He nods, helping me to my feet. Emmett opens the door for us, allowing me to exit first. As I pass him, he leans down to my ear and whispers, “Thanks for a great meeting, boss.”
36
Emmett
When we’re playing a home series, Reese and I know we’ll end up together at the end of the night, usually at her place, sometimes at mine. But it’s much harder to draw a line when we’re traveling and don’t have the luxury of spending our nights together.
When we’re on the road, we’ll go to dinner together because that’s easily played off as a work meeting. We’ll extend our pregame lineup chats to steal more time. But we don’t risk either of us sneaking into the other’s hotel room unless we have a connecting door.
Seems a bit extreme after how many times we’ve fucked around at the stadium back home, but when we’re not blinded by need for one another, we both have smarter decision-making skills.
I won’t lie, though. I like being stupid with that girl.
That’s what sucks about this road trip. Reese’s hotel room is on the opposite end of the hall from mine, so our time together has been limited over the past few days.
But on the flip side of that, the thing that’s so great about this road trip is that we’re in Colorado. Back in the city I once played for. Back in the place I raised Miller until she was eighteen.
I knock on Reese’s room, leaning a shoulder against the wall as I wait for her to answer.
Blonde hair half clipped up. Under-eye patches on and a coffee in hand. Wearing both a matching silk sleep set and a bright smile as she opens the door.
“Well, good morning to me.”
I chuckle, keeping my hands in my pockets so I don’t tempt myself to touch her until we’re alone. “Missed you last night. Any chance you’re free this morning?”
“I can be. What’s up?”
“I want to take you somewhere.”
Her eyes sparkle at the idea. “Just you and me?”
“Just you and me.”
“Yes. Yeah, I’m down for that. I need to change quickly. Meet you downstairs in five?”
“Perfect.” I lean in to kiss her before stopping myself, arched halfway over in her doorway.
Things have progressed so naturally between us the past few weeks. Easy kisses and simple touches are second nature at this point, that it takes a conscious effort to remind myself of our positions while we’re at work.
Which is what I have to do now.
I stand straighter, backing away from her door and pointing in the direction of the elevator. “I’m just gonna...”
She laughs at me. “See you soon.”
I rented a truck for this specific outing, so I drive it up to the front entrance of the hotel and wait for her there.
A few minutes later, Reese walks out wearing a sweet floral sundress in a light pink shade. Similar to the color of her nails. It’s feminine and easygoing, so different from how she dresses at work. She’s beautiful both ways, but I don’t miss that she dresses softer when we’re outside of work. More colorful too.
It’s nice to see her allow herself time away from being the boss.
“You rented a car for this?” she asks as I open the passenger door for her. “We couldn’t have taken a rideshare?”
“Nope. We have a bit of a drive ahead of us.” As soon as she’s sitting, I pull her seat belt across her body, clicking it into place. I don’t know what possesses me to do it. I suppose partly because I just need her safe. And partly because I rarely get to dote on her unless we’re hidden in one of our apartments.
Arm still reached across her body and hand still covering the buckle, I glance up at her. “Sorry.”
She lifts her hand, running it against my beard. “Don’t be. It’s nice.”
