Page 80 of Pick Six

“Because we just decided this was real and not fake like… a week ago? Even the fake part hasn’t been that long.”

“We’ve known each other for years. You know I keep the place clean. I put my things away. I play nice with others. Especially when they ask nicely and say—”

She gives a slow eye roll and cuts me off. “I don’t want to feel like I’m a burden on you. And this is already complicated. It would just compound it.”

“Fine. Do a trial run. Just bring some of your things here. An away bag for a few days like you’re on vacation and see what you think. We’ll decide if we like it. If you do this weekend, I’ll even be out of town for half of it so you could see how you like it without me around.”

“I don’t know.”

“If things work out, it’s not far from the museum.”

“That’s true…” she hedges.

“Good. So we’re agreed.”

“Trial run only.” She gives me a pointed look.

I nod but I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. The thought of having her here, another step closer to being mine is too fucking good.

FORTY-TWO

Alex

I’m sittingat my locker after practice, sorting through the gear I need to take home and clearing out some of the clutter before we hit the road this weekend when I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I turn around and tense when I see it’s Daniels.

I’d had multiple meetings with coaches, management, and our agents when this thing first blew up before the season started. They’d settled things on paper after my PR team made it clear I’d only been defending my girlfriend. Drew and Sam had told me to keep appearances up with Harper and management had basically told the two of us to steer clear of each other as often as possible. Keep our tempers in check if we didn’t want to get benched.

We’d been successful so far in staying out of each other’s way so him standing here now has me on edge.

“Can we talk?” he asks, a reluctant but determined tone to his voice.

“Better keep it short,” I answer tersely, standing in case he decides he wants to talk with his fists.

His jaw clenches and he takes a breath, looking at the ground for a moment before he speaks.

“I want a place here. With this team. As long as you and I have tension, that’s never gonna happen. So I want to settle this without all the suits around.”

“How do you propose we do that?”

“I didn’t realize she was your girl. If I had, I would’ve never touched her.”

“You won’t win points around here touching any woman that doesn’t want to be touched. I don’t know what they did in L.A., but here that will get your ass beat every time—and you’re putting your life at risk if ends up being a wife or a girlfriend.”

“I get reckless sometimes when I’ve had too much to drink. I’m working on it.”

“Better work fast.”

His eyes meet mine and a little curl of his lip starts and then fades, like he’s thought better of whatever he was about to say.

“I don’t expect us to be friends. But I’m sorry for my part in that night.”

“You owe her an apology, not me.”

“Since I doubt you’d let me within ten feet of her, how do you figure that’ll happen?”

“I’m willing to pass on a note.”

His brow furrows, but he nods. “I’ll do it.”