Atticus would be happy. Especially if his doctor cleared him to play in the final games. Ivy and Kai would both be glad to have the final member of their trio out there.
What about Kieran? Would Sammie being there affect him at all?
She hadn’t heard from him since she’d left him alone in his bed two weeks earlier. Not that Sammie had tried to reach out herself.
She’d made her decision. Didn’t matter that it hurt, didn’t matter that it wasn’t what she wanted. It was the only way for both of them to move forward. Sammie had known from the beginning that there would be risk involved. That she had a tendency to get in over her head when it came to Kieran. She’d made her choices, and while she didn’t regret any of them, she still had to live with the consequences.
And the consequences fucking sucked.
“Okay.” Sammie breathed in deeply, leaning her elbows on the bar top, letting her head fall into her hands and her hair curtain around her. “Fine.”
Luz clapped her hands together and squeaked. Sammie suspected that half of Carson’s offer had come from a place of wanting to make Luz happy like that. His eyes were on her and only her.
“The Comets are up next,” Zehra said. “Don’t you know one of their players?”
Sammie looked up. “Harper. He’s a friend of Attie’s, used to play for the Cats.”
“He’s not playing.” A man from further down the bar spoke up, pointing at the screen. “Had a bad season, he’s benched for the playoffs.”
Sammie didn’t know Ori all that well, but she knew it was probably killing him that he wouldn’t be playing. She was sure her brother wouldn’t be happy about the news either, even if they were on rival teams now.
“The Comets hit the ground running, though,” the man down the bar continued. “Last game was a three set shutout. They’re the favorites to take the trophy.”
And Sammie would be there to see the final showdown. It had been a whirlwind summer, starting off with her brother finally making a move on the love of his life, ending with Sammie’s own love life in absolute shambles, all coming down to a final weekend of the sport both of them had loved for as long as they could remember.
Sammie downed the rest of her pint. It was time to get home and start packing.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“EXCUSE ME!” ATTICUS shouted over the din of the locker room. Kieran looked up from putting on his shoes. Their setter waited until all eyes were on him, until he had the attention of every person in the small room. Then he leaned forward, pressing a button on a small bluetooth speaker he’d set on one of the benches.
Usher’sHey Daddy(Daddy’s Home)blared out of the speaker, earning a chorus of groans and boos from his team. Atticus only grinned wider at their reactions, crooning the words as he made his way through the room.
“Who said you’re starting?” Kieran asked. He reached over, slapping Aaron on the back. The other setter was seated on the bench next to him, booing almost as loud as Bowen and Eric were from where they were, for some unknown reason, sprawled on the floor.
Atticus looked as though he’d been stabbed in the heart. Aaron rose, putting an arm around his shoulders, yanking him in close by the neck.
“I’m letting you play today,” Aaron stage-whispered into his ear. Atticus paled. “You owe me now.” He ended it with a sloppy, loud smooch to the cheek that had Atticus shoving him away.
“You might not be afraid of me,” Atticus said, pouting. “But you should be very, very afraid of Kai, and what he might do to you if he catches you with your hands on me.” He stuck out histongue for emphasis. Aaron only laughed, slapping his ass as he walked away.
Atticus was smiling as he took the vacated seat next to Kieran. Kieran bumped against his shoulder.
“Feeling good about today?” He’d known Atticus for twenty years. Bravado was something his friend had perfected, a shield he used flawlessly.
“Pretty good,” Atticus said. The joviality left his tone, a more serious mask slipping into place. “Feel better knowing Sammie’s gonna be out there.”
Sammie was here? The question must have shown on Kieran’s face, because Atticus was laughing softly at him, a knowing lilt to his voice.
“She flew in this morning. Rooming with Kai for the weekend.” It was Atticus’ turn to bump against Kieran’s shoulder. “You gotta put on a show for her. Win us that trophy and prove you are a superior male specimen.”
“Sammie hardly even likes men,” Kieran said, earning a much louder laugh that had several other players turning toward them.
“The fact that you understand that, it gives me hope that you might find your way out of the mess the two of you got yourselves into.”
Kieran didn’t feel the levity. He wanted to, but a part of him was still afraid. Scared that Sammie had already made up her mind.
Scared that he’d waited too long, and missed his one and only shot.
