Page 129 of The Exception

“No shit. I’m excited.” We might have a real chance at the play-offs for the first time in years. But then I frowned. If I moved to London, I wouldn’t be able to attend as many home games. Nor would I get to enjoy poker nights with the guys.

“You okay?” Nate asked.

Before I could answer, Knox jumped in. “All right. Pierce, you’re up first.”

“Easy.” Pierce leaned back in his chair. “I want a night at the new golden key penthouse.”

“Golden key penthouse?” Nate’s curiosity was piqued, as was Knox’s. “What’s that?”

“A new luxury experience that Jasper designed for the Huxley Grand LA.”

“A five-figure-a-night luxury experience,” Pierce piped in.

“Shit,” Knox said. “Then it must be decadent.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Jasper said. He explained it in detail, growing excited, while we played. He was proud of what he’d created, and he should be.

Clients and celebrities were going to love this new offering. It was a huge suite with tons of unique features like a custom-designed Louis Vuitton ping-pong table, Hermès dopp kit, and YSL pajamas. Plus, it had tons of privacy.

Nate won the round, and Pierce seemed disappointed. I wondered who he’d planned to take to the penthouse. He hadn’t dated in a while—at least not seriously. And I wasn’t aware that he was seeing anyone, even casually.

“Nate?” Knox asked. “Name your prize.”

He pursed his lips, considering. “I want to stay at Lily’s château.”

I tried to fight back my smile. “You sure about that?”

“When the restoration is finished, yes. Em said that it’s a little rough still.”

“Rough is an understatement.” I sipped my whiskey. “When I first moved in, we didn’t have any hot water.”

Jasper’s jaw dropped. “No hot water? No thanks.”

“There wasn’t a showerhead either, so I had to take cold baths every night. It sucked. I honestly don’t know how Lily lived like that for over a year.”

Pierce made a noise, and I couldn’t get a read off him. What was that about?

“Sounds very rustic,” Knox said.

“Very. But that’s part of the allure. Life there is simpler. More authentic.”

“Is that why you want to move there?” Jasper asked.

“Wait. What?” Knox asked, and everyone stilled.

Jesus. If only my little brother could keep his mouth shut. “We only just started discussing it, but Sloan and I might swap.”

“Because of the château?” Nate asked.

I lifted a shoulder and tapped the table to indicate I’d like more cards. “That’s a big part of it.”

When I was there, I felt like my true self. I wasn’t a billionaire or a CEO. I was just…me. Graham. And Lily loved me just as I was.

“And with the baby on the way, Sloan wants to be closer to family,” I added.

“Wow.” Knox arched an eyebrow. “That would be a big change.”

“Brooklyn would be thrilled to have Sloan, Jackson, and the new baby so close by,” Nate said. “But you and Lily would certainly be missed.”

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