Having her back there tonight after so long felt like the beginning of so many pieces clicking into place. I’ll admit I was bummed when I saw she wasn’t in her seat after the final horn sounded, but all that changed when I stepped out of the dressing room and she was standing there. I even kissed her; I just couldn’t stop myself. I’m sure the guys will give me crap about that once we reach the bar, but I’m willing to take it tonight. I’m riding a high I haven’t felt in a long while.
“Want to see something fun?” I ask.
“If it involves you speeding down a city street, then no.”
I frown. “Boo.”
She giggles, and it reaffirms that it’s my favorite sound in the world. We ride the rest of the way in silence, and I pull the car into a parking garage that charges an exorbitant price, but I pay it anyway. She meets me at the front of the car after I back into a spot, and I try not to let it bother me that she didn’t wait for me to open her door like she used to. At some point, I need to stop comparing our past with our present, and I might as well start tonight.
This time, I do grab her hand as we make our way to the bar up the street, and I don’t bother to hide my grin when she leans into me.
“It’s about time! We were ready to send the cavalry!” Lawson shouts as we walk into the bar. “Were you guys making out again?”
I steel myself, waiting for the rest of the guys to join in and give me grief for kissing her, but they don’t. Before I can tell him what a dumbass he is, Chloe speaks up.
“We weren’t even making out before, but it’s lovely to officially meet you, Lawson.”
His brows rise in surprise. “I like you.” He looks at me, then points at her. “I like her.”
I squeeze her hand.I like her too.
“All my friends call me Lawless, just so you know.”
“Oh my god! Nobody calls him that!” Rory calls out as she makes her way over to us from the bar, two drinks in her hands. She stops next to Chloe. “Please, feel free to ignore my boyfriend. He nicknamed himself and won’t let it go.”
“That is not true! Nessa over here calls me it.”
“She only did thatonce, and it was because she was new and didn’t know better. We’re teaching Chloe right.” Rory looks at me and nods. “Keller.”
“Rory.”
Chloe laughs. “You two are a lot alike, aren’t you?”
“Aw, come on, Chlo,” Lawson says, slinging his arm around her neck, causing her to drop my hand. I miss it instantly. “Don’t say things like that. It makes it sound like I’m dating the lady version of Keller, and that’s just wrong.”
“I happen to think it sounds nice,” she tells him, and pride swells in my chest. “He’s not so bad.”
“Nah, you’re right. He’s pretty cool, even if he does make fun of me. Say, did I tell you about that time I forgot my underwear during a road trip? Picture this,” he starts, waving his hand as if he’s painting said picture, “there we were, six days in and…”
I don’t catch the rest of it since he drags Chloe away, but it’s probably for the best, or else I’d have to yell at him all over again for asking to borrow my boxer briefs. I stand with my arms crossed as I watch him take her over to the group at our usual table and introduce her in a way only Lawson could.
“Guys, this is Keller’s wife. Thesecretwife.”
“That’s quite a mouthful. Chloe is fine,” she says, holding her own, then she greets everyone individually.
I smile as I watch her integrate herself into the fold with ease, like she’s always been here. There’s an ache in my chest thinking about all the times like this that we’ve missed out on, but then I remember there’s a chance I wouldn’t even be here if she hadn’t left. I joined their “club” because she was gone.
Would I have done that if she hadn’t walked out? Or would I have spent my time at home with her and missed getting to know my teammates as I do? I think there’s a good chance it would be the latter, and surprisingly, I don’t like that answer. I like spending time with her. It’s my favorite thing in the world, but is there such a thing as beingtooattached?
I look over at Chloe, who is laughing at something Lilah is saying. Is that…is that what broke us? Was it too much? WasItoo much for her?
“How’s the knee?”
I glance up to find Hutch standing beside me. “Good,” I tell him.
“Liar.”
I give a low chuckle. “Yeah, probably. But I’ll live.”
