The cool winter light filters in through the open windows, making the living room a pale gray.
Clay’s Kodiak duffle sits next to the door along with his dress shoes.
He’s in the kitchen leaning against the counter wearing black trousers.His hair is sticking up in every direction.
On the counter next to him is a dress shirt.
“There you are.”
He lifts his head when he sees me.“Hey.”
I reach for the shirt.“This will look good.They might want you to wear it.Otherwise, it’ll start a riot,” I tease.
When I pick it up, I spot the journal underneath.
It’s open, the pages full of sloping writing.
Holy.He’s been busy.
“Looks like you need a new one.”
“Nah.I need you.”
He pulls me between his legs and rests his forehead on mine.
“What’s up?”I say, trying to keep it light.
“I just fucking want it so much,” he admits.
I exhale hard.“I want it for you.”
Want him to have everything he wants, everything he’s worked so hard for.
“It feels different this time around,” he murmurs.“In a way, it’s harder.”
“Because you’ve won before and it will feel like a disappointment if you don’t?”
He frowns.“I need them to play like I know they can.Every one of them.If they do, we have a shot.”
My gaze settles on the bear inked across his chest—my design, like each of the guys got in LA.I’m never getting used to seeing that.
Clay leans in, brushing his lips over mine.He tastes like every thrill I’ve ever experienced, every dream I’ve dared to dream.
His touch is fiery, but even more, it’s home.
“I love you,” he murmurs.“No matter what happens today, that won’t change.What you do doesn’t mean shit compared to who you do it with.”
I breathe him in.Every inch of this huge man bent over me.
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
An alarm sounds on his phone, breaking us apart.“That must be for Coach,” I guess, regretting the interruption even as I’m anticipating the day to come.
“Yeah.I told him I’d pick him up and take him to the stadium.”
“I hope everything’s ready for the big celebration.Did James come through?”
Since Coach announced his retirement, Chloe has been working to pull together a special acknowledgment for tonight’s game.
