Page 71 of Make the Play

“No, Corie girl, it’s not. You’re Landry’s little sister and her best friend, joining my family in the suite. I have a huge family, which is why I pay for the suite so they can all come whenever they want. It’s an open invitation. I want you included in that. You and your best friend.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Please think about it,” he answers. “I need to get back in there. We’re not playing late since we have to be up early for practice. Can I call you later?”

“Sure.”

“Talk to you soon,” he says, and the call ends.

I drop my phone onto the couch next to me, and my mind races. On the one hand, I’d love to meet his family and learn more about the people who made this incredible man who stole my heart.

However, it’s risky. Will they believe nothing is going on between us? Can I keep my feelings for him locked down while I’m with them? I wish I could say with 100 percent certainty that I can, but honestly, I’m not so sure. I need a second opinion. Grabbing my phone, I call Sloane.

“What’s up, buttercup?” she answers.

“Nothing much. Landry is playing poker with the guys at Baker’s.”

“On a Monday night?” she asks.

“Yeah, they were off today. They won’t play late since they all have to be up early for practice tomorrow. What are you doing?”

“Not a single thing. I’m holding down this couch. Today was brutal. There is some kind of virus running through my classroom, and let’s just say, there were lots of bodily fluids being expelled.”

“I guess that’s a hazard of being a preschool teacher.”

“Yeah, that and parents send their kids to school sick. I get it. There are times you don’t realize it. These things can just come on without notice. However, when you drop them off and tell me they’ve had a tummy ache most of the night but no fever, so you brought them anyway, you can pretty much guarantee that they're losing their cookies at some point during the day.”

“Bless you and all the teachers who don’t get enough credit for what they do.”

“Thanks, bestie. I love those kiddos. It’s worth all the struggles, even on the bad days.”

“You always did love kids. You need to find you a man and have a few of your own.”

“If I recall, I’m not the only one who made extra money in high school for babysitting.”

“It was a good gig. Way better than flipping greasy burgers.”

“On this, we agree, my dear friend. So, what’s up?”

Exhaling, I tell her about my call with Knox. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Um, we go to the suite,” she says. I can hear the excitement in her voice. “Corie, you’re both in this. Sure, you’re still hiding it, but that’s a decision you made. You told me he wanted to tell Landry and the Rampage and let the cards fall where they may.”

“We can’t do that. Not during the season. If we’re still together once the season ends, I can look for a different job.”

“You might not have to.”

“It’s a possibility, but if one of us has to leave the organization, it should be me. Then there’s my brother we have to think about.”

“I still think you’re underestimating Landry. All he wants is for you to be happy. He will be fine with it if he knows Knox is all in. Besides, he’s going to have to see him when he sees you, and we both know he’s not writing you off. Landry is the best big brother. You could commit murder, and he’d still be standing by your side, supporting you.”

“I know, but this is different. He told all the guys, hell, the entire team, I was off-limits. You’ve heard him say that just as many times as I have.”

“Yeah, because many of them are fuck boys. Not Knox, and not his core group of friends. Sure, they hook up, but sex is healthy and natural. They’re not picking up a different woman every night. None of them have ever been like that. Landry knows that. Trust him, Corie.”

“Why are you defending him so hard?”

“I’m not. I’m assisting my bestie with her dilemma, which is why she called me,” she sasses. “Look, I know Landry just as well as you do. He’s protective. He took on that role with pride. Even before we lost her,” she says, speaking of my mom, “he was always protective of you. Are you happy, Corie?”

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