Page 56 of The Run Option

Jason’s arm tenses around me. “No, they aren’t.”

Sebastian sighs. “I’m sorry.”

Jason shrugs. “I have you guys, that’s all I need.”

I frown. Do his parents not ever come to any of his games?

“Don’t forget your wife,” Sebastian says with a soft smile, gesturing to me.

“Of course, she’s my number one fan. Right, Lo?” Jason takes on a teasing tone.

“Considering we saw a guy with your jersey number tattooed on his neck, I don’t know that I can claim that spot,” I joke, hoping to lighten the mood.

Sebastian laughs. “Seems like you two are a good fit. Though I know MJ will make sure of it when she meets you. Anyways, I’ll talk to you later. I need to get these boys in line.” He dips his chin and walks off to where the guys are warming up near the end zone.

“Did you want to say hi to your brother?” I ask as we walk back toward the tunnel.

“Shep has this crazy intense pre-game ritual. He never strays from it. Right now he’s listening to classical music in noise-canceling headphones while warming up. If I interrupted him, he’d probably swing at me as a greeting,” Jason answers with a laugh.

“That does sound intense.” My voice echoes as we enter the concrete tunnel. “And what did Coach Bash mean when he said that MJ would make sure we were a good fit?”

Cold wind whips through the tunnel and I instinctively snuggle into Jason’s side. He rubs my shoulder over the blue Thrashers sweatshirt he loaned me.

“MJ is hyper-observant. She’s always been able to see right through everyone and everything. Shepherd says Coach even brings her out during practice if they keep running a play wrong and she can tell almost immediately who or what the problem is.”

I grimace. “Great, so we’re spending almost four hours with a woman who’s going to see right through our ruse.”

Jason squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry about anything, Lo. MJ isn’t malicious. She cares deeply about those she loves, and for some reason I get to be in that camp. She may get suspicious of our story, but she’s going to like you. Like Bash said, you’re family now.”

My chest tightens at his words. If only they were true.

“Speaking of family,” I say as we wind our way through the underbelly of the stadium. Jason walks like he’s done this hundreds of times, and I guess he has. “Do your parents not come to your games?”

Jason’s muscles tighten again. I run a hand up and down his back soothingly.

“You’re full of questions tonight, huh?” he tries to joke, but I can hear the discomfort in his voice.

“That’s my last one, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I know it’s personal.”

“You’re my wife,” he says, causing an explosion of bubbles and butterflies within me. “Nothing is too personal. I told you already I don’t do secrets.”

I swallow as I’m reminded of the one I’m keeping.

“My parents have never been supportive of football. They didn’t discourage me or Shepherd, but they stopped coming to the games as soon as I could drive myself to the stadium. We had all the equipment we needed, and some that we didn’t too. It’s not like they neglected us. They’ve just never been very invested parents.” He sighs, raking a hand through his hair. “When I became a Thrasher, Sebastian took me in immediately. He does that for a lot of players, but I think we had a special bond. His whole family cheered me on and they went to Shep’s high school games a few times too. Because of them, I’ve had plenty of support. Bash also helped me realize I was throwing my life away by partying. I owe him a lot.”

“I’m glad you had them, but I’m sorry your parents weren’t more supportive.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got all I need.” He smiles down at me. My stomach somersaults. Am I really included in that? It’s starting to feel like I am, and I have no idea how to handle that knowledge.

Chapter twenty-six

Willow Kingsley

Everything today has been too good to be true. We watched the Thrashers win–not just win,dominate–from box seats alongside all of Sebastian and MJ’s family. I’ve been in some enthusiastic crowds, but they took it to another level. When the game kicked off, MJ surprised me by how animated she was. I’d met a calm, reserved woman, only to find that same woman yelling as if she were the coach and not her husband. It was entertaining, as was the rest of the Carter/Holt family.

All of them immediately welcomed me into the fold and treated me as one of their own. Their kindness was disconcerting in the best way. We were even invited to MJ’s house for a post-game get-together, where I’m now cuddled up to Jason on the most comfortable couch I’ve ever sat on while everyone talks and laughs openly.

“I’m happy you’ve settled down,” Bash says to Jason during a quieter moment. “Marriage looks good on you.”

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