Page 128 of The Score

Chapter 41

Bear

Saint: Leon Karlsen, we need a status report.

Dom: You're LUCKY we were too busy for an intervention during minicamp.

Damián: We should call a meeting at my house.

Logan: He's ignoring us again.

Bear: Yep. I'm ignoring you. Still no need for an intervention.

Saint: This is too big to let you fly solo, big guy. You've been friends with Pen for decades. What ishappening?!

Logan: Come to Damián's asap and tell us. Call the meeting.

Bear: I'm not calling a meeting. Can't make it. Pen and I are driving her parents back home first thing in the morning, then I'm whisking my wife away for a few days off.

Dom: See how he uses the words "my wife" so liberally these days?"

Bear: Pen is my wife. I'm just being accurate.

Logan: What you're being is a pain in the ass.

Bear: I might have to leave this chat for a few days, if you're going to keep this up.

Saint: Please. You know we'll just keep adding you back!

Dom: It's fine. Guys, let him avoid us. It gives us time to plan.

Logan: I like this. He won't see it coming.

Bear: Don't.

Saint: Like a proper intervention. I'm sold.

Bear: I hate you guys.

Saint: love you too.

Pen and I made it all the way back home and helped the Duartes bring their things inside. As planned, we drink a quick tea with them before heading back on the road. They know I'm taking Pen away on a surprise little vacation.

We say goodbye at their front door. Tío Sergio tears up as he hugs Pen goodbye.

"I'll be back before you know it," she tells him.

I rub her back. In three weeks, when it's time to pack and prep for surgery, she'll come back to spend time with them and help.

"You'll have your video calls as usual," I say. "And I'll be part of them as often as I can."

"You need to keep us up to date with your job application." Tía Antonia hugs her husband's waist, while talking to her daughter. "Is it really a whole package you're preparing?"

"Yep. I'm going to go all out." Pen smiles my way. "I may be married to one of the players who helped the Strike get their first championship, but I still need to find ways to impress a set of very smart, very business-minded women."