Page 42 of Red Zone

She wrote down Joe’s and Megan’s names. “Can you think of any of them?”

“No, not really, I don’t know of anybody who gets lab access. I just figure some might.”

“I understand. If you think of anybody else who might have access to these, call me.” She handed me her card before continuing toward the building, leaving me rooted to the spot.

I clutched the card, my mind racing. The lab. The powder. Jackson. And now Liam. Everything was unraveling faster than I could hold it together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LIAM

“What are you going to do?” Aurora leaned into Kylian’s side, where they sat together on the other couch.

I shrugged, still working to process what had happened yesterday. It was late, and we’d just finished a huge meal that Aurora had made. Kylian and Ares rallied around me, forcing me to return to our place after weightlifting rather than spending hours reviewing film like I’d planned. I knew our competition, as I’d poured over the footage for hours the past few days. They were right; I needed a break to think things through rather than avoid the issue.

“You like Lily, though,” Ares said, pulling Brielle into his lap.

She looped her arm around his neck and leaned against him on the opposite end of the couch from where I sat.

“Don’t you want to work things out with Skye?” he pressed. “Be a part of your daughter’s life?”

“Yeah, of course I do.” I scowled as a wave of possessiveness swept through me. “Knowing I’m Lily’s dad changes things—it ties us together—and I would never abandon my kid.”

“What about the NFL?” Brielle tucked a honey-blond strand behind her ear.

I raked my hand through my hair for the hundredth time. “I don’t want to give it up, but maybe I can convince Skye to move to wherever I’m drafted so I can be a part of Lily’s life?—”

“And Skye’s,” Aurora interjected forcefully. “I know you’re mad at her—and rightly so—but you’re totally into her. There’s no denying it.” She rushed the words out when I opened my mouth to argue. “Can’t you work past this?”

“I don’t know.” I forced a measured breath, working through things mentally before speaking. “I mean, yeah, I’m attracted to her, but I don’t trust her. Not after she left me the way she did and withheld the news that I would be a father.” I held up my hand when Brielle opened her mouth to counter. “I get it. I’m sure she was scared, but keep in mind, she had two-plus fucking years to come clean. I lost all that time with Lily.”

“She shouldn’t have kept this from you,” Ares growled. “No matter what, remember we’re on your side.”

“We get that you’re upset. Hell, I would be too,” Kylian said. “But too much is at stake to let your feelings fester. Work things out with Skye.”

“Every day you delay talking it out with her is another one you lose with Lily,” Aurora chimed in. “We want the best for you, and I know you care about them.”

I nodded. She was right. They all were, but I was just so damn mad at Skye. The worst of the shock had worn off, and I could think a little clearer. I could grudgingly understand why she hadn’t told me. I was a dick about her wanting more of a commitment from me.

Honestly, even back then, I would have given it to her. Deep down, I knew she was the one for me, and it had scared the hell out of me, which was why I’d pushed her away. That was on me, and I would own that. She was right about Coach. Part of me still worried that when he found out, it would affect my future, but I had to risk it. I couldn’t bear to lose Skye and Lily all over again.

Kylian was still talking, but I wasn’t listening anymore. My thoughts were stuck on Skye—and Lily. I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to clear the memories clawing their way forward. It was no use.

Freshman year, the night we’d snuck onto the football field. Skye had been laughing, her head tipped back under the glow of the stadium lights. I’d been showing off, juggling the football like an idiot, and I remember how she’d stopped mid-laugh to look at me—really look at me.

“You know you’re going to be unstoppable, right?” she’d said, her voice so certain it made my chest tighten.

I’d laughed it off, called her a dreamer, but the truth was, I’d needed to hear it. No one else had ever looked at me like that—like I could be more than just the next big NFL hopeful. Like I was already enough.

The memory hit harder now, knowing what I’d lost. She’d believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and I’d thrown it all away.

Kylian’s voice cut through my haze. “So, what are you going to do, man?”

I straightened, forcing myself back into the present. “I’m going to talk to her.”

“We’re here for you,” Ares said.

“No matter what,” Kylian reiterated as the girls got up and hugged me.

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