Page 67 of The Shake Off

Unfortunately for me, Ace didn’t pick up on the heavy hint in my tone that hereallyneeded to have a game.

“What date is your party?”

“May 18th, it’s the third Saturday, five p.m. onwards.”

Ace turned to me with a grin, tapping a finger against his head. “You’re in luck, The Lions are at home on the eighteenth, and we’ll be done by five.We’dlove to come.”

My insides twisted together in a little ball; twisting and knotting and churning. May 18thwas nearly a month away.

“Wonderful. I’ll send Payton the details.” She checked her watch. “I’ve got to scoot. Thank you again for the merch, I can’t wait to show Chester. I’ll win mom of the year for this.”

She waved behind her as she walked out, leaving me kind of speechless and Ace looking like… well, Ace. Only the stupid grin on his face had widened.

“Ace… that was…”

“I know who she is. I looked her up after you told me about her. I wanted to know who I was getting this merch for.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, looks like my work here is done.” He leaned into my cheek and kissed me. “See you tonight, Babycakes.”

I was still standing there a minute later, wondering if hurricanes were less destructive, and wishing I’d remembered to tell him to stop calling me Babycakes.

Especially because it was growing on me.

TWELVE

ACE

Giving someone an orgasm really works up an appetite.

I snatched two protein bars from the shelf without breaking stride. If there hadn’t been possible witnesses, I’d have added a hop, skip, and a jump as I made my way into the locker room, because it had been that type of day already.

I found Lux sitting on the far bench tying his sneakers, which really sealed the deal on my morning, because without knowing it, he’d come through for me today.

“Hey,” I greeted and rubbed my hands together as I stepped over to where he was sitting. “Just the dude I was looking for.”

He peered up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I sat down next to him and slung my arm around his giant shoulder, pulling him in for a smooch.

“What the fuck, Ace?” he grumbled and pushed me away while rubbing his head where I’d kissed him. “What d’you do that for?”

“Just showing my appreciation.”

“You want to tell me what for?”

“No, not really.” I shook my head. “Just know that I love and appreciate you, and that I listen to what you have to say.”

He stood up, throwing me a very confused look. In my defense, we’d lived together long enough by now that my behavior shouldn’t take him by surprise. “Can you make your appreciation a little less sloppy next time, please?”

“You got it, bud,” I grinned, peering around the empty locker room. Through the windows into the gym, I saw a couple of the rookies were stretching out, but apart from that, the place was empty. “Where is everyone? Where’s Parker and Tan?”

“They were both still in bed when I left… in fact, I thought you were too. I left breakfast out.” He frowned and shrugged. “A couple of the guys were called for early practice, but it’s only ten-thirty.”

“Huh.” I flipped my wrist around to check the time. “So it is. I thought it was later.”

I laid back on the bench, folding my arms behind my head. Truth be told, the only point this morning when I’d known the time was when I’d arrived at Payton’s office, before events escalated.

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