Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
KEELEY
PREVIOUS NIGHT
Hayley gasps as she tours the house, moving slowly so I can keep up. “Daddy D’Angelo did good.” She smiles my way, bouncing her eyebrows. “This place feels very Keeley-like.”
“That’s a coincidence. He bought the house a year ago.”
“Right, and when did you two meet?”
“Stop. The romance between us is new. We haven’t been sneaking around since he took over the Storm.”
“You haven’t?”
“No.”
“Shame.”
“Shame?” Paige and Amelia walk in from outside, and I stifle a smile at the mock disgust on Paige’s face.
“Oops. Sorry, Paigey.” Hayley giggles. “Though you have to admit it would have been a cute story. With elements of payback. You know, because you were sneaking around with her brother.”
“You’re hilarious.” Paige rolls her eyes.
“I am. But it’s the truth and it will never not be funny.”
Amelia bites back a smile as she sits down on the couch, shaking her head at Hayley. And I finally take a deep breath.
My girls are here. They’re all helping to distract me, despite having no idea that I need a distraction. Except maybe Paige.
Sal left for New York around midday after filling Paige in on the Mikklesons tailing them both, begging her to reconsider testifying. She initially refused, but after speaking to Easton, she’s starting to reconsider. For Isaac’s sake more than anything.
Blair’s the last to arrive, and Hayley declares it a party, announcing she’s making cocktails for everyone now that I’m off my pain meds. Which is fine by me. I can’t do anything for Sal while he’s in New York. I just have to hope that my plan actually works. It’s a good one, but it’s not flawless.
Two hours and three way-too-strong cocktails later, Amelia regales us with Luke’s play-by-play of Paige and Easton’s wedding, including being front row for my moment with Sal, leading to Paige bringing up her mom.
“If you were ever worried about my mom trying to win Dad back, you can rest assured that won’t happen.
The first thing she said when she saw the two of you together was, ‘Thank God, now I don’t have to feel bad anymore for kicking him out.
I was certain he’d die alone with a D’Angelo Construction ledger in his hands. ’”
Hayley snorts while Amelia’s and Blair’s jaws drop in shock.
I have no words.
Though, I have a feeling I’d get along well with Camilla, if that didn’t add one more awkward connection to our already huge list.
“Are we done with the Keeley and Sal teasing yet?”
“Never,” Hayley announces, complete with overexaggerated hand movements. “I’m kidding. I’m done. Jokes aside, I’m happy for you. We all are.”
“Thank you. I promise I didn’t plan on shaking things up. Actually, I hadn’t planned on love at all. But I guess that’s life. It’s not really something anyone can… Why are you all looking at me like that?”
The girls are all staring at me with the same giddy expression. Their eyes wide, lips parted as though they’re about to say “aww” to a cute kitten.
“What’s going on?”
“You don’t even realize you said it, do you?” Paige asks with a laugh.
“Said what?”
“That you love my dad.”
“What? I never said that.”
“‘I hadn’t planned on love at all.’” Hayley puts on an American accent, trying to be me, and I laugh her off.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Are you sure about that?” She leans back with her arms crossed and her brows raised, staring at me in challenge. And while I can no longer lie to myself, it’s surprisingly easy to lie to my friends.
“I’m not there yet. We’re not there yet. But when we are, you’ll all be the fifth or sixth to know.”
“What? Who the hell is above us?” Hayley scowls while Amelia and Blair laugh, with Paige staring at me with a glint in her eye. Does that mean she wants me to be in love with her dad? Or am I misreading that? Either way, I’m definitely not asking. Not yet.
It takes some convincing, but Hayley eventually moves on, and we continue talking into the night, with the girls not leaving until early hours of the morning.
Since Sal’s likely to be getting up for his day, I send him a text before trying to go to sleep.
KEELEY: I miss you. I hope it went well last night and you were able to get some sleep
He replies immediately and I smile with relief.
SAL: I miss you too. Everything is going to plan.
My head aches when I wake up in the downstairs bedroom, and I grumble as I rise, internally thanking the girls for suggesting I sleep here.
And for raiding my closet and en suite, to ensure I had everything I needed.
I couldn’t imagine navigating the stairs with my head and ankle both throbbing like they are.
I check the time and relax when it’s still relatively early. The Storm has a one p.m. game today and I’m going to be there. While the cats are away, the mice—or mouse in my case—is absolutely going to play.
I take my time, eating breakfast on the patio in my pajamas, and when I’m done, I grab my phone off the charger, ready to start my day.
My hand hovers over the number Sal gave me before he left, and I hit the call button, immediately feeling guilty for what I’m about to do.
“Miss Reynolds?” Jeffrey answers with a question in his tone. “Is everything okay? I was on my way over.”
I know that, which is why I’m calling. “Yes. It’s fine. And please call me Keeley.”
“Thank you, Keeley.”
“I know Sal asked you to check in on me, but I’m actually about to have a long bath. I didn’t want you to be knocking and panicking when I didn’t answer. If you want, I can call and check in later. For now, I’m all good here.”
“Are you sure? Do you need anything from the grocery store?”
“No, thank you. I’m good. But just so you don’t get fired, I’ll tell Sal you stopped by.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can’t lie to him.”
“Okay, Jeffrey. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I don’t have to ask to know he’s not going to let me get away with the bath excuse two days in a row, so I may as well go along with it. Tomorrow’s not the issue, anyway. It’s today.
I refuse to miss the guys’ first game. Why should I? It doesn’t count as work, so it shouldn’t delay my progress. I’ll watch from the family box. It’ll be just like watching it on the TV at home.
And it will help with the plan.
After hanging up with Jeffrey, I get dressed in a power suit, with a skirt instead of pants, and apply my flawless makeup, slipping one of the only dressy flats I own onto my cast-free foot before booking an Uber.
When I’m settled in the car, my crutches in the back, I send off a text to Zane, hoping he checks it at some point before the game begins.
KEELEY: You once said you hated being in debt to me, so I have a favor to ask
I must have timed it right, because I don’t even get the chance to put my phone away when he texts me back, and I smile reading his response.
ZANE: I’m always happy to help, Keeley. Debt or no debt
KEELEY: Thank you. I’m on my way to the stadium. I’ll send you the details now
I type out a long message before closing my eyes, sending off a silent prayer that this all works out, and only letting myself worry until we pull up in front of the stadium. Then it’s go time.
It’s time to get the show on the road.
Ijump when Zane scores the final touchdown, and momentarily forget I have one foot out of commission, grabbing the window frame quickly for support.
An ache shoots through me as the tip of my toes hit the floor, but I force a smile. Zane put us ahead nearing the end of the game, and that’s what’s important. I refuse to sit down when we’re so close.
Amelia watches me for a few seconds but I wave her off. Like Sal, she and Blair think I should have stayed home for the full two weeks the doctor recommended before coming back to work, and my almost fall didn’t do me any favors in convincing them otherwise.
Hayley was all for me coming back, while Paige offered no comment, claiming she’s not going to form opinions in any Keeley versus her dad conversations, which is probably wise.
Although, I think Sal’s going to agree with anything she says for the foreseeable future considering she decided not to testify.
My heart slams in my chest during the final seconds, and when the whistle blows, I scream along with the rest of our loyal supporters. My eyes lock on Beckett as he runs out onto the field, his smile wider than I’ve ever seen it.
The Colorado Cougars weren’t the worst team in the league, but they were close to it, usually winning only a few games a year over the last five plus seasons, and Storm just won the first game of the season.
Sure, they won all three of the preseason games, but this is different, and I have no doubt it’s the first of many wins.
Beckett’s going to be happy here. He was amazing today.
It wouldn’t be off base to have assumed it was Thomas out there with the way he gelled with his teammates—like they’d been playing together for years.
And I’m so happy I witnessed it live.
When the players walk off the field, I excuse myself and slip away from the girls, hiding the fact that I’m going somewhere I shouldn’t be.
While I’m much slower than usual, I thankfully make it to the locker room on time, catching the end of Coach Pierce’s speech before the interviews begin.
I smile, taking it all in.
This is my element. It hasn’t even been two weeks but I’ve been having withdrawals. I needed this.
I hover around until the locker room interviews are in full force, spotting Zane chatting with a reporter from the national broadcast. One I know well.
Taking a deep breath, I hobble past just as Zane’s cocky persona comes into play, and he waves me over, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “We had to win for Keeley.” He winks, undoubtedly making a million girls swoon, while I pretend to brush him off.
“I wouldn’t have missed it. You know me.”
“Keeley Reynolds.” The reporter shifts the conversation my way, just like I knew she would. “You’ve been in the spotlight yourself today. I’m happy you’re here.”
I bet you are.
News of Sal’s and my relationship started circling just before halftime, and by the time the second half began, it was all over social media.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I fake a smile, making it appear as though I’m being coy.
“How about I help you out? Can you confirm the reports that you’re dating Salvatore D’Angelo?”
“Oh. Ah. I think it’s best if we keep the discussion on the game. Zane absolutely killed it out there. Did you see his final leap into the end zone?”
“Yes. Yes, I did. Keeley’s right, Zane. You were incredible.”
“I’ll leave you both to it.” I move off camera but stay close by, waiting for what I think is about to happen, and sure enough…
“One last thing before you go, Zane.”
“Of course.”
“Can you confirm the rumors about Keeley and your team owner?”
“I’m not saying a word, but I’m also not denying it. If you know what I mean.” He smirks, melting more hearts, and I bite back a smile as I walk away.
Thank you, Zane. Consider us even.