Page 7

Aurora is drifting away, her voice distant. She built a wall, unwilling to open up to me. Perhaps she’s resentful I wasn’t looking after Jackson, or because I’m not there for her.
With every beat, the ache in my heart intensifies, a constant reminder of my need to fix this.
I thought I’d revel in the moment Jax fucked up and Aurora was all mine, but my stomach is in knots, my gut telling me this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
We’re meant to be together, the three of us.
My office door creaks open and snaps me out of my worries. Grant pops his head in, dark circles under his bloodshot eyes, appearing as sleep-deprived as I am.
I massage my temples, trying to ward off the looming headache. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
He collapses into the leather chair in front of my desk. “Do you know where O’Reilly is? He’s not returning my calls or texts.”
Mine neither, but I won’t allow myself to consider the worst. There’s only one place he’d go.Aurora. “I have a strong hunch.”
I have mixed feelings about him rushing to New York, but I can’t control him.
Jax running to Aurora means he still has hope, but his showing up in New York and forcing his presence on her will cause her more distress.
Grant’s knee bounces, and he pushes his fingers through his dark hair. “Are you going?”
I’ve been asking myself that very question since waking up to this shitstorm. I’d give anything to be in New York, Aurorawrapped in my arms, but I doubt Grant and I are on the same page. “After Jackson?”
“Or to Aurora,” he says matter-of-fact.
I tilt my head and furrow my brows in confusion. Maybe I was wrong.
“I’m not stupid; I only play dumb. Your connection with Jax has been obvious since you started here. He’s my best friend, and nothing gets him more worked up than Aurora. You went to dinner with her, you left with her, and he didn’t kill you. Helistensto you.”
Grant stares at me, waiting for me to challenge him, but I remain silent. Aurora talked to several players the night we met. Anyone could’ve seen us.
“No one will hold it against you for being there for her or Jackson. Someone needs to step up.”
I sit back and fold my arms over my chest, swallowing the lump in my throat. While I appreciate Grant’s honesty, he’s crossing boundaries into personal territory, and I’d like to keep my job.
“Thanks, but out of respect for everyone’s privacy, I’m choosing not to respond. Just know I’ve been trying to do what’s best for the team.”
He leans in, placing his elbows on my desk. “Out of respect for you and the team, it’s not working. Yes, we’re playing better than ever, but we’ve lost our captain, and you’ll eventually burn out. The baby is yours, right?” My mouth opens in shock, but he stops me with a raised hand. “I can count the months between now and the dinner.”
My heart races. How did I think we could hide this?
“If it wasn’t for the team, what would you be doing right now?” he asks.
Doesn’t that sum up my life in one straightforward question? I’d be with Aurora. She and the baby would be my proudest achievement.
The dream swells in my chest, and my lips stretch into a soft smile.
He returns my smile. “Exactly. That’s what you need to do. Go to Aurora. Help Jackson. His father is relentless. Few people know about Kyle’s shit, and I’m not at liberty to say anything more, but I know he’s behind this. He’s threatened them in the past.”
Before I can mull over the implications of Grant’s words, my cell rings with a call from Ricky. “Sorry, I gotta take this. Talk later?”
He nods, and I answer as he exits. “Ricky, everything okay?”
“I’m returning your call.”
“Oh, right. Sorry, it’s been a long fucking day.” I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. “I wanted to talk to you about taking over your contract. I’d prefer you didn’t communicate with Jackson until he gets his shit together.”
“No need. I ended my contract after he ruined his chances with my client. Conflict of interest and all.”