Page 50 of Make the Play

“Do you need something to sleep in?” I offer.

“No, this is fine. Thanks, though.” She kicks off her flip-flops and stares at the bed.

“Get in, Corie girl. I’m going to handle the blinds.”

“What, you don’t have them on some kind of fancy remote?” she teases.

“No, but when I buy a house, not just this condo, that’s definitely going to happen.”

“You don’t like condo life?” she asks.

“Honestly, I was young when I was drafted. I waited to finish my degree, and this condo seemed like a sweet deal at the time. A young, single guy fresh out of college and new to the league. I knew it wasn’t going to be my forever home, but it has four bedrooms, which means there’s lots of room for my family to stay with me when they’re in town.”

“Aw, Knox Beckett, you’re a big ole teddy bear, aren’t you?” she teases.

I shrug. “I guess I am, for the people I love.”

She climbs into the bed and slides beneath the covers. I make quick work of pulling the shades and closing the curtains. After feeling my way through the dark room, I place my phone on the nightstand and take my spot next to her in bed. “Corie?”

“Yeah.”

“Come here.” I roll to my side and open my arms for her. She comes easily, and I pull her close, tucking her into my chest. “Now we sleep.” My eyes are heavy, and I feel my body relax on the mattress. When her breathing evens out, I let myself drift off to sleep.

The blaring of my cell phone, at least I think it’s my cell phone, wakes me up. Carefully, I reach over and grab it, trying not to wake Corie, where she’s sleeping on my chest. I curse when I see Landry’s name on the screen.

“Hello.”

“What are you doing? Why are you whispering?”

“I was sleeping,” I blurt before I can think better of it.

“Shit. Are you sick? What’s wrong? What do you need? Did you go to the doctor or something?” he rattles on.

“No. I’m not sick. I just slept like shit last night. I got up, did my workout, and decided to try and catch a few more hours of sleep.” Corie shifts next to me, lifting her head. I mouth “Landry,” and she nods. She tries to pull away from me, but I keep my arm locked tightly around her. “Did you need something?”

“I’m meeting up with Foster to do a workout. Wanted to see if you wanted to join us.”

“I’m proud of you both, but no. I’ve got mine in. I’m going back to sleep.”

“What are you doing later?” he asks.

“I’m not sure yet.” It’s not a lie. I don’t know exactly what I will be doing later, other than it will be with Corie.

“Well, hit me up if you want to meet up. I think we’re going to eat after.”

“Will do.”

“Glad you’re not sick. Later,” he says, and the line goes dead.

“What did he want?”

“He and Foster are going to work out and invited me to go with them.”

“Is that something you normally would have done?”

“Probably.”

“Even though you already worked out today?”

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