“Don’t you and Sulley have family bad blood?” I challenge back, knowing they’re fucking like rabbits right now.
He twists his lips. “Hmm, fair point. I’ll let you two get dressed. I’ll be downstairs trying to avoid your slobbering beast.”
I scowl at him. “Be nice to that dog or you’ll be on my shitlist, McCaffrey.”
Vance stares at Daylen with disbelief written all over his face, and Daylen smiles. “She loves BJ, and BJ loves her.”
He scratches his head and exits the room, closing the door behind him.
Daylen looks at me. “He’s going to have questions. What should I tell him?”
I sigh in resignation. “Tell him whatever you want. I know he’s your best friend, and I’m sure we can trust him to keep our secret. I was thinking about talking to Sulley about everything anyway. It’s so hard keeping all of this from my best friend.”
He nods. “Thanks. It will be such a relief to tell him. I’ve never kept anything from him before.”
I turn in his bizarrely soft bed. “How did I get here? Didn’t we fall asleep on the balcony?”
He nods. “Yes. It started drizzling in the middle of the night. You slept through it, so I carried you inside and tucked you into bed.”
I snuggle in. “Why is your bed so comfortable? I don’t remember it being like this the last time. I don’t want to move. I could stay here all day.”
He twists his lips. “The bedding is new. I know you like high-thread-count sheets. I remember them from your bed. I just bought this set. Do you like it?”
“I do, but that was…presumptuous.” I smile. “What made you think I was a sure thing last night?”
He purses his lips. “Hmm, just a guess. I knew you were horny and wouldn’t be able to resist my Humblecock.”
I roll my eyes at his arrogance as I sit up. “My dress is on the floor downstairs. Can you get it for me? I’ll have to walk of shame out of here.”
He scrunches his nose. “Don’t be mad…but I got you a few things.”
“What things?”
“That sexy red robe you were wearing at your apartment? I got you one just like it to keep here. I also got some of your toiletries, like girlie shampoo and stuff. They’re in the bathroom. And the second closet has a few items as well. They’re not fancy, just some Camels sweatshirts and sweatpants in your size so you don’t have to walk of shame out of here.”
I stare at him in shock. “You’re bizarrely thoughtful, albeit slightly creepy.”
“Are you mad? I was afraid you would be.”
I shake my head as I rub my fingers through his scruff and peck his lips. “No, I’m not mad. Thank you for thinking of me.”
You’re the first person who ever has.
TWENTY-SEVEN
DAYLEN
It’s been a great few weeks for Kennedy and me. We’ve found our groove. We rarely spend a night apart, except when I have team obligations like mini-camp. She even stayed with BJ the few nights I was gone because she didn’t want BJ to be lonely. I think she loves that dog nearly as much as I do. I know the feeling is mutual, and it warms my heart to see how protective BJ is of Kennedy. She follows Kennedy everywhere in the house, and if a delivery person approaches the door, she always places herself between Kennedy and the visitor, usually scaring them away. Kennedy is amused by it, but it hits me right in the heart seeing my two girls interact like that.
More and more of her belongings have slowly trickled into my house. Without speaking of it, I’ve cleared plenty of space for her. I have two giant walk-in closets in my bedroom. I moved my stuff to the smaller one. I’m pretty sure closet space is the way to her heart, so I happily gave up mine for her.
We’ve continued her training. She’s so darn close. Millimeters away from making a dunkhappen. It might not be this season, but hopefully next. I even installed a basketball net for her so she can practice anytime she wants.
I haven’t broached the future at all with her. I’m trying to live in the moment while slowly and subtly making space for her in my life and house. I think I’ve fallen in love with her, but I’m not telling her. She’ll feel pressured. She needs to get there in her own time.
What I don’t love is what she’s selected for me to wear to walk into our first game. I lost a bet to her months ago, well before Vegas, and she has done her best to do me dirty.
I wouldn’t want it any other way. I would have done the same to her if I had won the bet.
