Imaginary Lines (New York Leopards 3)

“I’m sorry. I wanted to watch the game.”

Tim turned around. “Yeah? After you practically ruin it for the rest of us?”

Anger boiled up. “What they’re doing is dangerous and illegal—”

“It’s what they’re all doing! You either close it down completely or you ignore it. What good’s getting one team in trouble, huh? Not so fair.”

I threw up my hands. “You know what? Fine. I’m sorry for having moral integrity.”

He scoffed. “Turning on your boyfriend’s team’s not integrity, kid. You realize his contract’s up for renewal? You probably cost him that.”

I pressed my lips together. “I didn’t mean to turn on him.”

“Sure thing.”

Fine. Whatever. I didn’t care. “Okay, well...bye.”

I turned to leave, but instead found myself face-to-face with the guys.

To my surprise, it was Jin who brushed the snow off his sleeves and stomped up to me. “Just hold your head up. You did the right thing.”

And he was right. I had to meet Roy as I needed to meet everyone these days—firm in my convictions. I swallowed. Carlos nodded at me. Mduduzi squeezed my shoulder. And I turned around and ordered my rum and Coke.

* * *

Abe came home that day. He was in his apartment when I arrived, and he stopped making dinner as soon as he saw me. He came out of the kitchen, a picture of worry. Like always, his honey-colored curls were messy, but his green sweater made him look a little more put together than usual, even if the worry in his dark eyes made him look less. “What’s wrong?”

I dropped my purse on the floor and shook my head as I walked toward him. “We can’t do this.”

“Do what?”

I stopped in front of him, still shaking. “I’m sorry, I’m an idiot. I didn’t realize how bad it would be. How much hate there would be from bystanders. God, I can just see it. I can feel it in my stomach. I can’t subject you to that.”

Abe’s hands folded around mine. “I don’t care about any of that.”

“Abraham. It’s horrible. And I don’t see any way—we can’t be together and keep you out of this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I won’t destroy your career. I won’t do it.”

He didn’t say anything, just studied me.

I tried to make it clear. “You have a team. You have your career, and your contract. If you’re with me, you’ll lose all that.”

“I don’t care.”

“I care. This is your life.”

“This is my job. And I would do anything for you.”

“Abraham, that’s crazy.”

He shook his head, his jaw set. “No. You know what’s crazy? Letting these rules dictate our lives.”

“You could lose your career.”