Zane
The hum of the crowd surrounds us at the bar as the drinks flow and happiness consumes my teammates. Another win, another step closer to the Super Bowl.
I’m as happy as the rest of them, but every time Luke wanders over to talk to me, I hold my breath, waiting for him to question me about why I ran off. Or to tell me I owe him for stepping in with Thomas.
To my relief, he never once brings it up, opting to talk about the game or whatever’s going on in his own life. Typical of Luke.
Though I don’t miss the knowing smiles he shoots my way when my gaze flits to the door. Or my phone. As though Blair’s about to walk in off the street, or miraculously unblock my number after our emotionally charged exchange.
“Even Wilder had a smile on his face,” Luke continues on and I laugh, welcoming the distraction from my roving thoughts.
He’s not wrong. EvenI’venoticed the grumpy asshole is significantly less grumpy since he hooked up with our team owner’s daughter. Maybe I did do him a favor after all.
Luke’s play by play retelling rolls on and on, and while I’d usually imagine myself banging my head against a brick wall, I smile.
I was at the game. I played. I know what happened. But Luke knows that, and I have a feeling he’s trying to help.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and even though I know it’s not her—it’s likely to be Cade—I face the inevitable, excusing myself for a minute with the promise to return.
CADE: Just tell me if you saw her, fucker. She said she’s okay but something frazzled her enough to send a half-typed message
My shoulders drop as I let out a sigh. He’s been texting me for the past few hours, concerned for Blair. But he doesn’t need to be because his panic over her text is unwarranted. I watched her press send when I appeared. I’m the reason she did it. Not that I’m going to admit that.
ZANE: I think you’re reading too much into this
CADE: Answer the question
ZANE: No, I didn’t see her. But while we’re on the topic of your sister. Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about Morgan?
My phone rings and I curse out loud, pushing through the crowd toward the exit. “A message would have sufficed,Caden.” My jaw clenches as I reach the street, scanning the area for somewhere quiet to talk.
“I told you not toCadenme. And it wouldn’t havesufficed, because I wanted to hear your voice when you responded to what I have to say.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I duck into the doorway of a closed tech store and sink back against the glass.
“It means that I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want your jealous ass to go after her.”
“The fuck? I thought you wanted us to talk? Why would I be jealous?”
“I wish I’d video called you so you could see my face right now. Want me to describe it?” I picture him staring at me with a “do you think I’m stupid” look and I laugh.
“Nope. I get it. But you’re wrong. I’m not jealous. I’m worried. As should you be. Is she safe with him?” My thoughts flicker to one of the many fucked-up things Nathan did when we were younger, and my stomach knots as I wait for Cade’s response.
He huffs and I hold my breath until he finally responds. “She’s safe. I’ve been keeping an eye on things. He seems to have changed. They’ve been together for years. Four, I think.”
“Four?”That stings.Four years is serious. And she moved states for him. I guess I should be happy she’s happy. Only… “Is she happy?”
Cade’s quiet for a beat and I’m about to repeat the question when he curses softly. “She says she is.”
Fuck. “She says a lot of things she doesn’t mean.”
“I know.”
Double fuck.I groan, letting out an audible sigh as I stand tall. “What do you want me to do?” I ask, a big part of me hoping he says “nothing” while a little part of me wants him to tell me to break them up. Because that’s what I want to do. I’m just not sure I’d be doing it for the right reasons.
In fact, IknowI wouldn’t be.
But if she’s not happy—
