Page 83 of Game Changer

Brooke passes the drawing back.

“Maybe you’re right about the mouth,” I say when I look at it again. “You know him suspiciously well.”

“He’s my brother’s best friend. I’ve seen him every way there is.”

We both watch the players for a moment.

I say, “By ‘every way,’ you mean…”

She folds her slim arms. “Don’t.”

“Why not? He’s cute,” I say. His wavy dark hair and the dimple when he grins. He’s got a sense of humor and is a charming playboy.

“First, my brother would kill him. Then me. Then bring Miles back to life and kill him again.”

I’m intrigued enough to close my sketchbook and set it on the next seat over.

Brooke’s eyes are still on the court. “You can love these guys, Nova, but they’ll always love basketball more.”

The decisiveness of her words takes me aback, but she continues.

“I think you’re good for Clay. He’s probably even good for you. But I want to be your friend, and friends tell each other what’s up, and what’s up is that you won’t be the love of his life. He already has one.”

I turn that over. “I don’t want to come between him and basketball. I want to love something like they love basketball.”

I expect Brooke to call me naïve or silly, but she only laughs.

“Have a good time. Bang him until you can’t walk. Hell, until neither of you can.” She shoots me an arch look. “And if it ends badly, I’m here.”

The team takes a break, and Clay goes for his phone.

Mine’s buzzing a moment later.

Grumpy Baller: Got you tickets for our next preseason game.

He sends through an image of a VIP pass.

Nova: That’s in LA.

Grumpy Baller: You deserve better than watching on TV.

Grumpy Baller: I promise I’ll be better behaved after. As long as you wear my jersey.

I want to go. So badly. But it means a flight, which I hate.

Plus, it’s a week until the wedding, and even though everything is on track, there’s no reason I can think of to justify this getaway to my sister.

“You going to the LA game?” I ask Brooke.

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

Brooke looks over my shoulder, then clears her throat.

“There’s a brand I’ve been meaning to meet in LA. I could see them while I’m there. We could catch a ride together.”

My breath catches. “Really?”

“Sure.” Brooke taps a polished nail against her lips. “Maybe I need help on this trip.”

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