Mark then looked around the room while I focused on processing his words and what I’d shared. Despite the tightness in my chest, I felt happier, a little less foggy. I begrudgingly admitted that Mark still seemed like a stand-up guy.
It didn’t mean I liked the fact that he’d kissed Jayden, though.
Feeling Jayden’s attention on me, I angled to look at him. His soft eyes, filled with warmth, latched onto my gaze. I tilted my head in question. In response, he rolled his eyes, flushed, and smirked. Nowthatwas a look I was becoming more familiar with.
With a slow glance down his body, I took in the slight bulge in his shorts. He shifted his leg, trying to conceal what he was packing. My gaze snapped to his, a shit-eating smirk appearing on my face.
This time he narrowed his eyes at me. The look sent a rush of pleasure into my system. Did I love that he was turned on? Heck yes. I loved everything about this man.
I offered a careless shrug and deliberately darted my tongue across my mouth, earning me a scowl this turn. Grinning, I turned away from him, intent on listening to the rest of the team. They’d listened to me, heard my story; it was only right I offered them the same courtesy.
It was also a chance to wind the man at my side up. No way would I miss out on an opportunity to do that.
CHAPTER17
JAYDEN
We leftthe meeting with a promise to catch up with Mark for dinner and headed straight for the gym. My arm brushed across Sutton’s with every step. Maybe I should have been taking more time and the opportunity to get to know some of the other guys better, but after that whole share fest, I was feeling needy.
While my neediness wasn’t anything new in the grand scheme of my friendship with Sutton, I’d sensed his vulnerability, his words hitting me hard before curling up and making a home in my heart. With that, my need had flipped a little. The desire to be with him, let him know unequivocally that I had his back zapped possessiveness in me I’d never felt before.
We were quiet as we maneuvered through the corridors, the sound of conversation from the guys ahead and behind us. It was unusual for me to stay silent, embracing the moment. While Sutton had long bouts of being soundless—not from pulling away but from observing those around him—I was a certifiable talkaholic.
It wasn’t that I necessarily felt uncomfortable in silence, rather I had shit to say, and I liked to share the bullshit on my mind, especially with Sutton, who, let’s be real, had the patience of a saint.
“You’re going to follow the directions of the coaches when at the gym, right?”
Sutton’s question pulled my attention to him. “Yeah. After yesterday, I’m not going to push it.” When he bobbed his head, I smirked. “You see, I can be sensible as shit.”
“Can shit be sensible, though?” Pearce asked from behind.
At his side, Eddie snorted. “You’ve known Sutton, what, a couple of years?”
“Yeah, that’s how long I’ve been with the Eagles.”
“You’ll soon learn Jay-bomb mixes his imagery and lives for alliteration.”
I flipped Eddie off. “How many points is that, Sutton?”
He responded immediately. “Twenty.”
“What’s that?” Eddie asked.
Pearce answered first, saying, “They do this whole Scrabble word count thing. Or they did.” He paused a beat. “Not so much last season. It was weird.”
My gut clenched at the mention of last season and my and Sutton’s distance. While it already felt like a lifetime ago, the year had been so epically awful, it had left a lasting impression.
“Why not last year?” Eddie asked.
I side-eyed Sutton, more than happy to take over. Seeing the discomfort on his features, I stepped in. “Well, you know that kiss?”
“You and Sutton when Ryan Broadwater came out?”
“Yeah,” I answered Eddie, aware he had his own bi coming out story not long after retiring from the League. “Well, that kinda changed everything.” A genuine grin crossed my mouth, impressed with myself that I’d told the absolute truth. This was the first time we were really answering the question about last year and potentially our secret love affair and subsequent engagement. The latter wasn’t something I dared deal with yet, but only because I’d have way too much fun thinking of elaborate plans for our upcoming fake wedding. And then there was the whole proposal. I had so many ideas bobbing around for that story.
Sutton would threaten to kick my ass or maybe get me to sign a gag order or something if he got wind of the fabricated stories in my brain.
“The team already had a wager going before I joined.” Pearce chuckled. “Apparently it had been going even before that kiss blew up the media.”
