Grace nods. “You got it, Killer. Sleep good.” She glances at me one last time, a warning look ofyou better not hurt my friend or it won’t matter that you’re my coach, before she leaves.
I contain my amusement, but it makes Lennon chuckle. “I’m shocked you didn’t just burst into flames on the spot.”
“Me too.”
“Coach Maver got her her own room tonight so I could get uninterrupted rest and not be woken up as Grace comes and goes for practice.”
“That was smart. I take it Grace knows?” My gut clenches thinking about who else might. I guess it doesn’t really matter at this point, though.
“Yeah. I mean, we haven’t really talked about it yet, but she asked me if there was something going on when we were riding back here after the game, and I didn’t want to lie to her anymore. I’m sorry, I should’ve told you first but?—”
“Do not apologize for that. Plus, it’s not like she’s the first one to find out today.” I wince.
“None of the other girls asked me about it. I think they may have their suspicions, but Coach Maver said not to discuss it with anyone.” She picks at her fingernails. “Did she talk to you?”
I sit on the edge of the bed and squeeze her thighs through the comforter. “We’ll talk about that later. I need to know how you’re doing. Are you okay? How are you feeling?”
Lennon shifts so she sits higher on the bed, back propped against the headboard. “I’m fine.” She pats my hand reassuringly. “No concussion or broken bones.”
“Are you dizzy at all? Ears ringing?”
“Luke, I’m fine.” She smiles softly. “I promise. My neck and shoulders are a little stiff, but it’s all good. I’m cleared to play Sunday, too.”
Thank god for that. I can’t imagine if she would’ve worked her ass for months to get here and then come up just short.
“God, Lennon.” My heart clenches. “When I saw you get hit…I—I genuinely didn’t know what to do with myself. All I saw was a replay of my own hit but a thousand times worse because it wasyou.” My voice cracks, and I grit my teeth.
“Hey,” she whispers, and her soft hands cup my jaw. She raises my head until our eyes lock and tears brim in hers. “I’m alright. I’m right here. It’s okay.”
A painful lump forms in my throat, making it impossible to speak or swallow or do anything except feel every painful emotion this day has brought up. I’d say I yearn for the days not so long ago where I felt nothing, but that would be a lie.
It’s because of all the good that Lennon has stirred up that I’m capable of feeling the bad.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I whisper.
Lennon presses her lips to mine. It’s a gentle, tender kiss. So unlike many of our other ones that are fueled by the adrenaline of stolen moments and days of missing each other.
I gently run my hands up her legs, her stomach, her arms, feeling the strength in her body and once again letting it be a reassurance that she’s alright. That she’s strong.
She pulls back and runs her hands over her messy hair. “Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to shower yet. I must smell.”
I lean forward and take an exaggerated sniff, then curl my lip. “Now that you say it…”
She cries out in mock outrage and slaps my arm. “Hey, wasn’t the top of the priority list today!”
I laugh and walk over to the bathroom to peek inside. Luckily, there’s a bathtub. It’s small, but it’ll work. I lay out the small bath mat on the floor and start the tap.
“What are you doing?” Lennon calls out.
Once the water warms up, I set the plug and stride back into the room. “Strip,” I tell her.
She does as she’s told, and I shuck off my dress pants and shirt as well. Her eyes are glued to my fingers as I work each button loose.
“I didn’t get to tell you how handsome you looked earlier,” she muses. Her gaze caresses me, and I make a mental note to dress up more often.
“You like what you see?” I tease.
She bites her lip. “I always like what I see when it comes to you.”
