Page 118 of Game Misconduct

forty-four

. . .

Nick

It takes three weeks for the headaches to go away, and another week for Dr. Palmer to clear me. I don’t blame her for being cautious—I certainly am. It’s more than my career on the line. It’s my entire life.

And as the team plane lands in Austin, Bex sitting in the back with Vanessa, I have this strange sense of calm. Peace. Home.

It’s a rare daytime flight, so we land at four, and check into the hotel an hour later. Now that our relationship is officially declared, Bex and I get to share a room. We get settled, wash the plane off us, and get ready for dinner.

Elsy gave me the name of a nearby restaurant, and when Bex and I walk in hand in hand, my best friend shrieks and rushes toward us.

She looks between us, unsure who will get the first hug, when Bex and I wrap her up in our combined arms. Elsy throws one arm over my shoulder, the other around Bex, and rocks us back and forth.

“My two favorite people!”

“I take offense to that,” Whitney gripes from behind her.

Elsy steps back, rolling her eyes at her husband. “My favorites after you.”

He smirks as he embraces his sister, tugging at a strand of her hair. “Hey, B. You’re looking good.”

“Thanks, Wy.”

He holds out his hand to me, and when we shake, I’m surprised by how he tugs me into a half hug. “You’re doing better?”

“Good as new.”

“Still not allowed to punch him in the face,” Bex threatens.

Whitney exaggerates a sigh. “If you insist.”

“Here’s the deal,” she warns her brother. “You break his face, I break yours. With a baseball bat.”

He winces. “Damn it, Rebecca Lynn, you always take it a step too far.”

Victorious, she smirks at me. “Nah, I think I’m playing fair here.”

“How about we have dinner before breaking into violence?” Elsy suggests with a wry smile.

In short order, we’re seated at a table in a quiet corner. We place our drinks and food orders, and then we’re left in a stilted silence.

“This is weird, right?” Whitney says.

I cock my head. “What’s weird?”

“You’re dating my sister. And I’m married to your best friend. We’re all… family.” He says it like he has a bad taste in his mouth.

“It just means we’re going to spend a lot more time together,” Elsy says, patting his hand. “You get to decide who you invite into your family. It doesn’t have to be only people you’re blood related to.”

“She’s right. We’ll make our own family,” I declare. “The four of us.”

“I like the sound of that.” Bex smiles at me. She’s doing better than ever since she muted her mother, and I’m so fucking proud of her for that. “I’ll make sure there’s a dedicated guest room in our house for you guys.”

“About that…” Whitney clears his throat. “I’ve got three seasons left on my contract, and after that, I’m not renewing. Might even dip out early.”

I stare at him. “Seriously?”