Page 48 of The Interception
“The Andrew can be a corn dog,” Layne teases. The dynamic between the three is playful and light, almost as if they’ve never suffered a trauma in their whole lives. I know that’s not true. No one survives life without some sort of distinguishing backstory, but I wish Sarah Beth and Lula had the same. Maybe one day they will again if, in time, Sarah Beth’s heart heals enough to try love again.
Instantly, my heart clenches. No one can replace her husband, and I’m not sure I’ll ever see a man as good enough for my family now.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Layne whispers while the others debate sandwich names and styles.
“Nothing. Sorry, I’m just tired after a long game and the competition.” I barely had time to shower before we met for this big, not-quite-family dinner. I wipe my mouth and set my napkin on the table. “I’ll get this to go, I think.”
Layne opens her mouth again but Andrew’s voice booms over the table. “Why don’t you three come up next weekend? Last game of the season and…” Andrew hesitates, but only for a moment, “also my last game.”
“What?” Layne asks. “Are you sure? I know you said last season was your last, but since you decided to stick it out one more year, I thought—”
Andrew chuckles and shakes his head, easing his sister’s worry. “I wanted to give Marco a chance to settle in this year. He’s doing great, and this shoulder has absolutely had it. I’m ready. Lottie and I have…plans.”
“Plans? What plans? She’s a school teacher. Doesn’t school start back soon?” Layne’s gaze bounces between her brother and Charlotte. Sarah Beth locks in and watches everything with bated breath, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why the atmosphere at the table changed so fast. It’s not cold or bad, but…different.
“You know, just plans. Things we want to do,” Andrew says with a passive wave that doesn’t fool anyone.
“Are you pregnant?” Layne whisper-yells.
Charlotte’s face turns bright red and she covers it. “Andrew,” she whines. “We said we were going to wait. This is Layne and Ender’s big moment.”
“What? You weren’t going to tell me?” Layne launches herself across the table and hugs her brother. “You big goof! Of course I want to know. This night is double special now.”
Sarah Beth smiles and pulls Lula close. There’s a faint sadness in her eyes, but it’s a genuine smile. She wanted more kids. They had even planned to try again this fall, but life had other plans. “Congratulations,” she says and hugs Charlotte. “Kids are so wonderful. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte says and beams.
What I wouldn’t do to have the Rossi clan living in Charleston where my sister would have friends, people who seem to genuinely care about others rather than some of the wives and girlfriends the guys on the team have. Even the guys I’m closer to either don’t have girlfriends like Leo, or they’re serial daters, which doesn’t interest me. It’s hard to get close to anyone with my schedule, and there are too many guys on the team to get to know them all on a deeply personal level.
Like the way I know Layne.
My heart pinches as I watch her laughing with her brother. She adores her sister-in-law, too, and I think for a moment, and not for the first time…what would my life be like with this woman in it permanently? I shake that thought out of my head the nanosecond it arrives. It’s pretty clear where she needs to be, and I can’t go with her.
“I guess we better head out. Layne, are you heading back tonight or tomorrow?” Andrew asks.
“Uh, I have everything packed in the truck ready to go, but I’m pretty tired. I’ll probably head home first thing in the morning like I planned.” She leans back in the booth and her hand brushes over mine. Instead of pulling it away, it lingers. I spread my fingers wide over my thigh and hers settle between mine without fail. I tighten my grip and squeeze. She glances at me and smiles, so sweet and comforting, I almost let my mouth getaway from me and ask her to stay for a few more days. I have a guest room. Sarah Beth could keep her company when I’m at practice.
When Andrew stands, it signals the whole table to get moving. Layne releases my hand so I can wiggle out of the booth, then follows me. I hold up her jacket and she slides her arms in and adjusts her ponytail. At this point, I’d pay someone to give me reasons to touch this woman every second of the day. Her hair, her arm, her fingers…anything as long as she’s in my space. Alas, the night is ending, and she’s going to go back to the house she’s been staying at while I head home with my sister and Lula.
Alone.
As always.
“Hey, want me to stop by your place and pick up those books tonight, or wait until the morning when I head out?” she glances at Sarah Beth. Leo helps Lula into her little jacket while my sister says her goodbyes to Lottie.
“Oh right, the cookbooks I said you could borrow.”
Wait…a chance to have her in my bubble for another hour or so? Yes, please. Please come and get them tonight.
“Why don’t you grab them tonight. It’s on your way to the house, that way you don’t have to circle back in the morning,” my sister says.
Oh shoot, after hearing it said aloud, I realize I should have stepped in and encouraged her to get them in the morning. I could have seen her one last time before losing her forever. Okay, not forever. Her brother offered to bring us up for a game, so I’ll probably see her next weekend. Still, this whole thing feels so much like goodbye, I can’t stand it.
“Sounds good.” Layne hugs Andrew and Lottie before adjusting her jacket. “Lead the way.”
Sarah Beth and Lula follow us, and Leo brings up the rear. I still don’t know what strings he pulled to be able to driveseparately as well. I’m glad my scheming friend had made a plan with Sarah Beth to get her and Lula to the stadium for the finals round. It made it that much sweeter, especially without Asher there to cheer me on.
Layne slides her hand under my arm and tucks close. We leave the restaurant arm in arm while she leans in almost as if we’re a couple. I don’t fight it, just let it happen while my sister and niece tickle-poke each other behind us. Once in the lot, I unlock my truck for my sister, but she completely ignores me in favor of keeping up conversation with Leo as they head toward his car.
