Page 62 of Westward

Callum nodded.

“Always. I mean, he helped raise my siblings with me, so that’s one thing.”

“Very true.”

I sighed, looking down at my phone. I wanted to text Lizzie and check on her, but I knew she was out with my mother tonight. They were working on a few things, and I loved the fact that they were friends no matter what.

Maybe it should have bothered me or worried me, but it didn’t. Because Lizzie needed family. And I wanted to make sure mine became hers.

I cleared my throat and slid my phone into my pocket. “I’m heading out. Tell Will when you see him that I can come and pick him up.”

“If he doesn’t, we can get him home. Don’t worry,” Callum said. “Tell Lizzie I said hello.”

I grinned. “Will do. Tell Felicity I’ll check in on her later.” That cat with a canary look on my friend’s face nearly sent me over the edge of brotherly protection. “Do not tell me anything about my sister,” I said dryly.

“Never.” He winked, and I shoved at his shoulder before heading out the back to where I parked. My phone buzzed, and I took it out, hoping it was Lizzie.

Then I froze, confused once again at the unknown number.

Unknown

You’re a husband. If you want what’s good for you, you’ll quit now.

Then there was a random image of a white flag attached, and I frowned.

Another fan getting my number? Or maybe the same one. I screen-shotted it and sent the info over to my agent. I didn’t want to block the number yet, just in case the authorities needed it or something, but it pissed me off.

I was used to people being little shits on social media and even in person. Hell, I liked it when they yelled at me when I was in the net because that meant I could prove them all wrong. But texting me shit like this? It was petty.

I slid my phone back in my pocket and headed to my car.

I had a date night with Lizzie after she finished her afternoon with my mom.

And I was going to make sure I did it right.

Because I was leaving soon. I had to. The team group chats were already on fire, and actual, in-person training would begin soon.

I didn’t want to have any regrets when it came to my town and my woman.

So I’d better start making plans that didn’t break us all.

Chapter 13

ELIZABETH

My back against the wall, I looked up into soft blue eyes and swallowed hard. “We’re going to be late.”

“Does it matter?” Atlas asked, and I had to wonder exactly where he got his audacity from. Of course, maybe I liked that audacity. And maybe I wanted more of it.

“You have a thing about time. Even more so than me. You weird goalie, you.” I reached up and traced my finger along his bearded jaw.

“I’m going to have to shave this soon.” He tilted his face into my touch and smiled. “Those are the rules.”

“I do like you with a beard, though.”

A groan escaped his lips. “What if I just do the mustache that Thatcher sometimes does?”

Because I couldn’t help but tease, I said, “Thatcher is hot as hell when he does that mustache of his.”