Finn cleared his throat. “And still my little sister.”
“Right.” Grant nodded, glad that he didn’t mention how amazing their kiss was now that Finn was looking at him with his intimidating game face. “Ending things with her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
Finn adjusted his stance. “Then why did you do it?”
“I did it because I like her so much. I was planning to go back to Kansas City when the season was over. I didn’t want to hurt her by dragging things out. That wouldn’t be fair to her.”
Finn narrowed his eyes. “Was planning? Does that mean you’re staying?”
His response suddenly felt important, but Grant still wasn’t sure if he planned to stay or not. He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Finn made a hmm sound. “You said Greg already offered you a spot next season, right?”
Grant nodded.
“Then what’s the hang-up?”
“Your sister. She’s the hang-up.” Grant threw his arms out. “Seeing her after the game the other night was really hard. It would be impossible to keep playing here knowing that she would be watching from those box seats—to know I couldn’t talk to her afterward.”
Finn’s eyes were unfocused as they looked off to the side. “Believe it or not, I get that.” He closed his eyes for a moment and looked back at Grant. “But let’s say she wanted to be with you, would you stay?”
“But she doesn’t.”
Finn cocked his head. “Humor me.”
Grant hated the way his pulse picked up at the mere thought of Em wanting to be with him. He knew it wasn’t the case...but what if it was? Grant would sign next year’s contract for the Storm tomorrow and start looking for a place in Waterfront as soon as possible. ”Of course I would.”
“Then I want to help you get her back.”
Grant lowered his brows. “I don’t understand.”
Finn reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “I made some mistakes that I’m trying to fix.
“And that somehow involves playing matchmaker with me and your sister?”
“For now, it does. But if you ever hurt—”
“I would never hurt her. Not again.”
Finn stared at him for a moment as if he were trying to determine if Grant was telling the truth. “Good. Then we both have the same goal—happy Em. Now we just need to figure out how to make it happen.”
Grant wasn’t sure if Finn had a plan, or if it would work. But as the possibility of fixing things with Em took hold, Grant realized he would do whatever it took—even if that meant he would have to work with Finn.
Emmeline
Em was just stepping out of the shower when she heard her phone buzzing from the bathroom counter. She quickly wrapped a towel around herself and looked at the screen. The name on the screen surprised her.
Why is Miriam calling me?
While Em and the team’s community outreach coordinator enjoyed spending time together during games, she’d never called her for anything. Especially not on a Saturday morning.
What was going on?
She swiped the screen and held her phone to her ear. “Hello?”
Miriam’s words came out in a rush. “Oh, thank goodness you answered. I’ve called you three times in the last ten minutes.”
Her heart raced in her chest. “What’s wrong?”
“What are you doing right now?”
She walked out of the bathroom and sat on the edge of her bed. “I’ve been cleaning my apartment all morning and just took a shower. Why?”
“How fast can you come down to the arena?”
Tonight’s game wasn’t for several more hours. A sinking feeling of dread settled in her belly. “Did something happen to Finn?” She paused. “To Grant?”
“What? No. They’re fine,” Miriam said. “But I really need your help with something.”
Em let out a sigh, but her relief was short-lived and soon replaced with irritation. “Why did you scare me like that? I thought something was wrong.”
“Oh, something is wrong. I’ve been working on another Storm project and nothing is coming together how I wanted it to. I was hoping you could help me.”
Miriam had gotten Em all worked up over a Storm project? Em shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said.
“Please, Em. I know it’s last minute, but I’ll owe you one.”
Em laughed. “I’m pretty sure you said that last time. And it’s not just because it’s last minute.” The last time she’d agreed to help Miriam, Em had ended up on The Dating Game, and that had ended in disaster.
“Fine.” She huffed. “I’ll owe you two. Three. A hundred. Whatever you want. I just really need your help.”
Em couldn’t believe she was actually going to say yes. She ran her fingers through her wet hair. “Yeah. Okay. Let me get dressed really quick, and I’ll head down.”
“You can, uh, spend a little time on yourself first. Dry your hair, do your makeup…maybe wear a dress.”
Why would she have to do her hair and makeup? Or wear a dress? “What kind of project is this?”
“You’ll see when you get here.”
“Miriam.”
“I promise you’ll like it. Just make sure you actually come, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, still confused.
Warning bells went off in her head, but Em had already agreed. And if she was being honest with herself, part of her was curious about what Miriam was cooking up.
Not sure of what to expect, she took the extra time to do her hair and makeup, and headed down to the arena.
Em arrived an hour later and walked through the empty halls of the civic center. When she opened the doors that led to the arena, Miriam was already standing there waiting for her.
I hope she hasn’t been here since we hung up.
Miriam’s mouth broke out into a wide grin, and she pulled Em in for a hug. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I told you I would,” Em said, pulling away.
“Which is good. Can you go check on something I left on the field?”
Em’s brows lowered. “Uh, sure. What is it?”
“Don’t
