Page 141 of A Sky Full Of Stars

I suck in a breath as his gaze bores into mine, but the second I open my mouth to speak, Josh’s monitor comes to life, making me startle.

“Shit. Josh is awake. I better go.” We both stand, and I try to ignore the strange air between us. “If I miss Katie on the way in, can you tell her I’ll meet her in the kitchen?”

“Of course.” Thomas smiles, running his hand through his hair as I turn to walk away. “And thanks, Lainey.”

“For what?” I ask, confusion scrunching my features as I glance over my shoulder.

“For understanding, just like I knew you would.” He winks before jogging over to the ball they left abandoned in the middle of the yard, while I stand frozen for a beat, my heart beating frantically, the meaning behind his words hitting me in the chest.

I’m his girl. I’m the one he was talking about.

Still.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Thomas

After Nate told me to “wake the fuck up” last week, I’d spent the night thinking about my failures and vowed to do better. For both me and Lainey. I’d spent a huge part of my life in my own personal hell, and it was time to make a change. Lainey was back, and I wasn’t going to let her slip through my fingers again.

I’d arrived back in Seattle feeling lighter than I had in years, and as I’d packed up my entire life into a medium sized U-Haul, I’d done so with a new hope. A new outlook and a determination to make things right.

With my life tucked away in boxes, I made the fifteen-hour drive from Seattle, only stopping once to grab some food and rest my eyes for an hour. I had plenty of time to sleep when I arrived, and it had been years since I had a proper night’s sleep anyway. I just wanted to be home.

Since I’d arrived at Summer’s in the middle of the night, I had every intention of sleeping the day away, but when the team group chat I’d recently been added to lit up with an array of messages to meet for a workout, I abandoned my plans and headed to the stadium.

Which is where I am now, working out with the team—some of them anyway—for the very first time.

Once the general welcome chat is out of the way, I get into my groove, and it quickly feels like home. Like nothinghas changed except for the color of my jersey and the men surrounding me. It helps to have a few familiar faces in the mix, but when Luke strolls in, my attitude changes.

I continue my workout, and it’s not until I’ve finished with my final set that I seek him out, making my way over to where he’s setting up on the bench press. I’ve been meaning to confront him about Lainey, and now seems like the perfect moment. When he’s at my mercy. Because that fucker has been keeping secrets.

“Need a spot?” I ask as I get into position behind him.

“Thanks, man. When did you get back?”

“I drove here yesterday and I’m already regretting it. I should have given myself more lead-up, but the less time at Dylan and Summer’s the better.”Though I wouldn’t mind seeing Lainey more often.

“Are they cramping your style?” Luke laughs as he grabs the bar for his set.

“No,” I say honestly. “It’s just a full house. You know, with the newnannyliving there.” I make sure to emphasize the word “nanny” and wait to see if he picks up on it.

“Nanny, huh? Good for them.”

“Good for them? You are such an asshole.”

Luke’s eyes meet mine and his lips curl into a smirk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know your sister’s back,” I snap, folding my arms over my chest.

“Yep. She is.” He pops thep, and I want to pop my foot in his ass.

“Why are you being a dick, and why didn’t you tell me?”

“Fuck,” he huffs out as the reps get harder. “You’re pissed as well? What is it with the two of you?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means…” He drops the bar onto the stand and sits up, spinning to face me. “It means that I don’t want anything to do with your drama. Lainey’s back;you’re here. Either sort your shit out or move on, but don’t bring me into it.”

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