Page 85 of Hard to Take

Miles’s name.

“No way,” he says.

His agent called shortly after the Kodiaks released their campaign for Miles to make the all-star game on social media.

Miles and I sat together, him on the couch and me curled in his lap, and went through the details line by line until the early hours of the morning.

“I know you still have to finalize the deal,” I say, “but they wanted you to see a prototype.”

The sponsor wants to keep it under wraps until the all-star game in the hopes that he’d be named a player.

He gets a bunch of cash when the deal is announced, and a bonus if he’s named an all-star.

“Grams is never going to believe they’re putting my name on a basketball shoe. She’ll think I made it up.” Miles’s voice is full of awe.

“Then I’ll tell her it’s legit.”

I throw my arms around Miles, and he lifts me off my feet. When he sets me back down, he kisses me. His mouth is hot and hungry, but he gives as much as he takes. His fingers thread in my hair as though he can’t get enough.

“This wouldn’t have happened without you.” He says it against my mouth.

Part of me wants to argue, but a bigger part wants to absorb all of this moment.

My fingers slip against his bare shoulders, which are still damp from sweat. I give zero fucks.

The sounds of laughter and conversation and sneakers registers too late.

The rest of the Kodiaks sweeps down the hall, en route to the locker room. Jay spots us, his gaze going cool.

Miles stiffens, and I squeeze his hand before calling after my brother.

“Hey. Got a second?”

I slip out of Miles’s hands and start toward my brother.

He shakes his head. “Not now.”

“Jay. Come on?—”

“Not right now.” He turns his back on me and silently follows his team to the locker room.

* * *

MILES

“This a palace or what?” I ask as we step into the next room.

I’m taking Grams on a tour of a new retirement home. They have around-the-clock care if needed, activities every hour of the day including ballroom dancing, and the best food in the state. I know because I read all the reviews.

With the shoe deal, I’ll be able to keep her in the best standard of care as long as she needs it.

But it’s a nonstarter if she doesn’t want to be here.

“There’s a games room. I don’t need a whole room for games,” she says lightly.

“Personally, I have found games to be very fulfilling. Also lucrative.”

Her eyes crinkle at the corners.

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