Page 159 of On the Breakaway

The table erupts into excitement.

“You’ve got to be so relieved.” I immediately turn to hug her.

Sloane laughs as everyone starts talking over one another.

“When do you move in?” Becca asks.

“Next month.”

“Do you need furniture?” Wesley piles on.

“Probably.”

The celebration continues as people continue peppering her with questions.

I’m thrilled for her.

She left her old life behind to pursue her dreams out here, and she’s doing the damn thing. We’ve all been there before. Getting your first place feels significant, like proof that your life is becoming real.

Wyatt glares across the table. “Does this mean you’re finally getting your damn decorative pillows out of my house?”

“They are piling up all over the place,” Grayson says between bites of fries.

“There’s only like six of them,” Sloane argues.

Wyatt snorts. “Six per room, maybe.”

“Harper’s the queen of decorative pillows,” I add, thinking about the obscene amount she has scattered throughout her house.

Harper immediately throws both hands up. “Do not drag me into this.”

“It’s true,” Wesley confirms.

“Yes,” Harper agrees. “But mine are functional decorative pillows.”

Nathan stares at her. “What does that even mean?”

Across the table, Grayson catches my eye, mouth twitching. I glance back at my plate to keep from smiling.

The conversation around the table continues, but I don’t know a single thing being said because I keep replaying the past couple of days. After our talk, things were better than I expected.

He was in this, and while I haven’t been able to give him the answer I know he probably wants, he’s willing to wait for me to figure it out. My anxiety surrounding us has dwindled almost entirely.

That night, I’d shown up ready to fight. To yell or haul up any insult to defend myself, the way it would’ve been with any other relationship I’ve ever had. Grayson had shut that down entirely. And days later, my mind was still trying to wrap around how he could be so patient with me.

Part of me worried that he’d pull away at my uncertainty, but he’s as present as always. The sex is better, the conversations run deeper, and with Grayson manning the kitchen, the food is actually edible. Aside from mandatory team meetings and practices, we’ve made the most of his lull in games and my bye week.

I lean in a little, reaching my hand under the table and squeezing his knee once.

His eyes glimmer with amusement when his fingers brush against mine before pulling away when Nathan coughs loudly, interrupting the conversation around us.

Nathan glances at Wesley and grins.

“Actually,” he says. “We have an announcement.”

Liam’s mouth drops. “Holy shit, are you pregnant?”

“No,” Nathan snaps. “Announcements don’t automatically mean pregnancy.”