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“Argh,” I grunted and threw my towel at her cheerful face.
“Good to see you vertical. Have you had enough moping?”
“Fuck off,” I grumbled, not in the mood to engage with Eva.
She tsked at me. “I see we’ve entered the anger stage of grief. For a while, I thought maybe you’d skipped straight to depression, but Parker assured me you just needed time.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face and sat on the bed. “Then why are you here?”
“The same as Mac. You have to come to the game. Harper and Gina are meeting you there, so you won’t be alone.”
Gina was in town? It felt like a lifetime since we’d been in Colorado, but a lot had changed since then. Of course, Parker’s family would want to see him start in the playoffs, and there was no guarantee there’d be another playoff game after this one. That didn’t explain the other unfamiliar name.
“Who’s Harper?”
“Soren’s cousin. She’s a PR genius in Houston, but she’s looking to branch out to athletes. Soren called in a favor, so she’s going to meet you at the game to discuss your strategy going forward.” Eva sounded like she was reciting a speech from someone else, which made me highly suspicious.
“I don’t have the money to pay for a PR rep.”
“That’s the favor. She’s doing this pro bono to build her name.”
I rolled my eyes, annoyed despite already having decided to hire a professional. “I’m supposed to take Soren’s word that she’s good at her job?”
Eva joined me on the bed and reached for my hand, holding it between hers. “No. You take mine. Gina and I put our heads together while you were… incapacitated. She’s here to support you, just like everyone else.”
My brow furrowed. “She’s not here for Parker?”
“She and Harper want to meet with you to discuss a publicity strategy and legal options.”
A dangerous thread of hope coiled in my chest. They were here for me? After the trouble and secrets, my friends, Parker, his family—they’d all stuck. I didn’t get it. History had taught me people couldn’t be trusted because they all left eventually.
I collapsed back next to her. “Why would you do all this?”
“Oh, I can’t take credit for this one—Parker started it all—and we’re doing it because we love you. Family helps each other. Take the assist. Go to the game.” She yanked a balled-up piece of red cloth from her bag. “And wear this.”
Warmth spread through me like honey at the thought of all of them as my family. They’d rallied around me when I’d been trying my hardest to shove them away.
I snorted at the cliché gesture though. “Let me guess. I should show up in Parker’s jersey? Send a message to the administration?”
“Fuck that.” Eva smirked and tossed the silky fabric at me. “You’re going to show up in your own jersey.”
28
Iwore the jersey.
Over several layers of clothes because the temperature was still ridiculously low, and I wouldn’t be getting sweaty at this game. Gina texted me from the entrance to the stadium, and I found her standing next to a gorgeous blonde wearing jeans and a parka as if they were a business suit. I almost expected to see stilettos on her feet.
Gina hugged me, the same way she had when I’d left her house thinking everything would work out. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
I clung to her for a second. “Thanks for coming.”
She introduced me to Harper, who shook my hand and eyed me up and down. “I can see why the news is having a field day.”
My brows drew together at the comment. “I’m not sure how to take that.”
Harper laughed. “Oh, this is going to be fun. People love an attractive couple, makes my job easier. You’re beautiful, and Parker is even more beautiful—no offense.”
“You should see him naked.”
