Page 57 of Make the Play

“No, but I’m going to take it anyway. Then, I’m going to disappear into the bathroom upstairs and give you a few minutes with our girl. She’s been cranky today.”

“What’s wrong?”

“She tried to get out of girls’ night. It’s not like we’re going to a club. We’re meeting a few of the girls I work with at a bar on the edge of town,” she explains. “Anyway, I think she misses her man.” She smirks.

My chest feels lighter at her best friend’s words. I want to tell her they should stay here and hang out with us, but I know I can’t. Corie deserves time with her best friend. Sloane also needs that. She’s covered for us so much in the last couple of weeks, and they both need this time together. “I’ll talk to her,” I tell Sloane as we approach the porch.

“Talk, kiss—whatever else you need to do to turn that frown of hers upside down.”

“I’m on it,” I tell her, chuckling under my breath. She stops at the front door, knocks, but doesn’t wait for an answer as she turns the knob and walks inside.

“Honey! I’m home!” she calls out.

“Core’s upstairs in her room!” Landry calls back.

Sloane places her finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet, and I nod as I quietly follow her up the steps. She nods toward Corie’s door, handing me the rest of the bags, while she slips into the bathroom.

Knocking on the door, my girl calls out, “It’s open,” so I step inside.

“Do we really have to go?” she asks. She’s lying on the bed in a tank top and athletic shorts, with her arm tossed over her eyes. “We could just hang out here.”

I don’t answer her as I step further into the room, closing and locking the door. You can’t be too careful. Dropping the bags, I make enough sound that she removes her arm from hiding her eyes, lifts her head, and her mouth falls open.

“Knox? What are you doing here?” She’s climbing off the bed and rushing toward me. I open my arms to catch her as she jumps, wrapping her arms and legs around me.

“Did you miss me?” I ask, teasing. Just laying my eyes on her, holding her like this, even if it’s for a short time, has already set my day back on the right track.

“A little bit,” she says, lifting her head. She runs her fingers through my hair while I keep my hands gripping the backs of her thighs, holding her against me.

“I missed you, too, Corie girl,” I say, stealing a kiss.

“I didn’t know,” she says, her voice soft.

“Didn’t know what?”

“That I would miss you like this.”

“You’re not alone, babe. It’s one day. We can survive one day. We’re going to have to when I leave for away games.”

“Maybe you can pack me with you in your suitcase,” she teases.

“Baby, if you didn’t have a job in the way, I’d fly you to every damn game.”

“Stop.” She laughs.

“I’m being serious.” It’s the truth. I knew I liked her, but damn, the past couple of weeks have proven just how much. I would fly her to every city and every game if she would let me. No questions. No hesitation.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, wiggling to be put back on her feet. I kiss her once more, just a quick taste, before lowering her onto the floor.

“Landry called. He said the two of you had a great sibling day and that you were heading out with Sloane. He’s inviting all the guys over.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re getting some time with the boys, too.”

“Are you driving tonight?” I ask her.

“Yeah, Sloane’s going to drive us, and then we’ll just Uber back to her place later and have her parents take us to pick up her car tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you let me pick you up? I can take Sloane home, or she can stay with us at my place.” I don’t know why I didn’t think about this option sooner. She ends her day with me. In my bed. It’s genius.

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