Page 124 of Beautiful Storm

“Well, duh.”

I roll my eyes and laugh just as my phone rings on the counter in front of Hayley. She glances down at the screen before her eyes flash to mine.

“It’s your mom.” Her nose scrunches for good reason. I still haven’t told my mom about Luke because I’m not ready for her to tell the world. Like she always does. And even though it doesn’t seem like she’s mentioned the baby to anyone, it’s more crucial to keep this a secret.

“Leave it. I’ll call her back later. You don’t need to be witness to that conversation; she’s still annoyed that I had to work over Thanksgiving.” I’m not avoiding her calls. I just like to be prepared when we speak.

“You didn’t have to work, we—”

“I know. Not the point.”

“Right.”

Hayley pushes the phone away and it cuts off a few seconds later. But we barely get time to resume our conversation when her phone rings and she gasps.

“I don’t think it’s about Thanksgiving.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s calling me.” Hayley holds up her phone to show my mom’s name on the screen. They met one time and Mom got her phone number to what? Put Hayley on her gossip call list?

“I think she’s calling about something else.” She frowns as I groan. “It doesn’t mean—”

My phone rings again, cutting Hayley off as her phone continues to blare and panic takes over me.

It’s my dad.

“No, no, no, no, no. This is bad. They know about Luke.” I’m only guessing, but I have the strongest feeling that’s what it is.

And if I’m right, it means Mom told him about the baby too.

Fuck my life.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Luke

We’re six points ahead coming into the last few minutes of the game, and while it’s not inconceivable they could still win, I’m already celebrating. We’re currently on top of our division with the most wins in our conference, and with a few weeks to go, my confidence is growing.

Thomas throws his next pass and it sinks perfectly into Reed’s hands, hitting its mark like magnets drawn to each other. We’re all in sync, there’s no doubt about it.

New York’s tackle cuts through the pack, making his dash toward Reed. With my eyes on the play, I run ahead, my focus exactly where it needs to be until someone crashes into me from the side, knocking the air out of my lungs as I’m flattened to the ground.

And fuck it hurts.

But it doesn’t matter. Because in the few seconds that it takes for me to open my eyes again, the whistleblows and my teammates cheer as they race across the field.

We did it again. We fucking did it.

This is our year, and no one is going to stop us from going all the way.

I’m about to jump up when a hand appears in front of my face, and I lift my eyes to find Dylan staring down at me, his eyes full of emotion.

He hasn’t announced it yet, but I’ve caught him holding back his tears a few times and I’m almost certain it means he’s retiring this year.

He pulls me to my feet and slaps my back before we both jog over to the celebrations, the spirits high after yet another glorious win.

My eyes scan the edge of the field, but the disappointment settles the second my mind catches up. I knew she wasn’t here. None of the crew traveled with us and yet it’s strange not having her at my game.

---