His room looked simple. It wasn’t nearly as elegant as the suite I had reserved.
“Took one of the other guys with me. Kids seemed to like it.”
“You did?” I didn’t mean to sound as stunned as I was.
“Yeah. Rookie guy named James. Thought it would be good for him too.”
“Wow. Now you are recruiting and mentoring. I like it.”
“Hey, don’t get carried away. I’m going to have to go close down a bar tonight to right the scales here. People are going to get the wrong idea about me.”
I twisted my lips together. These were the moments when I saw him lower the shield that barricaded him from the rest of the world. It made me melt.
“Don’t do that,” I warned playfully. “And Charlie? What did she say?”
He scratched the back of his head and leaned back on the bed. I wanted to be with him so badly. I wanted to fall asleep and wake up in his arms. We were in the same city, but separated because of my choices.
“Yeah, she’s pissed. Madder than a fucking hornet, actually.”
I giggled. “Sorry, not funny.”
“I did what I said I would do. I made the kids smile,” he grumbled.
“And you loved it. Admit it.”
He scowled. “I’ll admit it when we’re alone.”
“Alone?”
He nodded. “Next time you’re on your knees I’ll gladly admit it.”
I turned completely red. I could see it on the tiny screen inset on the video call. “Luke!”
“Give me another blow job like that and I’ll admit anything you want.” He winked.
I wanted to pretend I was embarrassed, but I wasn’t. I was doing a double cartwheel in my head. I had given Luke exactly what I wanted to give him and he loved it. My skills were improving. My boldness was growing. My sexuality was blossoming like an out-of-control wildflower.
“Gladly,” I agreed in an instant.
“Damn it, Alexa. You’re killing me. Think anyone would notice if I showed up at the Deluxe twice in one day?”
“Depends on what time you’re planning on leaving.” God, there was nothing I wanted more.
He shook his head. “I wish I could. It’s too big of a risk.”
“You’re right,” I answered quietly.
“Get some sleep,” he ordered. “I’ve got an early day with press and pre-game. I can’t stay up all night talking to pretty girls.”
“All right. Good night, Luke.”
“Night.”
I reluctantly hung up and stared at the TV. I had flipped to Sports Now to listen to the speculation about the game tomorrow. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the AFA and what was the single most important thing in Luke’s world.
I turned up the volume when I saw Luke’s face appear on the screen. They showed scenes of his appearance at the hospital today. Instead of talking about the showdown with the Sharks, the only thing the anchors wanted to discuss was the new Luke Canton.
I grinned, settling into a stack of pillows. I could listen to them talk about this version of Luke all night. I don’t know when I fell asleep, but the last thing I saw was Luke sitting next to a little boy. And I couldn’t help but think of what an amazing dad he was going to be one day.
30
Luke
Three Weeks Later
I couldn’t believe I was looking at fucking tuxedo pictures when I should have been looking at the playbook. We had a bye this week. So the timing was perfect for me to fly to Nashville for the CYAs.
But tuxes? I hated the fuckers.
“Just pick one. That’s all you have to do.” Alexa chimed in. We video chatted every night.
“Why don’t you just pick it.”
“Because, Helena narrowed it down to three. Don’t you like any of them?”
I scowled. “No.”
“Come on, Luke. Just one?”
I scanned my options. “Last one on the left.”
She smiled. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”
“You don’t have to wear it.”
“Have you seen my dress?”
That caught my attention. “No. But it better be tight and you know I love to see your tits.”
“I’ll work on that.” She played with her bottom lip.
“Did you take the test yet?” I blurted it out like a damn idiot. She may have taught me a lot, but I didn’t have a filter.
“How did you go from red carpet wardrobe to pregnancy test?” she asked.
“I want to know, Alexa. I want to know about our baby.”
It was eating me up. Every time I thought I forgot about it, I hadn’t. One of the guys would bring his sons to practice and everyone would get a kick out of tossing him the ball. It hit me in the fucking gut every time. That could be my kid. I could be doing that.