Chapter 26
NOVA
“You look incredible,” Brooke says as she stands behind me in the mirror.
I turn sideways, smoothing my hands down the silver dress.
I’m picking out an outfit for the gala Saturday night. Nearly a thousand people are attending, from billionaires to politicians to executives and every important person from the team’s history.
I can’t wait for the big reveal of the mural.
After the all-star game, seeing the guys laugh and cheer and play jokes on one another, I knew exactly what I needed to finish my artwork.
The third element was unexpected, but it’s actually perfect.
I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.
“It’s your night,” Brooke goes on.
“It’s the team’s night.”
“But it’s your coming-out party.”
A happy flush rises up my cheeks as I show her the picture Clay took earlier of me in front of the finished installation.
“It’s stunning, Nova.”
“Chloe’s sending me the program soon. I get to introduce it. That’s partly why I need this dress.”
I turn in the outfit, then check the price tag.
Grumpy Baller: Send me a picture.
I do.
He texts back a picture of his credit card.
Grumpy Baller: No protests.
I bite my cheek.
I let him buy the dress, but I spot another one on a rack and lift it off. “I want this one too. But put it on my card.”
The plastic clicks on the counter as I set my card in front of the cashier. It feels good to have my own money to pay for things.
“Can I have it delivered? And could I include a message?”
“Of course.” She passes over a card and pen.
“Who’s that for?” Brooke asks.
I scrunch my brows together, my bare toes gripping the soft carpet as I write out a note to be enclosed in the box. “My sister.”
“Nova. You getting dressed?” Clay calls from the living room of his place.
“Almost ready,” I reply through the bathroom door, checking my phone and cursing.
Brooke insisted we have someone do our hair for the gala, but I fiddled with my makeup way too long before changing.
We’re almost late. The program starts in an hour. Plus, we said we’d meet Brooke and her date there early.
One last look in the mirror. My pink shoes give me an extra four inches of height. The pink gloss makes my lips shine, but the subtle smoky eye feels grown-up.
I’m me, but a grown-up, confident version.
I open the door and head down the hallway, careful not to trip in the shoes. At the other end, Clay is in a tux, and my breath catches.
It’s the first I’ve seen him like that since the wedding, and I forgot how handsome he looks. Not only sexy, but a dark knight, tattoos snaking out of his cuffs and collar.
He turns, and his expression tightens. “Jesus.”
“You like it?” I strike a pose, one hand on my hip as I try to be casual.
This moment is overwhelming.
It’s both of our nights.
The trade deadline is looming, and I haven’t wanted to ask because I don’t want to know the answer.
He crosses to me, and the intensity on his face is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Clay stops a few inches away, forcing my chin up so I can meet his half-lidded eyes.
“I like the dress,” he murmurs, his gaze running slowly over my curves. “I like the hair.” His lips twist. “I fucking love you.” He huffs out a breath. “From the moment I met you. And I want to show you something.”
He walks me to the closed door of the second bedroom, pushing it wide.
The sports memorabilia is gone.
Instead, there’s a stack of easels in one corner. Open shelving that houses canvases and papers. A table lined with every kind of paint and drawing tool imaginable.
“What is this?” I ask, awestruck.
“It’s yours. I’m staying with the Kodiaks. Harlan and I worked it out. Tonight, it’ll be official.”
I grab his bowtie and pull him down to me. His lips claim mine as he wraps his muscled arms around my waist, scooping me up.
I know how much going to LA meant to him, which is why I’m overwhelmed that he decided to do this.
“You’re unbelievable,” I whisper against his lips.
My phone and his explode at the same time.
Brooke: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!
Shit.
Clay reluctantly sets me down, and I swipe at the corner of my lips to try to stop my lipstick from smudging more.
“We’ll pick this up.”
We sure as hell will.
On the walk to the car, we’re hand in hand, and I’m practically floating.
I try to refocus during the drive, reminding myself of what’s happening tonight. It’s my crowning achievement.
When we get to the stadium, I reach for my ID, but security waves us in the back way.
As we approach the party, I see the wall is covered in draperies in the team’s colors.
“Where’s your date?” I ask Brooke when we find her.
“He bailed.” Her smile is tight. “It’s fine.”
“I’ll get you a drink,” Clay offers.
“Make it two,” Brooke calls.
I spot Miles halfway across the room, and I motion him over, pulling him down to my ear when he gets close enough. “Brooke’s date stood her up. Do with that what you will.”
He’s immediately on alert.
The program starts, and James goes to the front.
“Sports are eternal. They’re about what we can achieve that’s never been done before.
Now, I recognize there’s a damper over the evening because of our former coach’s absence.
But the Kodiaks are celebrating the past, and more than that, we’re celebrating the future.
“Tonight marks a turning point in this team’s future. A changing of the guard, so to speak. We are burning the ashes of our past to rise anew.”
He motions to someone in the corner, and the curtain drops.
A collective gasp goes up. My heart pounds at the response.
My wall is beautiful.
Applause starts, hollers jumping in.
“Nova! Nova! Nova!”
Miles starts the chant, the other guys joining until there’s a chorus of voices. Clay nods, a secret smile meant only for me. Tears form behind my eyes.
Clay calls, “Take a bow, Pink.”
I go to the front and step in front of the owner.
“I’m so glad you all like it. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know the team. The buildings represent the city. The faces are the team. And the bears are family. Because this is a family.”
My gaze locks with familiar eyes in the back.
Mari.
As soon as I finish my speech, I race across the room to my sister and throw my arms around her. “You came!”
“I couldn’t not be here on my baby sister’s big day.” Her smile is tentative at first. “You said it—family is everything.” Her hand rests on her stomach. Stays there.
I gasp. “Mari. Are you pregnant?!”
She nods. “Two months. I was having some hormone problems, and that was contributing to my emotional swings. I’ve never felt so out of control, and someone from the office went on maternity leave and got fired, so I was a little stressed over it all.
Then when I found out about you and Clay, I overreacted.
I’m sorry. I guess it’s hard to break the habit of worrying over you. ”
“Well, now you have someone else to worry about.” I nod to her stomach.
“Is it selfish to say I hope you’ll stick around Denver? You can be part of the baby’s life.”
“I’d love that.”
She throws her arms around me, and I hug her back every bit as hard.
“Where is Harlan?” I ask.
“He’s been busy working all day on the trade deadline. Even when there’s not a big deal, he’s on the phones until the bitter end, and—there he is!”
Harlan appears from nowhere, his tie hanging around his neck and his eyes weary.
“Nova, I tried. I’m sorry.” His expression is pained. “Tell Clay I’m sorry. There was nothing I could do.”
“What are you…?” I shake my head. He does owe me an apology for all the mess he caused, but this seems overly heartfelt for him.
When I go to find Clay, he’s surrounded by teammates and grinning.
“Can you keep a secret?” I murmur.
“Anything for you.”
“Mari is pregnant. I’m going to be an aunt.” I’m bubbling over with excitement.
“That’s good news,” he says.
“The best news,” I say tearfully without being able to explain why. I always felt as though we were short-changed in the family department and like me putting my dreams first cost me family.
Now, I can have both things.
A murmur goes up.
“What the fuck?” Miles demands, looking at his phone.
“Nova…” Brooke runs up to me.
Clay pulls out his phone. Whatever he sees, his happiness is gone in an instant.
My heart hammers as I pull his phone toward me.
It’s a news article.
It’s not true.
When I look up, Harlan’s standing next to the owner, looking grim.
It is true.
Clay's jaw locks, his beautiful eyes full of torment.
I look back down at the screen, my chest tightening until I can’t breathe.
TRADE RUMOR CONFIRMED:
Denver Kodiaks Forward Clayton Wade Sent to LA in Multiyear Deal for Kyle Banks