Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Chapter Eighteen
Corie
* * *
With the door shut, I’m barely in my room before my phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I see Knox’s name. “Aren’t you supposed to be playing poker?” I answer.
“I stepped outside for some air.”
“And you thought it was a good time to call your secret… friend?”
“My secret girlfriend, and yes, I wanted to talk to you.”
“Okay?”
“We have a game this weekend.”
“I know. First regular-season home game. I’ll be there.”
“Good. I want you there, but I wanted to offer something to you. To you and Sloane.”
“Landry already got us tickets.”
“I know, but it’s supposed to rain, and I thought the two of you would be more comfortable in a suite.”
“Do you have a suite?”
“I do.”
“And you want us to sit in your suite?”
“I do.” He pauses. “With my family.”
My breath hitches. “You want me to sit with your family? Knox, this is a bad idea.”
“Not all of them are coming. Just my parents, sisters, Aunt Reagan, and Uncle Tyler. The others, I’m not sure can make it.”
“‘Just,’ Knox. That’s all of them.”
“No, we have three more families, my aunts and uncles by choice and their kids.”
“And I tell them what? Hi, I’m Corie. I’m sleeping with your son, but shh, don’t tell anyone. Oh, and this is my best friend, Sloane,” I scoff.
“Fuck, I knew I should have skipped tonight and came to see you in person. It won’t be like that. I already told my dad that Landry’s sister and best friend might join them.”
“But why?”
“I don’t need a reason why, Corie. Just because. I promise you it won’t be awkward. My family is cool as hell.”
“Knox, we’re lying to everyone. How am I supposed to meet your parents under false pretenses and without you there?”
“Then let’s tell them.”
My belly flips at his words. I want to tell the entire world, but too much is at stake. “You know we can’t do that.”
“Then be there for me. I want to know you’re there when I look into that suite. That you’re with people who are just as important to me as you are. I want to know you’re not standing in the pouring rain. I want my family to get to know you. Even if they think you’re only Landry’s little sister, for now, I want them to know the woman who has captured all of my attention.”
“This is risky.”
“No, Corie girl, it’s not. You’re Landry’s little sister and her best friend, joining my family in the suite. I have a huge family, which is why I pay for the suite so they can all come whenever they want. It’s an open invitation. I want you included in that. You and your best friend.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Please think about it,” he answers. “I need to get back in there. We’re not playing late since we have to be up early for practice. Can I call you later?”
“Sure.”
“Talk to you soon,” he says, and the call ends.
I drop my phone onto the couch next to me, and my mind races. On the one hand, I’d love to meet his family and learn more about the people who made this incredible man who stole my heart.
However, it’s risky. Will they believe nothing is going on between us? Can I keep my feelings for him locked down while I’m with them? I wish I could say with 100 percent certainty that I can, but honestly, I’m not so sure. I need a second opinion. Grabbing my phone, I call Sloane.
“What’s up, buttercup?” she answers.
“Nothing much. Landry is playing poker with the guys at Baker’s.”
“On a Monday night?” she asks.
“Yeah, they were off today. They won’t play late since they all have to be up early for practice tomorrow. What are you doing?”
“Not a single thing. I’m holding down this couch. Today was brutal. There is some kind of virus running through my classroom, and let’s just say, there were lots of bodily fluids being expelled.”
“I guess that’s a hazard of being a preschool teacher.”
“Yeah, that and parents send their kids to school sick. I get it. There are times you don’t realize it. These things can just come on without notice. However, when you drop them off and tell me they’ve had a tummy ache most of the night but no fever, so you brought them anyway, you can pretty much guarantee that they're losing their cookies at some point during the day.”
“Bless you and all the teachers who don’t get enough credit for what they do.”
“Thanks, bestie. I love those kiddos. It’s worth all the struggles, even on the bad days.”
“You always did love kids. You need to find you a man and have a few of your own.”
“If I recall, I’m not the only one who made extra money in high school for babysitting.”
“It was a good gig. Way better than flipping greasy burgers.”