Page 27 of Their Greatest Strength

“Why are you saying ‘plans’ like that? I really do have plans.”

“Plans with your hand don’t count as plans.”

“Stop saying plans so much. Christ, it’s giving me the shivers.”

His laugh is low, almost rough-sounding. “Only if you tell me what happened the other day.”

I groan, folding my hands behind my head and letting my elbows bang into his cheek before he grumpily shifts over. “They needed help with something for the team.”

“Okay, and?”

“And that’s all. Now, get your ass up off the couch. I’ll walk you out.”

“You’re joking me, Bateman,” he says, not moving an inch.

While I’m pretty strong, I don’t know if I’ll be able to lift the goliath that is Jaxon Hayes and carry him through my house. I may have more bulk, but he’s got a few inches on me.

“You’ve gotta keep your mouth shut about this, Jax. It’s not public knowledge, and if it ever gets that way, the entire organization is in deep shit,” I warn.

His expression sobers as he leans forward, completely zoned in. “What’s going on?”

I explain it with as little detail as possible, making sure tokeep Blakeley’s name out of it for now. Until I get a for sure answer from her, I’m keeping her part in this close to my chest.

Jaxon is pacing on the carpet by the time I finish. “You believe that’ll work?”

“I’ve got no other choice than to believe it.”

“I knew shit was bad, but I didn’t think it was this bad. You’re going to get married for the team? For real?”

“Is it that surprising?”

He scratches his jaw. “Don’t you want to get married for real someday? To someone you love?”

“Well, yeah. But I didn’t expect it to happen for a while yet. I’ve got the time to find something real after this is over and done with. Why? Is that something you’re focused on in your life?”

I can’t tell whether his scoff is from annoyance or a way to cover his embarrassment. Either way, I’m not going to push to find out.

“No. I just thought that you’d care about that.”

“’Cause I’m so romantic?”

“You’re the most stand-up guy I know. Figured love would be on your to-do list.”

“The only things on my to-do list right now are to find a wife before Graham finds me some stranger ready to fill the position and to bring the Grey Cup home.”

“So far, you’re oh for two.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder.”

“I guess I should leave now before you attempt to toss me over your shoulder and injure the both of us,” he mutters.

I clap. “Finally, you’re getting it. I’ll even walk you out.”

“With your outstanding manners, finding a wife should be a walk in the park.”

Leading him back through my living room toward the front door, I sneak a look at the Xbox beneath the TV. I haven’t used it since I found Blakely yanking at the cords, almost like I didn’t want to replace her fingerprints with mine.

Okay, that was a creepy way of phrasing that.

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