Page 42 of Double Play

I keep reminding myself to focus on the things within my control and not put so much pressure on myself to change the things that I simply cannot. All I can do is go to practice, give one hundred percent effort, encourage my teammates, and do my job so we have the best chance at a winning season.

Let’s just hope we can pull off a miracle, whether our coach wants us to or not.

THIRTY-FIVE

JACKSON

“Here’s your tea, Princess,”I say, stepping into Arden’s bathroom as she stands in front of the mirror in her fluffy pink robe. “And a muffin from Hawk. Fresh out of the oven, so be careful.”

She sets down the brush in her hand, meeting my reflection with a grateful smile. “Why are you both so good to me?” she asks as I move in, wrapping my arms around her tightly from behind. Her first match was two days ago, and it was every bit of the disaster she thought it would be. It started off with them winning the first set, but as it went on, shit started going sideways, and it all went downhill from there. They lost the next three horribly, and I know Arden was putting a lot of it on herself. We’ve been doing our best to keep her mind off it when she’s with us, but she’s been on edge with our parents flying in this morning for their visit.

“Because we love you,” I reply simply, pressing a kiss to the soft skin of her neck. I haven’t been able to keep my hands or mouth off her for the last twenty-four hours, because I know once my mom and Slade arrive, we’ll have to keep our distance until we talk to them about what’s going on between us. To be honest, I’m nervous as hell. I’ve spent years putting space between myself and Arden to avoid anyone finding out the way I really felt about her. Now, not only am I preparing to tell them I’ve been in love with her since we were teenagers, but we’re also coming clean about the fact that we’re in a relationship—and that she’s in a relationship with my best friend too, and I’m okay with it.

“How am I going to survive two days without touching you guys?” she asks, pouting at me in the mirror. “We’ve been sleeping in bed together every night, and now I’m just supposed to be all by myself, knowing the two of you are just down the hall? Maybe we should just tell them right away.”

I chuckle, dragging my tongue from the base of her neck upward and nipping at the sensitive skin under her ear.She moans in response, bringing her hand up and curling it around the back of my neck to hold me there, as if I’d let her go right now. Until that doorbell rings and our parents are inside this condo, I’m staying right where I am.

“We have to wait,” I tell her. “My mom has some business to discuss with you, and I don’t want that conversation to be derailed if she freaks out about our news. Plus, I already told you…you’re not sleeping alone. There’s no reason you can’t stay with Hawk in his bed. The guest rooms are far enough away from there, so you won’t have to worry about them listening in. And who cares if they know you’re together? They like him, and I doubt they’d be upset about it. Your dad may have theIf you hurt my daughter, I’ll hurt youtalk with him, but that’s going to happen anyway. May as well get it over with, right?”

Her eyes lock onto mine, dancing with amusement as she raises a brow. “Didn’tyoutell him the same thing already?”

I nod confidently. “Fuck yeah, I did. And I meant it. I love Hawk, but I love you more. When he told me how he felt, I wanted to ensure that he knew what he was risking if he fucked up. If I had to stand by and watch another man love you in ways that I couldn’t, I was going to make sure he gave you everything you deserved.”

She turns, both arms winding around my shoulders as mine tighten around her waist. “I couldn’t imagine it not being the three of us. Tell me I’ll never have to be without either of you, Jacks.” She looks up, her deep brown pools brimming with unshed tears. They fall over as she blinks, but I swipe them away with my thumbs, shaking my head slowly.

“Never, Princess. We’ll always be together. I promise.” I know that’s impossible to guarantee, but I don’t give a fuck what our parents think. They love us. They’ll warm up to the idea eventually.

When I look into the future, I see Arden as our wife—on paper or not—and the mother of our children. I imagine Hawk and I bringing them to watch her play volleyball all over the country until she’s ready to retire, then we can go wherever life takes us. Maybe I’m crazy for envisioning forever so soon, but it’s what I want, and I know he feels the same.

“Okay,” she whispers, pushing up to her tiptoes and pressing her lips to mine in a sweet kiss. I tighten my hold, drawing her as close as possible so I can savor her fruity scent. Our tongues dance and tangle, and although I intended for this to be a soft, delicate caress, I’m becoming increasingly desperate for more. And when she moans into my mouth, I know she’s just as needy as I am.

Without breaking our connection, I walk us through the doorway that leads to her bedroom, not stopping until the backs of her legs hit the mattress. I lower her down, continuing to swallow every delicious sound that escapes her as we kiss like we won’t get to again for an eternity. My hands roam her body, and I put just enough space between us to unfasten the tie at the front of her robe, watching in awe as it falls away and exposes her flawless skin.

“Jacks,” she gasps, her chest heaving as I skate my lips downward, claiming every inch of her neck and chest before swirling my tongue around her perfect, pink nipple. I cup the other breast in my hand, kneading gently and making her writhe beneath me.

“You’re fucking perfect, baby,” I rasp, my hot breath ricocheting off the hardened bud. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” she whimpers, lifting her hips and pressing into me. My cock is like granite between us, and although I’d give anything to make love to her until we pass out from exhaustion, I know we can’t. “Always.”

“That’s right, sweetheart. And I’m yours,” I reply softly, continuing to leave a trail of wet kisses all over her gorgeous tits. Wherever my mouth moves, my hand does the opposite, ensuring that she’s getting all the attention I’m capable of giving right now.

“I’m so in love with you,” she whispers, the words hitting me like a bolt of electricity straight to my heart and making it beat wildly, only for her. I slowly work my way back up, pressing my lips to hers once more before smiling against them.

“What?” she says, quirking a brow at the gesture. I shake my head, pulling back and taking in her flushed complexion and messy hair that she’ll probably kick my ass for when she sees it.

“You just make me really fucking happy,” I reply with a playful shrug. Her smile mirrors mine, and her big brown eyes sparkle with emotion as she stares at me like I hung the moon just for her. I wish I could inject this moment right into my veins because I can’t think of a better feeling than knowing I put that look on her face.

We’re brought back to reality by a quiet knock on the door, followed by Hawk popping his head inside. His eyes go wide when he sees me lying on top of Arden, most of her body still on display, cringing with remorse when he realizes what he just walked in on.

“Sorry. I didn’t know you guys were—” He pauses, probably because she’s almost naked and I’m fully clothed, so it isn’t really clearwhatwe’re doing. “The front desk just called. Your parents are on their way up. If you need more time, I can keep them occupied.”

“No, that’s okay,” I say. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting long.” Arden pouts up at me, and I chuckle, pushing off the mattress before pulling her to her feet. She throws her head back dramatically, not helping in the slightest as I redo the tie at her waist and plant a small kiss on the tip of her nose. “Hawk will just have to finish what I started later.” She looks over at him, and he winks, making her smile bloom back to life before she wordlessly saunters toward the bathroom to continue getting ready.

I’m glad I was able to ease the anxiety I know she’s having about them being here, even though I’m currently feeling like I might shit my pants. I’ve been doing my best to stay calm for her, but inside, I know this could get rocky for a minute. She’s extremely close with her father, and it would kill her if he didn’t approve of us being together, or the fact that Hawk and I both love her. And my mom is her agent. Not only do they have a personal relationship, but a professional one, as well. I have to make sure none of that is put in jeopardy, so I’m hoping the right words will come to me when it’s time to tell them everything. But for now, we just need to put on a show and not let the cat out of the bag too early.

THIRTY-SIX

ARDEN

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