Page 157 of The Rookie

Cassie narrows her eyes suspiciously but doesn’t press it. Instead, she grabs another nacho and launches into her next topic.

“Anyway, you’re both coming to Tahoe next weekend, right? Mom’s already booked the house—it’s going to be the whole family. You know how she gets about Thanksgiving traditions!”

Avery blinks, her glass halfway to her lips. “Wait. Tahoe?”

“Yes, Tahoe!” Cassie chirps, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re family, Avery. Of course you’re coming. Mom made sure to get a house with enough rooms for everyone. It’ll be like old times!”

I glance at Avery, catching the brief flicker of panic in her eyes before she schools her expression.

“Oh… yeah. Sure,” she says, her voice light, but I know her too well. She’s calculating how the hell we’re supposed to keep this under wraps when we’re stuck under the same roof for an entire weekend.

I lean back in my seat, swirling my drink, doing my best to look unfazed.

“Tahoe sounds great,” I say, earning a suspicious glance from Avery.

Cassie beams. “It’s going to be so much fun! Sledding, hot chocolate, and oh—Griff, you’re still good at making fires, right? Mom said the place has this amazing stone fireplace, and she’s already planning s’mores.”

“I’ve got it covered,” I say smoothly, ignoring the way Avery’s looking at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.

As Cassie chatters on about the trip, Avery takes another sip of her drink, her shoulders tense, her eyes darting everywhere but at me.

But I can’t stop watching her.

Because as much as this secret feels like a ticking time bomb, ready to blow at any second, I can’t bring myself to care about the fallout.

Just then, one of my teammates strolls over, a playful grin on his face. It’s Travis, our starting wide receiver, who never misses an opportunity to insert himself into any conversation.

“What’s all this talk about Tahoe?” he asks, snagging a chip from the table like he belongs here. “We’ve got a game to win next Thursday, man.”

I force a laugh, leaning back in my chair. “Don’t worry, Trav. I can multitask.”

“Yeah?” He smirks, glancing between Cassie, Avery, and me like he’s piecing something together. “Better not let Coach hear about your little family vacation plans. He’ll have you running extra drills.”

Cassie rolls her eyes, waving him off. “It’s not like he’s skipping practice, Travis. And besides, it’s not just any vacation. It’s Thanksgiving. Family time.”

“Family time, huh?” Travis’s eyes dart to Avery, his grin widening. “And what about you, Sinclair? You part of the family now?”

Avery nearly chokes on her drink, her eyes going wide as she scrambles for an answer.

“She’s been part of the family for years,” Cassie says before Avery can respond, her tone matter-of-fact. “She’s my best friend. Of course she’s coming to Tahoe.”

I catch Avery’s gaze, her cheeks flushed as she looks anywhere but at me.

Travis chuckles, clearly enjoying the awkward energy. “Alright, alright. Guess I’ll let you off the hook this time, Knox. But don’t let me catch you sneaking turkey sandwiches into the locker room next week.”

He claps me on the shoulder, winks at Avery, and saunters off, leaving an odd tension in his wake.

Cassie shakes her head, muttering something about“boys and their egos”before diving back into her nachos.

But Avery? She’s fidgeting with her glass, her lips pressed together like she’s holding back a million thoughts.

I lean closer, my voice low. “Relax. He doesn’t know anything.”

Her eyes finally meet mine, and there’s a flicker of something in them—relief, maybe, or frustration.

“This is going to be a long week,” she whispers.

She has no idea.

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