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Dad comes out of the living room.

“There's my other boy.”

Something softens in Bishop's expression.

“Hey, Coach.”

They hug.

Then Mom appears.

“Hayes Bishop, put those presents down and come give me a proper hug.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

He sets everything on the floor and wraps his arms around her.

She holds on a second longer than necessary.

Watching them makes my chest ache in the best possible way.

Because no matter how famous Bishop gets or how many games he wins, he'll always be the boy my parents welcomed into their home.

Then his eyes find mine.

He's wearing dark jeans and a green sweater that makes his blue eyes look unfairly bright. His blond hair is a little messy from the drive, and there's a faint shadow of stubble along his jaw.

He smiles.

Not the one he gives reporters.

Not the charming grin he uses when he's trying to get away with something.

The one that's just for me.

“Hey, Becks.”

“Hey, Bishop.”

I stay where I am because Declan is standing approximately three feet away.

Bishop steps toward me anyway.

He wraps one arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a quick hug.

To anyone watching, it probably looks perfectly innocent.

But his mouth brushes my ear.

“Missed you.”

Two words.

Barely a whisper.

And I'm smiling before I can stop myself. “Missed you too.”

He lets go before anyone notices.