Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Luke

W e’re six points ahead coming into the last few minutes of the game, and while it’s not inconceivable they could still win, I’m already celebrating. We’re currently on top of our division with the most wins in our conference, and with a few weeks to go, my confidence is growing.

Thomas throws his next pass and it sinks perfectly into Reed’s hands, hitting its mark like magnets drawn to each other. We’re all in sync, there’s no doubt about it.

New York’s tackle cuts through the pack, making his dash toward Reed. With my eyes on the play, I run ahead, my focus exactly where it needs to be until someone crashes into me from the side, knocking the air out of my lungs as I’m flattened to the ground.

And fuck it hurts.

But it doesn’t matter. Because in the few seconds that it takes for me to open my eyes again, the whistleblows and my teammates cheer as they race across the field.

We did it again. We fucking did it.

This is our year, and no one is going to stop us from going all the way.

I’m about to jump up when a hand appears in front of my face, and I lift my eyes to find Dylan staring down at me, his eyes full of emotion.

He hasn’t announced it yet, but I’ve caught him holding back his tears a few times and I’m almost certain it means he’s retiring this year.

He pulls me to my feet and slaps my back before we both jog over to the celebrations, the spirits high after yet another glorious win.

My eyes scan the edge of the field, but the disappointment settles the second my mind catches up. I knew she wasn’t here. None of the crew traveled with us and yet it’s strange not having her at my game.

In a few short months, Amelia’s clawed her way under my skin and buried herself deep, but I wouldn’t want to do a damn thing to change it.

I’m getting used to having her around. No, I want her around. All the time.

Our celebrations continue as we head back to the locker rooms, and as we run through the motions of our postgame commitments, my high never wavers.

“We are killing it.” Reed slaps my back as he walks past, dropping down on the bench beside me. “I know they say not to celebrate early, but fuck that. We are going all the way, my man, no doubt about it.”

“Hell yeah, we are.”

I throw my gear into a heap just as Dylan interrupts, his somber expression instantly dampening my mood. “Luke man, have you got a sec?” His eyes flash to Reed’s before settling back on me, and I find myself on edge.

“Yeah, sure.” I turn to Reed. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Reed nods as I follow Dylan to a private corner. “What’s going on?”

“I’ve got alerts set for articles that mention my name.” I raise a brow and open my mouth to tease him but he cuts me off. “Don’t say anything dickish. This isn’t about me.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Go on.”

“On top of that, Summer insisted I set alerts for Thomas’s name too, and I just received this article. It names Amelia and mentions that sources say she attended the same high school as you and Thomas. That's why I got the alert.”

Fuck . “Is it bad?”

He turns his phone around to show me a clear image of Amelia and me walking with Shadow. It would be completely innocent if I wasn’t staring into her eyes like she hung the moon while touching her now-obvious pregnant belly.

While she’s not necessarily hiding her pregnancy around work anymore, this isn’t what she meant when she said she felt better about people knowing.

“It also speculates that you’re the father.”

“Understandably.” I laugh because I don’t know how else to react. “I mean, look at the photo.”

“Yep.”

“I am, by the way.”

“I assumed that too—not because of the image, but because of the way you act around each other.”

“ Shit . Guess there’s no point getting my agent to deny it.”

“I doubt it.”

Jesus. “I wish I knew who the goddamn source was and what else they know.”

“Can’t help you there. This is all I have.”

“Thanks for showing me. I’ll handle it.” How? I have no fucking idea.

I have a missed call from my agent when I check my phone and then ten calls from my mom and three from Lainey. Since the article was dated today, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s either very public, or Mom has alerts set for my name too. And I really hope it’s the latter.

I huff out a long sigh and bury my face in my hands. We knew this was a possibility, but I have never been photographed that close to home, so I never considered it. God, I’m a fucking idiot.

“Are you okay?” Reed asks, his bag over his shoulder, ready to go.

“Nope.”

“Is Amelia okay? The baby?” Worry is evident in his tone and I must admit, it hits me in the chest.

“They’re okay.” I hope . “Dylan just showed me an article and we’ve been outed. The world officially knows, or at least assumes, that Amelia’s having my baby. But I appreciate your concern.”

“ Damn . What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to talk to her. And then I’m going to count down the minutes until I’m with her again.”

“Sounds like a solid plan. Does that mean you’re not coming out?”

“Nah, I need to talk to Amelia.”

“Fair enough. Well, we’re here for you if you need us.”

“We?”

“Yep.” He nods without giving me any further information and walks away while I take my time packing my things, waiting for the locker room to clear out.

As soon as I’m alone, I call Amelia. Three times. But she doesn’t answer.

I’m about to call our travel agent to change my flight when she texts me.

Amelia: I’m heading to bed. Long day. Can I call you tomorrow?

Dammit .

Luke: Of course. Get some rest. Jelly Bean needs your energy. (wink emoji)

Amelia: Thank you. And good game today, but can you try not to get yourself flattened next time?

I bark out a laugh as some of the tension leaves my body. She’s joking. She’s okay. And that means she hasn’t seen the article yet. I’ve got time to figure this out.

Luke: Anything for you, Ace

I smile as I pocket my phone, but I’ve barely had time to grab my bag when it goes off again, signaling another text, then another, then another until I’m almost too afraid to look. My mom is not a texter, but I wouldn’t put it past her to ask Ryan to text on her behalf, and I can’t ignore her for too long since we’re getting close to Christmas. Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly check the screen and frown.

Reed added you to a group

Reed added unknown

Reed added Dylan

Unknown: What is this?

Reed: Luke’s secret is out so I thought he might need this. You two became fathers in the public eye. I figured you could help

Reed changed the group name to “Luke’s support group.”

Dylan: I’m here for it. Whatever I can do. Sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news

Unknown: No thanks. If he needs me he knows where to find me

I huff out a laugh. I don’t need any more information to guess who unknown is, and I think he gave me all the advice I’m going to get when he took me out.

Reed: Come on, Easton. Luke needs us

Yep, called it.

Unknown: Oh and what fatherly advice do you bring to the table?

Reed: How about… Not to be a jerk all your life. It fits other situations too

A small smile pulls at my lips. I was going to shut this chat down but maybe…

Dylan: Mom… Dad… please don’t fight. Luke’s watching

Well, that’s a little bit funny and I can see what they’re trying to do. Reed and Dylan anyway. And since they know I’m reading the messages…

Luke: Did Summer write that text, Dylan? You’re not that funny

Reed: What a way to join the party! Welcome to your support group

I update Easton’s number in my phone just as he responds.

Easton: I’m out

Luke: No you’re not or you’d have left the group

Easton left the group

Luke added Easton

Luke: Stop being a dick, East. You heard them, I need your support. I’m better already

Not a lie. I’m definitely better. But the guys can’t really help me with the current situation. Unless one of them knows how to make things go away.

Luke: Anyone know how to make people forget articles they’ve already seen? Specifically people related to me

The second I press send, a sinking feeling hits me in the gut. I shouldn’t be worried about my parents; I should be worried about Amelia’s mom. She can’t find out like this.

I itch to call Amelia again, but don’t want her to panic unnecessarily. I need to stay calm. I need to think things through; I need a plan. And I need some air.

The guys keep firing messages with Dylan and Reed trying to brainstorm ideas while Easton stays mostly quiet, occasionally popping in to tell them their ideas suck. And when I step out of the locker room, I stop reading, calling my agent back instead.

But as I suspected, there’s not much I can do. I can either ignore it, or make a statement, and either way, I’m not making that decision alone.

As I walk through the halls on my way outside, Lainey calls again, and I suck in a breath before answering.

“Is Amelia okay?” she asks the second I say hello, and the love in her tone makes me smile.

“I think so. She texted me to say she was going to bed, but she joked around, so I’m hoping that’s a yes.”

“You didn’t call her?”

“I tried.” Should I have tried again?

“You really like her, don’t you?”

“She’s alright.” I smile as I picture her rolling her eyes when the reality is that I don’t think I like her; I think I’m in love with her.

“You don’t have to explicitly say it for me to know, Luke.”

“Good. Can we move on to the bigger question here?”

“What’s that?”

“How much trouble I’m in with Mom.”

“Oh, she’d disown you except that she wants a grandchild and she thought she’d have to wait for Ryan.”

“Did you confirm it?”

“God, no. I am staying the hell away from that. But you should call her.”

I let out a long sigh and sink against the wall. “I will. I promise.”

“Thanks. And thank you for ensuring you’re the hot topic of conversation at Christmas. Ooh and you can bring Amelia now.” She lets out an excited little squeal. “You know, since it’s no longer a secret.”

A knot forms in my stomach but she’s right. The secret’s out.

Things are about to change. Let’s hope it’s for the better.