Page 82 of Broken Play
Hearing her version of events, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Does he want you back?"
"He says he does, but he doesn't mean it. Bodhi just doesn't like that I'm not pining over him, that he's not controlling me anymore. I have you. At least, I hope I do."
"Everyone on the sports channels is talking about you and Bodhi, wondering if you're back together. I mean, that's how it looked: you two sitting there, eating ice cream together. You should have called me right away so I would have known not to believe my eyes."
"I'm sorry. I knew I had to get to Seattle, and you didn't answer my texts. I stopped in Austin to meet the plane, but you weren't there," she says as I lead her to the bedroom.
"I believe you. But when the guys showed me photos of the 'boss' sitting by Golden Boy, that's when I said, 'I'm goingout with Devon tonight.' J.D. was okay with it until I didn't show up for practice today."
"Let's get some shut-eye."
"Should we even go to sleep? I have practice in three hours." I really see no need.
"Nobody sets my schedule." She smirks. "Perks of being the boss."
I draw the covers back, and she gets in on the visitor's side. "We're on the same team, babe." My arm wraps around her waist, pulling her into my chest. My fingers graze her arm over and over. Something is off, and I can't put my finger on it. Then it dawns on me. "Where's your tennis bracelet? Did it fall off while we were fucking like rabbits?"
She flinches at my word choice, but then rolls to face me and says, "First, we were making love, and no, it's been missing for at least a week. For the life of me, I can't figure out where my bracelet came off."
Scanning her face for any inkling of a lie, I kiss the pocket of her shoulder and collarbone. "We'll retrace your steps when we get off work tomorrow, unless you already have plans."
"Actually, I do." Her eyes focus on mine. "With my number ten... Greyson, I'm ready to go public if you are. I know there will be backlash, but I don't want any misconceptions about who I'm dating or who I love... It's you."
The weight of her words sinks in. Relief floods my chest, and I can't help the stupid grin blooming on my face. The fact that she no longer wants to hide our relationship from the world is an enormous step for her. I understand why she needed to trust me first—trust that I wasn't going to slap her when she made an innocent mistake. Bodhi is an asshole, and I could never, in a million years, push, shove, or hit a woman.
I almost choke on my emotions when I say, "We'll figure it out together. All that matters is we love each other."
"What the fuckwere you thinking, G? You just lost the respect of every member of this team and the coaching staff. You've never missed a practice that I know of. Did it have something to do with..." His voice trails off, and then he whispers, "Sutton and her tennis boyfriend?"
The accusation stings like the slap of a locker room towel across my face. "I'm her boyfriend."
His jaw tightens, and if I'm lucky, he'll bite his fucking tongue and stay out of my personal life unless he supports it. His eyes survey the nearest teammates, and he nods his head. "G, I told you to stay away."
I give him an eye roll of magnificent proportions. My fists clench, knuckles turning white. Heat snakes up my neck, and my Irish temper shakes loose.
"I don't have to listen to you about my personal life. Here I thought you would be happy for me."
The team is starting to notice us arguing, so I take a deep breath. "I knew I would be on a leash when they traded me to you, but I had no idea you would stand in the way of my happiness. You should understand. When you know, you know."
"You owe the team an apology, and you're playing with the scout team this week." He steps closer, lowering his voice, and I swear I hear a hint of sorrow in his tone, like he hates doing this, but it must be done.
"Are you serious? Over one practice?" I slam my helmetagainst the sideline bench, adrenaline bursting through my veins. The highs and lows of one decision to skip practice.
"As your brother, I'm glad you've found the one. But you are the leader of this team and set the tone for success. Missing practice is not leadership. Mom would..."
"Don't you fucking go there. Don't you dare use our mother's memory against me."
He grabs my arms. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even gone there. Mom would want you to find someone to share your life with."
My chest inflates, and the urge to tell him to fuck off is overwhelming. I swallow it whole, lowering my voice, righting myself. "Sutton's the only thing that feels right lately. Like football isn't enough. Maybe just once, you should trust me."
J.D. takes his hat off and puts it back on. I see a flicker in his eyes that tells me he's going to back me on my relationship with Sutton, but I'm still on the scout team. We both know that nothing about this is simple. My two bosses are my brother and my girlfriend.
My brother calls for Coach Stricker. He comes jogging over. "Greyson will be working with the scout team today. Get the next man up and ready."
Stricker looks between the two of us and says, "Just today?"
"All week."
