He raises a brow but doesn’t push. “I just spoke toJuliet before. Tinsley’s going to stay over tonight. I hope that’s okay?”
I fight back my smirk. “Yeah, no problem. She’s welcome anytime. I’m on afternoon shift and was going to catch up with a friend after, so I’ll be home late anyway.”
His eyes glint. “Friend, huh?”
“That’s what I said.” I keep my tone casual.
He looks at me expectantly, like I’m going to give him more, but I just clap him on the shoulder and squeeze past him to the door. “Catch you later.”
I expect my eight-hour shift to drag and to be watching the clock, but we receive a steady stream of call-outs. Nothing life-threatening, but enough to keep busy and focused. In between patients, we fill out paperwork, restock supplies, and wipe down the stretcher. By the end of my shift, I’m exhausted, but the thought of seeing Juliet overrides everything.
After I clock off, I quickly shower and drive to her house. I park down the street, just in case, and walk the rest of the way. My pulse races as I approach the front door, unsure what to expect and terrified of stuffing this up. Good things don’t happen to me, and she’s so fucking good. For once, I want to believe that I can have something in my life that resembles happiness without the darkness stealing it away.
I wipe my palms on my jeans before knocking.
The shy smile on Juliet’s face when she opens the door and steps back to let me in has my heart pounding like a drum. She’s so fucking beautiful, it hurts.
“Hey,” I say softly, kicking off my shoes and leaving them by the front door.
“Hey, yourself.” She tucks her hair behind her ears, and we hover awkwardly in the entryway. “Uh, can I get you a drink?”
I shake my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “I’m good.”
“Right. Of course. Well, uh, come in.”
Her nervousness is adorable, and I’m desperate to pull her into my arms and kiss her, but I told her we’ll take things slow, so instead I follow her to the couch and sink into the soft leather beside her, keeping a safe distance between us.
I glance over at the television before looking back at her and arching a brow. “Criminal Minds?”
She flushes. “What can I say? I have a thing for Spencer Reid.”
We both turn our attention to the screen, but I don’t know what’s happening and I’m too hyperaware of her sitting so close yet too far at the same time.
I’m completely out of my element here. This is uncharted territory. I’ve never had a girlfriend, never done a repeated hook-up. I’ve always been too focused on keeping everyone from finding out about my past.
Moving to Beckford almost three years ago was the fresh start I needed from my old life and the destructive path I was on—the one that terrified my sister—but I kept to myself for a full year until Ritter and Zac busted me having a kick on the pitch in the off-season and convinced me to join the team. Since then, I’ve allowed a select few of my teammates into my life, but it’s all been surface-level and curated to what I want them to know. Even with Everett.
The dude is like a damn puppy, and because we werethe only two new players last year, he got it in his head that it made us automatic besties. What can I say? He grew on me. He’s the closest thing to a friend I’ve got, but he doesn’t know anything about my past, and now I’m going behind his back with his stepmum.
Fuck, I’m going to hell.
But one quick glance at Juliet, and I realise I’ll happily greet the damn devil at the gates with a hug just to be in her presence.
Not only is she the most attractive woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, but there’s an undercurrent of innocence that mixes with a hint of something that tells me she’s had her fair share of pain but came out of it stronger. It’s her quiet resilience that draws me in and makes me want to protect her. Which is ridiculous when I’m undoubtedly the one she’ll need protecting from.
I shouldn’t be here, but I can’t bring myself to leave.
She shifts in her seat, finally tearing her eyes from the television to meet mine. Her cheeks are still flushed, and I fight the urge to reach out and run my finger over her heated skin.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she admits, biting down on that beautiful, full bottom lip.
My dick stirs in my pants, and I draw a deep breath to keep a handle on myself, because that’s not what I came here for. I shoot her a wry grin. “That makes two of us.”
She scoffs. “No need to lie to make me feel better, Blake. I know I’m pathetic.”
An irrational surge of anger jolts through me at hearing her talk about herself that way, but I fight to control it.
“You’re not pathetic, pixie. You’re selfless.” Imove closer, playing with a strand of her hair. “And I’m not lying when I say I don’t know what I’m doing either.” My chest tightens at the thought of being vulnerable and laying everything bare. “I told you, I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
