Page 103 of Blinding Lights

“You do?”

“I do.”

“I’m glad you said three, or that could have gotten awkward,” Henley speaks from beside me and I shake my head.

“Why are you still here?”

“Leaving,” she singsongs as she sashays away, making Lily laugh.

“You know she lives to tease you.”

“Yep. It was almost better when she kept her distance because of my broody ass.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“You’re right. I don’t. So, fill me in. What have I missed?”

The night goes on with me catching up with my friends and genuinely enjoying myself. It hasn’t been an easy change, but over the last year, I’ve started speaking to the guys more often, hanging out with Atlas and Hunter, calling more. It’s nice to have them back in my life, but it can still be triggering at times, especially when Atlas mentions getting photographed with Henley. Another thing I’m working on.

Early evening turns late, and when I notice Ava yawning as she sits on Atlas’s lap, I wave Lily over, dragging her away from talking to someone I haven’t met.

“Who’s the stranger?” I ask the second she reaches me, realizing too late that I might be a little jealous. He’s held Lily’s attention for far too long.

“Beckett Myers, since when do you worry about who I’m talking to?”

“I usually don’t. But I miss you.” Any time spent with someone else is time away from me. “I promise that’s not why I called you over.”

“Sure it’s not.” She purses her lips and I chuckle softly.

“I promise. Ava’s been yawning. Want me to take her home?”

Lily smiles with a wistful glint in her eyes. “Mmm. I like when you call my place home.”

“Me too. Which is another thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh, yeah?” She eyes me curiously.

“Yeah. I’ve decided to move back to Clairmont. I’m retiring early. I miss my girls too much.”

“Bullshit,” Lily gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “You can’t do that.”

“I can and I did. I announced it to my teammates last week, but D’Angelo’s known for most of the season.”

“You’re moving to Clairmont?”

“I am. And I was hoping⁠—”

“Yes! Yes, you can move in with us.”

“Thank fuck.”

Lily giggles before her happiness fades. “Are you sure though? Our house is so small and—” I press a chaste kiss to her lips, cutting off her concern.

“Wherever you and Ava are is where I want to be.”

“But—”

“Let’s talk about it later. For now, I think it’s time to get our little girl home.” Just like she always does, Lily practically melts in my arms at the mention of Ava being mine, and it always makes me smile. “Are you ready to leave?”