Page 59 of Red Zone Realizations
“I know, baby.”
“Icareabout you. I promised myself that I’d never trust a man again, but I’ve been lonely and I hate it. I figured if admitting that was going to scare you away, I’d rather just get it over with. I’ll deal with Sarah later.”
“But it didn’t scare me away, did it?”
“No, it didn’t. Today, seeing you on the ground, not knowing…” Tears are freely flowing over her cheeks now. “Made me realize I’ve been wasting time. Denying myself you is a waste of time. Not going for it and saying things plainly isn’t working.”
I reach out and grab her elbow, pulling her toward me to stand between my legs. “I know what I want now. I can’t keep pretending to be polite at meetings when I want to bend you over and make you take me.” Her breath hitches and I take that as a good sign. I hop down from the table. My ice pack hits the ground with a plop.
Worry flashes across her face. “Your ribs! You should sit.”
I shake off her comment. “I’m fine. Nothing is broken. I’ll be able to play next week.”
“You scared the shit out of me!” she yells, batting at my chest.
I suck in a sharp breath. “Okay, that one did hurt a little.”
Her hands fly to her mouth. I can tell she’s about to lose it. Tears well up in her eyes again as emotions overwhelm her. I put my hands on either side of her face. “Hey. It’s okay. Look at me.” I take a deep breath, and she copies me. “I’m fine. Everything is fine.” I pause, wanting to acknowledge the truth of her being here right now. Wearing the jersey I sent. Not wanting to pop this bubble of warmth we have. I’m not ready to lose the soft feeling of her presence. She’s just looking at me, eyes wild, and I’m tired of thinking. I kiss one cheek. Then the other. Then her forehead. “I’m okay,” I murmur. I kiss her nose and each eyebrow. I kiss her eyelids, reassuring her after each one.
Finally, I pull her lips to mine. I kiss her with the adrenaline I feel when I come off the field. The pressure in my chest thattells me this is everything I thought it could be. Our lips mingle perfectly, like brownies topped with ice cream. She kisses me back, and I can feel the answers to all the questions lingering between us on her lips. I invited her to come because I know what I want. She’s here because she wants to be with me. We drag out this kiss as long as possible, and in my mind “She’s Like Texas” by the Josh Abbott Band plays.
The knob turns and someone opens the door. We quickly jump back like two teenagers getting caught making out in the back of a truck. The trainer, Wendy, looks between us. “Noah, I need to wrap that ice pack to your ribs before I let you go.”
I nod and look back at Audrey. “Everything is fine. I’ll meet you right after.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
AUDREY
The Hurricanes miraculously pull out a win even after all the injury drama. Chrissy and I hold hands outside the arena where the players exit. I’ve filled her in on the whole thing and sent Nicole home with Davide. I’m not usually touchy feely like this with other ladies, but her hand is the only thing keeping me from bolting right now. I don’t want to make a scene in front of all his teammates, but my fingers itch for his touch. I know there’s so much to talk about. I know he and I are on the same page, but I need to figure out which paragraph.
I think I knew the second I got in the Town Car earlier today that he was going to take me back. The standard I had been holding myself to was choking me. I couldn’t breathe through the pressure of keeping Noah at arm's length and my family happy. I couldn’t think straight. My mind was a jumble of clients’ Instagram posts and the lingering feeling of his mouth on mine. I was jumpy, wondering what my family would demand of me next. I cared so much about what theythought when they didn't think that much of me. So I’m finally putting myself first for once in my life.
Noah approaches us dressed in his slacks, carrying his bag. He gestures toward where his car is parked. “Shall we?” I nod and follow him like a little puppy. I turn to glance at Chrissy who is giving me an enthusiastic thumbs up. I shoot her a small smile.
The drive to Noah’s house is contemplatively quiet. I’m chewing on the inside of my cheeks as he navigates us through the darkened Houston streets. He turns to me. “I can practically feel you overthinking.”
I set my hands on my knees. “I know. I’m not trying to be like this. It’s just a lot all at once.”
He returns his eyes to the road as he drives through his neighborhood gate.
“What else do you want to know?”
“You sent me the ticket for today.” It’s not a question.
“Yes.” He smirks at me, the streetlights coming and going over his face. “And the gifts. Don’t forget those.”
“Right.” I blush, knowing I have many of those gifts on right now, including the black lace lingerie set. “Which means…?”
“That I want to be together. No matter what. I’m sorry for the way I left things after the BBQ. I was just surprised. Not by you, but by the timing of it. We weren’t anything serious yet, and according to you we would never be, but you’re giving me these pieces of you that I didn’t deserve to have. I’m glad you gave me the time to figure out what I want. I work hard to keep myself level-headed, and I didn’t want anything I said to hurt you, so I needed to take time to think.”
We pull into his driveway, and he puts the car in park and turns in his seat to look at me fully.
“And what do you want?”
“I want you. Us. I want to give this a shot.”
“And you’re good with no kids?”
