Page 142 of Comeback
She links her hands behind my head and smiles. “I think I can manage that.”
“Good because it starts now.”
41
SABRINA
“Does he even like surprises?” I ask Brogan as we blow up balloons for the party. It’s too little, too late if he says no, but I’m spiraling and rethinking this whole plan.
“Stop freaking out.” He chuckles. “He’ll love it.”
We’re surprising Archer with a birthday party tonight—two days before the actual day. His brothers are all here, a lot of his teammates, and friends from Valley and Lake City. It seemed like a great idea until now.
What if he walks in and sees everyone and walks right back out? Okay, that’s unlikely. But he could very well walk in, fake a big smile, and I’d be able to tell instantly he hates it.
Right now, Archer is out to dinner with Slade, my wingman, who convinced him to go out for a couple beers to help Slade heal his broken heart. I happen to know for a fact that he is not the least bit upset after the most recent girl he was seeing called things off because just last night he texted me a picture of a woman he started talking to on an app that he was “going to marry.”
The man is smooth. I wonder if it’s the waterbed or his diamond necklaces that seal the deal for him?
“Thank you for helping me,” I say as Brogan ties off another clear balloon with confetti inside.
“Are you kidding? I love this. My sister throwing my best friend a birthday party, being all in love and shit.” He beams. His happiness at the situation keeps me from slipping into panic mode.
I chuckle softly. “I do love the shit out of him.”
“I’m glad. He’s the best guy I know. I couldn’t imagine anyone more perfect for him.”
“He says the same about you.”
Brogan smiles. “How are your mom and dad?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Since he met my parents, Brogan’s been texting with them almost as much as I do. My mom loves having someone to dote on and Brogan is eating up the attention, asking her for help with things like laundry and cooking. It’s the cutest and possibly strangest thing.
He huffs a quiet laugh. “I haven’t talked with them in a few days.”
“Uh-oh. Momma Whitlock will be tracking you down soon if you don’t check in.”
He smiles as if he likes the idea. I try not to let myself feel the loss of not knowing him my whole life and just focus on being grateful that we have this incredible relationship now.
“Speaking of your parents, I got tickets for you to give them for all the remaining home games of the season.”
“They’ll love that,” I say, then his words register. “Why would I give them the tickets if you got them?”
“I thought it’d be nicer coming from you.” He won’t quite meet my eyes, and I fight a smile. He wants them there for him and maybe because he thinks it’s what I want, but I doubt his reservations are about any of that.
I place a hand on his shoulder. “They already adore you and are planning on watching every game on TV. My dad bought twonew Mavericks jerseys—Archer’s and yours—and he’s rotating them every game. You do not need to be shy about asking them to come. They’ll be ecstatic.”
“Really?” He grins like a kid who just found out he’s getting a present he’s always wanted. And I guess he is. My mom and dad are the best and I’m thrilled to share them.
I nod. “Really.”
“All right. I’m going to text them right now.” He abandons the ballons and pulls out his phone.
Knox and his fiancée, Avery, walk over while I’m still chuckling at Brogan’s eagerness.
“Do you need any help?” Avery asks. Tonight is the first time I’ve met her, but I’m already obsessed with her. She’s short with long blonde hair and dressed in a light pink dress that gives off vibes of a nice, quiet personality, but I’ve heard enough about her to know she’s all fire under her sweet exterior.
“That would be great. I underestimated how long it would take to blow up three hundred balloons. I should have gotten a helium tank.”
