Evan looks over my shoulder and sees Nolan watching us. “He just saw you do that,” he whispers.
“I don’t care. He obviously likes you, and so do I. No need to hide it anymore.”
He raises his eyebrows suggestively. “Then can I get one more kiss?”
I laugh, then lean in to kiss him again.
“Call me once you get settled,” I say as I open the door.
“You know I will,” he responds like it’s factual and something I don’t have to worry about not happening.
I just hope I’m doing the right thing, and he is as genuine as he portrays himself to be.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Christy
Three days was good. Three days gave me time to still be me and get my stuff done at work and around the house. Three days made me miss him like crazy, but still keep my head on straight.
Those three days are up though. He flies home tonight, and I can’t wait to see him.
He kept in contact with me while he was gone, texting me any moment he had with just funny things he’d seen on his trip or little stories to tell me. We spoke every night before bed and again when he woke up.
I’ve never thought about this aspect of a professional athlete’s life. Thankfully, the team provides all their meals, but it’s a lot of living on the road and sleeping in hotels.
Nolan set our TV to record every game, so if we weren’t home to watch, we’d spend our nights watching from the recording. Every time Evan went up to bat, Nolan would stand and mimic his little routine as he got in the box, then tried to copy his swing.
The amount of anticipation that runs through me while watching him play is something I’ve never experienced before.It’s this nervous energy that makes it hard for me to sit still, but if I stand, I feel like I’m going to throw up. I know parents who wish to see their last name written across a jersey on TV one day, but I don’t know if I could handle it. If this were Nolan up to bat, I think I’d lose it altogether.
When he gets a hit, I scream at the top of my lungs. When he strikes out, I feel this deep sadness in my soul. By the end of the game, I need a drink just to calm myself down—and I’ve never been a big drinker!
His plane lands at nine, and though we didn’t talk about him stopping by my place, I’m hoping he surprises me by doing so. After I get Nolan tucked in bed, I change into a tank top and pajama pants, then make myself some tea and curl up on the couch to watch some TV.
My phone is next to me where I can see the screen in case he calls or texts, and I swear I feel like it’s mocking me, sitting all dark and lonely there, not making a peep, no matter how many times I look at it, willing it to do something.
With a commercial flight, I can check the status if it’s landed or where it is, but with his flight, there’s nothing. It’s a private plane and this big secret that no one can easily track from the outside world. I get the security of it, but right now, it’s driving me insane because it’s past ten, and I haven’t heard a word from him.
Finally, my screen lights up, and I see a text from him.
Come outside.
I jump so fast that I knock over my mug—thankfully, I finished my tea a few minutes ago. I race to the door and swing it open,only to see him standing there with the most gorgeous grin across his face.
I hop into his arms, and he catches me with ease while I press my lips to his. When he swipes his tongue against mine, my entire body melts into oblivion with only him to hold me up.
“Come inside,” I pant, needing more of him.
“Are you sure?”
I nod, kissing him some more. “Nolan’s been asleep for a while. We just need to be quiet.”
He carries me into the house, turns to close and lock the door, then walks straight to my bedroom, shutting that door behind us too.
“I missed you,” he whispers, kissing my neck as he lays me down.
I wrap my legs around him. “I missed you too.”
One of his hands grips my hip as the other runs down my face, my neck, over my breasts, following a path down to my knees. I’m helpless in his arms, closing my eyes and letting his touch take over all my senses.
