Page 32 of The Pact
“Look at the hope in your eyes.” Aston points at my face on the shirt.
“How did you get that?”
Aston looks over at Presley. “Uh … found it online.”
Presley covers her mouth to smother a laugh.
Seeing her laughing makes it hard to be annoyed.
We make our way to our table, which is hidden toward the back of the restaurant. Drinks are served, food is ordered, and it’s exactly what I expected. Loud, a little obnoxious, and warm in a way that would normally make me uncomfortable.
Brody tries telling the waiter it’s my twenty-first birthday, mostly because he wants to flirt with her, but Presley interrupts.
“He’s thirty,” she says. “Very legal.”
Conversation flows. Liam talks about the upcoming season with a calm analysis that makes him a great leader. Alie asks questions like she doesn’t already know the answers; she’s the one who makes the final decision on making offers, but I think she’s more interested in making sure the team has made smart investments.
Presley sits beside me. Not across. Her knee brushes mine under the table.
I keep my hand wrapped around my glass of water and remind myself that I’m a grown man with self-control.
Questionable control, but still.
The cake comes out and has a tiny football on top that reads ‘Old But Still Employed’ in blue frosting.
I look at Presley, who’s smiling into her wineglass.
“Did you do this?” I ask her.
“I would never.”
I chuckle and rest my arm on the back of her chair. “You absolutely would.”
“I mean, Aston pitched scarier options, so really, I did you a favor with this one,” she snickers.
Aston nods with a shit ass grin on his face. “There was one with a tombstone that was sick. But it was vetoed by all.”
I shake my head but smile.
Liam lifts his glass of sparkling water. “To Saint. Still terrifying offensive lines after all these years.”
Brody raises his. “You’re the best, buddy.”
Alie adds, “We’re lucky to have you on the team, and as a friend.”
Presley looks at her sister with a soft smile, then back at me.
“Still here,” she says quietly.
The table carries on conversation, but the noise between us fades.
Still here.
Two simple words.
But she knew what they meant to me.
After everything we’ve been through together. All the time apart. All the memories we’ve created and shared.
