Page 99 of End Game

“I think he wants to make it up to you.” Sienna walks over to the sink and turns on the water, washing her hands. “Why don’t I finish that salad up for you, and you can go change? Maybe even take a quick shower.”

“I promised the guys I would make it—”

“And you did. Mostly,” Sienna interrupts, shutting off the water. “Go. You need to clear your head.”

I reluctantly leave the kitchen and head for my bedroom, stopping in the doorway when I see what’s waiting for me inside.

There’s a small bouquet sitting on my desk and an envelope with my name on it propped against the vase. The flowers match the ones that were on the dining table, and I know without looking at the card inside that they’re from Nico.

My heart tumbles over itself, and I give myself a stern mental lecture that this means nothing. I snatch up the envelope and open it, pulling out the plain white card inside with shaky fingers. The handwriting is bold, taking up almost the entirety of the card, and I read it.

I’m sorry I ruined your first practice with the team. Please let me make it up to you.

He didn’t sign his name or add a sweet endearment, either, but this is almost—not quite but almost—enough.

At the very least,I think as I tuck the card back into the envelope before I hide it away in my desk,he’s on the right track.

Now it’s up to me to make some progress with him.

Chapter Thirty-Two

NICO

By the time I’m bringing the steaks into the house to let them sit for a few minutes, I find Sienna in the kitchen making the salad. A glass of wine is sitting next to her, and the music is cranked up.

None of the soft jazz that Ever likes to listen to when she cooks. Nope, Sienna is blasting the Nicki Minaj song “Want Some More.” She’s singing every word as she sprinkles cut-up tomatoes on top of the already full salad bowl, snapping her lips shut when she sees me standing there with a plate of still-sizzling steaks.

“That was quick,” she says, her gaze going to Coop, who just came inside after me. “And those steaks smell delicious.”

“Where’s Ever?” My appetite threatens to vanish. If she left because of what I did earlier ... what I’ve been doing ...

The disappointment crashes into me like a giant wave. I’ve fucked everything up.

“Oh, I sent her away to take a shower. She seemed—frazzled.”

My relief is instantaneous, but the knowing look on Sienna’s face tells me she’s aware of everything I’ve done. Even more than what I told her on the phone earlier.

I’m not surprised. Ever has become close to Sienna since she moved in, and I think it’s great.

“You really messed everything up, you know,” Sienna says as she turns off the music.

“I’m gonna go call Gav. See where the hell he is.” Coop holds up his phone as he rushes out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with Sienna.

Who seems ready to give me a lecture.

“I know I messed everything up with Everleigh.” I go to the oven and peek inside to see the garlic bread is browned nicely. I go ahead and turn the oven off as well as the timer. “You don’t need to remind me.”

“Well, she messed up with you too.”

I turn to look at her, surprised she’d bash her friend. “What exactly do you know?”

“I know that you tried to make a move and she panicked and bailed on you Sunday afternoon.” She shrugs. “You two are both scared. I told her that, and she completely disagreed.”

“Right, because she’s not scared at all to stand up for her feelings.”

“No, she said you’re the one who’s not scared. She ran away from you, which makes her feel like a chickenshit.”

Leave it to Sienna to tell it like it is.

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