"I don't know. Kiss the ever-loving shit out of him. Tell him that you feel the same."
"I can't." I push past and storm into the hotel room.
“You sound like a broken record. Why not?” She stomps after me. “Walk into HR when we get back and tell them that you want to date Emmett."
"Dating Emmett is the easy bit, but that doesn't fix the problem of our brothers. What this would do to the team. I will not be the person who messes up their chances to go to the playoffs. This isn't a romantic movie, Lettie. This is real life, and sometimes love doesn't conquer all." I'm hysterical now as I sink onto the bed.
My sister is quiet for a moment. "Okay." She places a reassuring arm around my shoulders. "You're right," she says softly. We sit there in silence as I try to wipe away my tears again. "Or ... now hear me out ..." she says. "You two see each other secretly, and once the season is over, you come out. That way no one gets hurt because the season is over. You could tell the team, and everyone is happy."
I turn and look at her. "You want us to lie?”
“White lie,” she says.
“You think that is going to work?"
"Of course. Especially if you have me and Sully on your side. We would help you guys keep your secret."
"You would? Why?"
"Because that man is adorable and I can't believe you're not rushing into his arms." My eyes widen at her reaction. "I get it. I totally understand the tension and why you haven't been able to quit him. Girl, go for it. Put that man out of his misery."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Unless you don't like him."
"No. I like him. A lot." I giggle.
"Yay. Jo has a secret boyfriend. This is so cool. It's like we are spies or something." She smiles. "We need code words and disguises."
"That seems extreme."
"Love is extreme."
33
EMMETT
The elevator doors close on Joelle and Collette. She doesn't look back. Fuck. I stand there, staring at the empty space where she just was.
"Well, that was intense," Sully says.
I punch the wall.
"What the hell?"
"Fuck."
"Want to talk about it?" Sully asks.
"No."
We continue in silence as the elevator moves again up to fifteen. I grab my stuff and storm down the corridor to my room.
"Cap, hey, wait."
I ignore my friend, swipe the key to my room, and walk in. He captures the door before it closes and follows
"Get the fuck out," I yell at my friend.
