Page 101 of Make the Play

“Yeah, I’m still at the stadium, but I’m heading out soon.”

“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

“Use your key, Corie girl. I’ll be home soon.”

“All right,” she concedes. “Be safe.”

“Will do.” I end the call and look over at Landry.

“She has a key to your place?”

“I’d have already moved her in if we weren’t hiding this from everyone.”

“Damn, Beckett,” he says, shaking his head. “Never in a million years did I think my little sister would be the one to hook you.”

“I’m more than hooked. Sunk is more like it.”

He laughs, and I know it’s all going to be okay. “You better not keep her waiting.”

“Are we good?” I ask.

“I need to talk to her. I want to see what she says about all of this, but if she loves you like I’m sure she does, then yeah. Just… don’t hurt her. Treat her right, and I’m okay with this. It’s going to take some getting used to, but I’ve noticed the change in both of you. It’s for the better. Who am I to stand in the way of that?”

I stand and hug him, remembering I’m still in nothing but a towel. “Call her. Hell, go to my place. She’s there. I’ll take my time here and pick up some food.” I want this behind us so I can stop hiding how much she means to me.

“Yeah, I think I will. Give us some time?”

I nod, and he turns and walks out the door. That conversation went way better than I imagined it would. It’s not how we planned it, but I’m glad it happened. No more sneaking around behind his back. Maybe Corie will be ready to tell the Rampage, and we will never have to hide again. As soon as I’m able, I’m going to tell the world that she’s stolen my heart, and I’ll keep reminding them and her every damn day.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Corie

After kicking off my shoes, I stroll toward the couch and grab the soft, plush blanket Knox bought for me because I like to snuggle. He said he would meet me here and should be here any minute. It gives me a few minutes to read. I started a new small-town romance, and I can’t get enough. I allow myself to get lost in the story, only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Surely, Knox didn’t forget his key.

Climbing off the couch, I head toward the door. I don’t bother to look to see who it is, something I immediately regret when I see my brother standing on the other side, with his hands shoved in his pockets.

“Hey, sis,” he says. “Can I come in?”

My gut tightens as guilt washes over me for lying to him. I hate disappointing my brother after everything he’s done for me. I nod and step back, giving him room to enter, before closing the door and trailing behind him to the living room. On instinct, I take my spot on the corner of the couch and pull the blanket over my lap.

“Why don’t you look surprised to find me here?” I ask when I finally find my words.

“Because I’m not. You seem to be comfortable here.” He picks up a corner of the blanket to feel its softness before releasing it.

“That’s because I am.”

“I don’t ever remember seeing that there before now.” He nods toward the blanket. “Knox isn’t really a throw blanket kind of guy.”

“He bought it for me,” I confess. The gig is up, and there’s no point in lying. I can see it written all over his face. He knows. I don’t know how he knows, but he does. I should text Knox and warn him, but his words stop me from reaching for my phone.

“He told me you would be here.” My mouth falls open in shock. “Let me explain.” I nod, and he tells me how he found Knox’s phone and about their conversation.

“I love him,” I blurt. “I’m sorry, Landry. At first, we weren’t really sure what this was between us. It was huge and all-consuming, but we didn’t know if it would fizzle out. He wanted to tell you, but I fought him on it. Well, there wasn’t much fighting. I said I wanted to wait, and he agreed. He’s asked to come clean many times now that we’re… more, but I’ve asked him to wait until the season ends.”

He nods and is quiet while he processes what I’ve just dumped on him. “Does he love you?” he asks. His tone is soft, almost as if he’s afraid to hear the answer.

“He does.”

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