And eventually, the noise quieted as it always does. It especially helped when we made a strong playoff run. We eventually lost in game six of the Division Series, but for my first season, I’d call it a win overall.
On the bathroom counter, as the bathtub fills, I grab a hair clip that’s sitting next to Emmett’s toothbrush.
His spare toothbrush has been here for months, but as of yesterday, everything else he owns made its way over to my condo too.
The day after our season ended, he moved in with me, and it only took us that long because of how busy our game schedule has been. We were practically living together anyway, either at his place or mine, but now it’s official.
It feels good. It feels right to share this space where I’m able to find peace and calm with the person who brings that same peace.
I turn the water off once the tub is full.
Clipping some of my hair up, whatever is long enough to actually stay up, I step into the warm bath. I let the water envelop my body as I sink in, feeling the weight of the day drift away.
The heaviness has been slipping off my shoulders, slowly, day by day, for a while now. I no longer feel the need to prove anything to anyone. I no longer have the desire to do twice as much, simply to get recognized as the right person for my job.Going forward, the only person I’m going to prove anything to is myself.
I already have been.
Emmett often likes to reiterate how proud he is of me, so even though I don’t need to prove anything to him, his recognition means the most of anyone’s.
Closing my eyes, I drop my head to the edge of the porcelain tub. But when I hear the elevator open in the main living space, I can’t stop the grin that stretches my lips.
Emmett was added to my elevator’s access months ago, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the idea of him coming home to me.
I hear him move around a bit, hear the undeniable pop of a cork, before his footsteps grow closer, coming my way.
Emmett comes into frame, leaning on the bathroom doorway, glass of red wine in his hand and eyes freely roaming down my body that he can see perfectly clearly through the water.
“Hi, baby.” He pushes off the door before bending over the tub to kiss me. Then he hands me the glass of wine.
“You’re too good to me.” I take a sip from the glass.
“I’m dating a younger woman. I got to keep her happy. Can’t have you going anywhere.”
I chuckle. “You do a good job at that.”
Eyes locked on me, he begins to unbutton his shirt.
“Did everything go okay at the field?” I ask.
“Yeah, just tying up some loose ends for the season. A few of the guys were there, cleaning out their locker stalls, so that was nice to see them.”
His shirt gives way to his bare torso and inked arms before he slips it off his shoulders and tosses it to the floor. Unclasping his belt, Emmett moves to unzip his jeans, pushing them down his wide thighs to join the rest on the ground.
The boxer briefs are next, leaving him standing proudly naked in our bathroom.
Drinking my wine, I let my eyes trail over him, the same way he’s looking at me.
He’s so hot. But also so kind. So protective. Somine.
“Let me slide in with you.”
I arch a brow. “You can slide in somewhere else, looking like that.”
His dick twitches at my insinuation, and a grin hitches on one side of his mouth. “I will be soon enough. We both know that.”
As I move forward in the tub, Emmett wedges his big body behind mine. A bit of the water sloshes over the side because neither one of us are small people, but I couldn’t care less.
Legs open wide on either side of me, bent at the knees so he can fit, Emmett pulls me back to lie against him.
