Page 48 of For Emery

I nodded, hating the constant reminders of what I’d done to him. To us.

“Come sit.” He patted the empty spot beside him. “I won’t bite.”

“I’m not convinced,” I said as I walked over and sat beside him.

“See. No teeth.”

I snickered as I observed the room from the angle I used to sleep at. “Thank you for everything you did for me.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

I nodded. “Yes, I do.”

“I’ll always have your back.”

I had no doubt about that.

He bumped me with his shoulder. “Guess what?” he whispered.

“What?”

“I haven’t told anyone yet, not even my parents, so you can’t say anything.”

My eyes widened. “What is it?”

“Coach thinks there’s a possibility I’ll get drafted.”

My mouth dropped open. “Oh my God. That’s amazing.”

He nodded, clearly still unable to believe it himself. “Yeah.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“I don’t want to jinx it, but I needed to tell someone.”

“Will you get me tickets?”

“To every game,” he assured me. “If it happens.”

“It will. You’re Jordan Grady. You can do anything.”

He stared at me long and hard. I couldn’t miss the appreciation in his eyes. “Let’s go out back.”

“Why?”

“Because being in here with you again is making me want to cuddle.”

A laugh burst out of me. “You’re so stupid.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I stood. “You shouldn’t.”

He laughed as he stood, leading us out into the backyard.

“Why do I feel like you’re purposely taking me on a walk down memory lane?”

He shrugged. “Can’t help it if we share all the same memories.”

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