Page 51 of Double Play

“We’re heading over,”I say, peeking my head into Jackson’s room as he stands in front of the full-length mirror, buttoning his dress shirt. He’s been home from Ace’s for almost a week, and things have grown tense between all of us. Arden told me about their run-in when she came home from Nashville, and as much as I wanted to beat his ass for, once again, shutting her down before she could really tell him how she felt, I’m trying to let him figure it out on his own. He’s convinced himself that he’s doing the right thing by staying away from her, and telling him otherwise is like talking to a wall.

“Go ahead. I’ll be there in a bit,” he answers quietly, not even bothering to look at me. Their relationship isn’t the only one that’s taken a hit since their parents’ visit. He and I are hardly speaking, which fucking sucks. I’m doing my best to be there for him because I know he’s hurting, but whenever I try to talk to him, he tells me to focus on Arden. He barely spends time in the main areas of the house, even when she’s not here. It’s like he’s punishing himself for tearing us apart with solitude, only leaving his room to go to the gym or grab something to eat. He’s a shell of the happy-go-lucky guy he used to be, and I can’t seem to get through to him, no matter how many times I try.

“Okay,” I grunt, making my way down the stairs to where my girl awaits. Today is Friendsgiving at Riggs and Monroe’s place, and they’ve invited us over for dinner. His best friend and brother-in-law, Tanner Lake, is the quarterback for the Boston Blizzard, and since they have a game on Thanksgiving, they decided to celebrate a few days early. Arden had a home match yesterday, and she’s off for the next two, so it’s perfect timing. She can relax and have a few glasses of wine with her friends, not having to worry about being hungover at practice. She deserves to let go a little after all the shit she’s been through lately.

As soon as I round the corner, I’m stopped in my tracks. She looks gorgeous in a formfitting red dress, with her long, brown hair falling in waves over her sun-kissed shoulders. My eyes trail down her toned legs, stopping where her freshly pedicured toes peek out from her strappy stilettos. She’s a wet dream standing in the middle of our living room, and I can’t wait to get her home tonight and unwrap her like the gift she is.

“Wow,” I say, exhaling slowly as she raises a coy brow, spinning in a circle so I can see the full outfit. My cock thickens behind the zipper of my dress pants, and I briefly consider tossing her over my shoulder and bringing her to my room, but I can’t do that yet.

We’ve barely been intimate since the night Jacks left, but I understand why. Arden has been battling her demons while working through everything, and I’m sure sex is the furthest thing from her mind as she fights to hold her head above water. She’s been doing amazing, keeping up with therapy and leaning on me when she needs it. I was afraid maybe she’d retreat into herself again, but she’s stayed strong, even though I know it’s been killing her.

“Do you like it?” she asks, tilting her head as I stalk toward her, unable to stop myself from reaching out and yanking her body into mine. I’ve done my best to treat her as delicately as possible because I want her to feel safe and comforted, but I can’t lie—I miss being us.

“Likeisn’t the word, Hellcat,” I growl, dropping my mouth to the soft skin of her neck and latching on, eliciting a quiet moan from her open lips. Her arms wind around my neck, holding me tightly and giving me the connection I’ve been craving. I go feral, my fingers digging into her hips as my growing erection throbs between us. It feels like a lifetime since we’ve touched this way, and fire burns in my core as lust flows through me.

“Hawk.” My name is nothing more than a hushed breath, but it makes me swell with so many different emotions that I can’t pick the most dominant one. I’m proud of us for working out our shit, separately and together, and getting to a point where we’ve opened up to each other in ways I never thought we’d be capable of. Prior to Arden moving here, I was perfectly content only letting Jackson in, never giving anyone else an opportunity to really know me. But she showed me that, even though my past isn’t pretty, I deserve better from this life and have so much more to offer than I could’ve ever imagined. I’m so fucking in love with this woman, and although the road we’re currently on is full of uncertainty, I know we’ll make it. It may not be easy, and the outcome might be missing the one piece we so desperately long for, but no matter what the future holds, we’ll always have each other.

Dropping my mouth to hers in a passionate kiss, I savor the way she tastes, sliding my tongue along hers and swallowing every soft whimper that comes from her gorgeous body. I vaguely hear footsteps behind me, but I’m too wrapped up in my girl to register what’s happening until the door to the condo slams shut. I’m snapped back to reality as I whip my head up, realizing I hadn’t even noticed Jackson blowing past us until he was already gone. Part of me feels bad that we were making out in the open like that, but the other part of me is glad he witnessed us attempting to move on together. Arden tried her hardest to be clear with her wishes, but he refused to hear it, still convinced that this was what’s best for all of us. As much as I don’t want her to lose her endorsement or spot on the Flare, I trust her to make the right decision for her own happiness, and I’m willing to stand by her side while she fights for what she deserves. I just wish he would, too.

She clears her throat, sadness melting back over her expression as she brings her eyes to mine. “We should go.” I hate that she’s on this roller coaster ride, and I’ve gone back and forth with the idea of suggesting that we get a place of our own, away from Jacks, but it just feels wrong. For years, he was my only lifeline—and even though he isn’t saying it out loud, I know he needs me to be the same for him right now. He finally had everything he’d ever wanted for a split second, just to let it go, and I know he’s broken. He may not think he’s worthy of my love and support right now, but I’m here anyway. And I’ll continue to be, until my last breath.

“Yeah,” I reply, pressing one last soft kiss to her lips before wrapping my fingers around hers and leading her into the hallway. It’s a short walk across the building to Riggs and Monroe’s, and as soon as we step inside, I’m hit by the unmistakable sense of belonging I always get when I’m with my teammates. Although my life is kind of fucked up right now, I’m blessed to have this—because I’m all too familiar with the feeling of celebrating holidays by myself. As much as I miss Hayden and Henry this time of year, it certainly softens the blow to look around and see that I’m not alone. I have my Fury brothers, and now I have an incredible woman who loves me and all my battered pieces, even if I had to fight tooth and nail to feel like I deserved any of them.

“What’s up, bro?” Riggs says, reaching out to shake my hand as Arden moves toward where the girls are congregated in the kitchen. I don’t answer, watching as Monroe greets her, immediately pouring a glass of red wine and sliding it across the counter. She smiles, lifting it to her lips and falling into their conversation as I stare like an obsessed stalker.Fuck, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and she doesn’t even have to try.

He clears his throat, catching my attention. I look down to see that I’m still clasping his hand in mine, moving them up and down mindlessly like I have been for God knows how long. He laughs as I let go, dropping my arm to my side.

“Shut the fuck up, Valentine,” I grunt before he has a chance to roast me the way I did to him when he and Monroe first got together. I never thought I’d be a lovesick fool like him and Ace—and even Jackson, when he isn’t being an idiotic piece of shit—but I guess none of us are immune to it. Because I’d not only walk across hot coals for Arden, but I’d do it while holding her bright pink purse in one hand and her fancy Starbucks drink in the other like the desperate little pet she’s turned me into.

I want to throw her over my knee and turn her ass red for all of that, to be honest.

He puts two cautious hands up between us. “I wasn’t going to say anything. Come on in. I want you to meet Tanner.” He leads me to the living room, where all the guys stand as highlights from this year’s NFL season play across the TV screen. Jackson looks up from the couch, anger radiating from him and thickening the air between us as we lock eyes briefly. For a moment, I feel bad that he saw me practically dry-humping Arden before we left, butfuck that. He better get used to it, because I’m not going to stop showing her affection just to spare him when she practically begged him to stay.

“Hawk, this is my brother-in-law, Tanner Lake. Tan, this is my third baseman, Hawk Mason.” I reach out, shaking his hand in greeting, although it seems weird because the dude is pretty much a legend. He led the Blizzard to back-to-back Super Bowls and holds more records than any quarterback his age ever has. Not to mention, he’s known for being an amazing teammate, which is something I really respect.

“Nice to meet you, Hawk,” he says, taking a sip of his beer. “I’ve seen you play in person a few times, including at this year’s All-Star game. You’re a hell of a ball player, man.”

I give him a tight nod. “Thank you. That means a lot.” Although I’ve opened up a bit when it comes to my teammates, I’ll admit I still get nervous around new people—especially reigning MVPs, apparently. But I’m growing, and that’s all that matters.

“My wife, Grace, is a big fan,” he continues. “They always like the mysterious ones, don’t they?” My brows shoot up and I chuckle as he tips his bottle toward the kitchen. “Is that your girl over there talking to her?”

I turn, watching as a pretty blonde throws her head back in laughter right before Arden joins in. The sight of her enjoying herself after the weeks of pain and frustration she’s endured makes me swell with pride at her strength. “Yeah. She’s all mine.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth than I hear a bitter scoff from across the room. I whip my head over just in time to see Jackson stand, weaving his way through the group of unassuming guys and hurrying toward the door. Following him, I wrap my fingers around his shoulder as he reaches for the knob, abruptly spinning him toward me.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I ask, trying to keep my voice down so we don’t attract any more attention than I’m sure we already have. But between the daggers he shot at me when I arrived, and now this, we need to sort things out before the entire evening gets ruined. His chest heaves and his green eyes, which are normally full of so much kindness, burn holes right through me as I await his answer.

“I need to get out of here,” he growls. “I can’t sit around and watch you two be happy like this while I’m fuckingdying inside. The whole situation is bullshit, and you’re flaunting the fact that you get to be with her right in front of me.”

My blood boils and I take a step into him, getting in his face. “You did this,” I grit through clenched teeth. “She told you she wanted us both, and that we were more important to her than anything. But you thought you knew best, so you completely dismissed her, and you leftmeto pick up the pieces. So, excuse me for doing exactly what I’m supposed to—comfortingmygirl and showing her that she’s worth fighting for while you’re busy acting like a martyr to save something she doesn’t even give a fuck about.” I shove my finger into his chest. “You’re a selfish, scared piece of shit, Jacks. And you don’t deserve her.”

Before I can even react, his fist connects with my jaw, sending waves of pain throughout my entire face and head. On instinct, I tackle him to the ground, fighting for dominance as we roll around, bumping into furniture and knocking decorations to the floor. Glass shatters around us and people rush our way, gasps and screams cutting through the air as we’re finally pulled away from one another.

“Jesus Christ!” Riggs shouts, his arms wrapping around my body as he yanks me backward. Tanner does the same to Jackson, separating us and pulling him up the stairs before disappearing into a vacant room as he roars in protest. I’m speechless, trying to replay everything that just happened as Arden runs up and cradles my cheeks, concern evident in her expression.

“Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?” she says as my teammate loosens his grip and takes a few steps away. Everyone is staring at us in shock, but I’m only focused on her as she ghosts her fingertips along the already swollen skin under my eye.

“I’m good, Hellcat,” I reassure her, placing my hands over hers and squeezing. “Really.” She lets out a relieved breath, stepping in and enveloping me in a comforting embrace.

I lift my head, looking to where Riggs stands with a protective arm extended to his side as Monroe peeks out from behind him. Suddenly, I feel awful for what just went down, and the fact that I literally fucked up their entire dinner by approaching Jacks when I knew he was already pissed.

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