End Game (New York Stars Book 1)

LATER THAT NIGHT

CLOSING Gracie’s bedroom door behind me, I sneak away so I don’t disturb Ollie’s sleep.

It’s been a long-ass day for him, and I know the upcoming week won’t be any easier—he needs all the rest he can get.

Retreating to our bedroom, I climb into bed and draw her against my chest. She’s been somber since he called, naturally so.

“Your mom and dad are in the city.” When she tenses, I’m quick to explain, “Your mom’s here to apologize. I told her that she needs to make it a good one if you’re going to forgive her.”

“What’s with the tornado of Bukowskis heading to Manhattan tonight of all nights?”

“Terrible timing,” I mutter. “Anyway, I wanted you to know that before you go to sleep.”

She turns her face into my throat. “I’m lucky to have them.”

“You can’t live like that. I didn’t tell you they’re here to guilt trip you.

“You’re a wonderful person, Gracie. You deserve her apology. She did wrong by you. She’s going to make it right.”

“I’m not wonderful. I’m prickly.”

“I like you prickly.” At her snort, I continue, “Because of you, that kid has somewhere to sleep tonight that isn’t in the system. That doesn’t sound like something a wonderful human being would do?”

“That’s on you,” she mumbles. “No way would social services have let me take him.”

“It’s not a permanent solution, though,” I say with a sigh, my chin rubbing the crown of her head. Having already explained about the knife and Brownhill, I also share, “We arranged earlier for him to leave her, to go into the system, but it doesn’t sit well with me, him going into a group home.”

“No,” she agrees. “But we can barely look after ourselves, Liam. It’s not like we’re ready for a family.”

I can’t deny that she’s right.

Maybe in a few years, we’ll be ready, but that doesn’t help Ollie now.

“Do you think Mom and Dad would pitch in? Oren—” The last kid the Bukowskis offered to billet. “—left last year to be one of Pittsburgh’s goalies. Maybe that’s why Mom’s been more manic than usual. She’s used to a full nest.”

“There’s a difference between billeting and fostering a kid,” I point out. “Plus, there’s the fact Ollie’s American and they live in Canada.”

She hitches a shoulder. “Dad should retire soon.”

“What? And you think he’ll move away from the greatest country on earth?”

“—the greatest country on earth?”

We both chuckle as we speak the words at the same time.

“Maybe he would,” she muses. “I mean, most of his kids are based here.”

“Aside from Kow.”

“Kow doesn’t count. The farther Dad is away from him, the less risk there is that he’ll have a heart attack.”

I snort out a laugh. “I told Hanna that I’d let her know when you’re ready to speak with her.”

“I love that you did that.”

Gently grabbing her chin, I tip it up so that her focus can only be on me. “I will always have your back, Gracie Agnieska.”

“Stop with the middle name, dude,” she chides, but the words are definitely watery.

“There’s power in it,” I tease. “Whenever I use it, you know that I might as well be speaking a vow.”

Her throat bobs. “Liam?”

“Yes, Gracie.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Thank you for being here.”

“You never have to thank me for that.” I place a soft kiss on her lips. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than by your side.”

“Oh, Liam,” she wails, her arms practically choking me as she slides them around my neck and squeezes.

I smile into her hair but arrange her so that she’s half off/half on me. “Okay, we need to catch some Zs. Tomorrow’s exam is coming sooner rather than later.”

Though she groans, she settles into me with a sigh.

I clap my hands to switch off the lights.

“We need to fire Andrews and my bodyguards,” she mumbles.

Amused, I ask, “Any particular reason why?”

“Andrews told the Three Stooges who my security details were and they let them wait in my apartment until I got back.”

My mouth tightens with annoyance. “I’ll deal with it.”

She sighs. “No more Andrews. Yay.”

I’m too annoyed to find any humor in this. Instead, I tuck her tighter into me as the light from the TV soothes her to sleep.

Except, she isn’t.

Five minutes later, her face turns toward me, her lips brushing my Adam’s apple. “I’ll talk to her. After my exam tomorrow.”

I kiss the crown of her head. “I’ll call Hanna in the morning.”