Page 133 of Waiting Game

I gasp when I see how many jerseys he’s purloined, and two of them are even signed! I squint at them. “Car Honk Ing?”

He grunts. “That’s my best penmanship. Everyone’s a critic.”

Grinning at the jersey, I hug it to my chest. “I meant it when I said you didn’t have to do this, but thank you.”

Not so long ago, I hated this jersey.

Oh, how things change…

Still, it’s a reminder his abrupt visit has brought to a head.

Not only is he in the dark about my connection to Gracie, he’s unaware of my side gig.

Am I cheating on him right now?

These are the kinds of things they don’t prepare you for in ethics class.

His smile is gentle. “You should have asked. This shit’s expensive when you don’t get it for free.”

Chuckling at his logic, I drag out more and more stuff from the Mary Poppins’ trash bags, seeing that the things with Gagné and Korhonen on are signed, but Lewis and Donnghal’s aren’t.

That has me biting my lip as I come to a swift decision.

“I need to tell you something.”

He snags some of his loot and stacks it on the counter. “Oh?” Once he’s done, he holds out a hand for me to take and helps me to my feet. Another kiss grazes my temple as he tucks me into him. “What’s that?”

“I used to… Gracie Bukowski worked here once.” I blurt the words, aware that my voice is hoarse.

Our eyes lock.

“I know.”

I jerk back a little. “You know?”

“I do.”

Then, I swallow. “Youreallyknow?”

But…

Why doesn’t he hate me?

He sighs. “I wasn’t lying about having to head home, nor was I lying about my father’s heart problems, but what went down with you two was one of the reasons why I didn’t get in touch over the summer.”

Oh.

“Why the change of heart?”

His head tips to the side. “I’ll answer that if you answer my question first…”

It doesn’t take a mind reader to know what he’s going to ask. And, to be frank, I’ve never not felt like a complete asshole for doing what we did to Gracie.

“Fine, but,areyou friends with her?”

“I am. Very close friends. I spent a couple years with her family. Remember I told you what a billet family is?”

“Yeah.”

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