Lots and lots of sex.
I can’t seem to keep my hands off Luke now that I’m able to touch him whenever I want.
He still tries to be gentle with me, but all it takes is a little taunting from me, and whatever thread of control he believes he still holds snaps. That’s the side of Luke I seem to be addicted to. The part that isn’t trying to hide himself from the world. The part of him only I get to see.
But then there’s the side of him that he’s kept under lock and key for so many years, and it’s finally starting to come up to the surface.
He’s slowly allowing himself to talk about the night that changed the trajectory of his life. The feelings of betrayal caused by not only the two people who should have been the most loyal to him, but by his former team as well.
I had no idea there were teammates who were aware of his ex’s affair but kept their mouths shut because they wanted to make sure Luke kept his head in the game. He considered many of those guys close friends, even brothers. Which was another reason he had no qualms about walking away from the MLB at the height of his career.
How he’s been able to be such a solid grounding force for the Monarchs is beyond me. While he won’t be winning any Miss Congeniality contests with the guys, there is no question that his team knows he’s always there for them.
I’ve seen firsthand how he’s handled the team after facing a brutal loss. How he takes certain players aside and offers them private words of encouragement away from the cameras. How he allowed players like Martinez to keep his phone in the dugout in case there was an issue with his daughter.
And while the media does him no favors and says he’s rough around the edges, I will disrespectfully have to disagree.
Because as I look up at the man sitting next to me on the couch with pink undereye patches while rewatchingThe Parent Trap, I can’t help but grin. The world would have a field day with my current view.
He looks down at me, not changing his usual grumpy expression, and winks. “Stop objectifying me, woman. We need to try to get through this movie fully before you pounce on me.”
I giggle as he pulls me tighter into his side.
And in that moment, I allow myself to admit what my heart already knows.
I’m falling in love with my best friend.
We’ve turned the cell booster on once a day to send proof of life to my brother and friends. They’re usually pics of the lake in the morning sun or the meals we cooked the night before.
But yesterday Luke took a selfie of us with the cabin in the background. I’m in my new favorite cardigan, hair going wild in the wind, smiling like a fool as he holds me close from behind, grinning up at the camera.
My only warning was the mischievous look he sent my way before I heard a swoosh from my phone.
He sent it to the group chat.
He didn’t write a message along with it, but I think our faces might have been confirmation enough, because my phone started blowing up immediately with messages from the girls.
While Luke’s buzzed five times with messages from my brother.
NICK:
YOU MOTHERFUCKER
NICK:
I’m sorry. I meant welcome to the family. I know it’s been a long time coming. I’m genuinely happy for you guys.
NICK:
Though I’m sure it doesn’t bear repeating that I’m your boss and could easily fire you if you so much as cause a momentary wrinkle on my sister’s face.
NICK:
Still very happy, of course. Please disregard the prior message. This is not my wife texting on my behalf to rectify my lack of decorum.
NICK:
But I know people, and don’t you forget it, Coach Weston.
