Page 75 of Fair Play
Because I didn’t know I was waiting for Rome Castellano either—all I know is that his presence makes me whole in a way no one else ever has.
“Remind me again why we waited so long to do this?” I tease, pressing light kisses on his chest.
He runs his hands up and down my back. “Stupid groin injury. But I’m past the worst of it now.”
“You sure?” I lift my head to look into his eyes. “You winced a few times in the beginning.”
“The muscles are tight,” he admits. “I start physical therapy this week, and we’ll work on that. But it’s not pain, just a twinge of discomfort. And believe me, what we were doing more than compensated for a little discomfort.”
“Okay. I just don’t want you to overdo it. If you wind up delaying your progress because of me…” I plop my head down on his chest again.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I asked the doctor.”
“You did?” I lift my head again. “You planned this?” There’s a playful lilt to my voice. “Now I understand the big romantic gestures.”
He frowns. “You don’t really believe that, do you? I would have done what I did even if the only thing on the table was me rubbing your feet all night.”
“I’m joking,” I say softly. “I don’t believe that at all. There’s never any pressure when we’re together. That’s part of why our relationship is so good. I’m always relaxed with you. Happy. Like I have someone to count on whom I don’t have to worry about disappointing.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Do you worry about disappointing Bodi?” he asks finally.
“Yeah. I mean, not the way it sounds. He never yelled if I got a B in school or if I was ten minutes late for curfew but?—”
“You had a curfew?”
“At sixteen? Uh, yeah. Until I turned eighteen. But even then, he explained that if I was going to be late, to call. After what happened with our parents he would panic thinking something happened. That’s kind of what I was talking about when I told you I cut him slack because of that. I know he needs therapy.And it pisses me off that he made sure I got it but he never went himself.”
“I don’t understand,” he murmurs. “Why wouldn’t he go? Especially at eighteen, trying to help his fifteen-year-old sister grieve and heal. Even if you went together.”
“We did go together immediately after, but he only went to learn how to take care of me, not for any of his own issues. He still won’t listen. If I bring it up he gets mad.”
“That all makes sense but you’re a grown woman now, Billie. You can’t stay under his thumb forever.”
“As you can see—I am not under his thumb.” I gently bite his nipple.
“Then why are we sneaking around?”
“Because both of you have something to prove on the Phantoms, and I don’t want to be responsible for either of you getting traded or whatever. In the off-season, when there aren’t any professional repercussions, I’ll sit down with him. If I have to, I’ll bring in Blake.”
“Why Blake?”
“Best friends since Bodi started with the Rebels. He’s like another big brother to me, though he’s been a bit less available since he married Rowan. But he’s aware of Bodi’s overprotectiveness, so I can ask for his help in this.”
“What if Blake agrees that I’m too old for you? Or too much of a jerk?”
I laugh. “That’s none of either of their business. I’m the only one whose opinion of your age and personality matters. Bodi will have to accept it. It just might take some time.”
“The fact that you’re so worried about him finding out during the season tells me it’s not going to be that simple.”
“Simple? No. Not even a little. But he will come around.” I pause, suddenly unsure of myself. As good as things are between us, it’s still new and there haven’t been any proclamations of loveor discussions about what happens if he gets traded. “Unless you don’t think I’m worth the struggle.”
“That’s not it, baby. But I might not be here come July.”
I sigh. I know this. I just don’t know how to respond. He doesn’t seem to have anything to add either.
And that’s the part that scares me.
But it’s too late to stop what we’re doing or feeling.
