Page 77 of Run the Play
“No.” She raises her head to look at me. “Can you just—turn around?” she asks meekly.
“Whatever you need, beautiful,” I tell her, and she tries to offer me a smile, but it falls flat. Walking back to the door, I give my sister and the love of my life my back and allow them the space they need.
“I was on the bus and saw Landry rush away. I had this feeling something was wrong. I texted Knox, and he and the guys grabbed Coach and came in. I’m so sorry,” Corie says, her voice wavering.
“You didn’t do this,” Rowan tells her.
“I know, but you’re my friend, and I love you. I hate that he hurt you.”
They’re both quiet, so when Rowan finally speaks, it’s as if she’s screaming when, in fact, her voice is nothing but a whisper. “I love you too.”
Something about her whispered confession and the sobs coming from the two most important women in my life reaching my ears has me choked up.
“She’s all set,” Corie says.
Slowly, I turn to face them. Rowan stands with her hands clasped in front of her. She looks scared, and I hate it.
“Roe,” I say softly. “Can I take you out of here? We’ll get a room and stay tonight.”
“I want to go home.”
I nod. “Okay. I’ll rent a car, and we’ll drive together. Is that okay?”
She nods again. This time, she raises her eyes to look at Corie. “Will you come too?”
My sister's lip wobbles. “Anything you need, Rowan.”
Rowan turns her eyes back to me. “Can we do that? I mean, will you get into trouble with the team?”
I can’t take it anymore. I need to be close to her. With slow, measured steps, I make my way to her. “Baby, I don’t give a fuck about the team. You are my priority. You are what matters. If me driving us home is what you want, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Knox?”
“He’s just outside.” I nod over my shoulder toward the locker room. He didn’t tell me, but I know for certain Knox, Reid, Baker, Foster, and Coach are out there waiting on us.
“He can come too. And the guys. Can we find a car big enough?”
I smile. “Yeah, baby, we’ll rent a van, charter one, whatever we have to do. Is that what you want?”
She nods. “I just want to be around family.”
That crack you just heard was the final piece of my heart shattering and landing at her feet. Fuck, I’m pissed at myself that I haven’t told her before how much I love her. I can’t do it here. Not like this. But I wish I had. Fuck timelines or worrying about scaring her away. She’s my family. She’s my heart, my entire fucking world. While I know I’ve told her in so many words, I never said the three most important.
I love you.
“Let’s get you home.” I offer her my hand, and without an ounce of hesitation, she takes it. She moves to snuggle into my chest, and all I can do is stand here, wrap my arms around her, and swallow back the tears that threaten to fall. Corie leaves us with a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I don’t rush Rowan. I’ll stand here for hours if she needs me to. Finally, she pulls away. “Take me home, Landry.”
I nod, and with my arm over her shoulder, we step out of the shower room into the locker room.
“I rented a van,” Foster says, holding up his phone. “They’re delivering it here in about ten minutes.”
“The bus is rolling out. The seven of you are excused from riding back with the team,” Coach explains. “Rowan, I’m so sorry.”
She tries to smile. “It’s okay. He’s been like this for years. This is the first time I’ve had anyone on my side.”
Coach’s jaw clenches. “Would you be willing to speak to me about those past experiences?” he asks her.
