Page 84 of Impending Consent

I laughed, grateful for the subject change. "Fine. Indi, tell me about this new position at the spa. Sky mentioned you got promoted?"

As Indi nodded and began filling me in on the details of her new role as lead therapist at Nirvana, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Discussing my feelings, even if it was just Sky and Indi, had shifted something inside me. I wasn't ready to call it love but I couldn't deny that whatever was growing between Rival and me was becoming difficult to imagine living without. Speak of the damn devil. My phone vibrated with a text and I glanced down to see Rival's name.

Rival: The guys are deep into trash-talking each other's basketball skills. How's your night going?

I smiled, typing back.

Me: We’re analyzing my feelings. Send help.

Rival: Nah, you need that shit. That's what sisters are for. Miss your pretty ass though.

I smiled, hearing his voice in my head.

Me: Miss you too. Don't let Gray drink too much.

Rival: Too late. Your brother is challenging him to a three-point contest in our driveway.

I laughed, which had Skylar and Indi looking at me.

"What's so funny?" Sky asked.

"Gray and Teej are apparently having a basketball showdown in our driveway," I explained, showing her the text.

"Men." Skylar rolled her eyes. “One night together with alcohol and no supervision and they revert to overgrown children."

"Speaking of children," Indi shifted the subject smoothly, "How's the nursery coming? You mentioned Gray was painting last weekend?"

As their conversation flowed, I found myself more present and engaged than I had been in the past. These women weren't just my sister and sister-in-law—they were my friends, my support system, and they would be here for me with whatever happened with my Rival.

It felt like pieces of a puzzle I never envisioned for myself falling into place but that was okay because I also liked this new direction.

Chapter 20

Rival

"I'm telling you, that wasn't a foul. You're just mad ’cause I blocked your damn shot."

TJ's protest echoed across the driveway as Gray laughed, spinning the basketball on his finger despite the fact that he was fucking wasted.

"Call it whatever you want." Gray shrugged. "Still doesn't change the fact that I'm up by four games."

"Muthafucker, you’re drunk. TJ is only down by one." Jairo chuckled from the porch where he was nursing a beer. "Let the man have his dignity."

"What dignity?" I laughed, tossing TJ a bottle of water as he joined us on the porch steps. "Gray beat your ass though, had you struggling out there, and you’re sober as shit. That’s not a good look."

TJ didn’t drink much because of his past struggles with depression; so he barely finished one beer tonight.

"He’s a professional athlete."

"Football, not basketball, muthafucker," Gray added, lifting his own water. “And I’ve been drinking Henny.”

TJ smiled and shrugged. “My ego is good, Gray.”

Gray chuckled and dapped TJ.

The night had been chill, even after I was not thrilled about our mandatory male bonding that the ladies forced. TJ and Gray had arrived together, bringing beer and food, and Jairo had shown up shortly after with more alcohol after I hit him up and asked that he be my backup just in case this didn’t go well. Oddly enough, shit was cool between everyone.

While TJ and Gray continued to debate their skills, Jairo turned his attention to me.

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