Page 96 of Pick Six

“You didn’t value those things for most of your life either, Xander.”

“Because I tried to be more like you,” I grit out.

“Well… don’t.” He looks out the window.

I sit in shocked silence for a moment. It’s a strange thing to hear from a man who only ever wanted a prodigy he could mold in his image.

“That’s probably the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” I mutter sarcastically.

“Remember you’re here for my help,” he warns.

“You’ve given no indication you’re going to give it, so I decided honesty is the best policy.”

“I’ll see what I can do. What leverage I can find over Drew and his father. I have a few leads I can think of already where that family is concerned. But whether it’s enough, I’ll have to see.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

“Can I be dismissed then?”

“If I do this for you, you know what I’ll want in return.”

“I told you I’d consider it when my football career is over.”

“And when is that? Will you still have a body and a brain intact at the end of it?”

“Don’t fucking start this.”

“One more contract. Then you get out.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

“Then neither will I.” He looks at me pointedly.

I want to storm out of here. Tell him where he can put his fucking ultimatums. But then I think of her. If anyone could put a stop to Drew, it’s the man sitting across from me. What kind of asshole am I if I leave her to him twice? Because of what? Pride? Family disputes? A game? I love her too much for that.

“Fine,” I say at last.

There’s a beat of silence while he studies me again, before the pen he’s been twirling between his fingers drops, and he nods.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

FORTY-NINE

Harper

I’m sittingat Ben’s birthday party with Drew after he showed up at my work to take me to dinner and I told him I couldn’t go because I had somewhere to be. When he found out where I was going, he insisted on attending. He claimed it’d be a good opportunity to show everyone we were working through things, but I know it’s an audience of one that he wants to see us together.

“So Benny, speaking of birthdays when are you ready to strip down to that birthday suit in the name of charity?” Joss smirks at Ben, just after he blows out the candles and Violet starts to cut the cake.

Alex showed up and I’ve been doing my best to avoid him. In part because I don’t want Drew to get suspicious and in part because as much as I want to see Alex, getting to see him from across the room but not be able to touch him or talk to him, is a special form of torture.

“Did my wife volunteer me for this?” His eyes flick between Joss and Violet.

“No. She said I’d have to convince you first and then she’d think about it, but you’d be donating your body to charity.”

“How would I be doing that by getting naked?” He frowns as he takes a bite of cake Violet hands to him.