Page 60 of The Head Game

It was nice that Nico had so many people in his life who loved him. It made a lot more sense that Nico and Skylar had remained friends when he had a family like this.

All August could hope was that they wouldn’t all kill him when they learned the truth about who he really was.

* * *

Waiting for a patient to come out of surgery was surprisingly boring.

August kept nodding off and Skylar had slumped over, her head resting against his upper arm until he finally gave in and arranged their bodies so she was tucked under his arm and he was slouched low enough her cheek could rest on his shoulder.

She’d muttered a sleepy thank you, then dozed off.

August thought bemusedly that his brother would appreciate this far more than he ever would.

Her charms were definitely lost on him in a way that they wouldn’t be on Julius.

They all straightened when the door opened but it wasn’t a doctor who strode in this time.

It was the blonde woman who worked with the Fisher Cats team.

“Kate!” Skylar said, straightening.

“Any word on Nico?” she asked, looking around the room with a concerned frown. “Is he out of surgery yet?”

“No.” Skylar gave her a sympathetic look. “We haven’t heard anything since that last update I texted you about.”

August shot Skylar a look. She’d texted the team’s VP and hadn’t mentioned that to him?

Jesus, was she trying to get him in trouble?

At this point, August had more or less given up on fighting any of it. He was in so deep he was never getting out.

He only hoped he’d still have a career at the end of all of this.

Kate shot August a curious glance as if trying to place him. He gave her a weak smile, hoping he didn’t look as guilty as he felt.

He was in such deep shit.

But rather than confront him, Kate immediately went over to Nico’s parents. They rose to their feet, hugging her and greeting her warmly.

August belatedly realized they’d probably met previously, maybe at games or the mothers’ or fathers’ trips where family traveled with the team to a game.

But Kate paused when she got to August, her gaze curious and assessing. “You look familiar. Remind me of how I know you.”

August tried not to glance at the incriminating blue peacoat on the chair nearby. “I, uh …”

“Oh.” Isa looked surprised. “You hadn’t heard either?”

“Heard what?” Kate asked, her gaze still searching August’s face.

“Nico and August are engaged. Isn’t that lovely? I had no idea he was seeing anyone seriously but it’s such good news in the midst of all of this.”

Kate made a small choking noise. “It’s certainly quite a surprise to me. I had no idea Nico was that serious about anyone.”

August shot her a tense smile.

Oh yeah, he was dead. So dead. So dead they’d never find his body. Maybe if he was lucky, he’d incinerate into a pile of guilty ash and float away.

And Nico. Good God. The minute he felt better, he would laugh himself sick over what a mess August had made of his life.

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