Page 3 of Golden Rule

He nods, and his expression isn’t giving anything away. So, my first thought is that there’s some sort of caveat, a huge“gotcha”that’ll dump ice all over my excitement.

“It’s just that, Coach Wells isn’t simply padding the roster with random talent,” he explains. “He wants guys on his field who have chemistry, guys who can anticipate each other’s next move without hesitation. His dream team,” he adds with another quiet laugh. “Which means… I’m not the only one he wants.”

My gaze narrows because the next thought that jumps into my headseemsimpossible. But then, the very next second, West plucks the words right out of my head.

“Coach reached out to Sterling and Dane, too.”

The statement’s barely left his mouth, and I’m on him again, holding him tighter than before as I allow myself to see the full picture he’s just painted.

After college, the infamous Golden Boys were promptly drafted, fracturing the small family we’d become—West and I landing in Sacramento, Sterling in Miami, Dane and Joss in Houston. Meanwhile, Scarlett, Jules, Dez, and Lexi held down the fort in our home city. Yeah, we made it a point to get together when we could, but with what West has just said… it sounds like we get to have itall.

I get to have my family back.

“I’m so fucking proud of you,” I say again, whispering against his neck this time.

“This is good forbothof us,” he says. “I need you to know something, though. This transition isn’t just about me. It also marks the end of you putting your dreams on hold.”

My heart is too full to speak, so I don’t bother trying.

“We can take some time to get settled in first if you want, but after that, I want you focused on getting the youth center off the ground. Your old neighborhood needs it,” he adds. “Whatever funds it’ll require to secure the building, whateversupportI can give, I’m here for you. You know that.”

He’s right. The neighborhood I grew up in has had two youth centers close in recent years due to security issues and mismanagement, so the kids theredoneed something. But he’s also right about something else. The part about me knowing I can depend on him for support. Because he’s become my constant.

“If you need time to think about it, I understand. Yeah, we left family and friends behind when we came out here, but… we also left some pretty fucked up memories there, too.”

His statement lingers with me, and traces of those memories flash inside my thoughts—our messed up childhoods, hisfather’s criminal activity, the subsequent tarnishing of their family’s reputation.

And the one at the center of it all, the one who constantly stirred the pot, making all the bad shit so,somuch more unbearable—Pandora.

I scowl, thinking about Cypress Pointe’s resident gossip queen. She put all our secrets out in the open, publicizingeverythingthat came our way, every wrong move we made.The good, the bad, the ugly.

Especiallythe ugly.

“What is it?” West asks, and I’m aware of not hiding my thoughts so well. But… I won’t ruin the moment by mentioning any of the things that just popped into my head. Besides, all of that’s behind us now, including Pandora and her drama.

“It’s nothing,” I say with a smile, hoping to reassure him. “And I don’t need to think about it. I want this too.”

A slow smile curves his lips. “So, it’s a yes?”

His excitement is contagious, making it easy to forget all the rest. “It isn’t just a yes. It’s ahellyes,” I say as my smile grows.

Before I know what’s happening, he sweeps me into his arms, and my feet leave the deck. I cling to him. This wonderful man who just did what’s felt impossible lately.

He’s given me hope.

“Coach and the general manager have been waiting to hear from me. I’ll reach out to them tomorrow,” he says. “Then, after that, it’s as good as done.”

I can’t remember a time I felt this happy, thisoptimistic.But just like that, with the promise of one simple phone call, it’s official.

The Golden Boys are returning to Cypress Pointe.

Chapter Two

—TWO MONTHS LATER?—

Blue

Perfectly clear skies, a smooth takeoff, and the destination of our chartered plane is set to Cypress Pointe.

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