She cups my jaw and plants kisses all over my face then rests her forehead on mine again and says, “You’re a big fat liar, and I want you out of my life.” Then she bites my chin, making me jolt in surprise. “See yourself out.” She jumps off my lap and points to the door, but I take her wrist and pull her back to me. I wrap my arms around her, securing her in place.
“You’ve told me, Queen Vee. Can I tell you something now?” The adrenaline from earlier starts to evaporate, and all I want is my Vickie back. The spitfire who wants nothing to do with romantic relationships.
She turns her gaze on me again and says, “Will it be the truth?”
“The absolute truth.” I grasp her chin and turn her head so she can look at me. “I want you.” She opens her mouth to speak, but I put my finger to her lips. “Not only in bed, and if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit that you want me too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in my arms right now. I want you at all my games, in my jersey, and I want the world to know you’re there for me.” I put my nose on her shoulder and plant a soft kiss. “You want to know my wildest fantasy?”
I lift my head and look into her eyes.
“What is it?” Her voice is low, and the fear and anger from earlier is gone, replaced with mild curiosity.
“The other night when you made me snacks and cuddled with me on the couch?” She stares and waits for me to say more, but I remain quiet.
“What about it, Chastain? I don’t have all night,” she snaps.
“It was everything. Believe it or not, I’ve never had anyone other than Mama”—she sighs at the mention of my mother—“do that for me.”
She snorts and looks away. “Liar. I’m sure your wife did that for you. And if that’s your fantasy, you’re boring. I don’t do boring.”
I take her chin and turn her toward me. “She didn’t, and one day I’ll tell you all about that, but not tonight. Tonight, I want to be home with you. I want to eat dinner with you, go to bed with you, and wake up with you. I just want to be boring with you.” I cradle the back of her neck and kiss her forehead. Her body finally relaxes into mine. “I’m going to climb this wall that you’ve got around yourself.” I kiss her forehead and rest mine against it.
“You better take your butt home to your son,” she mutters, and I let out a loud laugh.
“You’re perfect, do you know that? Absolutely perfect, and anyone who doesn’t see that is blind. He’s spending the night with his good friend Vincent. I talked with them both after the game. Is that okay with you?” I kiss her lips, and as much as I want to deepen it, I don’t. The next move is up to her. She stares at me, and I pick up her hand.
“I suppose you’re hungry?”
I exhale in relief and say, “Famished.”
“Don’t get used to me cooking for you. I’m not the type of woman who serves a man.”
“I’ll only require it after every home game. Have I told you that women who don’t serve men are my favorite type?”
She hops off my lap and starts to rummage through her fridge. I admire her backside. She has my jersey tied at her waist and has her hair in a high ponytail, leaving her long neck exposed. She slams the fridge shut and approaches. I brace myself for what she’s going to say next.
“You get one chance.” She holds up her index finger. “And I don’t know what this is.” She gestures between us. “But I’m not labeling it.” I nod in agreement, but she narrows her eyes at me and says, “I mean it. No labels.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Queen Vee.” She rolls her eyes at the nickname. “But the thing is, I like labels. I’m a forward. I’m Evan’s dad. I’m Mary Leigh’s son.” Another eye roll. “Labels help keep me organized, so as much as I don’t want to, I’m going to embrace the label of Victoria Taylor’s boyfriend.” Her eyes nearly bug out of her head at that announcement. She shakes her head, and I nod yes.
“Boyfriend? Are you out of your god damn mind? You overstep.” I stand and wrap my arms around her.
“I can see how one might come to that conclusion about me, but since I let it slip at the press conference, we’re kind of stuck.” She crosses her arms.
“Oh, really? We’re stuck now? You said you’d take care of it at the next press conference.”
“I did, but I’ve thought about it.” I scratch my head and make a face like I just tasted something bitter. “Just think of the hit my reputation would take if we’re not seen together.” She sighs and walks away from me. “The world will think I’m some sort of philanderer and Mama would get mad. Not to mention—”
She puts a hand up, signaling for me to shut up. “I swear, if you mention your mama one more time, I’m going to hit you. Just shut up. Do you need to shower?” She opens the fridge and pulls out three Tupperware containers. “And I assume you’re ready to eat now.”
“More than ready.” I surprise her when I wrap my arms around her from behind and kiss the side of her neck.
“I meant what I said. One chance.”
“That’s all I need.”
“Screw it up, and that’s it.”
“My queen, my liege. I swear my fealty to you.” I let her go so I can bow. She sighs and tells me to sit down. “Does that mean I have myself a girlfriend?”
