“Good night, my girl.” I run my hand over her back and she makes a small sound before drifting off again.
As the game progresses, I decide to clean up a little bit so there’s less for Chase to do tomorrow. There are some dishes in the dishwasher that I unload, and while I’m at it, I take the broom out and clean up some of the crumbs I noticed on the floor in the dining room.
While I’m cleaning up I can still hear the game in the background. Ford just scored a touchdown and the current picture is his obnoxious new end zone dance he’s come up with. I’m convinced these are things he and Abby must rehearse at home. He looks like he’s attempting some kind of moonwalk, but then he skips and he flexes his arms in front of the camera. Since when is he so showy? I laugh to myself.
That’s your husband.
I text Abby with the dancing man emoji.
Abby
Isn’t he a dreamboat?
Mia
He’s something.
I laugh out loud at the text exchange. I know we’re all watching it from our respective couches—or in my case, while holding a broom in Chase’s apartment.
I’ve officially created my own little cozy space for the remainder of the evening. Complete with a lit candle, the fireplace on, and a glass of lemonade while I get comfortable on the couch to watch the final quarter.
The camera pans to Chase and I see him on the sidelines laughing with another one of the defensive players. His hand runs through his sweaty hair and I want so badly to run my own fingers through it. I wanted to kiss him the other night—even though I know it’s against his “rules.”
“Well, at least the Knights are looking like themselves tonight. I know they didn’t anticipate being this low in the standings this late in the season, but let’s face it, when you’ve got Liam Evans as your quarterback and Chase Hunt on the other side of the ball, you’re never actually out of it.”
I smile to myself at the commentator’s mention of Chase as if I have any claim to him, but even still it makes me blush. There’s something so attractive about seeing a man excel at what he does, but even more than that—it’s exciting. Chase isn’t just good at his job, he’s exceptional at it. He’s an All Pro, he’s a Super Bowl Champion, he holds records for the Knights that I doubt will be touched for years to come. And while all of that is admirable, the best thing about him is still his heart. Even if he guards it from most people.
The game comes to an end, leaving the score at an embarrassing fifty-two to fourteen and I know that means the guys will be in a good mood.
My phone dings with a text message nearly an hour after the game has ended, jolting me out of a small cat nap I was apparently taking on his couch.
Chase
Not so bad, Kincaid.
I bite my cheek at his response to the picture I sent him of CeCe’s braid and then another one comes through.
Chase
I hope you’re up. I’m on my way home.
He hopes I’m up? Why? Thoughts swirl in my mind, but it’s probably to make sure I can leave.
I quickly gather up the blankets, organizing them on the couch the same way he keeps them. The coasters are all back in their normal spots and I’ve wiped up any of the condensation that may have landed on the table. I feel wide awake after that small nap I took and even more so after getting the text from him. Lately, there have been moments, albeit small ones, but times where he’s just playful enough to make me think he enjoys being around me.
The front door opens as I’m sitting on the couch scrolling my phone and I hear a grunt as I stand up and walk toward the kitchen. Chase is standing at the island, his bag near his feet and his eyes dark, like the deepest part of the ocean.
“Hi,” I quietly say, offering a quick smile.
“Hi.” He exhales the word and places his hand on the counter.
My eyes shoot to where it lands and then back up to him. He doesn’t say anything more, but he’s staring at me so intently, as if he’s studying every move I make.
“So, um, CeCe was great. She fell asleep in the first quarter… and I brought her to bed. Boy, you make that look easy.”
Still nothing. No words, just him staring at me and his head tilts every so often as I move my hands while I talk. I’d think it to be creepy if I wasn’t so insane already and find everything Chase does attractive anyway.
“I know you don’t love it when I clean, but I just picked a few things up.”
