Page 137 of For the Boys
“Everyone,” Mitch confirmed. “That means you too, Coach! Don’t you dare think about sneaking away and going home without stopping by for a beer!”
“Mitch, shut up!” Parker yelled, running up to him and clapping a hand over his mouth. “That’s like inviting your parents to a party with your high school friends.”
Mitch shoved him. “Get off me, Parker. We’re all adults here, and it’s my loft. I want everyone there. This was a big win.”
Brent nodded. “Agreed. But, we still have twelve more to go.”
“Live a little, Jean,” Mitch said. “We can go back to work tomorrow. Enjoy tonight with us and your girl. I’m sure she’s as excited about this win as we are.”
Brent smiled at the thought of Berkley up in his suite with his family, celebrating.
He pulled out his phone and sent her a text.
Brent: Loft party! Meet me there. Bring my fam.
Berkley: Even your parents?
Brent: Okay, maybe not my parents, but definitely Nate and Kenz.
Berkley: You got it, babe. See you soon.
After the fastest shower of his life, Brent practically ran out of the arena, hopping in his truck and peeling out of the lot toward Greektown. He arrived, parked in a lot a block away from the loft, and made his way into the building.
His eyes landed on Berkley the second he walked through the door, her body drawing his in like a homing beacon.
Brent walked over and scooped her up in a hug and swung her around, planting a kiss on her still-smiling mouth as he set her back down.
“You were amazing!” she breathed. “I’m so proud of you.”
Brent grinned down at her. “Thanks, baby.”
“I really thought you were going to lose it after that goal went off you,” Berkley said.
Brent groaned. “God, don’t remind me. I didn’t even see Poole’s goal because I was too busy wallowing.”
“Well, it worked out, didn’t it?”
“Sure did,” he said, bending down to kiss her, long and hard.
“How long do we have to stay?” she asked against his mouth, fingers clutching his shirt.
“What?” he asked, dropping a kiss to the corner of her mouth, trailing his nose along her jaw before dropping another just below her ear. “You don’t want to celebrate?”
“I want to celebrate, of course. With you. At home. Naked.”
Brent laughed. He knew the feeling. “We’ll give it until midnight. Then you can have me all to yourself.”
She checked her watch, then said, “Deal.”
Rat and Grey ran up then, begging Brent and Berkley to play flip cup with them.
“You go ahead, babe,” she said to Brent. “I’m going to get a drink and see if I can track down my friends.”
“Okay,” he said, dropping a quick kiss on her mouth. “Come find me after.”
With a mock salute, she started off in the direction of the bar. Brent followed Rat and Grey to a large, long table set up near the card tables, eyes taking in the groups of people gathered around the room.
Mitch and Lexie were standing near the bar, where Berkley greeted them. Berkley had also invited her two friends from law school, Harper and Reece, who were seated on one of the sectionals with Amelia, Cole, and Chase. All around, people were dancing, drinking, and celebrating.
