Page 93 of Second Chance Player

We head out of her room. Patty towers over me since she’s wearing stilettos, but I’m lucky my dress brushes the floor around my ankles. I’m having an out-of-body experience when I see myself in the mirror. The dress is so extravagant and hugs my curves. The slit up the front revealing my legs is super sexy.

I head downstairs after Patty and head to the kitchen to give Crew a kiss before I leave.

“Love you, baby,” I say, kissing his pudgy cheek.

He grabs my face and gives me a wet kiss, and I just melt. When I first found out I was pregnant, I thought it would be me and Crew against the world. I’ve been blessed to have Patty and the rest of the Sanders clan in my corner, and I’m opening my heart to the idea Liam and I could be forever.

I hug Christina and thank her again. Then I grab my coat and wait with Patty and Flynn by the elevator. Kevin runs up before the door opens.

“You all look beautiful, ladies,” Myles says, walking up to the elevator swiftly just as we are about to step in. He leans in to kiss Flynn’s cheek and then moves in next to Patty. “You get a kiss too, munchkin,” he says. He’s such a good dad. Both of Patty’s parents are so loving and supportive. I wonder how different my life would’ve been if I had supportive parents who loved me.

We head out into the cool night air. A Hummer limousine waits for us at the curb, and we all get in.

Once we are all situated in the limo, I say to Myles and Flynn, “Thank you so much for inviting me with you tonight.”

“It’s our pleasure, sweetheart. We’re happy you agreed to come.” Flynn smiles.

Myles takes her hand and kisses the back of it. “What my wife said.”

When we arrive at the gala, there’s a red carpet and photographers standing outside. Patty secretly tells me who the people are walking inside. Some of them are basketball players, some hockey players. There are even some famous actors and actresses who have come out to support the event. We head inside, and I give my coat to the coat check. Myles and Flynn are whisked away, mingling with people. Kevin stays close to Patty as he usually does in public places. I keep my arms wrapped around my center because I feel so out of place. It almost makes me want to laugh inside when I think about where I lived with Mom, and what my life was like and what a stark contrast it is to the life I’m leading now. It doesn’t even seem real.

We begin to walk into the main hall when I hear my name. “Skylar.” The voice stops me in my tracks. I turn around and come face-to-face with Liam. His tux hugs him like a glove. His hair is slicked back, and his blue eyes look like there is a fiery blaze inside them as they eat me up, checking me out from top to bottom.

We agreed, or at least he agreed, to be a mere acquaintance for tonight on the off-chance Carter will be here. Patty said her dad checked the guest list and didn’t see his name, but it was common for players to buy their friends tickets and show up as a group so we couldn’t be too sure.

“Skylar, this is Liam Bozeman,” Patty says, grinning wide. She’s such a bad actress, even though I appreciate her efforts in keeping up the ruse.

I shake his hand, and he leans in. “You look stunning,” he whispers. “I haven’t seen Lewis, but he would know that we know each other, so it doesn’t make logical sense to have us introduced.”

“Nice to meet you too,” I say to Liam.

He gives me a sheepish grin.

His lips come closer to my ear. “I’ll find you later.”

The promise in his words shoots right through me, making butterflies swim in my belly. His sea-blue eyes eat me up with his gaze.

“Thank you,” I reply, feeling out of sorts.

Liam shakes his head.

“Patty, always good to see you,” he says.

“You too, Liam.”

Liam walks off, and Patty gives me a wide-eyed look.

“I googled what Carter looks like just so I can spot him, if necessary,” she whispers. “But I don’t want you worrying the whole night.”

“I want to enjoy tonight too. Everything seems so magical, and it’s amazing your father and uncle put such a great event together.”

“I know. Kev and I have been coming since we were kids. Speaking of which, where did my brother disappear?” She turns to look around, and we spot him talking to a brunette. Patty gives me a knowing look.

We spend some time mingling. Patty knows a lot of people, and she introduces me to some famous basketball players. She also introduces me to some hockey players too.

When I spot Rebel, I feel some relief. Another familiar face.

“Wow, that dress,” I say. She’s wearing a sparkly formfitting silver dress.

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