“Me.” Atlas.
It’s easy to stick together when things are going smoothly, harder when we’re down and fighting back. But that’s when it matters.
I’m risking my reputation and my legacy on this. And I’ve never felt more alive.
“Can you do it?” I ask my guy, adrenaline pounding through my veins as though we’re in another game.
The tattoo artist looks around in bewilderment. “Four more?”
“Not four. Five,” Harlan says, and we all turn to stare at him.
Miles beams. “Tell me you’ll get it on your neck. Just, like, a big old neck tat—”
“Don’t press your luck.”
The artist shakes his head. “No way I can do that many tonight. Maybe two. I suppose I can call another of my artists as a favor.”
I nod my thanks as he reaches for his phone.
Hours later, we spill back onto the street. Harlan pulls me aside.
“Whatever happens, I’m proud of what you’ve done. We’ve had our problems, but I only ever wanted to see you succeed.” He claps a hand on my shoulder.
I turn back to my guys, who’re comparing tattoos.
“Rest up tomorrow. Then we go back in there for game two,” I say. “And we play like family. They might be fast and strong, but I promise you, that’s one thing LA doesn’t have. We don’t think about Kyle or anyone except the guys who show up in a Denver jersey to work every day. They’re mercenaries. We’re Kodiaks.”
There’s a chorus of agreement.
Harlan folds his arms, the same resolved fire sparking in his eyes. “What about you, Wade? You ready to take it to LA in your old house?”
My hands fist at my sides as the fresh ink seeps into my chest under my shirt.
“It was always a rental.”
DENVER STAGES IMPRESSIVE SECOND GAME COMEBACK VS LA
KODIAKS TAKE TWO IN A ROW
LA PULLS EVEN TO TWO AND TWO VS DENVER IN FINALS
In other sports news, former Denver Kodiaks coach announces his retirement.
31
NOVA
Grumpy Baller: Can you come over.
The game is happening later today and I’m running around when the text comes from Clay.
Alarm shoots through me.
Clay’s been edgy all week, every moment he’s not caught up in team practices or press conferences.
It’s exciting the Kodiaks are in the position to win the conference. It would be a new record for the organization, and the entire city is buzzing.
When I get to his condo, the door’s open.
I stick my head in. “Hello?” I call warily as I push the door wide.
The cool winter light filters in through the open windows, making the living room a pale gray.
Clay’s Kodiak duffle sits next to the door along with his dress shoes.
He’s in the kitchen leaning against the counter wearing black trousers. His hair is sticking up in every direction.
On the counter next to him is a dress shirt.
“There you are.”
He lifts his head when he sees me. “Hey.”
I reach for the shirt. “This will look good. They might want you to wear it. Otherwise, it’ll start a riot,” I tease.
When I pick it up, I spot the journal underneath.
It’s open, the pages full of sloping writing.
Holy. He’s been busy.
“Looks like you need a new one.”
“Nah. I need you.”
He pulls me between his legs and rests his forehead on mine.
“What’s up?” I say, trying to keep it light.
“I just fucking want it so much,” he admits.
I exhale hard. “I want it for you.”
Want him to have everything he wants, everything he’s worked so hard for.
“It feels different this time around,” he murmurs. “In a way, it’s harder.”
“Because you’ve won before and it will feel like a disappointment if you don’t?”
He frowns. “I need them to play like I know they can. Every one of them. If they do, we have a shot.”
My gaze settles on the bear inked across his chest—my design, like each of the guys got in LA. I’m never getting used to seeing that.
Clay leans in, brushing his lips over mine. He tastes like every thrill I’ve ever experienced, every dream I’ve dared to dream.
His touch is fiery, but even more, it’s home.
“I love you,” he murmurs. “No matter what happens today, that won’t change. What you do doesn’t mean shit compared to who you do it with.”
I breathe him in. Every inch of this huge man bent over me.
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
An alarm sounds on his phone, breaking us apart. “That must be for Coach,” I guess, regretting the interruption even as I’m anticipating the day to come.
“Yeah. I told him I’d pick him up and take him to the stadium.”
“I hope everything’s ready for the big celebration. Did James come through?”
Since Coach announced his retirement, Chloe has been working to pull together a special acknowledgment for tonight’s game.
Clay’s expression darkens. “Nah. But we figured it out.”
Curiosity rises up. I want to press him for more, but there’s no time.
I press a kiss to his knee. “You be good. I’m watching you.”
He snorts. “What makes you think you can will part of my anatomy to do your bidding, Pink?”
I cock my head, nodding toward his crotch. “Only the fact that I do it every single day.”
Clay’s slow grin is worth each moment of hardship we’ve been through.
“Okay, you have to run,” I say quickly, passing him the shirt. “I’m going to use your bathroom. I’ll let myself out.”
“Sure. I’ll see you at the game.” He kisses me again, then pulls away.
“You’re amazing,” I call after him.
It’s a relief he’s approaching this in a healthy way.
I head down the hall to use the bathroom. On the way back, I glance into the sports memorabilia room and pull up short.
The glass case with his championship ring is empty.
“How’s Jay feeling?” I grab Brooke’s hand, willing reality to set in.
“He’s a wreck.” She grins. “How’s Clay?”
“He tried to play it cool, but he’s so not cool about this.”
The stadium goes dark, and the music starts.
Spotlights with the Kodiaks logo slice through the darkness.
The announcer interrupts, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a special presentation thanking the Kodiaks’ longtime former coach.”
When the house lights go up, there’s a video that was made for Coach’s retirement. I bounce lightly on my toes, clasping my hands together as I watch. It’s touching, seeing his incredible career history, watching players say how much he’s meant to them. I’m in tears, and I’m not the only one.