Page 133 of Whiskey Wednesdays
He sighed. “That’s what you said about Noah vandalizing your car.”
“Okay, maybe that one wasn’t just my problem. But Coach Bailey is.”
“You’re mine. I want to be there for you.” He paused and seemed to collect his thoughts. “I want to hear about your problems and frustrations. And your successes. I’d like you to confide in me like you do your dad. Or even Titus.”
I sighed and set my plate down. “There’s a difference between listening and discussing, or listening then wading in and trying to fix everything.” I looked up at him. “I want a partnership. I want to be valued and needed. And not just for sex.” My face went hot, but I held his gaze.
“You don’t think I value you?”
I jerked my shoulder awkwardly. “Maybe? I’m ten years younger than you, I’m not a famous athlete or a hockey legend, and I’m dirt poor.” My eyes slid away. “But I like myself. I work hard, and I try to be a good person.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to stand between his legs. “Do you have any idea how fucking wonderful you are? And what you mean to me? To us?” He cupped my jaw. “Do you know what you’ve given me? Before Elodie and you came into my life, I never knew what love was supposed to be like. To love so much that I worry about you, and want to be with you all the time. I’d fucking do anything to keep you safe and happy. You’re notrich, but who cares? What you’ve given me is priceless. Do you understand?”
I stared at his magnetic, rugged face and slowly ran my thumb across the scar on his cheek.
“Maybe. Because it’s what you’ve given me.” I put my forehead on his shoulder. “I love you too. And I love Elodie. I also worry about both of you.” I looked up again and my voice broke. “But I’m afraid. Of losing you, or not being enough for you. And I’m scared of that pain.”
He nodded and cupped my cheek. “I am too, but I’m willing to risk it. You’re this warm ray of sarcastic sunshine that blasted into my cold life. I want you to come home. And bemine. My best friend, my girlfriend.” He smirked. “My sweet, good girl. And eventually my wife.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks, but a laugh escaped me. “How about if we start with me moving back in?”
“Fuck, yes.” He rubbed the tears away and kissed both my cheeks. “And for the love of God, please don’t move out again. Elodie’s mad at me, and she keeps asking me what I didthistime.”
My laughter was cut off when his hard lips pressed against mine.
Chapter 39
On Wednesday night, we invited both the Martini Monday and the Whiskey Wednesday crowds to Connor’s house for a blow-out party. We found a babysitter for Elodie and Stella, and they hung out over at my dad’s house.
The warm desert evening was bright with the full moon, and orange blossoms scented the air. Dad and Connor put up outdoor café lights, and they opened the wall of accordion windows in the living room so people could move freely between the house and the poolside area outside.
We were celebrating the Thunderbirds making the playoffs, and my clinical rotations ending. Word had gotten out I was leaving. A few players even bought me a plant, and their card read “Fine, you traitor. Leave then.” Titus gave me a gift card to Five Guys Burgers. He’d written on the envelope “So you can get your own damn fries.” I got a little teary-eyed after reading it, and Connor chuckled.
We ordered food from a local barbeque dive, and Abby and I prepped the drink bars before everyone came. I noticed Titus staring at Abby throughout the night.
Several other players had brought dates and significant others. It was illuminating to meet some of them.
I stood talking with Jackson out on the patio when Rudy walked over. “Hey Isa, are you gonna take Ben up on his job offer?”
“How’d you know he offered me a job?”
Jackson grinned. “Because he told us he did. And several players mentioned to him he’d be an idiot not to.”
“That’s so nice, and a little surprising.”
Rudy squeezed my shoulder. “Not really.”
“All this Wednesday bonding bullshit has been fun,” Jackson added. “It’s been a great season, even with the Coach Bailey drama.”
Rudy nodded enthusiastically, and I poked his arm. “It’s because you won that karaoke contest last week, isn’t it? How come no one knew you could sing like that?”
He shrugged modestly. “I met Martina at The Cockpit a couple of months ago, and we hatched up our half-baked plan.”
Jackson snickered. “You should have seen Wyatt’s face when you started singing. And when Martina stepped in? Holy shit.”
Rudy chuckled. “Yeah, that was pretty damn awesome.”
Mikael walked over, and Jackson turned to him. “We’re re-living karaoke night, and Wyatt getting owned.”
