Page 6 of Run the Play
She smiles. “Thanks, Landry.”
I drop her hand and lean back in my chair. My hand suddenly feels cold, which is weird.
“I’m beat,” Sloane says, sitting in a chair across the table from us.
“What’s going on over here?” Corie asks. She pulls out a chair, but Knox beats her to it, sitting and pulling her onto his lap.
“The family couldn’t hang,” he tells my sister, as Reid, Baker, and Foster also join us. We’re all that’s left of the reception. The DJ is packing up, and the cleaning crew is starting to descend.
“Thank you all for being here,” Corie says, leaning into Knox, who has his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “Today was hard, missing our parents.” Her eyes find mine. “But all of you being here helped ease the ache. We’re so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives.”
I swallow back the emotion clogging my throat. Our parents would be so fucking proud of her. “Love you, little sister,” I tell her. My voice cracks, but I don’t bother to hide it.
Tears well in her eyes. “Love you, too, big brother.” She gives me a watery smile before closing her eyes, and inhaling. When she opens them, the sadness lingers, but happiness overshines it. “Tomorrow is our last day.” She pouts. “How about breakfast together, and a beach day?”
We all call our agreement. Knox and Corie were going to stay longer—at least he tried to convince her to, but she said she wanted to get back to work. She loves her job with the Rampage, and after almost losing it, she’s been even more faithful to the team.
“I think I’m calling it a night,” Sloane says over a yawn.
“I’ll walk you back to your room,” Foster says, standing and offering her his hand to help her to her feet.
“My wife and I have some celebrating to do,” Knox says, kissing Corie’s neck before she stands, hugs Sloane, and moves around the table to hug Rowan.
I make my way toward Knox and pull him into a hug. “Love you, brother,” I say, my voice tight.
“Love you, too, man. I’ll take care of her.”
“I know you will.” There isn’t a single doubt in my mind.
“Landry, will you make sure Rowan gets to her room?” Corie asks me.
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Rowan speaks up.
“Yes, it is,” everyone says at the same time.
“We’re in a foreign country,” Reid tells her.
“It’s late,” Baker adds.
“I’m afraid you’re outnumbered.” Sloane laughs. “But they’re right. It’s better safe than sorry.”
Rowan nods. “Thank you, Landry.”
I use that as an excuse to touch her. I place my hand gently on the small of her back, and we wave as I lead her out of the reception hall.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” Rowan says.
“Yeah,” I agree.
The rest of the way to her room is quiet. I don’t take my hand off the small of her back, and when we reach her door, I fight the urge to ask her to take a midnight stroll with me.
“Thank you for escorting me, the conversation, and walking me back,” Rowan says, peering up at me under dark lashes.
She’s in a royal blue spaghetti strap dress that makes her blue eyes pop. Her light hair, which has been pulled back, is falling around her face from all the dancing we’ve done tonight.
“I’ll see you at breakfast, then beach day,” I remind her.
“I’ll be there.”
