Page 87 of Home Game

Worried about what that jackass boss of his might say or do to him.

So when Emmett told me that he’d finally stood up for himself, I couldn’t believe how deeply it had hit me. Something about Emmett made me feel so unselfish. Like for the first time, I truly cared about someone more than I could understand. I’d always loved my mom unconditionally, but with my romanticrelationships, I’d had some kind of small, almost invisible hesitation, every time.

I didn’t have that with Emmett.

…Not that we were in a romantic relationship, anyway. Why did my head keep going there?

We listened to music as we drove to the restaurant, and by the time we arrived, a small buzz of nervous energy had settled in me.

I looked around at the people walking into the restaurant, and alarm bells rang in my head.

“You sure this outfit is going to be okay?” I asked as we got out of the car and the valet driver hopped in. “Because I am seeing alotof suits walking into this place.”

It was swanky, lit by gas lamps on the outside, and everyone heading into the place looked like a politician.

“Emmett!” a voice called from behind us and we turned to see a tall, very polished-looking man walking up. Alongside him was a blonde woman who was also tall, and a second guy, all of them wearing clothes that looked as expensive and tailored as Emmett’s.

“Hugo,” he said, reaching out his hand to him. “Wow, it is such a pleasure to see you. It’s been too long.”

Hugo smiled warmly. “You remember Camilla and Silas, my business partners?”

“Absolutely. Pleasure to see you both. My partner, Landry, should be arriving soon, as well.”

“I heard my name,” Landry’s voice came from the restaurant entrance.

“There he is,” Emmett said.

Everyone greeted each other, every one of them looking fancier than the next. Camilla was beautiful and dripping in fine jewelry, and even Landry looked impressive tonight.

And I felt a knot of nervousness gripping itself around my chest that was all too familiar.

Every bone in my body was saying one thing, over and over:You don’t belong here.

You don’t belong here or fit in with these people at all.

“Hugo, I wanted to introduce you to someone very special,” Emmett said a moment later, turning to me. “This is—”

“Storm Rosling,” Hugo said as his eyes landed on me, going wide. “Goodness, I didn’t even realize it was you, seeing you out of your uniform. What a pleasure. You’re one of the best players in the country.”

I held out my hand graciously. “I do my best. Very nice to meet you, too.”

Hugo introduced me to the others. It was a small relief to know that at least Hugo knew who I was, and that he obviously seemed like a nice dude.

But as we walked into the restaurant, I felt even more like a fish out of water.

“Ah, sir,” the host said to me subtly as we walked in. “We do have a jacket requirement.”

“I don’t have a jacket,” I said. A hot flash of embarrassment crept up my spine.

Like showing up to school without the right supplies.

Without the right clothes.

Without beingprepared.

“But we have a full selection to borrow. I would be more than happy to provide one for you.”

“Shit, I didn’t know,” I said. “Shit, sorry I said shit. I mean—well, fuck.”