Page 177 of Off Season
I blow out a breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to live with a boy and not you. It’s weird.”
She giggles. “I know. For me too.”
“I’m happy, Bails. I’m a little scared about the future, but my anxiety is better than it used to be. I’ll always be a work in progress, with good days and bad. It’s just how I’m built. I’m learning to accept it and trying not to sweat the smaller things.”
She nods. “I know. I’m proud of how far you’ve come.” She swivels her head and looks up at me. “Tanner told me about the job offer.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know, Bails. He and I might kill each other. He’s going to be your husband. What if we can’t work together? I don’t want issues with you.”
She grabs my hands and looks me in the eyes. “Nothing and no one will ever come between us. You jump, I jump. I like this for your future. If you decide to retire after the Olympics, kicking ass on behalf of other female athletes is something I can see you doing. Think about how many women you can help.”
“I know. I won’t lie, it’s appealing to me. I had never considered anything like it, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot since he mentioned the opportunity. He wants me to start right away, before I even graduate, to begin learning the business.”
“You’ll crush it. There’s nothing you can’t do.”
I wink at her. “Including throwing a wedding. Are you ready?”
She lets out a laugh. “I can’t believe Tanner let you plan it.”
“Ilovedspending his money.” And I think he didn’t want to dump the responsibility of it all on Bailey with her still recovering and being pregnant. She’s the one who wanted a quick wedding. Everything had to be planned in a mad rush. I was happy to bear that burden for her. Honestly, it was more of a privilege.
She rolls her eyes before taking my hand in hers. “Thank you for always protecting me. I know I’ve often made it seem like I was the one looking out for you, but I know we both look out for each other.”
I squeeze her hand as I fight the tears. “That’s why we’re soulmates.”
She nods. “The unbreakable Harts. I don’t know if I’ll ever fully recover from my accident, but for some reason, I’m more determined than ever to make it to the Olympics. It’s like once the doctors told me they didn’t think I could do it, it made me want it more than I ever have. After the baby comes, I’m going to need your help to get myself into game shape again. Push me, even when it looks like I don’t want to be pushed. Even if I tell you I want to quit, don’t let me.”
“I’ll be there every fucking day. I’m not playing in those Olympics without my sister.”
I hear Arizona’s voice, “None of us are. All four of us will wear those Team USA jerseys. All four of us will come home with gold medals around our necks. We told you once before, we don’t play in the Olympics without Bailey Hart.”
Bailey nods as she fights her emotions, which I know are bubbling at the surface. “You two look beautiful. Where’s Kaya?”
Ripley answers, “She’s with Quincy, my mom, and Dutton until showtime.”
Dutton Steel, the sexy Cougars coach, is June’s date. It turns out Mama June was secretly banging him for months and now lives with him. She’s so iconic.
Bailey smiles. “Do you think she’ll be able to handle her flower girl duties? She just started walking.”
Ripley’s lips curl up in amusement. “Kam has gotten her…assistance down the aisle.”
Bailey narrows her eyes at me. “What did you do?”
“You’ll see.”
The ceremony isabout to begin in Tanner’s massive backyard. We’re standing behind a curtain so no one sees my sister until it’s time. Bailey peeks around the curtains and grits out, “Why are their four shirtless male strippers standing over there?”
I give her an incredulous look. “How else are Kaya and Harper supposed to get down the aisle? They have escorts. And they’re not strippers. They’re models…who probably also strip.”
Our father rubs his temples. “God help me, Kamryn. I think I’m afraid of everything that’s about to happen.”
“Shh. It’s about to start. We’re hidden from view, but you can still see everything. You don’t want to miss the show.” I kiss Bailey’s cheek. “You’ll do great. I need to get into place. There’sa…vehicle coming to help you down the aisle. Don’t move until it arrives.”
Bailey’s face falls. “Dear god. What have you done?”
CHEETAH
I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about anything in my life. This is going to be epic.
