“That’s a lie. You’ve been hanging around locker rooms and interviewing me for the last five years. Telling crass jokes to show that you can hang with the best of ’em, cursing meout whenever I tried to be chivalrous, and I even bought you cupcakes for your last two birthdays when you were covering our games.”
“You know what I mean. After all, here I was thinking that you were in a beautiful marriage all this time, and it was a lie. Do I really know you, or do I know what you want me to know?” Her voice grew soft and intimate.
“Maybe that’s why we’re holed up together in the mountains. It’s for us to get to know each other better. I’m enjoying getting to know you better.”
“Well, I’m enjoying getting to know you better, too, Ashton. I honestly adore everything about you.”
I stared at her for a while, and she smiled curiously at me. “What?”
“Don’t think I’m strange, and don’t judge me, a’ight?”
“Never, Ash.”
“Think I’m falling for you, girl.”
“Falling?”
“Yeah. Don’t make me say anything more than that.”
Her eyes were wide as she searched mine, but she didn’t say anything else. I changed the subject. “Why don’t we have a backyard camping trip tonight?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“What’s the problem?”
“You want me to stay overnight outside in the snow?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”
“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” she exclaimed, quoting a line fromThe Wizard of Oz.
I laughed at her silly nature. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I took a few steps to bring me closer to her. Staring down at her, I replied, “Baby, you don’t have to be afraid of lions and tigers and bears when I’m on the scene. I’m the one who you should be afraid of.”
“Oh, I guess you’re gonna be like Mystikal?”
“Nah, ain’t nobody gotta help the bear. They’ll be on their way to Oz looking for a damn heart and some courage fucking with me.”
“Oh my gosh. You’re so corny.” She laughed.
I reached out and tipped her chin up so that she could look into my eyes. “So is that a yes or no for our camping trip tonight?”
“That would be a yes,” she replied quietly.
I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers. After kissing her gently, I whispered against her lips, “Good.”
“It’s cold out here, and I’ve got a sleeping bag liner and a down jacket on.”
“The fire will warm us up soon. Just relax.”
“Don’t you guys have to pamper yourselves for like three nights before a game or something? Shouldn’t you be getting some sleep indoors?” she joked.
I laughed. “You’re worried about the wrong thing. I’ve got this on lock. I know what I’m doing.”
“Mm . . . You’re gonna really let me freeze my ass off out here?”
“Nah, I got a plan for you. C’mere.”
“What?”
