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He flips us so I’m on top, lacing our fingers together on both hands. “Mmm. Any other player comes for you, I’ll own his ass.”
Clay’s lips trail down my throat, and I arch against him.
“What, you’re going to write your number on him too?”
He covers my laughing mouth with his, and we don’t talk again for hours.
23
CLAY
Over the next few weeks, we win more than we lose.
The guys are slowly starting to trust me again—on the court and off it.
I’m trying to find time with each of the guys. Teaching Rookie to pick the moments to be patient and the ones to be aggressive. Getting Miles out of his head about his threes. Coordinating schemes with Jay to help the ball move more easily through the opposing defence. Finding Atlas the best spots to be on court so he doesn’t get caught a step behind.
Kyle seems to exist only to further his own goals and doesn’t care who he steps on to do it.
But I can handle it because Nova’s back in my life.
I bring coffee to her when she’s working in the studio. She comes to home games to cheer me on. After, I thank her appropriately for screaming until she’s hoarse by making her scream more.
She stays over a couple nights a week. It feels a bit like being kids in college, but I promised slow and steady, and that’s what I’m going to deliver.
Even if I want her to move back in with me immediately, I want her to feel secure and independent and not like she has to trade her world in for mine like she did last year.
The regular therapy sessions have been helping, but the season’s starting to heat up and there’s a long way to go.
As a way to offer a break and some off-court time, Harlan’s hosting New Year’s, and the entire team is invited.
“You got everything?” I ask Nova as she rounds to the passenger door of my car outside the home decor store.
“I think so.” She frowns. “I hope we have enough decorations.”
“It was a joke. You bring any more, we’re going to need another car.”
She arches a brow at me. “I want it to be perfect. Mari’s gone back to work, and she’s been so busy with Emily, I promised I’d take care of things.”
I take the bin from her, resting it on my hip, and wrap my other arm around her shoulders as we walk to the car.
Brooke and Chloe meet us at Harlan’s, and the girls decorate. I volunteer my services, and they seem to enjoy telling me what to do. By the time we’re done, the room is covered in gold stars plus a Kodiaks banner over the door.
“Does it look okay?” Nova asks, surveying her work.
“Better than okay,” Brooke insists. “Fuck those players—we’re the dream team.”
Nova laughs and I shake my head.
“Someone say, ‘New Year’s’?” A noisemaker shrills from the door, and we turn to see Miles. Waffles, wearing a little hat, scampers in.
Rookie follows, plus Jay and Chloe. Coach and his niece come too.
Within an hour, it’s officially a party.
Mari comes down from tending to Emily, and she makes careful conversation with Coach. Chloe’s dancing with Rookie, Jay glaring daggers over his beer.
Kyle shows, a woman under each arm. “Now we can start.” He grins. “Drinks?”
