Page 65 of Win My Heart

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as I think about my next move. I just wish he was more forthcoming.

I’m not expecting it when I feel his warm large hand grab ahold of mine. I watch him thread his fingers between mine, and he moves our joined hands to rest on the middle console.

I look over at him, still slightly in shock. He glances away from the road and smiles at me. It melts my resolve, and I decide I don’t want to taint what we had last night with questions and accusations.

When we get to Chicago, I’m happy to be back in the city. A country girl, I am not.

Wade walks me to my apartment, and as I unlock my door, he leans against the wall.

“I’ve got some work to do before tomorrow,” he says. “I had planned on working yesterday morning, but the impromptu camping trip changed that. Want to do dinner tomorrow night, though?”

“Sure. We should go to The Bar. I’ve been craving a buffalo chicken wrap and some fried pickles.” I push the door open.

His lips twitch. He knows my love for fried pickles is strong. “I was thinking we could order in, but I’d be happy to pick up that order and bring it to you on my way home.”

He follows me into my apartment, and I hide my frown as I keep my back to him.

“Okay,” I reply.

“Hey.” His tone is huskier than normal. He wraps a hand around my wrist and pulls me to a stop. I turn to him, and he’s smiling at me.

“Come here.” He gently tugs me closer as he cups my cheek with his other hand. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.” He leans in and kisses me. His lips are sweet and not rushed. I melt into him, but he pulls away all too soon.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gives me one last quick kiss and then heads back out my door.

I close my eyes as the door latches shut.

That boy is going to give me whiplash.

After Wade leaves, I jump into the shower and clean all the filth of the outdoors off me. Feeling a little uneasy, I decide a couple rounds ofCoBwill help me clear my mind, so I head to the game room.

Thankfully, the space is void of any of my teammates. Not that I wouldn’t welcome company, but I just need some time to myself.

It takes me a few minutes to get my rig up and running, but it’s a welcome task.

Our team has some great sponsors, so our gaming space has become an epic display of the best equipment a pro gamer could have. Since the game room used to be two apartments, the living room is a massive space that houses each of our rigs, which includes a desk, screens, a computer, PlayStation, swanky gaming chair, and everything else we need to game for hours on end. Think of it as a desk you’d find in an office. It’s a gamer’s version of a workspace, but a lot more fun, in my opinion.

After nearly an hour, I’ve been able to work my uneasiness out of my system, and I feel more like myself.

Gaming will always be my happy place.

I pull off my headphones and push away from my rig to get a Gatorade. Just as my feet hit the hard wood of the kitchen, the door swings open.

Matt.

Normally, I’d enjoy his company, but I know he heard Wade and me last night, and I know he’s not going let me out of an awkward situation.

“Hey,” I offer quickly so I don’t startle him.

His head whips my way, and he greets me with a kind smile. “Hey, Bernie.”

“Getting myself a Gatorade. Want one?” I ask as I grab mine.

“Nah, I’ve got a coffee.” He wanders into the open kitchen. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, so the caffeine is necessary.”

I look at him sheepishly and he stares back at me knowingly. I wave my hand to brush it off. “Oh, stop. Whatever you think you heard last night wasn’t what kept you up all night.” I walk past him and sit back down in my custom-designed Titan Evo gaming chair.

He blows air through his lips. “Pft. I know what I heard, and that was you and Wade getting down and dirty.”

---