Page 62 of Balance

I feel like I’m drifting from my teammates months before it’s time for me to separate my life from them.

Lillian is out with Mackenzie, celebrating her new job at the arena. She’ll be working in the Italian restaurant, which is the best one here. Thank fuck Charlie came through and they hit it off. Well, as much as anyone can with her. At least she’s easier to deal with than her father.

She will be safe there, not having to deal with anyone shady or off their damn rockers. Just most of the players and some rich pricks that come to the games.

I already put the girls to bed, so I’ve been pacing around or blinking at the ceiling as I lay on the couch, thinking about the meeting Lillian had with Andy yesterday.

It seems like we didn’t have to do anything aside from sign witness statements and forms, proving that she had nothing to do with the Wilders. She’s been a ball of stress while we wait to hear back. All three daughters are currently sitting in jail since they're all considered flight risks, awaiting their first court dates. I just hope it doesn’t take years to get to the bottom of this shit.

I groan as I roll off of the couch and head into the kitchen to grab some water. I hear the garage door opening as I finish off the bottle and stalk down the hall to wait for them. I hear whispering and giggles and I smirk as they come into view.

I can’t take my eyes off of her.

Lillian is wearing a short black sequin dress and is toddling in her sky-high heels. Her hair is tamed, curled down around her shoulders. Her dark makeup makes her gray eyes look larger, brighter.

She looks happy.

She snaps her gaze to me and sends me a wide smile before hugging her friend,making her way towards me. She wraps around me like an octopus and Mackenzie laughs lightly as she scoots around us and heads straight to her bedroom.

“Did you drive?” I ask my woman and she nods and kisses my cheek before fixing her purse on her shoulder.

“I only had one drink, and that was hours ago. We ended up running into Nolan… Mackenzie danced with him for a while.” She frowns and sends me a look, as if asking if he’s really safe.

I raise my brows and hum, ignoring her. “Did you have fun?” I guide her into the kitchen and watch her sit down to slip off her heels. They clatter against the tile and she sighs.

“I did. I’m glad she’s here. How was your night?”

I shrug and grab her a bottle of water before I lean against the island. “It was fine,” she murmurs before she chugs down the bottle and I stalk after her when she makes her way down the hall.

“Are you sleeping with me tonight?”

I chew on my lip as I await her answer. The girls have been doing just fine on the nights we share a bed, but I know that she’s worried about them waking up and searching for her.

“Sure. Let me jump in the shower and I’ll meet you in your room,” she blows me a kiss as she closes her door softly behind her and I make my way to my room. I toss my shirt on the ground and crawl up into bed, fixing the pillows and folding down the blanket.

I close my eyes and relax into my bed, shaking my head. How is this my life?

From crazy girlfriends, to puck bunnies, to Brittany. Both Lillian and I have been through hell and back on the relationship front. What have I done to deserve her?

Chapter 21

Lillian

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There are at least fifty people in our house. This damn cookout feels like a mistake. I’m a sweaty, overheated mess as I bust my ass in the kitchen. It was rescheduled forty million times and now the day is finally here.

I might have overdone it. I made three different casseroles, four dozen cookies, two different salads, deviled eggs, charcuterie boards, and even homemade lemonade.

I might have spiked mine.

I deserve it.

There are screaming children running around everywhere while the adults are all in the backyard staying warm beside the fire or huddled together like fucking penguins.

I want to be out there meeting people, but my dumbass thought it was a good idea to stress bake. I’m not that great in situations surrounded by people I don’t know, especially these sorts of people.

Celebrities, rich people, and a few puck bunnies prancing around.

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