I stare at his text, dumbfounded.
And that’s probably why he’s one of the most brilliant men to work with.
Blakely:I’m not even going to ask you if you’re sure because you told me you mean everything that comes out of your mouth. I appreciate it, Huxley, and I promise, when I start with the company, I’ll give you everything I’ve got plus more.
Huxley:I don’t doubt it.
Halsey shifts in bed and reaches across the empty mattress. When he doesn’t find me, his head pops up and he looks around the room.
“Right here,” I say to ease his panic. I set my phone down and climb back into bed with him. He spoons me around the waist and buries his head in my hair.
And once again, he holds me tightly, never letting go the entire night.
HALSEY
“Good morning,”Blakely’s sweet voice says as her hand strokes over my forehead.
I open my eyes and find her standing over me, hair wet and fresh from the shower with a towel wrapped around her body.
“I packed you all up so you’re ready to go. Eli said you leave in about forty-five minutes.” Her fingers continue to stroke my forehead, and it’s just enough of a touch to put me back in my safe space with her.
“I’m . . . I’m sorry,” I say.
Because how could I not be sorry?
I was such an idiot thinking that not talking to Blakely would help me when, in reality, I needed her more than anything. I needed her warm body, her touch . . . her love. Her presence.
I couldn’t get myself together enough to play last night, which only made me feel more like shit because I was letting my team down, and we lost. Thankfully, it was a game where our coach rested players, so it didn’t seem like I was missing for any serious reason.
Eli and Pacey helped me back to my room, didn’t ask questions, didn’t bother me to talk about anything. They sat with me until Blakely showed up, and I’m not sure they even knew she was coming. They would have stayed there all night probably.
Blakely takes a seat next to me on the bed and runs her hand over my cheek. “Don’t apologize. There’s no need to.”
“Yes, there is. I never should have ignored you.”
She leans over, touching her forehead to mine. I catch her towel fall open, and her breasts rest against my bare chest. “Don’t, Halsey,” she whispers as she straddles my lap. “Don’t feel like you need to apologize. I appreciate you realizing what happened, but I also understand how pain can determine your decisions.”
My hands smooth up her back as she presses a very soft kiss to my lips.
The fear, the anxiety, the pain all washes away because her lips are like a drug, making me forget and helping me escape.
I roll her to her back, the towel falling from her completely and leaving her naked in my arms, then caress her cheek with my thumb.
Those eyes captivate me. They offer me peace and calm.
Those lips make me feel alive.
And her body is the warm, comforting blanket I’ve needed for so many fucking years.
“You’re everything I need,” I say to her. “And I’m such a fucking fool for ignoring you. I’m lost, Blakely. Hurt. Teetering on the edge of whether I’m worth this life or not.”
“You are,” she says so quickly that I can feel the words break through to me. They aren’t empty. They aren’t a gut reaction. They’re full of meaning. “You are so worth this life, Halsey. You bring so much joy to people. You are such a beacon, a kind, thoughtful, loving soul. Your boys love you more than anything.” She swallows and says, “I love you more than anything.” Her eyes fill with tears as I lift, stunned, but she loops her arm around my neck and pulls me closer. “I love you, Halsey. And I’d be devastated if you didn’t know that, if you believed you don’t deserve to spend time on this earth, because you do. I love you, and I need you. I don’t need your family. I don’t need you to solve any issues settled on your shoulders. Because none of that matters. What matters is you and me.”
“Blakely . . .” I choke out.
“And I’m sorry if you’re not ready to say I love you, but I—”
I don’t let her finish as I crash my mouth to hers, parting her lips with mine and driving my tongue against hers. She matches my energy, my strokes, my desire to be close. I cup her cheeks and move my thumb to under her chin where I tip it up, giving me a better angle. Her hands travel to my shorts, where she pushes them down and uses her legs to maneuver them the rest of the way, leaving us both naked.
