Page 23 of Make the Play

“Thank you, Knox. This means so much to me for you to reach out on my behalf. Thank you,” I say again, because I genuinely have no words to tell him how much his kindness means to me.

“Anytime, Corie girl. I hate seeing you sad. Now, what smells so damn good?”

“I made dinner, and you’re joining us. There’s plenty.”

“Thank you. What is it?”

“I don’t really have a name for it. It’s chicken with pasta, marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, and a bunch of seasoning. It sounds weird, but I promise, it’s the best thing you’ll ever taste.”

His eyes heat. “I’m not so sure about that, but I’m certain it will be as delicious as you say. You made it, after all.” Another wink and another flight of butterflies lift off in my belly.

His heated gaze holds me captive. I want to reach out and run my fingers through his hair. Maybe trace a few of his tattoos—or all of them—with my tongue. Something weird is going on between us. I hadn’t seen him since the night we all got together and watched movies where he held my hand beneath the blanket like we were in grade school, hiding from our parents. I fell asleep on his shoulder.

When I’d woken, Sloane had been lying on me, while I’d been snuggled close to Knox, and Landry had been snoring in the recliner. We didn’t talk about it. He simply kissed my temple and said goodnight. He stood slowly, and I watched him leave. I waited until he was out the door before waking Sloane and Landry to go to bed.

I want to talk to Sloane about it, but I haven’t yet. I guess I’ve been keeping that night just for me for a little while longer. I don’t know what it meant, if anything. I do know that he’s Knox freaking Beckett, the number one quarterback in the league, and he could have anyone he wants. I can tell you that’s not me—his best friend’s unemployed little sister.

Maybe if I don’t talk about it, I won’t jinx it, and I’ll get more of those little moments with him—moments like earlier when he cradled my cheek with a look of concern, asking what was wrong. If I don’t talk about it, I can pretend he’s mine, at least in those stolen moments. However, I can admit to myself that the crush I’ve always had on Knox Beckett is alive and well.

ChapterSeven

Knox

I didn’t think about the consequences. I just reacted to Corie’s tears. Seeing her upset twisted something in my gut, and all I wanted to do was fix it. I wanted to make her smile, and I did that. That’s all I cared about.

I wasn’t thinking about myself, which is why now that Landry is back and we’re sitting down to eat, the panic is starting to set in. I just set her up to work for the Rampage. Not just a position where I might see her in passing here and there. No, this is the social media department, and they work closely with the players. We are their biggest asset in their jobs. Not only that, but I’m the number one-ranked quarterback in the league.

I’m not being cocky when I say I’m a hot commodity right now. I try to stay humble. I don’t forget where I came from or what’s important, but the numbers don’t lie. That means if Corie gets the job, I’ll be seeing her. A lot of her. I already think about her way more than I should, and I’ve proven with every interaction that I can’t keep my damn hands off her.

I just made things harder on myself.

“That was so damn good,” Landry says, pushing his plate away from the table.

“Thanks for cooking, Corie.” I smile at her, and she returns the gesture. Her green eyes are now shining bright, not a hint of sadness, as they should be.

“I don’t mind it. It’s nice not to have to cook for one.”

“That’s why you need to stay here,” Landry tells her.

“Are you moving out?” I don’t like the idea of not seeing her when I stop over to visit. She’s been home from college for two months, and I’m already used to seeing her here. Two months ago, I rarely thought of Landry's sister, just when he would talk about her. Now, it seems I can’t stop.

“Not tomorrow, but when I get a job, I plan to find my own place. I can’t lean on my big brother for the rest of my life.”

“We’re family,” Landry tells her.

“I know that.” Corie reaches over and places her hand on his. “I love you for the offer, but I have to be able to stand on my own two feet, Landry.”

“You’ve been doing that the last four years. I just got you back.”

“You covered what my scholarships didn’t. You bought me a car when I graduated and sent me care packages, mostly gift cards, every month at college. That’s four years of spoiling me. You’ve supported me since we lost Mom, and that’s not your job. Your job is to be my brother, annoy me, and listen to me cry when my heart breaks.”

I sit up straighter when she says that. Who broke her fucking heart?

“Who is he?” Landry asks, his tone serious. Glad to see we’re on the same page with some faceless asshole hurting her in any way. “I didn’t know that fuckwad you were dating broke your heart. Was it him? You said it was nothing.” He looks as if he’s ready to throw hands, and I’d be right there beside him.

“It wasn’t him. He didn’t break my heart. He might have skewed my trust in men, but he didn’t break my heart. That man doesn’t exist, but it’s inevitable, right? We all get our hearts broken at some point in our lives.”

“Not if you don’t settle,” Landry tells her. “You hold out until you find someone perfect for you.”

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