Page 138 of Playbook
When we come up for air, there’s a camera in our faces. I glance up at the jumbotron and want to hide behind my giant boyfriend.
“Better get used to it.” Brogan kisses my temple. “I plan on kissing you a lot more before we manage to make it out of here.”
And he does.
THIRTY-SEVEN
“You look happy,” Archer comments while we stand at the bar waiting for drinks.
“I am.” My smile couldn’t be any bigger.
“I’m happy for you. You deserve it, man. London is great.”
I glance over to where she’s sitting with Hendrick, Knox, and Flynn.
“It’s not just her,” I say. “It’s everything. We have some pretty great brothers.”
“That we do.” His chest rises and falls with a quiet laugh, but then his face falls back to his somber expression.
I tap his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You’ll be back before you know it. Your time is coming.”
He nods, a hint of a smile erasing the worry that’s been there all season, but especially the last couple of days after not being cleared for another game. “Our time.”
We knock wrists and then someone clears their throat next to us.
Billy Boone watches us, gaze flicking from Archer to me. He nods his head in greeting.
“Nice game tonight,” Billy says.
I lean forward. I swear he just complimented me. My mouth opens, then I close it. Every time I talk to this guy, I put my foot in it.
“Brogan’s having a hell of a season,” Archer says. “And he’s just getting started.”
He stares at Billy, daring him to disagree. I’m not surprised when he doesn’t jump at the chance to shower me with praise, but he does lift his beer in what I choose to see as a silent peace treaty. “Best of luck with the rest of the season.”
“Thank you,” I say. “And if it’s not too late to apologize, I am sorry.”
“I appreciate that.” He walks off, and I’m still staring after him, shocked, when our drinks come, and Archer reaches for them.
“That was…interesting,” he says. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m still waiting for him to come back and yell at me. I don’t think I like being on his good side. It’s creepy.”
Laughing, Archer leads me back to the table.
London looks at me as I slide into the chair next to her.
“Whatever they’re saying, it’s a lie.” I give all the guys my meanest scowl. Not that they buy it. I’m too happy tonight to pull off the expression. My brothers are here, my girl.
My girl.
I know there’s a lot we need to talk about, but I’m not scared anymore. If she can handle a secret sister and knowing I haven’t spoken to mydad since I was a teenager, then I think chances are good she can handle anything.
“We were telling her how great you are,” Knox says with an unconvincing smirk.
“Yeah, I bet.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders, and she nuzzles into me, laughing.
“Jokes aside, you’re pretty fucking great.” Hendrick lifts his glass. “To Brogan. Love you, Brother.”
