Page 88 of Beautiful Storm

“Not a good idea if you don’t want to draw attention,” Dylan says, his voice low as his eyes remain on Keeley, confusing the hell out of me.

“The fuck, Dyl. What are you talking about?”

He stays silent until Keeley thanks us all for our time and steps down from the bench, and then he waits for everyone to start talking again before turning my way.

“You seem to forget I’ve known you for years. Longer than most, and the look you gave Amelia was not your usual ‘I want to tap that’ look.”

“I don’t have a look like that.”

“You’re right, you have many looks that suggest the same thing, but never usually a ‘he better stay the fuck away from her or I’m going to go crazy’ look.”

“I don’t have that look either.”

“Okay, then I’ll let you go.”

He lets me go, but I don’t move because he’s right. I do want to go over there and tell Zane to leave her alone. Butdammit. What is going on with me?

Dylan laughs from behind me, still watching. “Don’t worry. We’ve all been there.”

“Been where? I’m nowhere. You have it all wrong.” I’m protesting a lot considering I don't know what he means.

“It means that you’re jealous.”

“Fuck off. What’s to be jealous about? That he’s over there signing a deal to give him more on-air time?”

“Yeah.” Dylan rolls his eyes. “That’s it.” He finishes getting dressed before throwing his stuff in his locker and patting me on the shoulder as he walks past. “I’ll see you out there. But Luke, he doesn’t stand a chance, so don’t waste too many brain cells worrying about that one.”

As Dylan leaves, my gaze drifts back to Zane to find him alone and rushing to get changed, making me snap out of it because I should be doing the same thing.

I huff out a laugh and grab my gear.

I’m not jealous. I don’t want Amelia getting fucked over by a guy like that. Right?

I’m looking out for her. That's all.

Aweek later, I’m in Coach’s backyard with a beer in my hand and a smile plastered on my face—as per Keeley’s prerequisite for entry.

Lainey and Thomas are talking to Dylan about something his son did while my eyes scan the crowd of players and theirfamilies, noting Amelia’s absence despite the filming being well underway.

I arrived today thinking this was going to be an easy afternoon, but I didn’t factor in her not being here when it’s her job. How am I expected to keep a relaxed smile on my face if she’s missing in action? I don’t do well with stress. It’s why I stay positive all the time.

The conversation moves onto pets—or more specifically, Lainey’s desire to get her own dog when she’s finished with her master’s—and I’m finally distracted.

“Thomas, please buy her a damn puppy so she’ll stop stealing mine.”

“It’s not stealing when she voluntarily comes to me. She loves me more.”

“Oh, I’m willing to bet otherwise. Let’s see who she runs…” The back gate opens and I lose my train of thought, watching as Amelia finally steps through the threshold, a blonde in tow. A blonde I’m going to guess is Hayley based on the description Amelia gave me.

Amelia laughs at something she says and it makes me smile. She’s been struggling to hide her bump over the last week, and I know that made her nervous to come today. She’s still not ready for everyone to know. But here she is, relaxed, like she should be.

I’m lost in thought until a presence settles beside me and Thomas’s voice enters my mind. “Wifey’s here,” he announces with too much enthusiasm, and I have to holdback from punching him.

“Shut the fuck up,” I snap, my gaze darting around to make sure no one heard him. “I’m allowed to say that, but you’re not.”

“Come on, you had to know I was going to joke about your nuptials. It’s too good to pass up.”

“I’m good with you joking about it. Just do it in private.”

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