Page 65 of Make the Play

It feels silly tossing around those terms at our age, but they mean something. They show the commitment we have to this. To each other. I didn’t expect us to put a label on this, especially not this soon, but here we are, and I don’t want to take it back—none of it.

I know what we’re risking. We both do, but Knox is right. Being with him like this, being in his arms, hearing him call me his girl, that’s worth everything. It’s these moments that have me pushing all of my worries to the back burner.

ChapterSeventeen

Knox

My system is all jacked up, but I have no regrets. I dozed a little with Corie until her alarm woke us both up. Instead of going to my room, I went downstairs and made my girl coffee and breakfast—Sloane, too. They both seemed surprised at my gesture. They assumed I’d still be sleeping. I should have been, but the choice between sleep and time with Corie, there’s no competition. I’m choosing her every damn time.

After breakfast, I asked Corie to take me with her to get my car, saying that I was meeting my mechanic there to either take a look or tow it. She was going to the stadium. It just made good sense, right?

Sloane smirked, reading right through my bullshit, but I didn’t care. I left Landry a note on the kitchen island telling him the same thing and rode to the stadium with my girl. She parked next to me in the empty lot. She was early for her meeting, and since there wasn’t another car around, I kissed her good morning.

Again.

I can’t get enough of her. At this point, I don’t see myself ever letting her go. No, instead, I see her in my life, wearing my jersey to games and so much more. I’m sunk for my best friend’s little sister. It was gradual, and even though I knew it was wrong, I still pursued her. I tried to fight it. I tried my damnedest, but the pull between us was too strong to resist.

Corie Reynolds is the first and only person to test my discipline, and I failed, but this is one loss I’ll gladly take.

I’ve fought hard to take my time with her. To ease us both into this, but with each day that passes, I fall harder and grow less concerned about feelings getting involved and anyone finding out about us.

I want her feelings involved because mine are.

I want the world to know she’s mine.

I shouldn’t. The consequences could be stiff as far as our careers go, as well as my relationship with my best friend. But he can’t hate me forever if I’m his brother-in-law, right? I know it’s too soon to be talking like that, but damn if I don’t see it all happening one day. If I think about the future, it has Corie in it.

My phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Hey, Dad.”

“Knox, good game yesterday.”

“Thanks. The team’s looking good this year.”

“I’d have to agree. The first regular season game is next week, at home, right?”

He’s asking, but we both know he already knows. My entire family keeps up with the Rampage schedule. “Yeah. We’re playing Minnesota.”

“We’ll be there.”

“Good. The suite will be ready for you. Is everyone coming?”

“Your mom, me, Emma, Everly and Matt, and Reagan and Tyler, for sure. I don’t know about the others.”

That’s when an idea hits me. “Landry’s little sister is home. She just graduated from college. She and her best friend may be there, as well.” I might as well go ahead and plant the seed. Talking her into it will be the hard part.

“The more the merrier. What are their names so I can be prepared?”

“Corie and Sloane.”

“And which one is yours?”

I chuckle. “What makes you think one of them is mine?”

“Because you’re a Beckett, and we don’t invite random women into our lives to mingle with our family unless she’s more.”

“It’s Landry’s little sister and her best friend.”

“Fine, I’ll take a guess. It’s the sister.”

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