Page 59 of Rookie Season
Nova nods. “Chloe’s trying to figure out what’s happening with the game.”
Hopefully, she’s distracted enough by that she’s not thinking about me.
“The league is freaking out. We can’t reschedule the game. TV commitments are locked in and tickets are sold and…” Chloe’s voice comes from behind me, and we all turn to face her. “Whose bed did you sleep in last night?”
“There’s a loft.” I try to sound cool. “I found it last night while looking for sheets for the couch.”
“So, you slept in this loft?”
“Alone?” Brooke asks.
Nova smacks her in the arm. “Brooke!”
“What?! It’s a legit question. The only one that has permeated my pre-caffeine haze.” Her mug goes to her lips, and she watches me over it.
“Anyone want mimosas?” I ask.
Sure enough, there’s happy assent.
Saved by champagne and OJ.
I grab a bottle out of the fridge and the pitcher of juice. “Nova, can you find champagne flutes?”
“Yes! I spotted some in the cabinet yesterday.”
I pop the cork and start to pour.
“No champagne for me. Just OJ,” Nova murmurs.
“Still not sleeping?” Brooke asks, sympathetic.
“Hmm? I slept great,” Nova blinks, caught out. “I mean…”
We gasp. “Are you…?”
She beams. “I just took a test. It’s early yet, and we’ve been trying for a while, so I don’t want to get our hopes up. I haven’t told Clay, but I was going to tomorrow.”
“Whatever happens, we love you and so does Clay,” Brooke says.
“And today is worth celebrating,” Chloe adds.
We all clink glasses. This is friendship. This is what it’s about.
Except… they all have a reason to be in the group. I know we’ve clicked the last while, but if I left, I wouldn’t have them. Wouldn’t have this.
There’s a knot starting between my shoulder blades.
“Can we see it?” Brooke asks after we’ve each taken a sip.
“See what?”
“This loft.” Brooke’s eyes gleam, and she starts for the stairs.
I didn’t want to do this. Hooking up with the Kodiaks’ star rookie could cause all kinds of problems for the bar, for our friend group, for me.
Ryan appears at the top of the steps.
The knot evaporates… or it’s eclipsed by the way my heart thuds against my ribs.
