Page 110 of The Keeper and I

Coach Warren searched his face, and when he found no reservation, he gave Jordan the floor.

Jordan looked around at his teammates. “So, I know that was fucking bizarre. I’m sorry you all had to see it, but the guy who attacked me is my girlfriend’s stalker. He’s been after her for months, breaking into her house and shit. I never thought he’d try and get to me at a match, and it put you all in danger. I’m sorry.”

They blinked back at him for a few long moments.

“Sothat’swhy you punched him twice,” Hector said finally, breaking the tension.

A chuckle went through the dressing room. Luka spoke up next.

“Dude, why didn’t you tell us?” he wondered. “We could have helped you guys.”

Jordan blinked. “What?”

“We could have driven by, had you guys stay at any of our houses, all that stuff,” Israel said. “You and Laci didn’t have to take this on alone.”

“You…” Jordan swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “I couldn’t have asked it of you. It was a lot, and—”

“You would have done it for us,” Artem interjected. “Hell, you beat up a lawyer last season looking out for Ethan’s girlfriend. Of course, we would have helped.”

“I didn’tbeat him up, I…” He didn’t have an argument, Artem was right. If any of their wives or girlfriends were in need of help, Jordan would have stepped up. He’d never thought of what he did for Billie as heroic. The fact he thought they wouldn’t do the same for him made him feel foolish. “I’m sorry. I should have been honest with you. We are a team, after all.”

He put his hand out in front of him. One by one, they got to their feet and joined him, placing their hands atop his. Coach Warren too. Even Peter, begrudgingly and rolling his eyes, participated. Jordan looked around, meeting each of their eyes.

“Stanmore on three,” he said, and they nodded. “One…two…three!”

“STANMORE!” they chanted in unison.

The second half passed in a blur. Jordan blocked a few superb shots from Ethan, but ultimately, the match ended in a two-two draw. After which, he showered, changed, and headed out to the parking lot.

“Jordan.”

He lifted his head to see Ethan standing near the boot of his car. He looked more serious than Jordan had ever seen him.

“Knight,” he replied.

Ethan glanced around and took a step closer, leaning his head in like he was about to share a secret. “I think you should come to me and Billie’s place tomorrow. Bring Laci.”

Jordan’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“We might be able to explain some things that guy said tonight.”

“What the fuck, Knight?”

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but I promise, it’ll make some sense if you let us explain it.”

Jordan frowned. What could Ethan possibly know about the Caroline thing?

“Will it sweeten the deal if I promise to feed you?” Ethan pressed. “I mean, not cooking. Billie, bless her heart, she is lost around the kitchen.”

“If I agree, will you let me go home?”

Ethan chuckled. “You bet.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

They clapped hands, and Jordan climbed in behind the wheel of his Range Rover. He glanced at his phone and saw Laci had texted him several times.

Laci:OMG, are you okay??? I just saw what happened.

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