Page 77 of Bound and Blitzed

“You could try to get to know him,” I reply.

Ale nods. Then, he looks directly at me. “Your marriage to him came out of nowhere. It’s just hard to accept that this is what you truly want when you’ve never had a serious boyfriend. You’ve never even talked about marriage.”

I work a swallow, understanding where my brother is coming from. For years, I was too focused on my career to consider marriage. Plus, there were no prospects—I didn’t date.

“I just want you to be happy, Valentina. And, while I’m sure you’re happy when you’re with Avery, you’re also not cut up at being away from him this weekend.”

“It’s one weekend,” I point out.

“Yeah,” Ale agrees, nodding. “I’m not judging you, Vale. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” He shrugs. “But, what the hell do I know? I don’t do serious relationships either.” He glances at Carla. “Us Garcia kids have always had that in common,” he jokes, stepping to the bar and flagging down the bartender.

His words spin in my mind.

While I never had a serious romantic relationship because I felt too broken after Dane, too scared to let myself get hurt again, I have no idea what Alejandro’s and Carla’s excuses are. Probablyfútbol. The determination, commitment, and single-minded focus it takes to excel as a professional athlete makes relationships complicated.

Even Avery has admitted as much.

Has that really changed now that we’re married? Or is he also trying to convince himself that this is for realbecausewe’re already married?

Have I been too wrapped up in the bubble we created in Knoxville? Am I missing the signs?

Up until a few weeks ago, Avery and I existed more as roommates than spouses. Will that happen again if the Coyotes make the playoffs?

The fact that I don’t know, the fact that I feel so much doubt since my family showed up in Tennessee, alarms me. I hate that I’m questioning myself when I usually know my own mind.

Ale passes me a margarita and I take a long sip.

“Easy there, Vale,” Ale laughs, holding his glass up and clinking it against mine and my sister’s.

Alejandro’s protective arm falls away as he reaches for a stack of cocktail napkins. The second it does, the back of my neck tingles with awareness. I feel the shift in energy immediately. It’s as if the air in the room thins and the colors swirling around me sharpen.

I’m about to look over my shoulder again when he steps into me. I breathe in his cologne and my body relaxes although my mind whirls.

“Avery,” I say, turning to look into my husband’s eyes.

Avery’s arm tightens around my waist. His eyes are concerned when they bore into mine, but he flashes a grin for my siblings’ sake.

“What are you doing here?” I wonder.

“Congrats on the win, Callaway,” Carla says, smacking his shoulder.

It’s as if Avery doesn’t hear her. His eyes are worried as they assess mine. “Once I saw you in this dress, Lena.” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t stay away if I tried. Not even for one night.”

He dips his mouth and kisses me hard on the lips and I hate myself for pulling away.

Chapter23

Avery

I tastethe panic on her lips and I fucking hate that we’re back to this. Valentina is uncertain, almost skittish, around me when three days ago, she was coming apart in my arms. I needed to feel her give in to my kiss, to be affected by it. Instead, she pulls away, leaving me rattled.

Did a few days with her family convince her that our marriage doesn’t have what it takes to last?

I stare down at her.

What’s going on?my eyes ask.

“Jesus, mate,” Ale mutters.

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