Page 4 of Golden Rule

It doesn’t get much better than this.

Scarlett: How much longer?

Smiling, I recline my seat, then kick off my shoes while responding to my sister’s text.

Blue: In the air now. Be there around seven.

I swear I feel her excitement through the phone, but hers hasnothingon my own. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen her in person, held her in my arms, but all that changes today.

A temporary distraction comes in the form of an email from Rebecca, our realtor, and I perk up in my seat. Especially when I realize she hasn’t only sent over a list of potential homes for West and I to consider. She’s also gathered info for available buildings on the south side for the youth center. My smile grows, and I’m damn near overwhelmed by the possibilities the future holds for us.

I click the first property link, but I pause to swipe away a notification, then another. Now, they’re coming through back-to-back as West and I are tagged in posts left and right. The fanfare we’ve seen regarding his return to Cypress Pointe has been overwhelming, but it’s been nothing like today, as we complete the final stretch of this whirlwind journey.

As we fly home.

Damn, that feels so good to say.Better than I imagined it would.

Home.

Scarlett: OMG! I can’t believe this is actually happening! Be warned. I’m going to squeeze the hell out of you the second you get here.

A laugh slips, and I accidentally pull West out of the zone. He’s been pouring over the team roster, memorizing his teammates profiles and stats. My intent was to let him study uninterrupted while we flew, but it seems I’ve ruined my own plan.

“What’d I miss?” he asks, never peering up from his iPad, but his hand settles on my thigh with the question.

“Sorry, just texting Scar back. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

West glances over, and there’s a hint of emotion in his eyes. It only takes a moment to recognize it.

Guilt.

“If anyone’s owed an apology, it’s you,” he sighs. “My nose has been buried in either this roster or the playbook for weeks now. Feels like I’ve been distant.”

He barely gets that last part out when I shift onto my hip. My head settles on his shoulder next, and I move my cheek against the softness of his gray t-shirt. He smells like the bodywash I sneak and use every morning instead of my own.

“You haven’t been distant. You’ve been busy. There’s a difference. Butbusyis to be expected with so many changes happening.”

West gives my thigh a gentle squeeze, and I hope he knows I meant that.

Two months have passed since finding out we’d be uprooting the life we built in Sacramento to settle in the Midwest again. It’s been more work thaneitherof us expected, and although West hasn’t said it, I suspect he’s nervous about meshing with the new team. I mean, he and his brothers arereplacing three key guys playing for the Emperors. That can’t be an easy situation to walk into. However, with the overwhelming amount of good that comes with relocating, I’ve found it hard to believe it won’t just all work out.

Somehow.

At least, that’s my hope.

“I can’t wait to see everyone,” I say softly, feeling my heart race at the thought of it.

“Is the plan still to meet at Dusty’s tonight?”

I nod against West’s arm. “Yep.”

Nostalgia creeps in as I picture my uncle’s diner. Hell, I can practically feel the roughness of the blue polyester uniform against my skin. That place was my saving grace when I was younger. The steady paycheck and decent tips allowed me totake care of Scar when our parents and older brother, Hunter, weren’t around. It wasn’t much, but somehow, it was enough.

“I facetimed with Lex and Jaxon last night.” I pause, picturing the big grin and round cheeks of our nephew. “He’s gotten so tall. Hard to believe he’s only three.”

“My brothers and I were the same way. The kid’s practically Sterling’s doppelganger, so he’s got it honest.” West chuffs a quiet laugh, and I picture them, the Golden boys as toddlers, already raising hell, I’m sure. “Seeing Jaxon on a regular basis, getting to be adadon a regular basis, is all Sterling talks about now. Mainly, he’s anxious to get home and get a football in the kid’s hand.”

“What a surprise,” I joke, knowing Sterling wouldn’t have it any other way.

---