Page 20 of A Game Of Love

Theo heads out back with all the guys, Jax joining him as I stay in the kitchen with my moms. “Need any help?”

“Nope, I think we got everything,” Rain answers, looking up from where she’s kneading dough for the pie she’s making. “Why don’t you go out back with the guys?”

My brows furrow. “You trying to get rid of me, Mama?” I accuse her in a joking tone.

“Never.” She laughs.

“Stay, sit,” Mom says, pulling out a stool from the kitchen island. “It’s been a week since we’ve seen you. How are you doing? How are you coping?” She chews on her lower lip, worryswimming in her blue eyes. I know she’s talking about Toby and finding out about his bipolar disorder.

“I’m doing fine, Mom,” I admit because overall, I am. Yes, I’m worried about Toby. It’s hard not to. I’m still hurt that I was the last one in his life, aside from our brothers, to know what he’s been having to deal with for years now. But I’m not one to hold grudges; I’m not going to dwell on the past. It was his life, his health. I didn’t have the right to any of that information. I just wish he trusted me with it, but I understand why he didn’t tell me.

“And you and Toby? How are things going between the two of you? You haven’t given up on him, have you?”

My eyes widen. “W-what? Of course not. Why would you think that? You know me better than that, Mom. I’d never give up on Toby, especially not over something like this.”

She lets out a breath of relief. “I know. I know. I’m just worried. But he’s doing so well. And I’m so proud of him for asking for help.” She beams with pride. My heart clenches at that.

How he must have felt, keeping everything inside, struggling alone... I wish I’d known. I wish I could have helped, to take some of the pain away.

“Me too,” I whisper.

“So, things are good between you two?” Rain asks, looking up at me as she starts to press the dough into a pan.

“We’re on the right road. He still has some making up to do. But I’m confident we’ll get back to where we were before.” My eyes gravitate towards the window. Outside, I can see Bishop playing with Bennett and Toby playing with the twins. Both far away from one another.

I hate it. I don’t want to come between them. But I know we can’t just snap our fingers, and everything will be right again.

Sadly, these things take time and patience.

But the question for me is, just how much patience do I have left?

Chapter 5

Lillianna

A few hours later, all the pumpkins are carved, decorations are made, and we’re sitting around our massive dining room table, eating some barbecued steaks, burgers, and hot dogs.

The whole time we were carving, I couldn’t take my eyes off my guys. Bishop and I were playful, and Toby and I even shared a few smiles and laughs. But the glares Toby kept sending Bishop anytime he talked to me or joked around felt like a weight pressing down on my shoulders. I hate it. But I didn’t call him out on it or bring attention to it. If I did, it might have started an argument, and I didn’t want to ruin the good time we were having.

They’re men, they can deal with this on their own. The best thing I can do right now is to stay out of it.

Overall, I had fun today with my family. No fighting, just the regular chaos that is us.

“So, boys, how's practice going?” Mom asks, pulling Toby’s attention from the conversation he was having with his dad.

Toby looks to Jax with a wince of guilt before flicking his eyes to Bishop. They stare at one another for a beat before Toby looks at my mom. “It’s going,” he murmurs. “Guys are still pissed with me. Rightfully so. But everyone is determined to keep going. We might not be making it to the Frozen Four, but we plan on playing every game we can this season.”

“That's a good mindset.” Mom smiles softly. “Does what happened in the last game have to do with you not being able to qualify?”

“No,” Toby snorts. “As good as our team is, this year we have some duds.”

“Toby,” Jax growls, shooting him an unamused look.

“I’m sorry, but it’s true. All our best players left last year. It’s going to take another year or two before the team gets back up to the level it has been. With me and Bishop leaving next, you either need to re-think some people on the team or do some college scouting on your own.” Toby shrugs, picking at his steak before looking up. “Tell me I’m wrong?”

Jax stares at him for a moment, brows pinched before sighing heavily. “You're not.” Like the reality of that statement hits him hard. “And I do plan on doing some scouting this year. I had my eyes on a few guys last year, but it didn’t work out. They took scholarships to other schools.”

“I can help if you want,” Toby offers.

---