Page 103 of When to Call a Blitz

In the clarity that hits me like a truck after sex, I start to wonder when I became so possessive. But this is how I’ve always been.

I’m possessive of the ones I love. I’m intense. I want everyone to be safe.

Which is part of the reason it’s so damn hard for me to let someone in. Because the second they’re in my life this way, there’s no going back, and the pain of even the possibility of losing them is too much for me.

Heidi rolls over as I hover over her, and when her eyes meet mine, she loops her arms around my neck. “I like this,” she tells me with a shy smile.

“Move in with me,” I say quickly without a second thought.

She looks around. “I haven’t been back to my place in weeks,” she reminds me.

“Juniper doesn’t know that though,” I remind her. And it’s true. She just thinks that Heidi has been staying later to help me with some… cleaning, and that she’s gotten here so early to go on runs. Her schedule hasn’t changed much.

Heidi’s lips tighten. “She’s a smart kid, Emmett. I’m pretty sure she knows. She just hasn’t called us out on it yet.”

I wince, knowing she’s probably right.

“That’s fair,” I grit, rolling over onto my side. “I want your things here though. And for Juniper to know that you’re here. That we’re together.”

She eyes me before biting her lip. “I have to talk to Mila first, okay?”

I nod.

Heidi gets up, heading over to the bedside table where she grabs her present.

I had it for her that day she came over with the bullshit excuse of going on a date, and although it was forgotten about that day, I told her that she could open it on her own time.

I had bought her one of the newest DSLR cameras, complete with all the bells and whistles, along with a new computer to replace her old, scuffed one with everything she would need to edit.

She takes it in her hands, examining it. She has her first shoot tomorrow, back doing what she loves.

“I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness,” she says quietly, checking to make sure it’s set up right.

I watch her from the bed, the smile painted on my face. “Heidi you’re mine. You’re here. And if you’ll have me, I want you to be mine for the rest of your life. I’m going to spoil you.”

Her cheeks pinken as she sets it down again. “I’m going to go clean up,” she tells me, and I feel almost sad about it.

When she gets back, I hand her my jersey.

“Are you sure this doesn’t fuck up some kind of superstition?” she asks me. “I’ve been wearing black to all the games so far.”

She studies the purple fabric in her hands, and I smile. “No, I just want to see you in it.”

She rolls her eyes. “You won’t see me in it until after.”

I shake my head. “No, you guys have sideline passes for before the game. I’ll see you right before.”

“So I’m your good luck charm tomorrow?”

I nod with a smile, throwing all my things into my small travel suitcase. I’m not going far, but I need everything for tomorrow to be here.

“That’s fine with me,” she grins.

45

HEIDI

Juniper and I are at Briar’s place getting our hair and makeup done before the game. Normally, I wouldn’t bother with this type of thing. But Briar insisted that we all meet up here and get ready, and who am I to say no to free drinks.

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