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His statement elicits a laugh from me and Eli…Yeah, us too.
“Next year, we are getting two smaller villas, so I can have more privacy with my wife.”
“Okay, old man… whatever you say,” Eli jokes, and I still can’t stop giggling because this scenario is fucked… literally.
“You two down for some poker after dinner? Quinnie girl, I owe you an ass whooping.”
“I’ll be there… prepare to give me all your money.” I rub my fingers together.
Cindy starts pushing John toward their side of the house.Mama Cindy is tipsy and frisky.
“You two should start getting ready so you don’t have to fight with everyone else over the bathrooms in a little bit.”
We both let out a sigh of relief as they depart, somehow managing to run to the bathroom without making a complete mess of our bodily fluids all over the place.
“What the hell was that?” I question, balling up the blanket that took the brunt of our midday couch romp so I can throw it in the wash for a heavy-duty cycle before anyone notices.
“That was my parents having bad timing,” Eli says as he hands me a wet washcloth.
“Don’t play stupid with me, Hotshot… I’m talking about what you mentioned while you were balls deep inside of me a few minutes ago.”
Avoiding my gaze for several moments, most likely ashamed at how he acted, he finally meets my stare.
“I’m not mad about it, just confused.” I try to settle the unease I can see in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I had told myself I wasn’t going to bring it up, but I couldn’t fucking help myself, Quinn. A sick part of me needed to know.”
Gray eyes full of emotion tell me there’s more behind his words than he’s saying.
“Well, you should know you can ask me anything, and I’ll always tell you the truth. How did you find out?”
“Unfortunately, I was privy to our loud-mouth mothers discussing the potential love of your life. I couldn’t decipher if I was more upset you hadn’t mentioned him or that he wasn’t me.” His admission causes my belly to dip.
A little surprised by his honesty, I give him the same in return.
“No one could ever be you… and he isn’t my anything. Just someone I was keeping it casual with.”
I don’t elaborate on the reason why I chose to give him a chance. Not wanting Eli to know it had everything to do with him and the woman I saw him with when I went to his home game back in the spring. I had been telling myself that I needed to try to open my heart up to the possibility of someone else in order to save our friendship and not fall completely and hopelessly in love with my best friend. Part of me knew I was already halfway there, but I always brushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. My brain and my heart had an agreement when it came to my relationship with Eli… much like me and Sloan did. Don’t ask… don’t tell.
The day I went to the tunnel to surprise him and saw a gorgeous blonde’s hand resting on his upper arm, both of them having what seemed to be an intense conversation, I knew I needed to agree to that date. I never wanted to resent my best friend and I could tell in that split second if I didn’t try to have my own life outside of Eli that I would have resented two things I love dearly…him and baseball.
Taking my face in his hands, he places a chaste kiss on my lips and looks right into my soul. “Fuck, Queenie… I feel so out of control right now. I can’t seem to keep the jealousy I feel of another man’s hands on you at bay, but at the same time, I want you to have everything you deserve in this life. So if you think he can give you that, then that’s what I want for you.” He runs his fingers through my hair and down my back.
“I think I was even more jealous to hear he’s an athlete as well… I just think you deserve someone who can fully devote their attention to you.”
“Eli, it’s really not like that with him. He knows we aren’t serious. I was just testing out the waters. And he’s a point guard at a D III school. He’s good, but hardly the next draft pick for the NBA. Just let me decide what I deserve, okay?” I say, looking into his vulnerable eyes.
“I want to make sure I’m making myself clear. I’m not trying to tell you who you can and can’t be with, it’s just… I want you to have everything in this life. I want you to find someone who can help you figure out your dreams and stand by your side, rooting you on as you reach every one of them. I want you to find someone who never has to put you second to anything; sports, a job… nothing should come before you. And as jealous as it may make me, I want to shake his hand and know that, without a shadow of a doubt, he sees every beautiful thing about you.”
Running his finger over my lips, he continues, “From your fiery, loud mouth.” Eli places his other hand over the left side of my chest. “To that tough heart you wear on your sleeve and love so loyally with. All the way down to every competitive bone in your body. I just want what’s best for you… you know that, right?”
Swallowing the thick lump in my throat his words have created, I nod my head before resting it on his chest.
What if what’s best for me is you?
Eight
Quinn- 20
