Paulie’s sweeping his gaze over me, brow tight. “Dude. You’re dead on your feet.”
I scrub a hand down my face and groan. We’re a few hours from game time, and I am struggling. It’s not just the lack of sleep last night from driving down to see Jed. I haven’t been sleeping well for the past week. I was either an emotional wreck and not sleeping, drunk off my ass, or staying up late helping Jed pack. My energy stores are empty. The ball is going to come at me and hit me straight in the face. Reflexes? Reaction time? What are those things?
“You need to go to bed early tonight. As soon as the game’s over, Paulie and I are forcing you to bed,” East says.
I’m already shaking my head. I glance around the room to make sure no one’s too close. “I want to video call JJ. It’s only his second game.”
“No. Veto,” Paulie says firmly. “He’ll understand. If he needs someone, Shelby’s on it.”
He taps his phone and shoves the screen in my face. There’s a screenshot of a text conversation between Shelby and Jed.
Shelby
I’m only a call or text away. My place is fifteen minutes from your hotel.
Jed
Thanks, Shelbs.
Shelby
Of course. I’m here, no matter the time.
Don’t be stubborn and pretend like you’re okay. I’ll know.
Jed
Wouldn’t dream of it. Not facing your wrath if you were to find out.
Shelby
Smart man.
Jed
I really appreciate it. I mean it.
Shelby
You’re one of us, Jed. We’re here for each other, no matter what.
Emotion rises in my throat, and I blow out a breath. Blub. This crew. Good fucking people.
“Thanks,” I manage.
I don’t know how I got so lucky to have them in my life. I still don’t like it, though. I vowed I would always be therefor him. But the guys are right, I’m not functioning right now.
East squeezes my shoulder. “He’d feel worse knowing the state you’re in. It’s one night.”
I search East’s blue eyes. He’s done this foryearswith Maddy. My gaze flits to Paulie’s. Pauls, too, with Shelby.
“You get used to it,” Easton says quietly. “It’s always hard. It never gets easier. But you get used to it.”
“And when you do see each other?” Paulie says. “It’s so much sweeter for it.”
“Listen up!” The skipper’s voice booms through the locker room.
We spin toward him. A young guy in workout gear stands next to him, hat pulled low, duffle on his shoulder.
