And the whole time, Coach Morrison stands there, looking smug and haughty.
Like this was all his idea.
Of course, he probably thinks he’s got another spy all set up with West, so from the outside looking in, he’s setting things up just the way he wants them. And I don’t know how I feel about it.
Chapter
Thirty
Jayne
Before I know it I’m back in Atlanta, working on a paper that’s due before Thanksgiving. Being able to sleep with Bodi—as in literally sleep beside him—has changed our relationship in ways I didn’t anticipate. Our comfort level is at a point I wouldn’t have believed considering it’s only been about seven weeks since we met.
I can’t dispute the feelings, though. The intimacy that extends beyond sex. The way he makes me feel safe and loved and…happy. I’d almost forgotten what happiness is but now I’ve found it again with Bodi. That he’s wealthy and gorgeous are just bonuses because I would feel this way if he worked at McDonald’s. The man beneath the exterior is the most wonderful I’ve ever known. A little emotionally scarred, perhaps, but at his core I can’t think of anyone better.
He ticks all the damn boxes, and I won’t even get into how good the sex is. I didn’t know it could be that good. I thought long, intense orgasms could only happen on my own. That hecan bring that out in me is an unexpected benefit. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep with anyone else.
And I don’t want to.
Barely two months together and I’m a goner.
The thought of breaking up is unimaginable for me, and the only thing on my mind is finding a way to be together. I could move in with him, I understand that now, but it would cause problems for him on the team.
I don’t know what the future holds for us as a couple but I’m determined to find my own way professionally. The truth is, I can be a librarian almost anywhere. I could even work at a school where the money wouldn’t be great but I’d be sharing my love of books with impressionable kids. The thing is, with Bodi playing hockey, we don’t need me to make a lot of money. And if for some reason he couldn’t play anymore, or even got sent down to the minors again next year, I’d look for a better position. We’d still be fine.
Money has never been a thing for me. I don’t own designer handbags or shoes, I’ve only ever traveled with my family, and I lived frugally in college. Yes, my father paid for everything and occasionally sent me money so I could buy necessities and have a little spending money, but I’m pretty sure the money came from my mother’s life insurance. He doesn’t discuss money with me, unless it’s to complain about how much Lourdes, Lindy, and me cost him. So, I’m not sure what his financial situation is at the moment.
Better than before?
Maybe.
I know his salary is more because the contract is public knowledge, but what I don’t know is how much Lourdes spends, what the mortgage is on this house, or how much Lindy’s private school costs.
And it’s not like I can ask.
Dad has been in a piss-poor mood since the team lost three of the four games on the road trip. The only one they won was against West’s old team, the Southern California Vipers. It was a blowout too, 6-0.
Beyond that, they looked tired and unorganized. Like no one knew what to do or who their linemates were. Of course, Dad changes up the lines every night and, according to Bodi, never gives them any notice. It’s frustrating for them—and it showed.
The team should be landing any time now but I’m closing the library by myself tonight. Kelly had a migraine and went home, leaving me detailed instructions on how to close. I’m proud that she trusts me enough to be here on my own but also a little nervous about setting the alarm. There are six or seven steps and if I screw up, the police will show up and the library gets fined if the call was a mistake.
Kelly made it sound easy, though, and I’ve all but memorized the instructions by now. I’ll call an Uber a few minutes before I lock up and set the alarm so hopefully it will all go smoothly.
I take a handful of books and go upstairs to put them away.
For some reason, I find the quiet of the library soothing. I love books and being surrounded by this many, with no one around, might be my favorite thing ever. Other than that thing Bodi does with his tongue.
I can’t help but sigh, pressing the two books I’m holding against my chest.
I wrote him another letter last night, and I don’t know if I can give him that one. It’s filled with all the things I love about him and how I can’t wait for us to be able to go public with our relationship.
I’d worried that I’d feel self-conscious about my messy hair or morning breath, but Bodi doesn’t seem to care about any of that. Mostly, he liked to cuddle, touch me, even when we didn’t have time for sex. It’s an unbelievable feeling to have mygorgeous boyfriend run his hands up and down my body without any expectations. Simply because he enjoys touching me as much as I enjoy his touch.
Humming to myself, I put the two books away and have just come down off the ladder when I hear someone calling to me.
“Jayne? You upstairs?”
He’s back!
