Page 108 of Catching Feeling

“I’m feeling good today. I had a session this morning with my therapist, and then I went on a mile walk around the grounds. The flowers were blooming and so beautiful. This evening, we have art therapy in the garden, so I’m excited about that. Oh, hi, Reese!” Belinda laughs softly, waving when she sees my head in the corner of the camera.

“Hi, Belinda. Just wanted to say hi really quick. Oh, and I tried that recipe you told me about, the lemon pepper chicken? It was amazing.”

Her mouth curves up in a smile and her eyes dance. “Good. I’m glad. It was one of Viv’s dad’s favorites.”

The two of them share a look, a smile full of memories only they understand. It’s heartbreaking that Viv lost her dad, and I hate it for her. For her mom. But they’re working together on dealing with their grief, and keeping his memory alive seems to be bringing them both joy.

I love her so fucking much that I wish I could take all of her pain away, all her heartbreak. But since I can’t, all I can do is be here to support her. Leaning to press my lips against the top of her head, I stand and give them some privacy, making my way into my bedroom to look through my email, checking on the surprise that I ordered for Viv. It’s supposed to be delivered today, and I can’t wait to give it to her.

After the call, she breezes through the bedroom door with a smile. “It was so great to talk to her today. God, Reese, she looks so good. Her cheeks had color, and her eyes were so bright. She couldn’t stop talking today, and it’s been so long since we have had such an easy conversation.”

I nod. “I know, baby. I noticed too. I’m glad she’s there and working on feeling better. Seems like it was the right choice for her.”

“I think so too, and she said that even though her therapy sessions are hard, she feels like they’re helping. To purge all of her emotions and talk with someone about it. She’s meeting with the therapist daily, and she really likes him. I’ll never stop saying it, but thank you. Thank you for helping me get her there. I know this is only the beginning, and it’ll be a journey, but I already feel so much hope knowing she’s got a whole team of people to help her through it.”

Viv crosses the room and steps between my spread thighs at the edge of the bed, sliding her hands around my neck and giving me a sweet kiss. “Also, Hallie texted and asked if we wanted to all meet at Jack’s, but we can stay home if you want…”

“Nah.” I shake my head, bringing my hand to my stomach. “My stomach is growling, babe. I can’t live in these conditions.”

She laughs sweetly. “You’re ridiculous.”

Thirty minutes later, we’re all crammed into the largest booth at Jack’s Pizza, sharing a pizza, laughing as Eli tries to shove an entire damn piece of an extra-large slice into his mouth because Grant bet him a hundred bucks that he couldn’t. Ari, Eli’s girlfriend, rolls her eyes and just shakes her head at her boyfriend.

It feels… normal, being here surrounded by our friends, laughing about dumb shit. Only this time, I’ve got my girl tucked against my side where she’s always belonged.

“Let me feed you, Sweet Tart,” I rasp as I wave the piece of extra-cheesy pizza in front of her mouth. She rolls her eyes and laughs but opens her mouth to take a bite. When I pull it away, there’s a long string of cheese hanging from her mouth to the pizza, and then we’re both laughing as she tries to pinch it off and put it in her mouth, leaving a trail of pizza sauce on her chin.

Leaning in, I lick it off, then capture her lips, kissing her.

Yes, I realize it’s… cheesy. But fuck, I’m in love. I’m a sappy, lovesick fool for this girl. The last few weeks have been a complete whirlwind, but I’m so glad that we can be here with our friends. To be officially together… finally.

“God, the two of you are worse than Lane and Hallie,” Grant groans around his pizza. “How am I supposed to deal with this?”

Lane’s shoulder dips. “Don’t be sad that you’re single, dude.”

Viv and Hallie giggle as I stifle a laugh. “Yeah, you know you’re always welcome to be our seventh wheel.”

Grant rolls his eyes as he picks up another piece of pizza. “I’m not jealous. I’m just saying all of you are all lovey-dovey, and it’s making me a little queasy. I’m trying to eat here.”

“You sure that’s not the six pieces of pizza you just put down?” Eli asks.

He’s not wrong. The guy eats more than anyone I know, and that’s saying a lot since we’re all athletes.

“Yeah, that might also be it. But I’m pretty sure it’s just all of you making googly eyes at each other. And I’m going to pretend that I don’t know y’all are all getting handsy with each other under the table,” Grant retorts. “By the way, when can I come visit my favorite girl?”

My eyes narrow, and when Viv sees, she elbows me in the side with a laugh. “Whenever you want. She’s getting so big!”

What? I’m a little protective over my child. It’s what cat dads do. Well, dads in general, but I’m not going to test that theory… yet.

Grant’s smile splits his face. “’Kay. Cool. Maybe Thursday after the game? I need some cuddles.”

I dip my head toward Viv and brush my lips along the shell of her ear. “Coincidentally, I don’t think we’ll be home during that time. Sorry, bro.”

I’m joking, sort of, and Viv snickers, rolling her big blue eyes. “Stop hogging Boo from everyone, All-Star. It’s rude.”

Fine. These guys are my best friends, so I guess they can see her. But they still need to know their place when it comes to my Boo girl.

LATER THAT NIGHT, Viv’s cuddled on the couch with Boo in a pair of my old sweats and my old practice T-shirt, watching Ghost Adventures, when I walk into the living room holding her newly wrapped gift in kraft paper that Hallie let me borrow. I’m fucking nervous again, and I’m worried my sweaty-ass palms might ruin the paper that took me entirely too long to wrap. It looks like a disaster, but hopefully, she cares more about what’s inside of it than the shit wrapping job.

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