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“For being sweet.”
“You might change your mind about my sweetness factor when I fuck your mouth later.”
She grins. “Want me to make gagging sounds and get really sloppy about it?”
“Why are you so damn perfect?” I feel like I’ve been missing out all these years. I’ve never spent a day hanging out with someone I’m seeing. But this is Bea. I’ve known her most of my life. It feels…normal. Right. Like something I want to do more of, with or without the sex. And that’s a serious first.
“We should get this stuff upstairs.” She closes the trunk for me. “I don’t think Hammer will be home from work for another hour or so. Lots of time to gargle your balls.”
It’s a good thing we’re not alone in the elevator on the way up to her apartment or she’d probably make it hard for me not to embarrass myself in the hallway.
Five seconds after we walk in the door, Bea gets a call from Essie. “Let me tell her I’ll call her back, okay?”
“Sure thing.” I start to unpack all the maple nonsense.
She puts her on speakerphone. “Hey, bestie!”
“Hey, babe, I’ve missed your gorgeous face,” Essie says by way of greeting.
“So much same. When will they develop teleportation so I can see you whenever I want?”
“Just move out here and you won’t need teleportation skills. The winters are so much less frigid in Vancouver.”
“So tempting. I could really live without the minus-thirty temps and four months of snow. Listen, can I call you back in a bit? Tristan’s here.”
I don’t love that I’m standing right here and she’s talking about moving across the country. Especially not after the day we’ve had. Here I am, feeling like for the first time in my life I want more out of this with her, but I can’t compete with her friendship with Essie. They’re tight, and it’s really cool that they have each other. But there’s a sinking feeling in my gut. I’ll do something stupid and mess up this good thing I’ve got going. That’s usually how it goes. And she’s already left once. She could do it again.
Suddenly I feel a little panicky. “You know what? I didn’t realize what time it was. I need to get in a workout, and I have a game strategy meeting with Flip and Dallas. You catch up with Essie.”
“Hold on a sec, Es.” She lowers her phone. “I thought I was supposed to gargle your balls and choke on your cock?”
“You forgot to mute yourself,” Essie says.
“Sorry.” Bea wrinkles her nose and hits the mute button. “Seriously, you don’t have to go.”
“Save it for next time. I’ll talk to you later.” I move toward the door, but Bea grabs my wrist.
“Thanks for today. I had a great time.” She pushes up on her toes and kisses my cheek.
“Me too.” I manage a smile, but I don’t make a move to kiss her back.
Even though I want to.
Fear propels me out the door. What the fuck am I thinking?
I don’t want to go, but this is more than I can handle right now.
CHAPTER 25
RIX
“Delivery for Beatrix Madden,” says Harold, the guy who works the front desk, when I answer the phone. “I can bring it up for you, unless you’d like us to hold it in the lobby.”
“I can come down.” I ordered new running gear—on sale seventy-five percent off—but I figured it would take a few days to arrive.
“I have three other deliveries. It’s really no problem,” Harold says.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’ll be up shortly, Miss Madden.”
“Thanks, Harold.”
A minute later, there’s a knock on the door. Except it’s not Harold, it’s Roman and Hollis. “Hey, Rix. You and Hammer ready to roll out?”
“Hammer’s changing for the seventeenth time. And Harold is coming up with a delivery. Otherwise we’re good to go.” Tonight, it’s a home game against Florida. Last time we lost, but their goalie is out with an injury, which gives Toronto a distinct advantage. “Ready for tonight’s game?”
“Looking forward to putting another win under our belt,” Roman says.
“Same here,” Hollis agrees.
“Any special requests for meals next week? I’m shopping tomorrow.” I’ve been prepping a few meals a week for Hollis and Roman since I moved in with Hammer. I missed doing it for Tristan and Flip, so I was excited when they asked me. It’s a nice side hustle, and they pay me cash, which goes into my entertainment fund.
“That breakfast hash. I could eat it three meals a day,” Hollis replies.
“And your Bolognese sauce. I only have one container left,” Roman adds.
“Got it.” I pull out my phone and make a note in my grocery list. “If you think of anything else, just let me know.”
Hammer comes out of her room. She’s wearing her ice blue and black Hammerstein jersey, a pair of black jeans, and knee-high boots. Her hair is curled.
