Page 122 of Over the Line

“Oh,” I rasp to Jer, throat beyond tight, edges of the card pressing into my fingertips. “Thank you for doing that.”

Jer smiles. “Of course. It’s not a problem at all.” Then he squeezes my arm, scratches Steve’s head, waves goodbye, and heads off to his next client.

Leaving me with those butterflies like a tornado in my abdomen as I check out and pay and head to my car.

As I snap Steve into his puppy harness.

Then, once we’re both safely inside, I pull out my phone and text Ella.

I need you.

Thankfully, she’s in town, having come up to visit Knox, and responds quickly.

What’s wrong?

I close my eyes, thunk my head against the steering wheel.

I think I’m falling in love with Lake.

The “…” starts and stops.

Starts and stops.

Then she sends,

Meet me at Ronnie’s.

The bar is just around the corner.

Fucking perfect.

I need alcohol.

Forty-Six

Lake

“I don’t knowhow I let you talk me into this shit,” I mutter.

Riggs grunts in agreement.

Leo just drinks deeply from his beer.

“You’re supposed to be the captain,” Knox says, slugging back his beer. “Which means that you should get that this is team bonding.”

I sigh, roll my shoulders.

I know he’s right.

I’m still grumpy about it because I want to be home. With Nova.

Because I’m fucking obsessed.

Because…I’ve fallen deep and hard, and it’s better with her than—

Spending time with these idiots.

And because practice was another shit show.

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