Page 89 of Win My Heart

ChapterNineteen

BERNIE

Today feels different.I can’t put my finger on it, but I woke up with a feeling of dread. With Wade in my bed, I was able to push the feeling out of my mind, but he left to talk to Dex, and I was left alone with my thoughts. Normally, my thoughts and I get along, but until recently, they’ve been filled with paranoia, unsettling thoughts that something isn’t right. Up until last night, I was dwelling on the fact that Wade and I still hadn’t talked through our problems.

But I can take solace in the fact that things between Wade and I are finally on solid ground. When he came back to my apartment late morning, he said the guys already knew there was something going on between us. They were all fine with it and happy for us. That made me feel better, of course. Even though my teammates are more like my family and what they think matters to me, had Wade wanted to continue our relationship without their blessing, I would have picked Wade.

That thought right there gives me tingles. I adore my team, and their significant others are my best friends, but my love for Wade outweighs all of that.

I love him.

I let out a dreamy sigh.

“What are you daydreaming about, chica?” Gia sits down next to me on the big thick blanket laid out on the grass in Maggie Daley Park overlooking Lake Michigan. It’s the perfect place to watch the fireworks from Navy Pier. We have commandeered a small picnic area for the evening.

“Oh, I was just thinking,” I tell her, trying not to be embarrassed at being caught dreamily thinking about my boyfriend.

She nudges my shoulder with hers. “Right. Or were you thinking about your hunky boyfriend?” Her grin is wide.

I don’t fight the smile. “Maybe.”

“Girl, why didn’t you tell us about you and Wade?” she asks.

“Honestly, I wanted to, but I was embarrassed.”

She leans away from me, confusion clouding her face. “What? Why?”

“I was embarrassed about what you guys would say when you found out I was in a secret relationship.”

“Hmm. Well, I wouldn’t call it a secret, per se. We all kinda knew something was up. Ruby made it clear to Morgan and I that she was trying to get you two together.”

“I knew it,” I mutter.

She chuckles and continues. “But we just decided to let you be, thinking you would come to us when you were ready.” She frowns now. “But you never did.”

I feel like a brat. “At first, I was caught up in the excitement of being with him. Then when he asked to keep what we were doing secret, I went with it at first. But then I started struggling with it. He and I are both important to the dynamic of the group. I didn’t want to rock the boat.”

“Yeah, I get that, but we’re here for you, and because you matter to us, we want to help when we can, even if it’s lending a listening ear.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders and hugs me.

“Thank you. I don’t deserve friends like you,” I tell her.

“Nonsense,” comes Ruby’s singsong voice as she and Morgan join us on the blanket. They hand us each a water bottle. “We are all amazing, wonderful women and deserve to have other amazing, wonderfully supportive friends in our lives. I think the four of us were meant for one another.”

“I’ll agree to that,” Morgan adds.

Gia removes her arm and opens her water, then says, “Enough about the past. Let’s talk about what’s happening right now.” Her eyebrows wiggle.

“Hmm, yes. Dex told me about his chat with Wade this morning.” Morgan giggles.

“Oh, and what’s this about Simon knowing you guys were hooking up? Why didn’t you say anything to us, Gia?” Ruby mocks in anger.

Gia puts her hands up in defense. “Simon didn’t mention it. But also, it wasn’t really his story to tell.”

“Link tells me everything,” Ruby says.

“Which is why you two gossips are perfect for each other.” Morgan reaches over and squeezes her hand to let her know she’s joking. Well, she’s not, but it’s all in fun.

“Blah, blah, blah. Whatever.” Ruby tosses the red locks of her ponytail over her shoulder. “Anyway, let’s circle back to you and Wade.”

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