Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Corie’s eyes dart to the right, and I know Knox is getting closer. I move behind her, placing my hand on her shoulder as he reaches her. Sloane looks over at me, and I lift her off her feet and twirl her around.
“Landry!” she shrieks. She’s laughing and crying as well.
“League champions, Sloane!” I yell, placing her back on her feet.
She smiles up at me and slaps at my chest. “I’m so proud of you.” She moves in for a hug, and I accept it.
Sloane has been in my life since Corie started kindergarten. She’s my second little sister, and I’m glad she’s here for this. Having lost both of my parents at a young age, I know how important it is to embrace the loved ones still in my life. We’re not promised tomorrow. We need to live each day as if it might be our last.
This day… it’s damn well going down as one of the best.
Four hours later, the interviews have been done, we’ve celebrated with our team with chaos in the locker room, and now, we’re all headed back to my place. There will be more formal celebrations for the team coming this week. I leave the locker room with Knox, Reid, Baker, and Foster. We’re thick as thieves, and no way we're not going to continue this celebration tonight. I’m even prepared. I stocked food and beer because, either way, we win together, and we lose together. I knew that the night would end with everyone at my place.
When we push out the locker room door, our families are waiting for us. Knox spots Corie and rushes toward her. He lifts her off her feet and spins her around. Her laughter settles in my chest. Seeing her this happy makes me happy.
“Unhand my baby sister,” I say, stepping beside them. Knox releases her, and Corie comes toward me and hugs me tightly. We’ve already done this, but today was huge, and it deserves all the hugs.
“Bring it in, big guy,” Sloane says, as she steps in close and wraps her arms around my waist.
I hug her tightly, grateful that my sister from another mister was able to be here and celebrate with us. When I release her, I notice the beautiful Rowan standing beside her. Rowan is a physical therapy assistant for the team. She’s cute as hell with long blonde hair, and the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s a looker. I don’t think she understands just how beautiful she is. She’s not one of those women who falls at your feet. At least, she’s not falling at mine—no matter how many times I’ve flirted with her. I open my arms, and she furrows her brow. “We’re celebrating, Roe.” I grin. “Hugs all around.”
She rolls her eyes, but steps into my embrace.
“Congratulations, Landry,” she says, her voice soft, before quickly stepping back.
I don’t let her get too far, draping one arm over her shoulders and the other over Sloane’s. “You ladies are joining us at my place, right?”
“Yep. Bag’s already packed,” Sloane answers.
“Rowan?”
“Oh, no, I mean, I don’t want to intrude. It’s a family thing.”
“And you’re part of the Rampage family.”
“You might as well say yes.” Sloane bends forward to look at Rowan. “Landry is insufferable when he’s trying to get his way.”
“Thank you.” I nod to Sloane, smirking, and she laughs. She’s used to my antics.
“You should come, Rowan,” Corie speaks up. She’s standing with her back to Knox’s front, and his arms are wrapped around her.
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Yes!” we all say at the same time.
Rowan laughs. “Okay, I’d love to join you.”
“You might as well plan on staying,” Sloane tells her. “We all usually do.”
“Oh, I can’t impose,” she says. Her posture changes, and I’m certain if my eyes were not trained on her, I’d have missed it. I wonder what’s up with that? Is she worried that something will happen to her while she’s at my place? I know there are some professional athletes that have a bad rap, but that’s not me or any of the guys.
“You’re not,” Corie assures her. “Landry has the room. We’d rather everyone be able to enjoy themselves and know they’re not having to get home alone.”
“I don’t know,” Rowan says. I can hear the hesitation in her tone.
Turning toward her and bending my head, I place my lips next to her ear. “You’ll be safe. I promise. You can have your own room, with a lock on the door.” When I pull back, there’s something in her eyes, something I can’t name. She stares at me, almost as if she’s looking into my soul. I’m ready to plead my case and promise her again that she’s safe, because my gut tells me that she needs to hear it, but the slow nod stops me.