Page 80 of Make the Play

My mom scoffs. “Don’t give me that, Knox Beckett. I’m your mother.”

“It’s true. We fought it,” I tell her, running my hands through my hair. “Until we couldn’t any longer. She’s Landry’s little sister and works for the Rampage. There are rules and codes to follow.”

“What rules? What codes?” Mom asks.

“You don’t mess with your best friend’s little sister, and any relationship needs to be reported to management and human resources immediately,” I explain. I glance around, making sure no one can hear us.

“Oh, Knox.” Mom sighs.

“It will all work out,” Dad assures me. He kisses Mom on the temple. “Life has a funny way of doing that.”

Mom lifts her head to smile at him, and something passes between them. “You’re right,” Mom agrees.

“I love her for you, Knox.”

I chuckle. “Me too, Mom, me too.”

She hugs me again, then kisses Dad on his cheek. “I’ll be in the truck.”

“How does she do that?”

“Do what?” Dad asks, watching her until she’s safely inside the truck.

“Know when I need to talk to you, man to man.”

“Mother’s instinct,” he says.

I nod. “I don’t want to keep hiding this,” I tell him.

“Talk to her.”

“I have. She’s scared, and if I push her, I’m afraid I’ll lose her.”

“You don’t want that.” Dad smiles knowingly.

“Not at all. I didn’t expect her, Dad. This wasn’t my plan, but now that she’s in my life, I can’t picture it without her.”

“The best things in life are the unexpected, son. You take it one breath, one second, one minute, one hour, and one day at a time. If you and Corie are meant to be, it will all work out.”

He’s right. I know he’s right, but I’m not used to sitting on the sidelines. Being with her tonight and not being able to show everyone at the table how important she is to me burns like a hot fire in my gut.

“Bring it in, kid.” Dad pulls me into a hug. I don’t care that I’m a twenty-seven-year-old man. Nothing beats the comfort of a hug from your parents. “Drive safe,” he tells me.

“Thanks, Dad. You, too.” He walks off toward his truck, and I do the same. It’s time to head home to see my girl.

When the elevator opens to the top floor, I exit and see Corie sitting on the ground by my door. “We need to get you a key,” I tell her. The thought of her sitting out here alone pisses me off. My condo is the only one on this floor, so unless someone is coming to see me, which could be a risk since we’re hiding this relationship, no one should be up here, but I still hate it. She’s getting that spare key as soon as we get inside. I don’t know why I didn’t think to give it to her sooner.

“I haven’t been here long,” she says, taking my offered hand as I help her stand. I pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her.

“Missed you.”

“You just saw me,” she tells me.

“Not the same, and you know it.”

That has her pulling away just enough to tilt her head back and smile up at me. “I missed you, too.”

“Let’s get you inside.” I pick up her overnight bag, push open the door, and hold it open for her. Dropping her bag on the couch, I stalk toward the kitchen and open the junk drawer, finding my spare key. “Take this.” I hand it to her.

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