Page 87 of Make the Play

It’s been over a week since Knox and I visited the children’s hospital. The Rampage had back-to-back away games, so we’ve not had much time together. This week, they played the Georgia Badgers. It was a Thursday night game that I watched curled up in my bed. Knox tried to get me to go to his place, but I felt weird being there without him.

Since the team was off this weekend, my brother decided everyone would come to his place on Sunday to watch the other teams play on TV. “Sizing up the competition”, he called it. That’s today. The kitchen island is littered with snacks that Sloane and I made and things the guys brought.

Sloane and I claimed the loveseat while Landry, Knox, and Reid are piled on the couch. Baker and Foster are each kicked back in a recliner. It’s been a good day, and I’m so thankful for my best friend to be here as a buffer. She kept the guys occupied with a story from one of her preschool kids while Knox pulled me down the hall and kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in months.

“Fuck,” Knox mutters under his breath.

We all turn to look at him. “What’s up, Beckett?” Foster asks.

“My mom and my sister,” he grumbles. “They’re saying I need to bring a plus one to the wedding, and if not, they’re going to invite Sara, the neighbor who grew up beside us. They claim it’s so I don’t have to sit alone.” He rolls his eyes at their reasoning.

“Are you not taking your girlfriend?” Landry asks.

“No. She’s not able to be there. Something was scheduled before we got together.” Knox doesn’t miss a beat, but I see the tightening of his jaw.

“Wait. Isn’t Sara the one who snuck into your bedroom, and you found her butt-ass naked?” Baker asks.

“Oh, shit!” Reid covers his mouth. “I remember that story.”

“What did you do?” I ask, because my boyfriend just announced there was a naked girl in his bed. Sure, it was high school, but call me curious.

Knox holds my gaze as he says. “I kicked her ass out. I never told my parents but threatened to tell hers and mine. She was upset that her boyfriend from a rival team had broken her heart, and she wanted to use me as revenge. I never touched her.” His eyes bore into mine, and it feels like he’s defending himself, too, but he doesn’t need to be. I know it was a long time ago, but I was curious.

“Sounds like you need a date, Beckett,” Sloane tells him.

“You sure your girl can’t go?” Baker asks.

“She’s busy,” Knox grumbles.

“It’s a small, intimate wedding—just close friends and family. Sara shouldn’t even be considered. Her family moved across town. They’re not even my parents’ neighbors anymore,” he grumbles. “I shouldn’t feel obligated to bring a date.”

“When’s the wedding?” Sloane asks.

“Next weekend. Our bye week. Everly and Matt planned it around my schedule so I could be there, and they didn’t want to wait until the season was over.”

“What about one of you?” Foster points to Sloane and me. “Can you help our boy out?” he asks us. “Surely your girl would understand, right? It’s either take one of the ladies here, or get mauled by naked Sara.”

I freeze, not sure what to do or say. I would give anything to go with him, to be with him, but I know that I can’t.

“Sure,” Sloane says, “as long as I can make arrangements for my classroom. When are you leaving?”

I whip my head around to stare at her, and I’m certain it’s a glare. She shrugs as if she didn’t just agree to go to a wedding with my man.

I’m—I don’t know what I am. Sloane would never betray me—I know that—so I need to just stay calm. I’m sure she thinks she’s helping me so that Knox doesn’t end up with naked Sara. I chance a look at Knox and find his stare already on me.

“You don’t have to do that,” he tells Sloane, but he’s still looking at me. His hands are fisted in his lap. It’s evident that he’s just as uncomfortable as I am.

“Will your girl be mad?” Landry asks.

Knox’s eyes meet mine. “No, she won’t be mad.” I trust him. I trust Sloane, but I can also admit I’m jealous as hell that she’s going to be there with him and I’m not.

“Do you need to call her and ask for permission?” Reid asks.

“No,” Knox replies sternly, his hands clenching in his lap.

“I don’t mind. What are friends for?” Sloane smiles. “If your girl wants to talk, tell her to call me. I’m not trying to steal her man. Girl code and all that.”

“You’re heading out Friday, right?” Landry asks Knox.