Page 92 of First Down Promise

Fuck, I like the sound of that too. I grasp her hand again as we head downstairs just as Coop walks into the lobby with a duffel slung over his shoulder. He removes his earbuds when he notices us.

“Oh, hey, man. Practice got moved,” I say.

“Yeah, just put that together. Why are you guys here?” Coop asks.

“I actually need to talk to you.” I turn toward Ab, digging in my pocket for my keys. “Want to go warm up the truck?” I hand them to her, and she nods.

“Will do. Good to see you, Coop,” she says. Through the large windows, I watch her cross the parking lot until she climbs into my truck.

“Crazy about Pete, right?” Coop says to me.

“Yeah, that was fucking crazy. But, uh, I feel like I owe you an apology,” I start.

Coop puts his hand up to stop me. “Abby?”

“You know?” I ask.

“Not really. Trying to be a little more observant, though. And Dane told me she only had eyes for you,” he replies. “Look, Josh, it’s okay. She’s got a cool personality and is easy to get along with, but I realized I got friend-zoned.”

“Well, I should have told you sooner.”

“Nah, we’re good. But if you break her heart, I can think of three dudes who will gladly kick your ass.” He bumps my elbow and laughs.

“Respect.”

“She the one?” he asks quietly.

I glance toward Abby, sitting in the passenger seat of my truck. “I’m thinking so, but yours is coming, man.”

“Good, I have a lot of love to share.”

“We know you do, Coop.”

Dane’s huge frame appears on the other side of the glass as he reaches for the door. We make eye contact, and he notices I’m talking to Coop. His eyes widen, and he immediately turns back toward his SUV. I roll my eyes and chuckle.

“He’s such a shit,” I mumble, and Coop laughs with me. “Better go see how Pete is. He probably won’t want to see me, but Ab should check on him.”

“Yeah, what happened before the accident?” Coop asks.

I shake my head. “Bro, you do not want to know. Let’s just say, once he’s mobile again, I’ll have to watch my back,” I joke, though there isn’t much humor behind it.

“Yeah, maybe stop pissing off our captain?” Coop jokes.

I smirk and rub my hands together. “Nah, I’m just getting started.”

It’s only been a couple of months with Abby, but the path with her couldn’t be clearer. And Pete will have to accept it when I inevitably marry his little sister and start my own family with her.

Chapter Thirty-One

Abby

Choosing to leave my new weekender from Christmas in its box, I set my old overnight bag on my bed, but I could use the new one for our trip to Boston in a few days for the last game. I stuff the duffel with a long-sleeved pajama top and matching boxer shorts for tonight, followed by a pair of leggings and a sweater for tomorrow morning. Nothing uncomfortable. Nothing I have to squeeze into or perform in. I’m surprisingly okay with never putting that cheer uniform on again. I bite my lip as I try to think of anything else I might need. Maybe a phone charger?

Josh kept the little toothbrush head from the first time I slept over, but I suppose I might want a hairbrush for the morning. I already applied my evening skincare, and I wonder when it might be appropriate to leave a few things at his place. There are two massive vanities in his bathroom, excessive for someone so low-maintenance. I mean, his shampoo doubles as both body and face wash, which makes me shiver because I could never. However, he’s weirdly particular about conditioning his hair, and I can’t complain when I’m running my fingers through it.

I zip the bag closed, slip into a pair of fuzzy booties, and head downstairs. I set the bag on a barstool in the kitchen, and Pete looks over from his designated recovery spot in the living room. I don’t say anything about the bag as I grab my metal tumbler from the dish-drying rack and step toward the water cooler to fill it.

“Need anything?” I ask as it fills.