Page 93 of Hard Count

“You’re probably right.” We pass by the locker room and head down the hall that leads to the admin and coaches’ offices.

“Dada!” Reese shouts pointing at a photo on the wall.

“That’s right. And who’s that?” I ask.

“Mama.”

“And who else is in the photo with us?”

“Pop Pop!” she screams pointing to my father-in-law. It’s one of my favorites. It was taken right after we won the championship game my senior year. We’re covered in confetti and have the biggest smiles on our faces.

I have a similar photo in my home office except Drew and I are looking at each other. I’ve played a lot of exciting and important games in my career. But this game will be the one I’ll tell my kids and grandkids about because I won it with my best friend, the person I love most, my wife.

I smirk when I walk into her office and see the Coach Pierce sign on the door. I won’t ever get tired of seeing that. We did things a little out of order and got married six months after Kade was born. We weren’t sure how our parents’ would takethe news but they were thrilled. Especially Sydney. She was so excited to become an aunt. Even living in a different state she manages to spoil her niece and nephew rotten.

“My dad just texted,” Drew says, getting my attention. I put Reese down and she beelines it straight for the play area Drew has set up in her office.

I crowd her where she’s sitting on the edge of her desk. “Is he going to come over?” I kiss up her neck and inhale her sweet orange scent. Orange is still my favorite color to this day because of her.

“I want to show Pop Pop my new cars,” Kade says as he drives one of the many toy cars over the backs of the leather club chairs.

“He is. And he wants to bring his girlfriend.” Drew’s eyebrows pop up in shock. “I didn’t know he was seeing anyone. Have you noticed anything unusual?”

“No. But if I had to guess…” Oh shit. I think I might know who it is and if I’m right, he may have just put his job on the line.

"You're not going to tell me who?" she asks, putting her phone down and sliding her hands up my shirt and behind my back.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her even closer. "Once I know for sure I will. It's someone he should have avoided if it's who I think it is."

"People could have told you the same thing." Her nails leisurely scratch my back.

"They would have been wasting their time. There's nothing that was going to keep me away from you. You're mine, little fox. Always have been. Always will be."