“I know you love a big package, Pink.”His eyes glint as he takes the smaller one from me and unwraps it.“It’s a book.”
“A journal,” I correct, pointing to the black swirls of ink across the tan surface.“I tried to replicate your tattoos on it because I thought it would be a safe space for you to write down all the things you don’t tell the world.It would feel like home.”
Clay’s expression is unreadable as he turns the book over in his hands.
“It’s cheesy,” I say, laughing.
“No, I love it.Thank you.”He pulls me up for a kiss I feel all the way to my toes.“Now your turn.”
I unwrap the significantly larger package he passes me, and my jaw drops when I see the monogrammed LV fabric.“It’s incredible,” I gasp.
“It goes with the keychain.Figured you needed a new one.You got paint all over the other one.”
“I can’t believe you noticed.”
“I notice everything when it comes to you.”He says it in a rush of breath, distinctly un-Clay-like, and my attention lifts from the bag to him.“I’ve never wanted to know everything about anyone.But with you, I want to know what you love, what you hate.I want to see you at Christmas, like today, surrounded by your favorite people.It reminds me that this is what life is supposed to be like.What it can be like.”
My chest is stretched tight, as if I inhaled each of his words and they’re expanding inside me.
I glance back at the door.
“Come in for five minutes?”I whisper.
My fist is still clutched around the handle of the bag as Clay backs me into Brooke's apartment, his hand already grabbing my hip as his lips brush across mine.
“Make it ten.”
16
NOVA
Nova: Thank you for dinner.How did you know I wouldn’t have eaten?
Grumpy Baller: Call it a hunch.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is quieter at the stadium and Clay has been playing two road games, so I take advantage to work on the wall.
He’s started to check in with me if it’s a long day, like he knows even without seeing that I’m perched on the ladder trying to create something worthy of this city, this team.
Tonight, it was nearly seven when I got home and took a bath.
When I got out, the was a message from the concierge to let me know dinner was waiting for me at the door.
The package contained tacos from my favorite Mexican place, plus fresh chips and salsa, as well as a six-pack of Gatorade with a note saying to “stay hydrated.”More than enough food for me and Brooke, who came home soon after.
It was a seriously sweet gesture, especially considering Clay’s first home game in over a week is tonight.
Grumpy Baller: You catch my game?
Nova: You were okay.
Grumpy Baller: "Okay" like you watched it with your hand in between your thighs?
Nova: Gasp.
Nova: I figured you’d want me to wait for you.
Grumpy Baller: Want you waiting in my bed.
