Page 112 of Sweet Oblivion

“Don’t you get it, Lane? You matter more than a game. I’m glad you came. I’m glad you told me. I’m sorry you had to deal with the fucking bullshit out there. But we’ll deal with Brooks together. I promise. Are you all right?”

“I am now.” I run my hand along his face and drop my head back against the wall. “Go. You have a game to win.”

He looks torn as his hand digs into my hair. “Do not leave Hendrix’s side. And wait for me after the game. I’ll meet you in the suite, and I’ll drive you home.”

I nod and wrap my hands around his neck as I press my lips against his. “Thank you.”

“I’d do anything for you, baby. One day you’ll believe that.”

I close my eyes and hang on for another minute before opening them again. “I think I already do. Now go win a game, husband.”

“Fucking right, I will.” He kisses me quickly and grins a goofy, crooked grin. “Stay with Hendrix.”

“I heard you the first time.” I smile. “Go.”

Ryker jogs out of the room as I stand frozen in place.

Watching and wondering when it happened.

When exactly did I fall in love with my husband?

Because a piece of my heart just walked away.

By the time we walk into the Sinclair family’s box suite to find my sister and the girls, the chaos has died down, but only because word already spread. And so have the pictures. What the hell?

No sooner do I walk through the door than Lexie pulls me aside, shoving her phone in my face. “What the hell just happened?”

“Dude, Ryker went alpha-hero insane on the paparazzi’s asses, that’s what happened,” Kaleigh cheers, and I want to crawl in a hole and hide.

“Seriously. I know you work at a bookstore, Kay, but you’ve got to chill. This isn’t a book. It’s my life.” I can’t decide if it’s falling apart or utterly perfect if we just remove the paps from the equation.

I try to push the earlier insanity down. Forget the reporters. Ignore Brooks. And focus on the fact that the KHPD chose not to file charges against my husband.

Wait . . . they’re not filing charges . . . against my husband.

The whole reason he evenismy husband was to avoid charges and get through the league’s investigation unscathed without losing any sponsors.

Now that the first big hurdle has been crossed, I assume the others will fall in line.

Does that mean our arrangement will end?

My mind spirals in a million directions before Ashton steps next to me, looking exhausted as she bounces Kyrie on what’s left of her pregnant hip. “Any chance you could take her for me? My back is absolutely killing me today.”

“Of course there is,” I coo, more at my baby sister than my big sister. “Come here, Kyrie.”

“Lalalala,” she babbles, and Dillan growls.

Pretty sure she’s pissed Kyrie’s babbling sounds like she’s trying to say Laney or Lexie.

I figure the L is an easier sound than the D. But she’s nothaving it. Oh well. “Come on, baby girl. It’s time to watch the game.”

“Hey, Lane.” I look up at Lexie as she takes the seat next to me and a sleeping Kyrie. “You holding up okay?”

“As good as I can be, I guess. It’s just been a weird day.” Understatement of the century. “I’m not sure I’ll get used to any of this. It’s hard to imagine all of you growing up in this world. I can’t imagine always having this kind of interest on my life.”

“It wasn’t as bad for me,” she shrugs. “My dad didn’t play pro ball. I watched it through the lens of my grandfather and aunts and uncles. But my brothers and I had it a little easier.” She looks down at the field to where her husband stands on the sidelines next to one of her brothers. “I don’t know. I guess for us... it was just... life.”

“I guess so. It’s just?—”