Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“On this, we agree, my dear friend. So, what’s up?”
Exhaling, I tell her about my call with Knox. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Um, we go to the suite,” she says. I can hear the excitement in her voice. “Corie, you’re both in this. Sure, you’re still hiding it, but that’s a decision you made. You told me he wanted to tell Landry and the Rampage and let the cards fall where they may.”
“We can’t do that. Not during the season. If we’re still together once the season ends, I can look for a different job.”
“You might not have to.”
“It’s a possibility, but if one of us has to leave the organization, it should be me. Then there’s my brother we have to think about.”
“I still think you’re underestimating Landry. All he wants is for you to be happy. He will be fine with it if he knows Knox is all in. Besides, he’s going to have to see him when he sees you, and we both know he’s not writing you off. Landry is the best big brother. You could commit murder, and he’d still be standing by your side, supporting you.”
“I know, but this is different. He told all the guys, hell, the entire team, I was off-limits. You’ve heard him say that just as many times as I have.”
“Yeah, because many of them are fuck boys. Not Knox, and not his core group of friends. Sure, they hook up, but sex is healthy and natural. They’re not picking up a different woman every night. None of them have ever been like that. Landry knows that. Trust him, Corie.”
“Why are you defending him so hard?”
“I’m not. I’m assisting my bestie with her dilemma, which is why she called me,” she sasses. “Look, I know Landry just as well as you do. He’s protective. He took on that role with pride. Even before we lost her,” she says, speaking of my mom, “he was always protective of you. Are you happy, Corie?”
“Yes.”
“Is Knox included in that happiness?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Then Landry will come around. He’s not going to lose you over this. He will have to learn to accept that Knox is your person. He’ll find his one day.”
She’s right. I know she is, but it’s scary. Landry stepped up when we lost our mom, and in a way, I feel as though it’s disrespecting him by dating his best friend, but Sloane is right. I can’t recall a time I’ve been this happy, and Knox and how he treats me is a huge part of that. When he’s with me, it’s us. Sure, we don’t go out in public, but if we did, I know in my gut he wouldn’t be any different. In fact, he might be even more attuned to me.
“Thanks, Sloane.”
“Always, bestie. Now, are we going to be living the suite life with the Beckett family on Sunday, or are we going to be drowned rats in the stands?” she jokes.
“You’ll be there, right? When I say be there, I want you glued to my side in case I fumble.” I smile at myself when using football terms. Knox and my brother would both be proud.
“I’ll be there.”
“Then I guess we’re living the suite life.”
“Yes!” she cheers. “You just made a long, hard day even better. We need to pick out our outfits.”
“Jeans and Landry’s jersey,” I tell her.
“There’s a chance we might be on TV. You know they show the suites.”
“And I’ll still be wearing jeans and Landry’s jersey. I just want to be me, Sloane.”
“Fine, but I get to curl your hair and do your makeup.”
“Deal.”
“Maybe we should wear Knox’s jersey, you know, since it’s his suite and all.”’
“Yeah, we can’t do that. We’re guests as Landry’s sister and her best friend. Wearing Knox’s jersey will raise questions.”
“He is your boyfriend. Wait, do you even have a Knox Beckett jersey?”
“Nope.”
“All these years you’ve crushed on him, you never splurged.”
“Nah, I’m a Reynolds fan.”
“We’re going to have to have one custom-made for you with both of their names and numbers. I can see this being a fight with them.” She laughs.
“If we ever get to that point, we’ll see what we can figure out,” I assure her.
“I’m holding you to that,” she tells me.
“I knew you would. Thanks for talking me off the ledge. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’ll never have to. Love you, Corie.”
“Love you, too. Talk soon,” I say, hitting End and dropping my phone to the couch, just as the front door opens. Landry enters the living room and plops down next to me on the couch. “Did you take them for all they’re worth?” I tease.
“You know it. Well, not all. I got second. Reid took home the most.” He kicks his feet up on the coffee table. “What are we watching?” he asks, pointing toward the television that has the sound muted.