Page 59 of Make the Play

“Nah, we’re going to Uber back to Sloane’s place. I’ll be home sometime tomorrow afternoon,” she tells him, giving him a quick hug.

“Text when you get there so I know you’re safe,” he tells her.

“Will do.” She steps out of his hold, and Sloane steps up to hug him.

“I feel left out,” I say, laughing.

“It’s okay, Knoxy, we’ll hug you, too.” Sloane comes over and wraps her arms around me. “You’re welcome,” she whispers, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. This girl has supported us and helped us so much in the last few weeks. I’m glad Corie has her, and me, too, by association.

“Bring it in, Beckett,” Corie teases. She wraps her arms around me, and all I want to do is hold on to her and not let go. “I’ll text you,” she whispers.

I squeeze her gently, letting her know that I heard her before she pulls away.

“You two are feeling awfully generous tonight,” Landry says.

“It’s girls’ night, Landry, we’re pumped. We’ll see you losers later.” Sloane waves. Corie laughs as she follows her out the door.

“She seems happier, right?” Landry asks.

I nod. “She seems happy.”

Before he can say anything more, the rest of the guys arrive, and instead of watching tape, we eat pizza and shoot the shit about the season. Corie texts me that they’ve arrived safely, and I keep my phone in my hand, waiting for her text that she is ready to come home. I laugh and joke with the guys and contribute to the conversation, but my mind is with her.

Finally, at a few minutes till eleven, I get a text from Corie telling me they’re ready to come home. I tap out a quick reply and stand from the recliner, stretching with a fake yawn. “I’m out,” I tell the guys.

“Yeah, I’m heading out, too,” Baker says.

That leads to all of us deciding it’s time to head home. I make excuses that I need the bathroom while the others leave so that they won’t see that I’m turning my truck the opposite way to my place. When I make it back to the living room, Landry is nodding at his phone.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. Corie and Sloane are getting ready to leave the bar. She was just checking in.”

I nod. “Thanks for the company and the dinner,” I tell him, offering him my fist.

“Anytime, man, drive safe.” I wave, and just like that, I’m in my truck and headed to get the girls.

I pull up to the bar, and Sloane and Corie are sitting outside on a park bench under a bright light shining on the bar’s sign. I don’t like the fact that they’re sitting out here alone, but at least it’s well-lit, and the bouncer is only five feet away at the bar’s entrance.

I pull up to the curb, and the girls race to the truck, laughing. They both climb into the back seat. When I turn to smile at them, Corie leans forward and presses her lips to mine. “Hey, handsome.”

“Corie girl,” I murmur against her lips. “Did you ladies have fun?” I ask when she sits back in her seat.

“It was nice to get some time with my girl.” Corie leans her head on Sloane’s shoulder.

“Exactly what we needed. Someone has been taking all of my Corie time,” Sloane slurs.

“But he’s pretty, right?” Corie asks her friend.

“Oh, he’s damn pretty.”

“Yeah, and he’s all mine.”

My chest expands, and I have this sudden urge to tug her up to the front seat and glue her to my side. I’m proud to be hers. I wish I could shout the news from the rooftops, but that day will come.

By the time I reach my place, they’ve both lost all steam. I toss an arm over each of their shoulders, having them lean into me as I guide them into my place. I show Sloane to one of the guest rooms, giving her a T-shirt to sleep in while I take Corie to mine. I help her get changed into another one of my T-shirts before pulling her into my arms. She’s sound asleep in no time.

I feel my body relax into the mattress with her in my arms. This day ended a hell of a lot better than it started.

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