I lean a shoulder on the door, propping it open. “So, everyone knows apparently.”
The panic is evident in the way Reese is holding herself stiffly on alert. “I should go.”
“No. You should stay.” Slipping a hand to her lower back, I usher her into my apartment then return my attention to my family. “But you all need to go. Now.”
Kai is the first to stand from the table and Kennedy follows him, but Isaiah and Miller are more hesitant to leave.
“Millie.”
Miller scoffs. “I’m your only child.”
“Exactly. I’m trying not to traumatize you. Please leave.”
My attention moves to my favorite little guy as he makes his way toward me. “Sorry, Maxie.” I bend down on my haunches to give him a hug. “I wish you could stay but your aunt, uncle, and parents are being weirdos.”
He giggles, hugging me in return. “Weirdos.”
“Right? I know.”
Eventually, the five of them make their way out of my apartment, Kai bringing up the rear to usher the group ahead of him.
He halts in the doorway, turning back to Reese. “If it makes you feel any better, the entire team is absolutely stoked for you two. And so am I.”
I catch the small crack of a smile on Reese’s lips as Kai closes the door behind himself.
But that smile drops as soon as they’re gone, and the realization sinks in. “Emmett. The team knows?”
“Don’t freak out. They won’t say a word.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. You might not believe me, but they want to protect you as much as I do.”
I watch as that statement settles onto her shoulders. They’ve proven just how loyal they are to her in the media lately. They’ll continue to prove it by keeping this secret for us.
I don’t hesitate any longer, taking the coffees from her hand and placing them on my table so they’re out of my way. Bothhands sliding into her hair, I bring my lips to hers in a desperate kiss.
She sighs into me. I sigh into her.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“I’m so sorry. I should’ve called first.”
“No. I’m glad you didn’t. This is the best surprise.”
She wraps her arms around my neck, leaning up to kiss me again. “I need to get to the field, but I wanted to see you.”
I check my watch. I need to get out of here too if I’m going to make it to work on time. But I also don’t want to miss out on time alone with her when we won’t get it again all night.
“Wait for me?” I ask. “I need five minutes to shave quickly then we can walk down together.” I drop a kiss on her mouth before grabbing my coffee from the table and taking a sip. “Thank you for this, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.”
Slipping into the bathroom, I project my voice so she can hear me still. “So how was your meeting?”
I pull my shirt off, toss it in the hamper, and turn on the faucet.
“It was good.” Instead of staying out in the main room, she follows me to the bathroom, leaning on the doorway with her coffee in hand. “I think some of the other team owners actually felt bad for me about the heat I took in the press.”
