Page 92 of Play Maker

“You gonna be able to stop the tears when we get to the Brewery?” Ryan chuckles, and Jade elbows him.

“These are happy tears,” she says and looks back. “We’re so happy for you, but mostly for us. We get you here for five more years at least.”

“Hoping it’s longer than that.” I chuckle.

“It will be,” Ryan states.

When the three of us walk into the Brewery together, it’s packed. Locals, Knights, all celebrating the news of the arrests and getting hyped up for the game. The dark has seen light, which seems to be the theme of this week.

Ryan whistles loudly, and quiet fills the space.

My eyes lock with Lo’s.

“We want you all to know that Kolby Grimes has just turned down contracts with LA, Vegas, and San Fran and has unofficially signed a five-year one with our Knights.”

The whole place erupts in celebration as Lo rounds the bar, runs to me like a tiny, beautiful toy version of a linebacker, and then launches herself at me.

Laughing, I catch her and twirl her around.

She grabs the sides of my face. “Congratulations, Grimes.”

“Thanks, Lo. But there’s something else, too.”

“More good things?”

“Ava crossed that line.”

“Of course she did,” she says.

“No divorce.”

Her face falls.

“I’m getting an annulment.”

She grins. “Like she was never there.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, as soon as they’re done fighting over numbers.” I shake my head. “But numbers really don’t mean shit now.”

“Good contract?” she asks.

“Great contract.” I lean in and whisper, “And I decided to come clean with your folks about my past.”

Her head whips around, and she looks at her mom, who smiles sadly then back to me.

“I told Ava and Lucas, too. They assured me it wouldn’t get out unless it came from me.”

“Are you okay? I can leave if you want to?—”

“No, I’m good. Better maybe. But definitely exhausted on a level that?—”

“Emotionally,” she whispers.

* * *

When we get word that The Stables are open, Lo being Lo, and seeing me in a way I don’t even care to unknot in fear I won’t be able to knot it back up, tells me I need to lock in and tells me she will see me on Sunday.

Took a minute to realize she was doing this for me. For me …

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