But my focus goes hazy as our elbows brush on the center console.
You weak woman.
“You know there are a lot of things I love about you, right?” he asks, but he doesn’t wait for a response. “Picking a favorite seems impossible, but if I had to, I’d say it’s that you always reach for the stars. And no matter what, you find a way to make it there. Every single time.”
His words knock the wind right out of me. “Is that really what you think of me?”
“Amongst many other things.” The car sputters as he makes a right turn. “Nothing slows you down when you want something. Shayzilla’s your nickname for a reason, but even in normal Shay mode, you’re driven, passionate, and aren’t afraid to do things scared.”
When I started my degree plan, I ignored the doubt from my professors and classmates. When I decided to be a multi-sport agent, I refused to listen to Trevor’s criticism. When I realized I wanted to be with Cade, I let go of the fear of not being able to control our hearts.
And I did those things while terrified.
I blink fast, willing the sting in my eyes to settle. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It’s just the truth.” The veins in his hand pop as his grip tightens around the steering wheel. “I’m guessing all this stress is why we haven’t talked since we got back from Atlanta. Or have you been avoiding me because you regret the kiss?”
The sadness in his voice pierces me, and I’m the reason for it. As someone who was so hurt when he didn’t communicate his feelings and fears to me, I did the same thing.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve talked to you.” Turning in the seat, I face him. “I’m scared more than anything, but I don’t regret it, Cade. I just don’t want to ruin our partnership.”
His relief is immediate and palpable. “I promise kissing won’t.”
“Onekiss,” I argue. “We agreed ononelast kiss.”
“Nope. All I said was that I would try my best.” Stopping at a red light, he finally looks at me. There’s a tiny tremor to his hand as it travels across the center console and hooks a braid behind my ear. “I never believed I could get you out of my system, and that kiss proved it. But I’ll follow your lead. I know what this job means to you.”
Something snaps inside me at that. It was naïve to think I could get him out of my system.
Finally, we pull into Permian’s parking lot. I made it through the entire drive without leaping over the center console and into his lap.
Go me.
The minivan rattles as it bounces over a speed bump, but the choked grunt Cade releases sounds even more painful. It’s too low and strained for my liking. I should be more concerned that I’m in his car at my job, but my focus is trained on the way he’s gripping his upper thigh.
“What’s wrong?” I ask when he maneuvers into a parking spot.
His mutterednothingcomes out too fast to be true. It only takes a short staredown for him to acquiesce, and he schools his pinched expression. “My hip gets tight sometimes.”
Bile rushes up my throat. “I knew it. I knew I noticed a limp.”
“When?”
“Our first game as agent and client.”
A smile cracks through his grimace. “I hate how well you know me.”
“You’re going to hate what I have to say even more.” I manually unlock the passenger door. “Talk to a trainer soon, okay? I know it’s hard, but it’s better to miss a few games than ruin the rest of your season. You’re more than your job.”
Cade’s brows scrunch in that stubborn way I’m familiar with. Missing games may feel like the worst thing in the world, but Cade needs to put himself first. Not the golden boy who feels like he needs to perform no matter what.
The clenched fist at his side tells me he won’t be saying a word to anyone, so I turn to leave.
“Before you go,” he says, stopping me, “I have something for you.” He relaxes his hand and digs into his pocket, pulling out my dice.
I smile. “Am I finally getting them back?”
“Never. I need them more than you know.” Then he lifts a dainty chain between his large fingers. “When I saw this at the pawnshop, I knew I wanted you to have it. Since you’re always on the phone, this wristlet thingy reminded me of you.”
