Page 147 of Comeback
Another person I don’t hate being here is Max. My interpreter hangs back. He’s wearing a Mavericks polo and black pants. He has the appearance of being completely unaware, but the second I look to him, he’s always ready.
I wasn’t sure what it’d be like relying on him instead of keeping a constant vigilance myself, but we’ve found a nice rhythm working together and I have to admit I’ve been able to relax a little and focus on myself instead of worrying about everyone around me.
I glance back at my dad and Flynn as Brogan nudges me with his elbow.
“Is this two games in a row?” he asks.
I tear my gaze away from my dad. “Yeah.”
“Are you going to talk to him after this one?”
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “Maybe. I can’t decide. But I do think it’s time to let the past go.”
“Looking to the future?” he asks.
I nod. “Yeah, something like that.”
His lips pull into a smirk. “Maybe one with a certain sister of mine.”
I can’t help but smile in return. “You’re going to be the biggest pain in my ass as a brother-in-law, aren’t you?”
The smile on his face slips for a second and his expression is dazed, making me worry he isn’t as on board with Sabrina being my end game as I thought he was.
“Damn, I just realized we’ll finally be related for real when you marry Sabrina. And she’ll be a Holland. It feels right since I’ve felt like one most of my life.”
Relief and happiness pour through me. “You’ve always been my brother. Now it’ll just be a little more official.”
“Assuming she says yes,” he taunts.
Fuck. I hadn’t considered that she might not say yes.
As if he can read my thoughts, which after all these years wouldn’t even surprise me, he says, “She’ll say yes. She’s crazy about you.”
“Will you help me ask her?”
“Tonight?”
I nod. I’ve been carrying the ring around for a few days now, trying to figure out when and where I should pop the question and freaking out that maybe it’s too soon. But today, tomorrow, or next year—I’m ready.
“Yeah.” He nods. “Hell fucking yeah.”
After the game, I text Sabrina to ask her to meet me at the studio in an hour. Now that I’m managing the place, I have my own key, but this is the first time I’ve used it.
I let us in, and the guys help me decorate. We’ve got dozens of vases of roses and candles. My nerves are bouncing all around the place and I’m frantically pacing while the guys light every single candle.
“Let me see the ring,” Slade says, grinning.
I pull it out of my pocket and crack the box open.
“Daaamn, Holland.”
“Is that a good ‘daaamn’?” I ask. He’s smiling, but I get the feeling he would be either way. I’m not convinced he isn’t still trying to steal my girl, and me fucking this up would be a good opening for him.
“It’s beautiful.” He claps me on the shoulder and squeezes a little harder than necessary. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Thanks,” I say, and he doesn’t let go. “That kind of hurts.”
“Mhmmm.” He keeps grinning at me. “I know.”
