Page 177 of Delicate Storm

Luke turns, armed with a smirk, but he must see something in my expression because his face drops and he abandons whatever he was about to do, jogging over.

“What’s going on?” he asks, his tense gaze locked on mine. “What can I do?”

“I need your help,” I admit for the first time, and it doesn’t feel as awful as I thought it would.

“Anything. Name it.”

“Is Amelia coming to the game?”

“She is.”

“Can she look after Isaac in the suite? I need him away from my apartment. I can have someone drop him off. I—”

“You don’t have to explain.” Luke cuts me off from telling him about Paige and I’m grateful for that. I need Isaac here, close to me, and I would have begged but I’m glad I don’t have to. Luke reaches out to cup my shoulder but must think better of it because his arm drops and he shrugs. “I’m here for you, man. Just tell me what you need.”

By the time I’ve spoken to Paige, and Luke’s made arrangements with Amelia, we’re both late for our warm-up, but no matter how much I apologize, Luke won’t hear it.

“Family comes first. Always. And I’m willing to argue that point if any of the coaches say something.”

“I agree, but it’s my family and your—”

“You’re my family too, man. This team is family. Except maybe Zane. He has potential, but he still has a little way to go before I’d go to bat for him. He’s yet to understand you protect your family. You don’t fuck with them.”

We round the corner to the tunnel and come face-to-face with an angry Coach. His glare travels between the two of us until Keeley comes to our defense. “Jonathan. I’ve got Sal on the phone. It’s urgent.”

Coach’s glare turns to a scowl while he’s talking out of earshot, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they’re talking about me. I can't be too upset about Coach's reaction, he's been understanding when it comes to Isaac and my mom, but I told him I had it all worked out and that I wouldn't let it affect the team. Now I've broken my word, and dragged a teammate into my mess.

He walks over when he hangs up, his scowl deepening. “Well, today’s your lucky day, boys.” He rolls his eyes as Luke’s gaze flashes to mine. “Bennett, it seems Wilder’s girlfriend had her dad come to your rescue, but I’m not fucking happy. Get moving. You better play your asses off, today. If we lose, it’s on you.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank D’Angelo.”

We nod and walk away, not giving him the chance to say any more, and I hold my breath for Luke’s reaction.

He waits until we’re out of earshot before grabbing my shoulder, pulling me to a stop. “Did he just allude to you and D’Angelo’s girl? The Paige looking after Isaac is Paige D’Angelo?”

“Yep. One and the same.”

“Huh.” He laughs. “How did I not know about that? Does Amelia know?”

“I’m guessing she does now.”

“Well, fuck me. Well played. Remind me of that when I next fuck up with Coach. I’ll be calling in a favor.”

My relieved expression drops as I grimace. I don’t want that. I don’t want the guys to think I get away with shit because of my girlfriend’s dad.

“Relax.” Luke laughs again. “I’m kidding. You should see your face.”

“Fucker. Come on. We have a game to play.”Unfortunately. I wish D’Angelo had given me a pass—I wish he’d had Coachexcuse me from the game entirely, without penalty. But since that’s not the case, I have to hope that my plan works, and on top of that, I have to hope that Sal’s there for Paige. Because if Macy turns up before they’ve gone, she’s going to need it.

I’m a fucking embarrassment in the first half of the game. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my head in the zone because I have no fucking idea what’s going on with my family.

My gaze has drifted to the wives’ suite more often than it’s been on the goddamn ball, and I still have no answers.

Coach pulls me off the field after my next fumble, and I flinch at the venom in his voice. “What the fuck is going on with you, Easton?”

“I—”

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