He cocked his head. “Oh, yeah?”
I handed over my newest prized possession. “Here. Take a peek.”
Jenner walked over, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Who’s Gemma?”
“Oh, she’s—”
“Goose! There’s some woman trying to get through the press door, claiming she needs to see you?” Nick, the head of the security team’s gruff voice boomed through the open space. He shook his head. “She called you Sasha. Not sure I’ve ever heard anyone use your real name before.”
Could it be . . . ?
Instantly on my feet, I asked, “Tall, dark hair, cute little scowl?”
Nick nodded. “Yep, that’s her.”
“Let her in and tell her I’ll be right there.”
“You got it.”
I bent in half, frantically searching for my slides beneath the bench.
“Where’s the fire, Goose?” Asher asked from across the locker room.
Shoving my socked feet into the open-toe rubber sandals, I spun around, explaining, “My girlfriend’s here.”
Jenner held up a hand. “Wait a minute. Back up. Girlfriend? Since when?”
Shrugging, I tried to move around him, eager to lay my eyes on Gemma again. “Couple weeks. Met her when I went to get a new license.”
Braxton shot off the bench in my peripheral vision. “Are you insane?! The DMV Diva?”
“The what?” I spun around to meet his wide eyes.
He reached into his discarded joggers, pulling out his cell. Tapping on the screen, he flipped it around to show some kind of amateur video of Gemma and me at the DMV. God, she looked amazing—fists clenched, face red, eyes burning bright with passion.
Tossing his phone back into his stall, he used both hands to grip my shoulders. “Goose. Please tell me that’s not the woman you’re talking about.”
“That’s my Gemma,” I declared, unable to wipe the goofy grin from my face at the memory of our first encounter.
“That’sGemma?” Jenner asked from my right.
“Uh-huh.” I nodded. “Isn’t she great?”
Braxton shook me by the shoulders, bringing my attention back to him. “Look, buddy. You’re eccentric; we all get a kick out of it, but this is taking it to a new level. That chick is seriously unhinged. The level of crazy lurking in her eyes is enough to keep most men awake at night, afraid of the nightmares they’ll cause.”
Asher chimed in as he tied his skates. “And he just told Nick to let her inside the building.”
I snapped my fingers. “Can’t keep my woman waiting. If you’ll excuse me.” I dipped down, breaking Braxton’s hold on me and striding away. “Catch you guys at practice.”
Behind me, I heard Braxton mutter, “Delusion is a disease for which there is no cure.”
If they gave her a chance, I knew they’d love Gemma as much as I did. Her prickly exterior might give people pause at first, but we would balance each other out. They’d see.
My feet couldn’t move fast enough as I walked toward the press entrance. When it came into view, I was surprised to find Gemma standing with Bristol, chatting low enough that I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“There are two of my favorite girls.” Their heads turned at my greeting. “Or maybe three?”
When I drew close enough, I crouched before Bristol, my large palms dwarfing her tiny baby bump. “How’s our little ’ship baby? Kicking yet?”
