Page 88 of Saving The Shortstop

“Thanks again,” Dallas says, and she waves one last time before getting into her car and taking off down the driveway.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” I whisper, leaning down and kissing the dog on his head. “I love him so much.”

Before he can answer, the door opens and everyone from inside flows outside.

“Did you all know?” I say, grinning.

“Just me and your dad,” my mom answers, walking toward us. “He’s beautiful. You did good, D. Real good.”

My chest warms as my heart swells. I was scared of being alone. Afraid that Dallas’s football schedule would leave me with too much of it.

Now … I don’t have to be.

“I love you,” I whisper, pressing my lips to Dallas’s. “I love you and him so much.”

“I love you more,” he murmurs. “Let’s take your new pup inside.”

As we stand up, I wipe my cheeks with the back of one hand, holding onto Boston’s leash with the other.

Dallas took one of the darkest times of my life and somehow brought light to it. For that, I will be forever grateful.

I didn’t think I could love him more than I did and yet, once again, I’m proven wrong.

THIRTY-EIGHT

HAVEN

It’s New Year’s Eve, and a group of us are all drinking and dancing in this club. Even though I’m normally the one who wants to be out and about, having a good time, tonight, I kind of just want to walk out of here, into the hotel lobby, and up to the room we have for tonight. Harley and Cane left about ten minutes after they arrived. Apparently, with the fact that this is the one-year anniversary of them being together, they wanted to be alone.

And probably do dirty things.

Dirty things that I want to do with my man too …

I dance with Gigi, Isla, and Lilly. Isla hardly ever lets loose, so it’s kind of fun when she does. Gigi is about one drink in and already tipsy because the girl never drinks, and Lilly … she’s got some of the best dance moves I’ve seen. She isn’t like the rest of us who are basically just dry humping the air or grinding on each other.

I feel Dallas’s eyes on me, and that makes staying here that much more fun. I asked to stay in, and even though he wanted to, he said he felt bad because he promised some of the guys he’d be here. Ever since, I’ve decided the most mature thing to do is make him regret his decision. So far, I’ve run my hands down my body, shaken my ass, and teased the hell out of him with a cherry that was in his drink. And now, I’m choosing to ignore his stare, though the way I’m moving is very intentional because damn right, I know he’s looking at me, drinking it all in.

Or pissed because a lot of other people seem to be watching …

Closing my eyes, I put my hands on my neck, slowly bringing them down my body. It’s dark, but not so dark that someone isn’t seeing me run my hands over my breasts. They don’t make it to my waist before suddenly, I’m being yanked toward someone. When my eyes fly open, my boyfriend appears not just a little pissed, but downright furious.

“Enjoying putting on that little show for, let’s see, the whole fucking place?” he growls, and I can’t help but smirk. I’m being a little shit and I know it, but Lordddd, he’s sexy when he’s worked up.

“I am,” I coo. “This whole place that, let’s see, I didn’t even want to come to tonight,” I sass back at him like a child. “Could have been a private show up in our fancy room, QB. But, I guess since you wanted to party, here we are.” I start to turn away from him, shaking my ass, but his hands hook around my waist and he spins me toward him.

I’m met with a harsh glare before he tosses me over his shoulder like I’m as light as a damn feather, which is just another thing that makes him hot because I’m here to say, I’m solid muscle. I work my ass off to be strong, and because of that, I’m not featherlight. Yet, here he is, going caveman in the middle of a club.

And turning me on while he’s doing it …

“You look like a crazy person,” I say as he rushes us through the crowd, heading for the exit. I don’t add in that I like it, because then he might stop.

“Yeah, well, my girlfriend touching her tits in front of people does that to me,” he grumbles, gripping my ass tightly with his large hand splayed over it.

He pushes through the door and my heart races with excitement. Since being here, all I’ve wanted is to be back in our room—preferably naked. Finally, I think I’m getting my way.

He takes large strides through the lobby, crossing the huge room before stopping in front of the elevator. He doesn’t give a shit that the women working the reception desk are likely staring, and truthfully, neither do I.

I like when he gets a little territorial. Does that make me toxic? Possibly …