Page 86 of The Fake Play

Evie’s laughter slows as she looks over at me, her expression warm and accepting. "I heard about the baby. Welcome to the family, Keke."

Family. Hearing her include me in something as profound as that feels like the one thing I’ve been missing my whole life. I have Michael, but I want more than one person to call family.

Luke smiles at me and the fear of vulnerability melts away, just like that. Maybe I don’t need to have all the answers all the time. Maybe it’s enough to just be here in the moment and enjoy it. I realize now that it’s okay to let myself believe in something I’d spent so long running away from, especially when it’s staring me right in the face.

Luke reaches out, his hand finding mine. “You’re really here this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“When I was unconscious… never mind. I’m just glad you’re here now.”

I swallow back the burn in my throat. “I’m here as long as you want me to be.” It wasn’t the same as saying I love you but I will have to work up to that. I clear my throat to take the edge off the emotions welling up inside of me. “I mean, if that’s what you want.”

His smile grows until it clearly pains him. “That’s exactly what I want.”

Chapter 37

Luke

Three weeks on the sidelines. Three weeks of sitting out, nursing a concussion, and watching my team claw their way through the playoffs without me. Three weeks of more soul-searching than I thought possible. But I’m here. I made it back.

It never would have happened without Keke’s help.

In my absence, the guys have pulled off a small miracle. They’ve kept fighting and grinding, proving everyone wrong. And even though it eats me up to be sidelined, I’ve never been prouder to call these guys my teammates. I’ve watched every play, memorized every goal from the bench, and each win feels like both a victory and a personal reminder that this team is more than just one man.

I wish Lucas would understand that.

His little stunt had almost ended my career and it’d certainly ended his. After that cheap shot, management didn’t hesitate— Lucas was gone within days. His future in pro hockey was obliterated. That is something I need to make peace with.

The truth is, I feel bad for the kid.

Yeah, he probably earned it. That hit had been reckless, desperate, and dangerously illegal. I hit the ice after taking offmy helmet. I could have died. Some of the fans went public, stating he should have been arrested for it, saying it had been a calculated move, but I know he wasn’t trying to kill me.

At least, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t.

There are already enough voices in Lucas’s life punishing him. Mine doesn’t need to be one of them. I’m not about to ruin his life over one mistake, even if it had been a big one. When asked, I told Whitney not to bother pursuing it.

She had other ideas.

So did Keke.

She felt I was being too lenient. She said I was letting him off easy, that I should have pushed for harsher consequences. In fact, she stewed about it for days. Over breakfast one morning, she asks, “The thing with Lucas is the car fire all over again, isn’t it?”

I sip my coffee and smile. “Let it go, Keke.”

“You might be able to let it go but I can’t. If I ever see that asshole again, I’m taking something he values very dearly.”

I frown at that. “What do you mean?”

“He won’t be having kids.”

“Keke!”

She shrugs and goes back to her laptop, furiously typing away.

I can’t talk her out of her anger, you can’t talk someone out of something they feel from instinct. But I have to admit, I like how she’s so protective of me. Dare I say it feels a little like love.

As far as Lucas goes, I’d done a lot of stupid things at his age, and I know how ambition can cloud your judgment. I’d seen it all over Hollywood, as well. People will do anything to become a star. I know how the pressure can warp your sense of right and wrong.

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