Page 130 of Off Season

“And winning,” I add.

“That’s much less important.”

“Champions or bust, sis.”

She simply sighs at me like she’s done millions of times throughout the years.

Watching my sister work with the girls brings a lot of emotions to the surface. This is so clearly her passion. What she’s meant to do. She’s so fucking good at it. I’m the asshole who’s kept her from it because I couldn’t bear the thought of not being with her all the time.

When practice is over, I see her talking to Fallon, Tanner’s ex-wife. She’s fucking hot, even in scrubs with messy hair and no makeup. Maybe she’s a doctor. A sexy-as-sin doctor.

When we get into the car, I ask her what Fallon said. She responds, “She thought my wounds would be a little too fresh to see Tanner tonight, so she came to pick up Harper even though I was supposed to drop her at Tanner’s. It was thoughtful, but I’m going to have to see him at some point.”

“You could quit.”

She exhales a long breath. “Kam, I love Harper. I’m not losing her too. I need you to understand and respect that.”

I nod, knowing it’s true. “Okay, but don’t feel obligated. Do what feels best for you.”

Yes, I’m a hypocrite.

I try to lighten the mood. “Did you hear the word Harper busted out today?”

She shakes her head. “No. What was it?”

“When Stacey was talking in the middle of the drill, she told her to stop confabulating.”

Bailey lets out a laugh. “That was on her word-of-the-day toilet paper a few weeks ago. She’s been using it in lieu of the word chatting ever since. Isn’t it amazing how she remembers all these words and uses them appropriately? She’s such a special kid.”

I’m not sure what I’m more worried about, her love for Tanner or her love for Harper. But there’s one thing I know for sure. All roads lead to heartbreak for Bailey Hart.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

KAMRYN

I’ve somehow convinced my sister to go to a club with me tonight. It was nothing short of a miracle. She was shaken after leaving Tanner’s house for the first time since the breakup, but I threw her in the shower, put her in some sexy clothes, and made her take two shots of vodka to loosen her up. I wouldn’t take no for an answer. She can’t stay home and cry every night.

We’re meeting Vance, Daylen, and a few of the other guys from the Camels. They have a new teammate, Champ Williamson, who was just traded to Philly. They want to introduce him to new people. I’ve seen pictures of him. He’s gorgeous. He looks sort of like Odell Beckham, Jr. It’s unlikely that Bailey is ready for a hookup, but I’m still holding out hope.

As we walk out of our apartment for the evening, we hear loud moaning coming from Justin’s apartment. I snap my head to Bailey. “Do men moan loudly when they’re jerking off?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Why do you assume he’s jerking off? Maybe he’s in there with a woman.”

“A woman? He never leaves his apartment. Do you know why gingers burn so easily?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t, but I’m sure you’ll tell me why.”

“It’s nature’s way of telling them they should remain indoors.”

She giggles, but it’s interrupted by the loud moan of a woman coming from his apartment.

I gasp. “Maybe he’s murdering her. He’s sweet, but lots of serial killers were sweet in their real lives.”

As if on cue, we hear Justin groaning, “Right there, Trisha. So good.”

My chin practically falls to the floor as I point to myself. “I set them up. I didn’t know they hit it off. He was tight-lipped about it. I assumed that meant nothing came of it.”

I’ve achieved one of the greatest miracles of the century. I got ginger Justin Bieber laid. I can’t help the big grin on my face.

---