Page 43 of Mercy Lake

Yeah, go get my girl.

I sniggered from the memory, which made Alexis perk up. “What’s funny?”

“Nothing. Just something Liam said.”

“Hmm. Liam has a lot to say, it seems.” She didn’t sound perturbed, more amused. Which was confirmed by her shy, mischievous smile that had me fucking glitching.

“So where are you taking me?”

Her eyes lit up. “Stay put. I can’t wait for you to see.”

I can’t wait either.

Anticipation simmered higher as we drove for hours. Although, it was nowhere near long enough.

Alexis gave me a tour of the old apartment she had previously shared with her sister. It was spacious now that she and Austin had moved out.

After we recouped and dumped our luggage, she rushed me into a cab, refusing to tell me where we were going.

I welcomed the unknown, drinking in her excitement as she dragged me around the city. I was high off the buzz of just being with her. Anything else was a bonus.

When we pulled up outside the main football stadium for the East Coast Cyclones, she managed to leave me winded when she slipped her hand in mine.

Alicia awaited us at the entrance, wearing girl boss attire with a professional-looking lanyard hanging around her neck. Her eyes clocked our joined hands before her smile stretched into a wide grin.

Alexis tackled her with a hug, and I just stood there like an idiot, stressing about the appropriate greeting for an ex-sister-in-law. Alicia didn’t seem to hold the same qualms, stretching high to press a kiss to my cheek before slipping a lanyard over my head.

“I’ll meet you in the tunnels after the game,” she said as a goodbye.

“Tunnels?” I asked Alexis.

She just winked.

The atmosphere was electric as full-time was called. I was positively high from the potent energy radiating from the crowd. My team dominated, and I swear I was on the verge of losing my voice from all the screaming.

Alexis proved herself the best company, and I had to force myself not to kiss her over and over again. I truly wished for the day to never end.

As the masses drained from the stadium, she led me through winding corridors and security checkpoints until we reached her sister.

“Ah, good. I’ve got it from here,” Alicia said.

Alexis nodded and began to retreat. “You’re not coming with me?” I asked, the disappointment clear in my voice.

My pretty girl bit into her lower lip before shaking her head. “I’ll see you back at the apartment.”

I didn’t have time to reply before Alicia was dragging me away and shoving me into the next room.

My brain took a good minute to process what was right in front of me. The Cyclones team hustled about, completing their post-game rituals while my mind fired off in disbelief.

Keep it together.

Alicia continued to shepherd me through the busy group when we were blocked by a solid, muscular chest, bare and gleaming with sweat. My gaze rose to clash with big baby blues that kept bouncing between Alicia and me. Then, those same eyes narrowed when a hand was shoved my way.

“Ethan Harris,” he said as introduction, his tone angry and borderline antagonistic.

Is it me?

I knew who he was, as did the whole world. Almost starstruck, I accepted his handshake, which I regretted immediately as he crushed my fingers in his bulking, tight grip.

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