She draws back. “She loves you. And when she finds out about us, she’ll be so happy, but I just want to make sure this is good before we involve her. You understand that, right?”
I laugh. “Yes, you’re worrying like I usually do.”
And that’s the truth. All I want is to be with her now. All the other bullshit is nothing we can’t handle together.
“Thank you. I’m not betting against us, I just need to be sure.”
I kiss her. “Don’t thank me. I’m not doing you a favor. Now… how do you feel about breakfast table sex?”
She laughs, but I push our plates to the side, lift her up to sit on the table, raise her shirt, and take one of her nipples into my mouth with no plans to stop there.
And the best part is we have three more hours before I have to leave. Hopefully no one rings the damn doorbell because this time, we’re not answering.
Chapter
Forty-Two
Penelope
* * *
Decker is adamant that he doesn’t want their week of away games to happen before we tell our friends that we’re together. I argued it might be fun to keep it to ourselves and sneak around for a while, but he said he wishes we could tell everyone, so he at least wanted to tell them.
Who am I to argue with a man who is so proud to tell everyone I’m his?
Peeper’s Alley isn’t very busy. Which is good. Thankfully, our friends were able to get babysitters when we asked for a no-kids night. Decker sent the group message, and I feel as if they probably all know what’s coming.
He already talked to Foster. The girls know about my feelings for Decker. I’m not really worried about telling them, although I’d prefer the news not to be broadcast anywhere else until Decker’s contract is secure.
Decker’s hand is snug in mine as we enter the bar. There are no Colts fans except the regulars at the bar who don’t pay us any attention. I wonder how much Ruby makes on nights like this. She must make up for it when the Colts are playing, and it’s wall to wall people in here.
I let him guide me through the empty pub tables, but instead of going into the backroom, he stops at the edge of the bar.
“Ruby, you know Penelope.”
She looks at us over the rim of her reading glasses since she’s doing the crossword puzzle in The Chicago Tribune. “No, I just hit my head. Who is she?” She shakes her head and tosses her reading glasses and pen on the paper, pointing at the guys at the bar. “Anyone fills in one box and you’re out.” She makes her way to the end of the bar.
I like Ruby. She’s nice in her own little mean girl way. But she’s sweet to Hazel every time she’s here, though she’s protective of the guys. I know Decker’s brought me over here to tell her we’re a couple. Suddenly, I feel as though I’m meeting his mother for the first time and not just his barkeep. Then again, Ruby is so much more to these guys than just a bar owner.
She glances at our linked hands. “What do you want, a ribbon for getting your head out of your ass?”
“I just wanted you to know, she’s the reason… my mood the other day.”
He doesn’t have to elaborate. I’ve had so many days and nights when I thought this day might never come. He glances at me.
“I know. We all know. You’re the last one to figure it out.” She looks at me. “It’s same story, different player. It’s like they took too many balls to the head or something.”
I smile, but she doesn’t. Then again, I’ve never seen her smile when I think about it.
She cracks open my favorite lime seltzer and places in front of me.
“Well, it took?—”
She pours a beer while Decker tries to explain. “I don’t care to hear it. But way to go, you finally stepped out of your own way.” She puts the beer down in front of Decker. “And those aren’t on the house.” She walks back to where she left the paper but stops halfway. “The rest of your group is ready for your declaration ceremony.”
Decker and I share a look, and both laugh.
She has a point. This does feel a little like a declaration ceremony, but it’s been such a long road for us, I don’t really care. I love that I’m able to walk into that room holding Decker’s hand. That I can sit in his lap, kiss him, touch him, and just be.
