Page 160 of These Wicked Hearts

I still want him constantly. I still crave him in every possible way. Some nights I look at him and genuinely don’t understand how one person can hold so much space inside me. And he loves me just as much.

I was right, it does feel like the best thing in the world.

The draft broadcast suddenly begins.

Grey stands with his beer raised. “Oh no,” Oli groans. “He’s going to make a speech.”

“Shut up.” He glares at him then turns his attention to us. “Being here with you guys makes me feel like we’ve kind of come full circle. A couple of years ago, it was just us. And that was enough. Oli, we’ve been friends for over a decade, but when we found this idiot, that’s when we truly became a family.” His eyes scan over us and look at me. “Now it feels like, I don’t know . . . complete, maybe. All of you are my family, and I’m so happy our group has only gotten bigger.” He smiles down at Felix. “Atlas, Oli, and I used to have this tradition after away wins. We’d find some hole-in-the-wall bar and celebrate.”

“Some of them were truly questionable bars,” Oli says.

“I miss them, though,” Grey admits. “I miss us all together like that.”

A soft ache hits my chest. “So . . .” Grey lifts his drink higher. “I think we should start a new tradition. Every year during the draft we all get together for a weekend.”

“I like that.” Oli stands with his drink. “Rotating hosts every year.”

“And I’m invited even though I’m tragically single?” Knox asks.

“For now,” Felix says. “I’m sure your person is out there somewhere.”

He snorts. “Sure. I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

The broadcast starts, and Andre grabs the spinach dip. “I’m taking this home with me.”

“As if you’re not about to inhale that entire tray.” Oli rolls his eyes, sipping his drink.

“Mind your business.” Andre glares.

“I’ll make you some more before you leave,” Gage says to him. “It’s vegan, just so you know.”

“Really?” Andre takes a chip. “So fucking good.”

The first few picks go by. We take bets on who we think will be chosen for each team. Then we quiet as the Vipers GM steps up to the podium. Knox sits forward instantly. “We better get somebody useful,” he mutters.

The announcer smiles at the camera. “And with the sixth overall pick, the Virginia Vipers select . . .” We’re all silent, waiting as he scans the crowd then looks down at his paper. A quick frown flashes across his face then straightens so fast I barely catch it. “Brandon Montague.”

“What?!” Oli shoots to his feet.

“No fucking way.” Grey shakes his head in disbelief.

On TV, Brandon looks stunned as the camera cuts to him. Slowly he rises, hugging a Black woman and a White man I’m assuming are his parents. His mom hugs him tight as if she’s afraid to let him go. It’s much different than the stilted half hug he gives his father.

His father who looks furious.

I turn to Knox. He’s just staring at the TV so hard, his jaw tight.

“Your commissioner has balls,” Oli says.

“This is insane,” Andre mutters. “The league wanted both Montague brothers together. Montague’s are always on the Otter’s. What the fuck was your GM thinking?”

“That this is media gold.” Grey says softly.

Brandon finally walks onto the stage, looking like he’s moving through sludge to get there.

“Knox.”

“Huh?” He’s watching, his face still as stone. His blank expression is starting to freak me out.