Page 30 of Zone Protection

“Anything worth fighting for is never easy. We’re athletes. We know about putting in the work and reaping the sweet benefits in the end. You want to go to med school and be a mom, then that’s what will happen.”

I look up at him. “You make this all sound so simple.”

“I’m trying to reassure you that it can be done. I’m also trying to show you how good I look naked again.”

He waggles his brows, and I can’t help but laugh.

I take a deep breath in and smile. “Being around you and getting to know you—it has made all this easier to process, for sure. I also like spending time with you, and, yeah … you’re easy to look at with or without your clothes on.” I smile at him.

He huffs a laugh. “You know it, darlin’.”

“So, I guess what I’m saying is, I would also like to keep spending time together and see where it goes. And at the end of the day, if all we are to each other are parenting partners, we’ll be the best partners out there.” I turn my palm and link my fingers with his.

“Does this mean I can keep kissing you? Maybe we can even fool around a little? I mean, for the sake of getting to know eachother.” He has a small smile on his face, but his eyes … they just got a little bit of heat in them.

And I can’t even deny that it’s turning me on. It’s safe to say my hormone levels are elevated, and while I’ve been around him the last few weeks, it has been getting harder to keep my hands to myself. I want to touch him all the time. And the kissing just makes me want to rip his clothes off. But I’m trying to be patient. If he keeps looking at me like this though, I might just jump him.

“Yeah, we can keep kissing, and I wouldn’t mind fooling around. Based on my memory of that night we were together, I’d say we have pretty good chemistry.” I feel heat reaching my cheeks the more I talk.

“Good chemistry? Darlin’, it was fire, and you know it. All you have to do is say the word, and I’m yours.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it.

I pull my hand away and clear my throat. “Right. Agreed. So, that’s settled. Do you want to watch a movie or something after we eat, or do you need to get home?”

“I can hang out for a while. Do your roommates mind me being here? I’ve only met them a few times, but I don’t want them to get sick of having me around.”

He’s only met Mia and Peyton a few times, but Livi has been here more, and they’ve gotten to talk some.

“Not at all. Livi thinks you’re cool, and Mia and Peyton are in and out so much with their schedules, so they aren’t really here that often. I think they’ve been hanging out with some basketball guys lately or something.”

“They all seem cool. But you haven’t told them about the baby yet? Just Livi, right?”

I nod. “Yeah, I was waiting for confirmation, but now that we have it, I still don’t feel quite ready to tell them. I mean, you know Livi knows, but I might hold off on telling the other two. The last thing I want is for either one of them to let it slip at practice before I’m ready to notify Coach.”

“I’ll take your lead, but I think we’ll have to tell our familiessooner rather than later. I mean, you said you used your parents’ insurance card, and your dad is in insurance, so I think it’s probably better to tell them before they see it, no?” He takes another bite of pizza.

“I know. I have two tournaments left for the fall season. If I can make it through this coming weekend and the next one after, I’ll tell them then, so maybe we can tell our families around the same time. Speaking of, will you guys be practicing, or are you going home?”

“I’ll talk to my family about the baby as soon as you tell yours.” He nods. “We’ll be around for practice. Our last regular season game is the Saturday after, so we can’t really go anywhere.”

“That’s right. I wish I could have gone to the Chandler game. You guys were amazing.” I take a few bites of my pasta, and then I open my Stanley and mix some Powerade and 7UP into the cup.

“It was a fun game, for sure, but it always is. Especially since we’ve won the last few years.” He laughs.

“Definitely. So, how heavy is that Golden Hat? Is it solid or, like, a hat with a gold overlay? I’ve always wondered.” I giggle.

He chews his food and has a closed-mouthed smile. “No, it’s solid gold. Pretty heavy to most people probably, but not to us.” He winks at me.

“Right. I forget you’re all big manly men.” I chuckle.

“I’ll show you a big manly man.” He laughs as he pulls my chair closer to his.

I’m laughing as he does, but also drop my fork in the process. “Guess I’m done eating?”

He hums and leans in closer, then kisses me. “Should we go watch some TV?”

I pull back. “Yes, let me just clear off the table. I’ll leave your pizza here, but I’m going to save the rest of my pasta for tomorrow. I’m glad I was able to eat a little bit of it.”

“Me too. Just let me know what sounds good to you, and I’m happy to bring it over. Any excuse to see you.” He winks.

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