Page 105 of Power Play

“Angie’s seven months pregnant. We’re staying home. Her family is coming to visit us.” Drake smiles, tilting his head to the side. “Maybe, instead of making assumptions, you should’ve asked?”

“I feel really stupid right now.” I chuckle. “I’ll look at flights. Maybe I can find one from Vancouver today. It’d be better than flying home first and then to Detroit.” I stand up. A smile as big as the Empire State Building is on my lips. “Thanks, Drake.”

“You’re welcome.” He opens his book again, ready to bury his nose in its pages.

I take a step forward, but then I turn to Drake. “How did you find out?”

“Wow, I thought you weren’t going to ask.” Drake laughs wholeheartedly. “First of all, did you think you were that subtle? Your car parked in her driveway early in the morning, her suddenly staying out all night, which she literally hasn’t done inyears, since she and Ava graduated? Maya sleeping at our place at least once a week?” The more he talks, the warmer my body gets. There’s no anger or annoyance in his voice. “But also, Mayatalks. All the time. I knew when they were at your place, and when you were staying at theirs. I even knew about the trip to Monterey!” He falls quiet for a moment. The mischievous glint behind his irises makes me arch a brow at him. “Maya speaks well for being two years old, but some words are still hard for her. That’s when Angie came in handy.”

“Meaning?”

“She corrected Maya when she couldn’t pronounce ‘Monterey.’ That gave it away. I knew she knew something, and…making the girl talk is pretty easy when you know what she wants.”

I hide my hands in my pockets, rocking back and forth on my heels. “How long have you known?”

“Since the regular season started, around the end of October.”

“But it’s almost the end of December now.”

“And?”

“And you didn’t say anything?”

Drake closes his book again, annoyed; he twists his lips into a scowl. “I love my sister, and I love you, Clay. As a good brother and a good friend, I kept my distance, let you two figure everything out on your own. And is it really that bad?” he asks, staring at me with concern. “We’re not in some medieval century, when a grown-ass brother has any right to command his sister. Well, okay, there are families like that, and maybe it’s normal for them, but it’s not for me. I’ve never been like that. You and Layla should both know that better than anyone.”

I move closer and outstretch my arms, watching him with a smile. Drake rolls his eyes but stands up, and I instantly wraphim in a bear hug. At least I try—this motherfucker is still six-foot-five.

“Thank you, Drake. You’re the best friend I could’ve asked for.” I take a step back. “I bet you’re going to be the best brother-in-law too,” I say, just to tease him and see his grimace as he lowers himself back into his seat.

“We’re not there yet, Rodgers. Don’t try my patience.”

“Duly noted.” I wink at him and finally walk away, heading off to find Coach and look for a flight to Detroit. Once I have all my plans figured out, I fish out my phone and quickly type a text to Layla.

Me:

We’re kinda invited to dinner at Angie and Drake’s place. After Christmas

Layla:

*Dan Levy gif OMG*

Layla:

WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Me:

It was hard to be around him all the time and hide the truth about us

Layla:

Clay Rodgers, you’re freaking me out right now

Me:

He’s actually rooting for us

Me:

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