Page 52 of One More Time

“Since we talked last, did you end things with your teammate?”

“He’s meeting us at the airport,” I groused, knowing the teasing was coming.

Jamie smiled. It didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was genuine. “So, you’re still together but not together?”

I sighed. “I don’t know, James. We keep swearing each time is the last. We hardly know each other.”

“Do you want to get to know him?” Jamie studied me, his eyes sincere as he waited for my answer.

“There’s just… something about him, James. I don’t know. He makes me feel safe, and despite how little we know of each other’s lives, we know each other beyond that, if that makes any sense.”

He shrugged, “I get it. You’re different when you talk about him. I get a glimpse of that light in your eyes that I haven’t seen in years. I look forward to meeting him.”

“He makes me feel… a whole lot. But he’s my calm in the storm.”

Jamie smiled, and we sat in silence for the rest of the journey.

Nothing else needed to be said.

Chapter twenty-eight

Hunter

Ilistened to the overhead announcements, waiting for Tyler’s connecting flight. I needed him in my arms. Seeing his broken expression was one thing, but hearing that break in his voice and not being able to hold him was ten times worse.

I breathed a sigh of relief when their flight finally landed. It felt like an eternity until I saw him emerge from baggage claim with his arm around a blond boy whose head reached his shoulder. His eyes were covered by the cap on his head, but I didn’t miss the beard he had grown over the last few days. It was as auburn as his hair, and I itched to get my hands on him.

I didn’t know what the protocol was. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to go to him. Did Jamie know who I was? But like he knew I was watching him, his eyes met mine, and I wasn’t oblivious to the dark circles framing his.

I began to move, and he said something to his brother who then pushed him in my direction. Tyler sped up, I got a glimpse of his lip quivering before I swept him up in my arms. I felt the shift of his breath as he tried to hold his composure, which only broke my heart even more.

“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”

I took the hat off his head, needing to thread my fingers through his hair. His head was firmly buried in the crook of my neck, and I took a deep breath in, relishing the scent of him.

He turned his head to the side, seeking out my lips. The kiss was quick and chaste, but I understood. I held him for a little while longer before I pulled him back and brushed his tears away with my thumbs.

I wanted nothing more than to hold his hand, but I pulled away. I hated how we had to act like that extremely intimate moment never happened. He replaced the cap on his head and turned to his brother to make introductions.

I held out my hand to the little Aussie. He took it in a firm grip with a smile, but his eyes told another story: don’t fuck with his brother.

We reached his dorm, and I felt torn. Every part of me urged me to stay with him. Sensing my hesitation, Tyler grabbed my wrist and pulled me in behind him.

I had never been inside before. The small living and kitchen area were tidy but lacked any personality. I expected to see at least some trace of Cal. As if he thought the same, Tyler froze and frowned.

“Cal?”

Upon hearing his name, Cal ran bolted from his room and threw himself around Tyler, mumbles of condolences muffled in his shoulder. tried not to let my teeth grind with the green-eyed monster that wanted to take over seeing Tyler embrace him back. I felt an elbow to my side and found Jamie rolling his eyes at me.

Tyler pulled away from the embrace. “Thanks, but what happened to the couch?”

“Well, you said your brother was staying with us.So, I got us a new couch; it’s a pull-out so your brother can have a bed to sleep on.”

I wish I had thought of that. I watched Tyler’s face soften, his hand clasping his roommates. “Thanks, Cal.”

There was a moment of introductions between Cal and Jamie. “So, Jamie, how about you and I go do some sightseeing? I happen to know of a few mixed martial arts gyms in the area. Maybe we can get you signed up somewhere.”

Jamie smiled softly. “Sounds good. Is that okay, Ty?”

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