Page 50 of Puck Shy

“He tries to sleep by nine on game nights.”

“See! This is what I’m saying. And Stevie, it’s normal to dream of having it all with someone. Just because you could see yourself having babies and kids with him doesn’t mean you will. Would I love to have a niece or nephew? Yes. Do I need one? No. And you and Lucas can figure it out as you go. But if I were him and you went from not even wanting a relationship to saying you wanted it all, I would be concerned you were giving up yourself for me, too. You’re lucky he’s a good enough person to see the bigger picture. Most people would accept what you said as fact then have problems later.”

“Even if all of that is true, isn’t he giving up what he wants to be with me, then?”

“It sounds like Lucas was just as confused as you. He didn’t know what he wanted. Now, he’s willing to figure that out with you. And isn’t that the beauty of a relationship? You grow and change together. You talk things out like adults and figure it out.”

“Sounds like you have some experience,” I say.

She shrugs. “I’m in a relationship with two other people, one that started on a lie. We’ve had a lot of talks. A lot of yelling. But mostly, a lot of love. The three of us love each other, and I was willing to work it out with them. Lucas clearly wants what’s best for you, and I think you want what’s best for him, too—which is why you rejected him the first time and now he’s asking you to take a step back.”

I think through everything she just said, and in a weak moment, I ask, “You really think I’m good enough for him?”

Riley takes the pillow from her lap and hits me with it.

“Ouch!” I yelp.

“Shut that voice the hell up. You’re perfect.” She whacks me again…and again.

I grab my pillow and hit her back. “You’re a turd.”

“So are you. But I love you.”

I sigh. “I love you, too. So what do I do now?”

“Well, you could watch the game with me. Or…” she says, a mischievous grin developing on her face.

“Or?”

“You can admit to yourself that you love Lucas. That you want to be with him and you’ll figure the rest of it out as you go. I think you have a lot of big feelings, Stevie. You always have. Now it’s time to take those feelings and give them to someone else. Maybe you’ll get hurt, but I know in my heart that you won’t. I’ve seen the way Lucas looks at you. We all have. And I’ve seen the way you look at him. You guys have ‘that spark.’ Don’t let it dim.”

“But he wanted space.”

“You gave him space. You gave yourself time. I think you know what you want, Stevie. Now, you have to show him that you mean it. That you’re not being impulsive.”

“And if it doesn’t work out? You know how much I love my job.”

“You’ll figure that out, too. You and Lucas are mature enough to make it work. Plus, do you really want to walk away from your connection with him because of that? There are other ways for you to make money and do what you love.”

I let her words sink in before something inside me clicks into place. “Fuck. You’re so right!” I slam my face into the pillow again, and this time, I scream. Riley rubs my back, and when I come up for air, I know what I need to do. “Let’s watch the game here,” I tell her.

“Really?” Riley asks, her eyebrow raised in question. She thinks I should go to the arena now, but I want to show Lucas that I can honor his wishes so he can prove to himself that he doesn’t need me there to win. Even if I think it’s silly.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“But Stevie—”

“We’ll watch the game on TV. Then, I’m going to go get my man.”

“Hell yes!” she cries, throwing her arms around me. “We’re going to marry brothers!” Then she pulls back sheepishly. “Or, I mean, at least date brothers. I guess we’ll see what happens.”

I laugh. Who knows? Maybe she’ll get her wish someday. But first, I have to get him to go all in. Whatever that looks like for us.

Chapter twenty-two

Lucas

The entire team is pissed at me. Ever since Stevie left ahead of us to go to Seattle, I’ve been on their shit lists. I knew they’d made her our good luck, but with the way they’re acting, they must think that by giving her time away, I cursed us.

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