Page 110 of I Blame the Club

I hold up a hand, trying to stop reality from crashing down, “Pause. Rewind. Do you understand what you’re saying?”

A brow goes up, “I’m saying what I should have said the last time you felt insecure in our relationship.”

Somebody call an ambulance because this boy needs a heart doctor.

I gnaw my lip, the lingering doubt rearing its ugly head, “You realize the implications of dating a man, right? Especially in a conservative small town, people are going to talk and they won’t have nice things to say.”

I pause with an aching heart, “And if this works out, we will never be able to have kids.”

Maurice tilts his head, “There’s a lot of ways to have kids. And if I remember correctly, we were going to be dog co-parents after you move-in.”

Any trace of fear slips away as my face breaks into a grin.

“You want me to move-in?”

He chuckles, “Eventually. If our next few dates make it past the parking lot.”

Before he has the chance to say anything else, I grab the front of his shirt and haul him against me, finally planting my lips back where they belong.

On his.

Chapter 29

Mo

All that’s left is part two of my plan.

Nico derailed the first part with his impromptu visit, something I didn’t appreciate at the time but an inconvenience he more than made up for later that day and the week that followed it. I’ve never been in a relationship before, but Nico and I are going on ten days now and I’m not sure my chest has ever felt lighter.

He’s still annoying as hell but now, strangely enough, it’s our futile arguments on and off the lacrosse field that I look forward to the most.

We agreed to wait until the end of the semester to reassess our living situation and ensure my coaching contract with Taber University gets approved for an extension before we announce our relationship to the team.

Personally, I couldn’t care less what the other players think, but Nico felt like it might look inappropriate if the coach and thecaptain are sleeping together. Not that everyone hasn’t figured it out already.

My boyfriend is many things, but subtle is not one of them.

I smile, thinking about the last rendezvous we had in the locker room after today’s morning practice. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing Nico scream my name.

The soft bump of the aircraft jolts me out of my thoughts as the Vancouver runway comes into view. The long stretch of asphalt is lit up against the dark night sky, the late hour of my arrival shining back at me in the familiar glow of the city skyline.

Despite my confidence in my plan, nerves hit me the second the driver drops me off outside the O’Brien mansion. The immaculate landscaping alongside our front entrance does nothing to calm the anxiety suddenly pounding through my bloodstream.

I’ve been a top competitor for years and yet nothing compares to the apprehension I feel walking down the maze of hallways to my father’s office. Stained glass doors mark Jonathan’s sanctuary as the plush carpet of the hallway turns into glistening hardwood. With a deep inhale, I push the doors open and confront the familiar sight of Jonathan signing papers at his massive, custom-made desk that proudly sits before the famous Vancouver skyline.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

My father doesn’t bother looking up from the papers on his desk, the rigid outline of his silhouette growing with the passing sunset. Most people would pause their work to admire the view splayed out in front of them, but not my father.

He doesn’t spare me or the sunset a glance as he turns to his computer.

I clear my throat, “I needed to talk to you.”

“Then you should have booked an appointment.” Pausing his work, Jonathan frowns at me, “You know I hate surprises.”

That’s not what mother used to say.

I bite back the words just in time for him to look at his computer, “I can schedule you in for half an hour at noon tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

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