“Yep.”
I end the call and, pressing the corner of my phone to my forehead, blow out a series of short breaths to gain control of my rapidly beating heart. Why is my body reacting like I’ve just received bad news instead of good? My home team, the team Nate and I grew up worshipping, wants me to play for them. Badly. I shouldn’t have to convince myself that this is what I want. Itiswhat I want.
Right?
A noise from the doorway has my head snapping up, and when the identity of the man leaning against the doorframe of the private dining room registers, my heart drops.
I sink into the seat, feeling completely fucked. “How much of that did you hear?”
Elliott, hands in his suit pocket, scrutinizes me, his gaze like an iron brand. “Enough to know you’re being traded.”
“Possibly,” I correct him. “Nothing’s confirmed.”
He lifts a brow. “The trade deadline’s in a few days, Cole. We’ll know soon enough.”
I sigh and rest my elbows on my thighs. “It’d be a post trade deadline; they want Rogers for the playoffs. After that, he’ll retire. But regardless, there are still a lot of logistics to be worked out.”
He nods and stares at a spot above my shoulder, as if he’s processing the implications. “If moving teams is what you want, she wouldn’t resent you for making the choice. She’d want you to be happy.”
If I wasn’t already sitting, that would’ve knocked me on my ass. Because it’s the goddamn truth, and that makes it all the harder to leave.
“Maya and I are in a really good place. I don’t want to ruin that by bringing up such a life-altering decision if it’s not set in stone.” A sharp pain lances my chest, forcing me to sit up and rub at the spot. “Given how hard she fought against us in the first place, I don’t think bringing up the idea of a long-distance relationship will go over well.”
Elliott crosses his arms over his chest. “Honesty is huge for Maya, and the trust she has for you? Don’t take that lightly, man.”
“I don’t,” I promise, praying he can see how earnest I am. “I never want to hurt her, which is why I’m asking you to not say anything to her yet. Give me some time to figure this out.”
Elliott studies me for a long moment, his expression unyielding.
Heart in my throat, I tap my fingers against my thighs. It’s a huge request. I’m asking him to keep a big secret from his sister, but he has to know my intentions aren’t malicious.
Finally, he puffs out a deep breath. “You love her.”
Relief floods me, pulling a chuckle from deep in my chest. “Is it that obvious?”
“To everyone but her,” he says with the merest trace of a smile on his lips. “I’ll keep my lips sealed for now. But figure out your shit sooner rather than later.”
The plastic band choking my nerves snaps, every muscle relaxing a fraction. “I will. Promise.”
“You’re good for her. It’s like she’s finally living in one of her romance books. And she deserves that.”
“She deserves the world.”
With a light knock on the doorframe, he straightens. “I’m headed to my bathroom, which was my initial destination, just in case you thought I was stalking you.” He gives me a wry smile. “I’ll see you back at the table.”
As I weave my way through the tightly packed tables in the main dining room, I’m relieved to discover no one shouting, screaming, or crying at ours. The instant I’m seated, my hand reaches toward Maya’s back of its own accord. “What did I miss?”
“I asked the waiter whether they serve lobotomies, but he didn’t catch on to my sarcasm, so he’s asking the chef and getting back to me. How was the call? Everything good?”
Chuckling, I tilt closer and lightly press my lips against hers. “Everything’s great, baby. It always is with you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
maya
I’m usedto the noises in my apartment. Even the constant buzz of my fridge is part of the charm. I like to think of it as white noise as I lose myself in a new book. But the scratching on my door? That’s a new one. One that makes my heart race as I set down the psychological thriller I’ve been lost in.
As I scan my apartment, my attention snags on the full moon outside the window, and panic surges through me.
