Page 69 of Their Greatest Strength

“I’m not in trouble.”

“Does Oliver know about this?” Dad asks.

“He does.”

“We’re the last to know, then.”

Mom’s voice is too soft when she says, “I’m sorry for our reactions. You’re just my baby, Jamie. Always. And I worry about your gentle heart. Some people take advantage of those who care too much.”

I didn’t stay on the phone for much longer after that. It’s no secret that I’ve got a heart double the size it should be. I’ve never considered that a weakness, though. Not before I was asked to do this, and not now.

If I hadn’t told my mom about Blakely weeks ago, there’s a chance she wouldn’t have immediately thought the worst when I told her about the wedding. There’s no going back now, though, and honestly, I’m glad I vented to someone about it then.

As the reporters gather away from the stage, signalling the end of the interview, I’m quick to pat my friends on their backs and hop off the stage. I’m not overly interested in chatting with anyone in this room right now.

Coach must read that on my face because he lets me pass without a word. I’ll tell him how much I appreciate that on practice Tuesday.

It’s cooler and quieter in the family lounge. I’m antsy to see Blakely, and once I find her and Nate inspecting the Pythons logo on the wall, I take a deep breath.

“Well, if it isn’t my two favourite people in my favourite place,” I drawl on my way to them.

Nate spins first, his grin immediate. Blakely follows suit, but her smile is much softer, calmer. I’d take any smile from her right now as a good sign, but a kind, genuine one is even better.

“You were incredible! Four touchdowns!” Nate exclaims.

I offer him my fist to punch, and he slams his against it harder than I expected. “Thanks, buddy. You and your sister must be good luck charms or something.”

“Do you need good luck charms?” Blakely asks.

“Not usually. But having one as beautiful as you on the sidelines didn’t hurt.”

Her smile slips briefly as she evades her eyes, staring at thedoor I just came through. “Is that what you told everyone in there?”

“Amongst other things. Are you ready?”

“Everyone knows?”

I slowly take her hand in mine, interlocking our fingers. The shake in hers has me squeezing tighter. The family waiting room is empty by now, and in any other circumstance, tonight would have been a good time and place for Blakely to meet a few of the other wives and friends, but with how nervous she is right now, empty is better.

She’s already taking in a lot right now.

“They know enough. The rest will come out tomorrow.”

“If they’re mean, I’ll protect you, Lake,” Nate declares, punching the inside of his hand.

“That’s a good man, Nate. We won’t be speaking with anyone tonight, though. Just leaving the stadium together.”

“As a family, right? A collective front?” Nate asks.

Blakely stares up at me, a silent plea in her eyes for me not to tell him otherwise. I tug her close and brush my mouth over her temple, breathing her in. We’re as alone in this place as we’ll ever be from here on out, but I don’t touch her for anyone other than me.

“From here on out, we are family,” I declare.

Nate tries to hide his reaction to the words, but his grin is too wide for that. Hell, I think mine might be too.

22

BLAKELY

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