There’s a startling lack of boundaries still holding up. Even less so after last night.
I almost told her about Lena.
Brielle
Do you think Evie would be up for helping me with a few designs?
You know that I can see when you read my messages, right?
I could ask her without your permission, but I was hoping you’d tell me that you’d be okay with it. She’s your niece.
I grit my teeth in annoyance at myself for not responding to her before going to bed. Especially after what happened between us just an hour prior to then. Again, I’m a fucking idiot.
The new messages from this morning haven’t been opened yet. I was using reading them as motivation to watch all of the tapes I’ve been ignoring. I fly out tomorrow with the team, so I should be at the stadium. In my office. Getting everything ready.
That’s not my current plan.
Brielle
I’m going to ask her anyway. Since you didn’t answer, you don’t get to be an ass about it.
When do you leave tomorrow?
I read both messages three times before replying.
Evie would love that. Plane leaves at nine. Maybe you could come to the house while I’m gone to see her.
Once I’ve sent it, I stare at the screen, watching for another message to pop up. The minutes crawl by one after the other until I give up and set the phone down. I look out the doorway and scratch my jaw, contemplating going to check on Evie.
My thoughts screech to a halt when I hear her voice in the hall.
“Really? I’d love that . . . Oh! I don’t mind. I like Aubrey.”
I sit completely still, not wanting to make a sound and miss something. Evie pauses before speaking again.
“Six works great! I can order dinner and take care of the snacks. Do you have favourites? What about Aubrey? My uncle doesn’t have a lot of alcohol in the house, but I can always buy whatever you two like. Just name it,” she rambles excitedly.
Glancing at the dark phone screen, I quickly piece together that Brielle took my approval and decided to make Evie’s entire fucking month with whatever plans they’ve come up with. I haven’t heard her sound so excited about something in years.
There’s a feeling of crowdedness in my chest. I pull a breath into my lungs and attempt to settle myself. It was never supposed to be like this with Brielle. The entire point of keeping away from her was to avoid this, yet here I am. And as terrified as I should be that not only am I seeing the sister of one of my players, but one who’s fifteen years younger than me, there’s no part of me that wants to go back.
Rather, the idea of turning away from her has my stomach cramping.
Brielle
Don’t make her go to the liquor store on her own. Two bottles of rose should work just fine, Coach.
33
BRIELLE
“How many timeshave you been here?” Aubrey whisper yells into my ear.
I pull my head away and adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “Only a couple of times.”
Still wearing her work attire, my best friend reaches down to hike up her pencil skirt and starts up the driveway. The tight fabric still cups her curved thighs, but when she sighs, I can tell it’s a bit less so now. She’s been slowly shedding her lawyer skin since she picked me up after work, and it’s only a matter of minutes before it’s tucked away for tomorrow.
Honestly, I’m a bit surprised she hasn’t ripped the side of her skirt already.
