Page 108 of Darn Knit All

“I fucking knew it.” Linc shoved me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I haven’t told her yet.” I scrubbed a hand over my still smarting face. “Not to mention the whole Italy thing.”

“What about Italy?” Jay asked, absently spinning the ball on one finger.

I glanced around the empty indoor court—the faded bleachers and fluorescent lighting were as familiar to me as my own hand. Our weekly games—when we were all in town—were more than just four guys shooting the shit. They’d become an outlet for us, a place to share our struggles.

I pointed at Ren. “You going to get weird that I’m talking about your sister?”

“Not unless you’re saying something derogatory.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But I’ll give you a warning before I start punching.”

“Fair.” I sighed, stepping back to flop onto the worn wooden bleacher behind me. “I’m a fuck-up.”

Linc and Ren dropped on either side of me while Jay chose to sit on the basketball, rolling gently back and forth.

“Explain,” Jay said, and I appreciated that he didn’t deny my statement.

“I want….”

Fuck. How did one describe this aching need inside them? It went beyond missing Mai, beyond the love I had for her, to some long-forgotten part of who I was.

“I want,” I said again with a sigh. “I want her to have everything she desires—be it a fashion house in Milan, world travel, babies—whatever she wants.”

“That’s about her. What—beyond my sister—do you want?” Ren prompted.

“The fuck if I know.” I sighed, leaning back in my seat to stare up at the scuff-marked ceiling.

“This is probably not the time to do this,” Linc said, drawing my gaze to him. “But Annie and I have talked, and we both agree—I’m sorry, bro. But we need to fire you.”

I jerked upright. “The fuck, dude?”

“Oh, harsh,” Jay said with a wince.

Linc’s green gaze met my own, his expression sympathetic but determined. “Let’s be honest, you’re not happy at the company.” He held up a hand to halt my protests. “You’re not, Theo. You haven’t been for a long time, and I’ve been too selfish to recognize it. You deserve to leave and find your true passion.”

I swallowed, feeling a weight shift off my shoulders. “What about the business?”

“We’re good. Promise. While you were away, the team stepped up. They did a stellar job.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “You know you’ll always have a place here. But it’s time for you to work out what you want. And I refuse to be the fucker who holds you back.”

I blew out a breath. “Well, fuck. You’ve stolen my thunder.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“I’ve been trying to think of a way to quit for the past two weeks. I love you, don’t get me wrong. But coming back here—it doesn’t fit anymore.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what I want to do or where I want to be—but I know I want to do it with Mai.”

Ren huffed and I turned to him.

“I’m happy for you.” He shook his head. “But if you knit me anything for Christmas, I will revoke my approval.”

“You can knit me a body condom,” Jay said with a laugh. “These ungrateful dicks don’t appreciate true workmanship.”

I reached down and pulled out a hundred-dollar note from my sock and handed it to Ren.

“What’s this?” he asked, accepting it with two fingers and a wrinkled nose.

“For losing the bet.”

He frowned for a second then laughed. “So no quickie wedding?”

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