I cracked a smile even as I shook my head. “She’s more than sex to me.” And that still surprised me somehow. The attraction between us had been strong, instantaneous, but I really enjoyed spending time with her.
“Why?” Nik cried. His expression turned plaintive. “Why can’t you just have fun?”
We started walking again as I considered his question. Just before we hit the doors to the locker room, I said, “I like to be connected emotionally to the woman in my bed.”
Nik shot me a confused look, making a choked sound, but Maxim nodded before he took off toward his locker.
The momentwe landed after our trip, I drove to Keelie’s place and enjoyed snuggling with her and Slippers.
“I like this,” I said. I pressed a kiss to her temple as I ran a hand down Slippers’ sleek side.
“I like this, too,” she said, tipping her head back. She licked her lips, and I took her up on the invitation.
When I pulled back, we were both breathless. I touched her plump lower lip. “I should go. We have practice and you have to work.”
Sadness rounded her shoulders, but she nodded. “Okay.”
“Eventually you’re going to stop kicking me out,” I joked.
Her eyes widened. “I’m not kicking you out.”
“I know.”
She lowered her lashes. “I’ll tell you why I want to take this slow. Soon.”
I pulled her into my arms. I heard the pain lacing her words. “When you’re ready.” I rested my chin on the crown of her head. For a long moment, I soaked up the joy of holding her. Then, with a sigh, I kissed her cheek and stepped away. “I’ll see you soon.”
She fisted my shirt. “I’m going to miss you,” she whispered. “From the moment you leave.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Some women hated the professional-athlete schedule and refused to date men who were gone so much of the season. We’d already gone through one trial. We had another on its heels because we had another road series coming up soon. I kissed Keelie again, silently begging her not to push me away.
Our schedules were busy the rest of the week and didn’t mesh, so we texted back and forth every day. She sent me pictures of Slippers and of her new DIY project—a raised garden bed. On the plane for our next away game, I researched the best do-it-yourself projects for us to tackle. Maybe I’d make an outdoor conversation area in my yard, where we could string lights. When I sent Keelie the idea later that night, she called me back. We’d arrived at the hotel, and I had just settled into the room.
As she wound down on her list of ideas, I continued to smile up at the ceiling. “What were you doing?”
“Nothing. Well, moping, I guess. Marian and I watchThe Witchertogether on Tuesdays.”
I pressed my lips together, not wanting to disparage Keelie’s friend. “And…?”
“She didn’t show. So I got a whole pizza—just for me.” Her laugh strained at the edges. “I’m going to have to talk to her—I know that. It’s just…”
“I’m sorry, sweet girl. You deserve better.”
I wanted to call Marian and yell at her for making Keelie sad. More, I wanted to call her and tell her to fuck off and never bother Keelie again. Neither was a viable option, which left me feeling out of sorts.
Keelie sighed. “I wish you were here to give me a hug.”
“Me, too.”
After a moment, she brightened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t say great game tonight! That goal was amazing!” she gushed.
I appreciated that she thought about me. “Thanks.”
“I really miss you, Cormac.”
“Not as much as I miss you.” My roommate for the night remained out, and I shut the drapes.
Coach had implemented the doubling, sometimes tripling up of single players to reduce unneeded wild nights. It didn’t always work, but we’d seen a decent decline in hangovers and sleeplessness in the players. The buddy system kept players more focused on team goals rather than individual gratification.
