Page 81 of Off Season

Considering I’m unable to move, I relax back on the couch and allow myself to imagine my life like this. Sitting in front of the TV, watching the world go by outside the window as I watch the kids doing their stuff and just being there with them.

Would I stay downtown or get a house in the suburbs?

Would Jacob want kids?

Fuck. I’m getting ahead of myself. I told him we'd take things slowly, and here I am, jumping feet first into a possible house with possible kids.

It’s been a few days since our mini-date to the zoo, and I tried to give him space. I sent him a couple of texts, called a couple of times, and it seems fine.

Except I want more. But at the same time, I understand his fears completely.

Hell, I deserve it.

It’s going to take time for him to see I’m serious about us and that I won't leave him behind as soon as the season starts.

No matter what it takes, I’ll make him see I want to be with him.

I’m not sure how much time has passed when the door buzzer sounds. Slowly prying myself out of Isabela’s hold, I ignore her pouting frown and get up to head to the intercom.

“Hey, what’s up?” I say as I answer.

“Hello, Mr. Parkes. I have Mr. Lowry here to see you,” Andrew, my doorman, responds.

My heart squeezes.

Jacob’s here?

“Please send him up. I'll leave the door open,” I say quickly. “Also, please add him to my approved visitors’ list.”

“Of course, Mr. Parkes.”

I hang up and turn around to see Isabela standing next to me. She holds her arms up, doing a grabby motion with her hands, and because I can’t say no to her, I pick her up. She curls her hand around the back of my neck and plays with the hair there.

“Who that?” she asks timidly as we watch the door for Jacob to appear.

I tilt my head to look at her.

“A man who is very special to me.”The man I’m in love with.“Are you going to be nice to him?”

She pouts again. “I nice. I get stickers school.”

I laugh under my breath.

A moment later, the door opens, and Jacob peeks his head around the door.

“Hello? Ethan?” he calls out.

The second I see him, it’s like a rush of warmth fills my body. He’s dressed in some faded jeans and a light gray V-neck t-shirt, and his hair is perfectly styled. When those blue eyes land on me, my breath hitches slightly.

He’s so fucking beautiful.

“Hey.” I smile.

“Hey,” he replies, his eyes flicking to Isabela and thenback to me. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were busy. Blaine said you needed my help with something.”

Oh, did he now? The sneaky little asshole.

I manage to swallow my laugh at my teammate’s meddling antics.

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