Page 17 of Run the Play
“Food. I need food,” Landry agrees.
“I’ll order pizza,” Corie tells them. “I was going to cook since everything in the kitchen is unpacked, but I need to go to the store, and honestly, I just don’t have the energy.”
“Pizza works,” Foster tells her.
“Breadsticks, baby Reynolds. All the breadsticks,” Reid says.
“Mrs. Beckett,” Knox corrects him.
“She’s always going to be baby Reynolds to me,” Reid tells Knox.
Knox grumbles something under his breath, and the guys all laugh. I smile as well. I love the dynamic between all of them. The more time I spend with them, the more of their personalities I learn, and it’s plain to see that they have each other’s backs. No matter what. That’s a good quality to have. It’s one I’m not familiar with, but I can understand its worth all the same.
The guys head back out to unload the truck, talking about who can carry the most boxes. Sloane and I finish breaking down boxes while Corie calls in for pizza delivery. My eyes widen as I hear her rattle off a massive amount of food.
“It will all get eaten.” Sloane laughs. “These guys can put it away. Especially during the season when they’re training.”
“They’re all so fit.”
“Right? I even think about more than a couple of slices and my hips expand.” Sloane chuckles. “Knox usually doesn’t eat badly, but Corie has been a bad influence on him.”
“I have not,” Corie says, hanging up the phone. Sloane gives her a knowing look, and she grins. “Fine, maybe a little, but he’s a machine, eating grilled chicken and green beans all the time. I get that he’s a professional athlete and needs to stay in shape, but damn, a little pizza never hurt anyone.”
“Hear, hear!” Landry says, placing two boxes on the living room floor. The house has an open-floor plan, so it’s no wonder he heard our earlier conversation. However, I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings. I should have heard them come in. I let my guard down. It was minor, but I’ve lived through situations that are not. That’s a hard lesson to learn, so I’m shocked I let myself get so comfortable so quickly.
“Stop listening to our conversations!” Corie calls back.
“Love you, little sister.” Landry calls out his reply before going back outside for another load.
“What’s next?” Sloane asks.
“Most of what’s left is our clothes. We’re going to buy new furniture, but the new bedroom suite was delivered yesterday. Come on, I’ll show you.” She nods for us to follow her down the hall.
“Wow. This is gorgeous,” I say as we enter their bedroom.
“Thanks. This is the owner’s retreat. At least, that’s what the realtor called it as the primary bedroom. There are four more bedrooms upstairs as well as a loft sitting area.”
“I love this bed,” Sloane says. “It’s massive.”
“It’s a California king,” Corie explains. “And check out the bathroom.” She takes us into the bathroom, showing us the huge walk-in shower that is so spacious, you could literally play baseball in it. Nickelback would be jealous. There are his-and-her sinks and a huge clawfoot tub made for more than one person. It’s a dream bathroom.
“Damn,” Sloane mutters. “How attached are you to that husband of yours? I’m thinking we kick him to the curb and call this our girls’ haven,” Sloane says with a laugh.
“I’m pretty attached,” Corie teases. “But anytime you need a spa day, we’ll send him to my brother’s place and can make that happen.”
Sloane points at Corie. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Corie laughs, but I have a feeling Sloane’s not joking.
“You have a beautiful home, Corie. I’m so happy for you,” I tell my new friend. I know what she and Knox went through to be together. This is their happily ever after and they’ve earned it.
“Thank you. We want a couple of kids and a place where his family, our family,” she says, blushing, “can stay when they come to visit. The basement has a huge recreation area and two more bedrooms, the recreation room walks out to a patio with a hot tub.”
“Keep talking, and I’m never leaving,” Sloane jokes.
“You can have your pick of rooms,” Corie tells her. “Just know there’s only a bed in one of them right now, at least until the guys get them put together. We’re going to leave a couple of them unfurnished, but we have the spare bedroom furniture from the condo. I left my bedroom furniture at Landry’s place.”
“I bet he’s lonely living in that big ole house all alone,” Sloane says.
