I’m never letting you go. Not in this life. Or any other.
For the first time, I’m tempted to believe he might actually mean it.
The comforting scent of tea lingers in the air as I wrap both hands around my mug, letting the warmth sink all the way to my bones. Maybe I don’t have a plan or all the answers, but I have my friends.
And right now, that feels like enough.
30
Oliver
As soon as practice ends, I shower and grab my phone from my locker to check where Rina is.
Did I turn on her share location without asking?
Yes, I did. And she’ll probably give me hell when she figures it out. But that doesn’t matter, I’m more than happy to take the hit.
From everything I’ve read about pregnancy, smaller meals throughout the day are best, and I want to make sure she and Little O are covered.
Hmm. She’s not in the building.
Looks like she’s at Lakeshore Sweets, which isn’t a surprise. Rina enjoys hanging out with her friends, and honestly, I love that she’s got a tight circle of women who make her laugh and close ranks around her when she needs it. Still, that means I need to make a pit stop before our team meeting.
I tug on a pair of jeans, pull a hoodie over my head, and snag my black Railers cap from the shelf above my locker.
“Yo, Van Doren,” Knox calls as I stride toward the exit. “Where you going? There’s a meeting in thirty.”
I shoot him a look and roll my eyes. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, Ma. I’ll be back in plenty of time.”
He snorts. “Better be. If you’re late, Steele’s gonna string you up by your?—”
“By what?” Jax cuts in with a grin.
“Christ,” River mutters. “Can we not?”
I flip them all off without breaking stride and shove through the door.
The truth is, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Only that I can’t sit through another meeting pretending everything’s business as usual when Rina’s out there, possibly skipping meals or not feeling great and needing me.
Outside, the air is crisp enough to sting my lungs. Once I reach Lakeshore Sweets, I slow my pace outside the window and scan the bakery until my gaze finds her gathered around a back table with her friends.
She’s holding a mug between her hands as steam curls upward in delicate ribbons. Her cheeks are rosier than usual, and her whole face looks lighter than it has in days. The sight of her happiness means everything. For a guy who’s spent years splashed across Railers Rumors, chasing whatever thrill landed in front of him, her smile in the warm glow of a bakery is the only thing that feels real.
Or matters.
It’s not just her, though. It’s this world she’s part of. Their laughter and the genuine bond they have with one another. I’ve lived most of my life in locker rooms and arenas, surrounded by noise and adrenaline.
Watching her feels like peace.
Like home.
When I push inside the door, a few heads swivel in my direction.
“Hi, Oliver,” Callie says, beaming. “Rina told us the good news. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” A smile tugs at my lips. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Rina narrows her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
