Renée’s mouth falls open when I pull into the parking lot of my team’s newly-renovated training facility. I step out of my Yukon and open her door. Her hair is still down—a little wild from our outdoor activities. And if I lick my lips, I can still taste her cum.
“Jonah, I was picturing a shady little gym, not an indoor stadium.”
I take her hand and scratch the back of my neck. “Technically it’s a semi-professional rugby training center. Fingers crossed, that is. We still have to qualify.”
I open the main doors, and the first thing we see is the club’s massive team crest painted on the wall and large decals of current and former players in action shot photos.
“Is anyone here?” she asks as I lead her upstairs to the gym.
“I think Joaquín is boppin’ around here somewhere doing a final inspection before the grand opening tonight.”
“Are you excited to show it off?”
“I’m excited for everyone to see it. But I won’t be the one showing it off.”
“Why not?”
I smile. “Because no one knows who the money came from, remember?”
Renée takes in the brand new equipment—bikes, treadmills, weights, row machines. “Do you wish the team could know you paid for it all?”
“I didn’t do it for attention.”
I guide her toward the track that opens up over the field and she glances at me. “I know. You’re very... quiet in your responsibilities. Which is not something I thought you were capable of back in the day.”
I toe the track, suddenly feeling like I’m back in her college classroom again. I never thought she paid attention to me unless I got in her face and showed off. Turns out she could read me like a book. Still can.
I lean against the railing and look down on the illuminated indoor field. “You’re right—I wasn’t capable then. I used to show off a lot to get my dad’s attention. Never really worked.”
She leans against the railing and gives me a little shoulder shove. “Didn’t work on me either.”
I huff a laugh, “I know.”
We stand together for a long time looking out over the field while I work through some things and decide if I want to show her everything. When she leans her head against my shoulder, gentle and reassuring, I give up holding back anything more.
“Do you wanna know why I like you so much?”
Someone please clap for my amazing restraint from using the word love.
Renée’s already watching me when she nods. “I would.”
“You tell me like it is. I’ve never had to guess how you feel about me.” A curl forms at the corner of my mouth and I shrug. “I was perhaps delusional at times. Some might say obsessed...”
She chuckles and squeezes my bicep.
“I like that you take control. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. It’s not just a... sex thing either. I like having directions, and knowing that I’ve pleased you. In my past relationships, I was always guessing and falling short.” I sigh. “And then I’d look dumb. And it sucks when the person who has yourheart thinks you’re dumb.”
“I don’t think you’re dumb.”
“I know you don’t. You’ve never made me feel that way. It’s one thing when it’s friendly teasing from my siblings or teammates. But with all my previous girlfriends, they’d find something I didn’t know and make me feel bad about it. And because I couldn’t let go of them, I’d do anything to prove I’m not stupid, which always lead to me looking like an even bigger idiot.”
“I’m sorry, Jonah.” She studies me for a beat, her eyebrows pulling together. “Do you know why I like you?”
“Because I’m an amazing dancer.”
“One of the many reasons, yes,” she laughs. “Because you’refun, which is something I wasn’t having. I like that you wear your enormous heart on your sleeve. And you’ve shown me that you don’t give up.”
I lower my head. “Yeah, but I used to. I used to rely on everyone else to take care of me, and clean up my mistakes. I didn’t take responsibility for anything. But once all the money came, and I bought the house... I don't know. I felt like I had to step up—like it was my time to prove I could be trusted.”
