We said our goodbyes and ended the call. Feeling calmer, I found the contact number for my doctor and went in search of Eddie, thermometer in hand.
I found them in Lottie’s room, Eddie listening to an animated Lottie. The sight shot warmth and relief to my chest. To be so talkative meant she’d be fine, right?
“Hey,” I greeted, drawing their attention to me. Lottie smiled, as did Eddie. I passed him my cell. “The number to my doctor’s office is right there. You want to take her temperature first?”
His gaze dropped to the digital thermometer in my hand before moving back to my face. The tenderness in that one look was enough to have a shaky breath escaping. “Thanks. Can you do that while I make the call?”
I bobbed my head before turning my attention to Lottie. “Hey, kiddo. Let’s see what’s going on with this temperature of yours.”
“Okay, but haven’t you got a practice to get to?”
I chuckled. “That I have. I’ve got time to do this, though, and a little bit extra before I have to leave.”
Setting about taking her temperature, I chatted to her about last night’s game, or rather she didn’t stop describing the game. As she spoke, I grinned, relieved this kid was on my side. She could give one hell of an ego boost while tearing strips off the other team and some of their poor choices.
“You sure you don’t want to go into management?” I eyed the thermometer as I spoke, pleased with the 98.5 it registered but wanting a second reading just to be sure.
“Nope.” She angled her head again so I could reach her ear. “Managers and coaches have to shout and be grumpy all the time.”
I snorted. “You’re not wrong. I’ll be sure to tell my coach you said that.”
She gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
Easing away to check the reading, I winked. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.” The reading was the same. “Let me just speak to your dad.”
I found Eddie in the hallway and showed him the reading. He smiled his thanks, clearly listening to someone at the other end of the call. Before I could turn to go back to Lottie, he held on to my wrist and mouthed, “Go run.”
I frowned and shook my head. Sure, I ran most mornings, but today was different. Not only did I get killer orgasms, making the late start so worth it, but I needed to know Lottie was okay. Plus, after yesterday’s hard-won game, I deserved a break. I’d still be heading to training in a short while. Mom in all her wisdom was right about that.
The narrowing of his eyes did nothing to change my mind. Instead, I stepped into his space and gave him the briefest of kisses before walking backward with a grin and a follow-up wink. Teasing Eddie was too much fun. With his concern for Lottie, it was only right that I got him to smile, and maybe a little hot under the collar too.
Half an hour later, Lottie had managed to eat something and said she was feeling a little better. Her temperature was the same too, making it easier to step away and go and get changed before heading to training.
As I tied my laces, my bedroom door opened. Eddie entered, gaze on me and an intent on his face that made my heart speed up. Hoping he was here to kiss me stupid, I dropped my foot and leaned back on my palms from my position on my bed. He stopped before me between my open thighs, but rather than lean into me like I hoped, he peered down at me.
There was a beat of quiet, our breaths the only sound filling the space between us. But there was also a crackle of energy too, something that I’d always felt when with Eddie, and something about his features told me he felt it too. The knowledge had my pulse spiking.
“Tomorrow, no distractions. You wake up to your alarm and follow your usual routine, or as much as you can since you’re playing in Indiana.”
Surprised by the seriousness in his voice, my brows dipped low.
“You will not break your routine, something I know you rely on, because we’re here.”
Not sure how to respond to his tone, I quirked my brow at him, maybe forcing a little bit of challenge into that one move.
“I mean it, Pearce.”
My smile was instant. “You know, I kinda like it when you’re being all growly.” I bounced my brows up and down. “Never thought I’d like this domineering side, but it’s hot.”
Rather than joining in, Eddie tilted his head back and sighed. While a reaction I was used to from others, I wasn’t from Eddie. I didn’t like it one bit. Eddie always took my shit, my jesting with soft smiles and amusement.
“Pearce,” he finally said, gaze back on me again. That one look had me sitting up. He stepped back a little so he could see my face. The distance felt wider than the few inches it was. “I need you to be serious about this. You’re playing the best games of your life. Distraction right now is not okay.”
He studied me, and for a second, dread landed in my gut, only disappearing when he edged closer and settled on his knees between my thighs. When his palms found purchase on the fabric of my shorts, I exhaled, the unsteadiness unfamiliar.
“I can’t be the reason something goes wrong. If Lottie and me being here puts you off your game, I’ll nev—”
“No.” I shook my head quickly, clamping my hands on his shoulders. “You’re not a distraction.”
