Page 50 of Defensive Zone

I know he’s right. We’ve had this conversation so many times, but I can’t seem to ignore the guilt nestled in my chest over my obliviousness. I know I need to get over this because it will end up driving us apart, and that’s the last thing I want.

“Yeah, we are.”

“So, let’s not focus on what we can’t change and focus on the now and the future.” He leans down and kisses me before settling back down on my chest. “Did Hayden say anything about your contract? Does he think Denver will keep you?”

I’m about to reply when there’s a knock at the door. Furrowing my brows, I ask, “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No.”

The buzzer didn’t go off, so it’s either someone in the building, like the twins, or someone on Zach’s pre-approved list. He groans when I try to peel myself out from underneath him, then grabs hold of my thigh with such force I’m unable to move.

“Ignore it, they’ll go away,” he grumbles.

I laugh. “Zach, if you let me go, I’ll get rid of them, and we can have naked cuddles in bed.”

He drops his hand so fast, you would think my leg burned him.

“That’s what I thought,” I snicker.

Making my way over to the door, I peer through the peephole to see a familiar figure. I swing the door open and greet Jacob with an easy smile.

“Hey, Jacob! Come in.”

“Hi.” He gives me a quick, tight smile as I take a step back to let him inside.

I’ve only met Jacob a few times. He’s dating Zach’s captain, Ethan Parkes, and he’s Alex’s brother. We first met last summer, and I could tell he was unsure about me. His posture was rigid, and I noticed he kept watching me cautiously. Zach explained later it was because he didn’t know me, and he had acted the same when he first met the guys because he was nervous. But I haven’t seen him since to let him know he doesn’t need to be nervous around me.

Jacob bypasses me and heads straight to Zach, who is now propped up in the corner of the sectional, and sits down beside him, holding a plastic container in his lap.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask, trying to offer an olive branch.

“No, thank you. I can’t stay long but wanted to check in and see how this one is doing.” He motions with his hand toward Zach before turning to him. “I’ve missed you. It’s been a while since you’ve been in the bakery. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” Zach murmurs, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

I know he’s trying to put on a brave face. The last thing an athlete wants is to look weak, but there’s nothing weak about him. Every day since he’s come out of the hospital, he’s been fighting whether it’s migraines or other symptoms that are a result of his injury.

Silently, Jacob assesses him with narrowed eyes. There’s a small crease in his brows, like he’s debating whether to call him out or not. But he must decide against it because he holds up the plastic container. “I brought you two of your favorite donuts.”

“For me?” Zach instantly perks up and takes hold of the box with his good hand. Placing it on his thigh, he flips open the lid, and a wide smile spreads across his lips as he picks up one of the donuts. “Oh, thanks, Jacob. You’re the best.”

Jacob smiles shyly at his compliment and looks over his shoulder at me. “One is for you. If he doesn’t eat it first, that is.”

I want to fist-bump the air. Maybe he is warming up to me after all. “Thank you. I don’t normally get a look in unless I go into the bakery myself.”

He chuckles and turns back to Zach. “Ethan mentioned you’ve been getting migraines?”

Zach grunts, stuffing more of the donut into his mouth to avoid answering.

“Almost daily.” I answer for him, walking over and taking a seat on the edge of the couch by Zach’s outstretched legs. “But the doctor doesn’t seem concerned right now, so it’s just a case of resting and hoping they will eventually go away.”

Those icy blue eyes lock on mine, and there’s a shimmer of heat sparking in them. A look that says,Do orgasms count as resting?

I arch a brow, lifting my lips in a smirk.We take a nap after, don’t we?

Jacob clears his throat, and we both turn our attention to him.

“Something you want to tell me?” he asks, a teasing tone to his voice.

---