint. “But I’m dying of curiosity over here. Plus, I tell you and the guys everything.”

“You are the king of TMI,” I agreed.

“At least tell me this,” he said. “Who was she?”

Before I could put him off again, Honor stepped onto the bus. The effect she had was instant. Everyone stopped moving, and everything got quiet. I didn’t know if it was the novelty of having a female on the bus (other than Mom) or what, but everyone stared for a moment, which obviously made Honor uncomfortable.

“Hi,” she said, breaking the silence.

Her eyes searched the faces in front of her before finally stopping on mine.

“Hi,” I said back.

“Well, mystery solved,” Baylor mumbled, causing Honor’s brow to furrow. “Hey, T.J.? I believe you and Parker owe my brother some funds.”

The two groaned as they handed Dex their cash, and they all started moving again.

“Easy money,” Dex said. “I knew he wouldn’t do it.”

I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard Chase mutter, “I didn’t” under his breath. My eyes stayed glued to Honor who still hadn’t moved. Behind her, Mom came up the steps followed by Bear. A few of the other assistant coaches were already seated.

“Good to see you, Honor,” Mom said with a smile.

“You, too,” Honor said. “Thanks for letting me tag along, Coach O’Brien.”

“It was no problem at all. Ready to get some more of those interviews done?”

“I hope so.”

Bear grunted. “Not to be rude, but can we move this along? It’s the crack of dawn, we got a long ride ahead of us, and my ass is freezing.”

Honor jumped then moved farther onto the bus. “Oh sorry! I didn’t realize I was blocking the way.”

“Ignore him,” Mom said. “He’s just mad because his beauty sleep was cut short. Bear’s always a little cranky in the morning.”

Bear grunted again while the rest of us who were close enough to hear scoffed. Beauty sleep? Yeah, right. Cranky was Bear’s number one emotion right next to grumpy, disagreeable and irritated. He was a heck of an assistant coach, but look up “curmudgeon” in the dictionary, and you’d find a big old picture of Bear Green.

Situating himself in the first row as always, Bear hunkered down, and Mom sat next to him.

“Take any seat you want, Honor,” she said. “We should get going here in a second.”

Honor nodded and made her way down the aisle. My gaze followed her the whole way. She looked nervous, eyes flitting from one side to the other. I didn’t understand what that was about. After the kiss we’d shared, I fully expected her to sit next to me. My team was awesome, but Honor sitting next to any of the guys for a prolonged amount of time when there was a perfectly good seat next to me? Not happening. But it wasn’t until she was closer that I realized, for that to happen, the space would have to be open. And it was currently occupied.

“Move,” I said to Baylor. “You’re in her seat.”

He grinned. “Didn’t realize it was reserved.”

“Well, it is,” I mumbled. Honor was almost even with us now. “So move.”

“Okay, okay.” Baylor stood. “No need to get all hostile. I’m going.”

Honor looked at me then, but to my horror, it was at the same moment Baylor said, “Hey Honor, sit here! I’m moving, and Archer says he saved you a seat.”

My eyes closed on reflex. I was going to kill him.

“That’s nice,” Honor laughed nervously, “but I don’t want you to have to move.”

“Ah come on,” Baylor said, running a hand through his hair like a little punk. I knew that move. He used it to attract girls, and nine times out of ten, it worked like a charm. “I know it’s a little grade school, saving you a seat on the bus and all, but it’s kind of cute. Don’t you think?”

Strike that. I was still going to kill him, but slowly.

“I’d planned to start my interviews anyway.”

“Interviews?” Baylor asked.

“Yeah,” she said, her eyes moving to me then away, “I really need to concentrate and get them done. You O’Briens are a hot item in the campus paper.”

Baylor’s eyes were showing far too much interest. “You don’t say? So, you’ll be interviewing each of us?”

“That’s right.”

I cleared my throat. “If you want, you can start with me. I read the article you did on Mom. It was really