Epilogue
LOCKE
“Here’s to another year and another Serpents Single down!”
Lawson raises his glass in a toast, and Nessa giggles beside me as we stand around in a group at a very packed Top Shelf on New Year’s Eve.
I tighten my hold on her waist, grinning down at her.
She surprised me at the game tonight by showing up in a Serpents jersey.
She’s still wearing it, and it’s taking everything I have not to haul her off somewhere private and have my way with her.
Sure, I’d seen her in my team t-shirts before, but not a jersey.
One look at her in the dark green and gold and I was enraptured.
Couldn’t have taken my eyes off her if I tried.
Then she turned around, and I swear I became a caveman for a moment.
All that was running through my mind was Mine, mine, mine, mine , and it had everything to do with seeing my name and number on her back.
Whitlocke
46
It was perfect. She was perfect, standing in the crowd, cheering for me. I played the best fucking game of my career. There wasn’t a person in that arena who wasn’t chanting my name by the end of the game. Still, her voice was the only one that mattered.
And I think it will always be that way. When my agent called to tell me that, while nothing was certain yet, my future with the Seattle Serpents was all but determined and I’d be sticking around for at least the next few years, she was the first person I wanted to tell.
It wasn’t my teammates, who have been with me since the beginning. It was Nessa. Always Nessa.
We clink our glasses together, the best eleven people can, and cheer. I didn’t believe this day would come, but here we are. Nearly all of us are now paired off. All except for Keller, who stares sullenly down into his beer.
“So, I heard you’re considering opening your own art studio. Rotating displays, space for classes, and those sip and paints that are all the rage,” Auden says to Nessa, pulling my attention off my teammate.
“Reed!” Nessa admonishes.
“What? I’m just passing on the good news.” He winks at her, and it’s still so damn strange to see.
They’ve spent the last few weeks working on building a relationship, which has included several long phone calls—some of which ended in yelling—and a lot of texting. I know the importance of a good sibling relationship, so I couldn’t be happier for them as they mend their connection.
“So it’s true?” Auden asks.
Nessa shrugs, trying to play it cool, but she’s been talking about it nearly nonstop for the last two weeks.
“Maybe. I mean, I have a business degree, and I love art, so why not combine them? I’m looking at a place next week, but there’s no guarantee.
Besides, if I do decide to, it’s going to take a lot of work and time and money and?—”
“Breathe,” Auden says with a laugh. “You know we’ll help you out.”
“You will?”
“Of course we will,” Lilah answers. “Do you have any idea how good I am at planning shit?”
“It’s true. She’s incredible,” Fox says, staring at his girlfriend like a dope.
“And I would totally come if you offered a parent-and-kiddo night. Flora would love that,” Quinn adds.
Hayes nods. “She would. She’s really into making pictures for people right now. She won’t stop drawing her cat, Pickles, as a kaiju wrecking cities. In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the best idea to introduce her to Godzilla so young.”
“It’s never too early for Godzilla,” Hutch argues.
“Or—and hear me out—a dog night. Because they’re better than people.”
“For the record, I’m with her,” Lawson says, pointing to Rory.
“Settle down, golden retriever. Pretty sure she meant actual dogs, not humans who act like them,” Keller gripes.
I frown. He seems more down than usual tonight, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because he’s the only one not with someone. Could Keller…actually have a heart under all the grumpiness?
Nah. Not a chance.
“You guys are amazing,” my girl says, her voice getting thick with emotion. “Truly. Thank you.”
“Of course. We take care of our own.” Auden bumps her shoulder against Nessa’s.
She buries her face into my side, and I know it’s because she’s trying to keep from crying. I squeeze her tight, kissing the top of her head. We all fall into easy conversation, waiting for the countdown to midnight, which is just five minutes away.
“Guys, I have an announcement,” Lawson says, and we all turn to look at him. “I love you all.”
We groan in unison.
“Knock it off, Lawsy,” Hutch grumbles.
“What he said.” Hayes points at the captain.
“Yep,” I say.
“Aww, I love you too, buddy.” Fox grins, patting the forward on the back.
“Finally!” Lawson throws his hands in the air. “Someone cares about me! What? No comment, Keller?”
But when we all turn to him, ready for whatever smartass thing he’s going to say next, he’s not looking at us. He’s staring across the room, his knuckles white as he grips the glass in his hand.
“Keller. You okay, man?”
“Fine,” he bites out, though it’s clear he’s anything but.
Something is up, and based on where he’s looking and how he can’t take his eyes off her, it has everything to do with the redhead who just walked into the bar.
She’s arm in arm with some guy, and she throws her head back with a laugh.
Keller gnashes his teeth, and I can’t tell if he’s two seconds away from marching over there or two away from walking out altogether.
“Do you know her or something?” Lawson asks.
“You could say that,” Keller says, not shifting his gaze in the slightest. “She’s my wife.”
**
THANK YOU FOR READING!
I hope you loved Locke
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