Page 82 of The P*ssy Next Door

Xander glanced at me, twin telepathy style, and put his arm up, reaching toward our father. I did the same. “I think what we're struggling with now, Dad, is getting up off the ground.”

My dad shook his head and let out a chuckle, and I saw the gratitude in his eyes for this lifeline from us. Xan and I laughed too, the tension of the past few months finally breaking.

“Hey,” Liam's voice floated into the backyard. “What are you guys laughing about? Is it because you're so happy we're home?”

Oh my god. Liam and George were home.

WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE

HAYES

Iwalked out of the doctor's office, a grin stretching across my face. Finally, after weeks of resting, rehab, and endless tests, I'd been cleared to practice. Real practice, not just stretching and running. The playoffs were in a few weeks, and I was more than ready to get back on the field.

We were going to the fucking bowl and winning that ring.

I couldn't wait to share the good news with Willa. She'd been my rock through this whole ordeal, and I knew she'd be just as thrilled for me. Maybe taking her to a couple of new cities would scratch that wanderlust bug just a little bit until the off-season. Then I'd take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go.

It wasn't enough, I knew it. But it could be a start to figuring out how to keep her in my life.

I pulled out my phone to call her, and I noticed a string of missed messages from Willa. My heart dropped as I read through them, her words jumbled and frantic.

Liam and George are back.

They cut their trip short.

They'll be taking back the shop.

I don't know what to do.

I need you.

Shit. Shitty shit shitstorm. This wasn't supposed to happen yet. We were supposed to have more time, more time to figure out our future, to find a way to make this work. More time to be together.

I called her back immediately, my mind racing. “Willa? Baby?—”

Her voice was strained, on the verge of tears. “They just showed up, Hayes. Out of nowhere. And I'm so happy to see them. I missed them so much, and I just had a sumo wrestling fight with Xander, and my mom has asked for a divorce, and I thought... I thought we had more time.”

“I know, I know.” I didn't know. Sumo wrestling with Xan? A divorce? Her world imploded while I was getting my brain scanned. “Listen, don't panic, okay? I'm on my way. We'll figure this out. Together.”

But even as I said the words, I felt a sinking feeling in my gut. What were we going to do? Willa couldn't stay in Denver. Not even my ties, my love, could bind her. I wouldn’t even try to do that to her.

We needed help.

An idea began to form, a crazy idea that a few months ago wouldn't have even occurred to me. Because I did not know how to make this work all on my own. “Sweetheart, we need help, okay? I'm going to make some calls, get our families together. We need to talk this out, all of us.”

“We're just going to... lay it all out there? Tell them everything?” she asked softly. “They're going to think I'm crazy and selfish.”

They might. “But they love you, almost as much as I do, and I'll make them understand this isn't just a compromise you have to make for me, and they'll get on board. Trust me.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “I'm... going to ask Xander to come. We understand each other better now. I may also make you two put on some sumo wrestling suits at some point.”

“I definitely don't understand, but if you want him there, then I want him there too.” I really fucking hoped I didn't regret that later.

I spent the next few minutes on the phone, trying to coordinate, but the moment Jules was in the loop, it all came together. Everyone, including Willa's dad, brother, and her uncles were all meeting at the coffee shop at seven.

By the time evening rolled around, everyone gathered in the shop, faces etched with concern and curiosity.

“Thank you all for coming,” I said, my voice steady despite the nerves churning in my stomach. “Willa and I need your help.”

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