Page 45

I nod. “I know. Yes. It’s been her, and it will always be her for me.

I can’t tell you how sorry I am for deceiving you, but I’d do it again.

” The confession is out before I can think better of it, but I don’t want to take it back.

It’s the truth. There isn’t a single moment with Corie that I could change or regret.

“What?” he asks, lifting his head to study me.

“There isn’t a single moment with her I would ever take back.

I know it was wrong to hide this from you, but it was me and her.

Together. We chose to see what this was, and then one day, it was more, Landry.

So much more than I ever could have imagined.

I knew she would change my life that day, but I just didn’t understand how profound that would be. ”

“What are you saying, Knox?”

I swallow hard and debate saying the words because I have not said them to her, but I feel as though he deserves that. He needs to understand what she means to me, and this isn’t some fling that I’m taking lightly.

“I’m saying I’m in love with your sister, Landry.

” I exhale heavily, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders now that he knows.

I’m sure his fist is going to connect with my jaw at any minute, and I won’t stop him.

If that’s what I have to endure for hiding my relationship with his sister, so be it.

He’s quiet for a long time, and I remain silent next to him. He’s processing, and I want him to take all the time he needs, because this isn’t going away. I’m not going away.

“She’s the girl, the one you’ve been talking about for months, but I’ve yet to meet?” He already knows this, but I’m sure he’s trying to process it in his head. So, instead of telling him that he already knows the answer, I give him what he’s looking for.

“Yes.”

“She smiles all the time. When she first moved home, she was sad and in her head a lot, but now, she’s always happy, singing and dancing around the house. I guess you’re the reason?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. I love the hell out of her, man. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do or give up to have her in my life.”

His head rears back as if my words have shocked him. “Dumb it down for me, Beckett.” His stare is menacing.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. I knew the rules.

I knew we had to report our relationship to the team at the start and that we weren’t going to be doing that.

I know that means I could lose my spot on the Rampage roster.

I know that means I might get traded and lose my contract.

I know I might have to move away from my family when that happens.

I knew it all, Landry, and I did it anyway.

I’d do it all a million times over if that meant she was mine.

Because no matter what happens, Corie and I will decide together what the next steps will be. ”

“Tell me I’m hearing this right. You’re willing to give up the game you love, the team you love, for my sister.”

“For the love of my life, yes.” There is no hesitation in my reply. My answer is resolute.

“That’s fucking insane, Beckett. Do you hear yourself right now?”

“I know what I said, Reynolds.” My voice is hard.

“I meant every damn word. Football won’t keep me warm at night.

” He growls at my words, but I ignore him and keep going.

“Football won’t create a family with me and be there for all of life’s adventures.

None of us play forever, and if I have to choose, I choose her.

No contest. Every damn time, I choose her. ”

Again, we sit in silence. I know he’s processing my words. I don’t know how long we sit here, but I’m not moving, not until he’s ready. I’m also still expecting that punch, which so far hasn’t come.

“You’re different. Still disciplined, but you seem…

happier, too. You smile more, just like she does, and you’re not as tense or uptight.

You’ve been taking it easy on riding our asses.

I chalked it up to your girl but didn’t know it was my sister.

” He pauses. “You know, now that I’m looking back, you seem softer with her.

The way you talk to her. The way you look at her.

I guess the joke’s on me. I just chalked it up to you seeing her as a little sister. ”

“No. The love of my life.”

He gives me a hard stare. “Tell me where this goes.”

Haven’t I been clear enough? If he needs me to keep repeating it, I will.

“One day, we’re going to be related,” I tell him.

“I want her in my jersey and for her to be wearing our last name. I want to fall asleep every night with her lying next to me and wake up the same way. I want little Cories running around our house. I want… everything, Landry. There isn’t a single part of my future that I don’t see her in. ”

“Does she know?”

“Yeah, I mean, I haven’t told her that I’m in love with her. I’ve told her she owns my heart, but I haven’t said the words.”

“Yet, you said them to me.”

I nod. “I know she should have heard them first, but I needed you to understand what she means to me. This isn’t a fling.

She’s my forever, Landry. I didn’t want to scare her away.

She’s been stressed about someone finding out and the effect on our relationship and the team, and then there are our jobs on the line. ”

“Why not call it quits, then?”

“Neither one of us wanted that. She loves me, too.”

“Has she told you?”

“Not those three little words, but yeah, she has.” I smile when I think about all the moments we’ve shared. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that she loves me, and I know that even though we haven’t said the words, she knows how madly I’m in love with her, too.

“Fuck, Beckett, my little sister.”

“Yeah.” I grin.

“You’re grinning like a lovesick fool,” he tells me.

“That’s the Corie effect.” I shrug. I’m not ashamed of how my girl has me wrapped around her little finger.

He chuckles lightly, and tension releases from my shoulders. “I have one question.”

“What’s that?”

“Are you going to make the play or continue to ride the bench?”

This time, I’m the one who’s laughing. “The play is already in motion, brother. I love her. Now that you know, I plan to tell her tonight, and then she and I will decide together when to tell the team. If she still wants to wait, then we wait.”

“You could lose it all.”

“Nah, it’s not what I’ll be losing. It’s what I’ll be gaining.

A wife. A partner for life. The mother of my children.

I love the game, man. I do. I’ve lived and breathed football my entire life.

I didn’t know there was anything more out there waiting for me until I met her.

I could never step on the field again, and I’d be okay because I have her.

Sure, I’d miss it. But when I think about losing the game, it sucks, but it’s not the end of the world.

When I think about losing your sister, my heart cracks in two.

I wouldn’t survive that. She’s my number one pick. ”

My phone rings, and I look down to see my girl’s smiling face. “Hey, babe,” I answer.

“Are you heading to your place?”

“Yeah, I’m still at the stadium, but I’m heading out soon.”

“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

“Use your key, Corie girl. I’ll be home soon.”

“All right,” she concedes. “Be safe.”

“Will do.” I end the call and look over at Landry.

“She has a key to your place?”

“I’d have already moved her in if we weren’t hiding this from everyone.”

“Damn, Beckett,” he says, shaking his head. “Never in a million years did I think my little sister would be the one to hook you.”

“I’m more than hooked. Sunk is more like it.”

He laughs, and I know it’s all going to be okay. “You better not keep her waiting.”

“Are we good?” I ask.

“I need to talk to her. I want to see what she says about all of this, but if she loves you like I’m sure she does, then yeah.

Just… don’t hurt her. Treat her right, and I’m okay with this.

It’s going to take some getting used to, but I’ve noticed the change in both of you.

It’s for the better. Who am I to stand in the way of that? ”

I stand and hug him, remembering I’m still in nothing but a towel. “Call her. Hell, go to my place. She’s there. I’ll take my time here and pick up some food.” I want this behind us so I can stop hiding how much she means to me.

“Yeah, I think I will. Give us some time?”

I nod, and he turns and walks out the door.

That conversation went way better than I imagined it would.

It’s not how we planned it, but I’m glad it happened.

No more sneaking around behind his back.

Maybe Corie will be ready to tell the Rampage, and we will never have to hide again.

As soon as I’m able, I’m going to tell the world that she’s stolen my heart, and I’ll keep reminding them and her every damn day.