Page 89 of Game Misconduct

“That would be great. All six of us,” he says.

She cocks her head. “Six?”

“Well, Bex and⁠—”

I clear my throat.

My brother looks at me, confused. “Do you need a cough drop?”

Vanessa narrows her eyes at me. “Bex and what?” Suspicion laces her tone. “Or should I ask who?”

“I, ah, haven’t told you yet,” I mumble.

“Told me what?” She rounds on me, hands on her hips. “Why are you keeping secrets?”

We’ve been besties since college; we don’t hide things from each other. Even when she was pretending to date Sven, she was open about it being fake. I’ve told her everything, including that I hooked up with a hockey player three years ago. Although I conveniently left out his name.

But lately there’s been a chasm between us. She has a husband, and he’s her person—as he should be. And I’ve been leaning more heavily on Ceci, but I’ve even been neglecting her now that Nick and I are together. I can see how easy it is to get lost in someone new. I’ve never done the serious relationship thing before, so I didn’t understand.

Now, I do.

Our friendship has stood the test of time, and I know that once we both acclimate to our new normal, we’ll be stronger than ever. But that means letting her in.

“I’m seeing someone.” The words rush out in a hurry. “It’s new, and the only person I’ve told is Elsy. And now Wyatt last night.”

She squeals, rushing around the desk and squeezing me in a tight hug. “You’re totally fucking Nick Mitchell, aren’t you?”

I pull back and stare at her. “What?”

“Please. I see the way he looks at you.” She rolls her eyes. “And the way you look back. You’re not as subtle as you think you are, boo.”

“We still need to tell management. We’ve signed the forms, but I haven’t delivered them to Jacky yet.”

Her boss. The head of logistics, and responsible for interpersonal relationships.

Nick and I aren’t the first couple to work for the Grizzlies, and I’m sure we won’t be the last. Sven and Vanessa. McKittrick and Amelia. We’re not blazing new trails. Somehow, that makes it easier. There’s a protocol in place. Strict rules and structure we have to follow.

My friend nudges me with her elbow to my ribs, none too gently, and I choke out a cough.

“Why not?” she demands.

I bite my lip. “It’s a big step. What if he changes his mind?”

Wyatt snorts. “B, the man is clearly in love with you. As long as you get your head out of your ass, you’ll be together for a long, long time.”

My face flushes, and warmth spreads through my entire body. Head to toe, I light up like the sun, a bright ray poking through the gloom on a rainy day. Like a fresh breath of air in a hazy cloud of smoke.

“You think so?” I’m almost afraid to hope.

“Yeah, Bex, he does.” My brother shakes his head. “And you’re supposed to be the smart one in this family. Maybe you need your eyes checked.”

“My eyes are fine, thank you very much.”

“If you can’t see what’s right in front of your face…”

“Shut up,” I mutter, looking down at my feet.

Vanessa tips my chin up. “He’s crazy about you. File the form, and get everything squared away and above board. It’s such a relief to have everything official. Trust me on that.”

“You don’t think I’m making a mistake?”

“Love is never a mistake.” She squeezes me in another hug. “Now we can double-date. It’s going to be great.”