“Why wait a year?”
“Ivy Lee!” I gasped and then laughed. God, that was hot. “You rascal.”
“Shut up.” She snorted and swatted my arm. “You want me blindfolded? Do it then.”
“Shit. Today was supposed to be romantic, not… you filthy girl. Was last night not enough for you?” My mind wandered immediately to her spread out on her bed and me on my knees again. I was addicted to eating her out.
“You’ve made me obsessed with your body, so no, it wasn’t. I wake up with your body pressed against mine, and I imagine you rocking against me. It’s… becoming a problem.”
“When can we live together?” I blurted out as I pulled onto the highway. “Hear me out. It’s not too soon. Apartments are a bitch to rent, and it’s efficient to have a plan for the end of the year.”
“Sure, but we don’t know where we’ll be after this year. I try not to think too hard about it because it freaks me out. But I don’t know where, or if, I’ll get a job, and you could get drafted across the country.”
Her voice dulled, and she twisted her fingers in her lap. Her nerves traveled through the air, gripping my throat.She’s nervous.
Oh shit. Is that why she’s holding back?
You know she thinks in years, dumbass. You need to reassure her location doesn’t matter.
“Ivy, I don’t even know if I want to get drafted.” I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. My sister had been on my mind a lot, but between her and my mom, they refuse to let me help them financially. My dad was still on my ass to meet andtalk,but it was the lowest on my priority list. I knew my grudge had carried on for three years, and some could say I needed to let it go, that my anger would consume me. Blah, blah, fucking blah. It hadn’t consumed me. I was just pissed at my dad. He hurt our family and my mom, and yeah, there were parts I missed about him, but hearing his reasons and excuses wouldn’t help shit.
Even that morning he texted a few dates to meet up. I responded withI’m busy with the season now.
He countered with once the season ended.
He was persistent. I gave him credit there.
Someday, I’d have to speak with him, but it wasn’t top of mind. Not with my mom and sister and soon to be nephew or niece… my focus was Ivy and finishing the season.
Dean and Luca were diehard footballers where I would be content without it after this year. Hell, I secretly was looking forward to eating whatever I wanted and not staying on a strict-ass diet.
“Of course, you do. You talked about it all the time in high school.” She frowned and crossed one leg over the other. “Plus, your sister…why wouldn’t you want to go into the draft? Just to see?”
“My goals are wildly different from high school, my sweet Ivy.” I squeezed her knee and let my fingers linger on her smooth skin. “Like, I want to spend all my free time with you, between your thighs.”
“Don’t you flirt your way out of this. Seriously, Callum. I’m trying to enjoy the moment between us, but I know there is a chance you’ll be in California, and I’ll be in New York. We just don’t know and can’t predict. And it’s not like you can just… follow me with an intern program.”
“And why the hell can’t I?”
“Because your dream is the NFL, O’Toole. Come on.”
She’s wrong.
My dream changed. It’s been shaky lately. Real fucking shaky.
Ivy is my dream.
Don’t tell her that, doofus. She still hasn’t said I love you.
You’ll freak her out, and she’ll jump out of the car.
Okay, yeah be dramatic, would you? That’s helpful.
I crackled my knuckles before sparing a glance at her. The worry wrinkle was between her brows, and her jaw was tighter than normal. “Ivy, I have a business administration degree and a shit ton of experience with NILs and leadership, I might gostraight into a career. You and I are different when it comes to careers. I want a job to provide a lifestyle I want, but I don’t care what I do. You need a passion. We’re going to follow your passion because my job could be anything.”
“But—"
“Playing in the NFL was once a fantasy, but I don’t have the numbers Luca or Dean do. I wouldn’t go in a round where I’d make a big sum of money, which is the only factor. So being across the country from you for an average chunk of money? Nah. Not worth it.”
