Thanks, man.
In other news though, he said, quirking a brow, how did lunch go with Lia ?
Good actually. I chuckled lightheartedly. Really good.
There was a gleam in his eyes as he asked, Afternoon delight good ?
No. I shook my head. But I took your advice and put everything out there. Told her about Chelsea, how I felt about relationships in the past, and how, even though our situation sucked, that I liked her. I shrugged, playing it cool, though I could feel the corner of my mouth pulling upwards involuntarily. And it worked.
Which means… ?
We’re figuring it out, I admitted, but I guess you can say we’re together.
Well I’ll be damned, he said before leading me back to the rest of the guys. Yo, Wellsley went and got himself a girlfriend !
Mixed in with the guys whistling and making fake whipping noises, it felt like a dozen responses were thrown my way at once.
Damn.
Seriously ?
That was fast.
Brookes cocked a brow in disbelief. You’re telling me you-the guy who is more or less allergic to relationships-met a girl in the weeks since you’ve left and already jumped head first into commitment ?
I didn’t meet her out west, I replied before backtracking. Well, I guess I technically did, but not within the last couple weeks.
Understanding flooded his features. It’s the girl ; the redhead. Lia. I nodded and he clapped me on the shoulder. Well congrats then. I’m happy for you.
Thanks, man.
So, are you going to be dipping out of here early then ? Nyberg asked, nudging my side with his elbow.
Why ? I mused. You keeping tabs on me ?
Unlikely, he said with a scoff, before gesturing around to the guys with his beer. But we missed you.
There was a feeling of contentment as I watched my former teammates nod in agreement, and I did my best to ignore the prick of emotion that sprouted at the realization I wouldn’t be seeing them again for at least a couple months.
I’ve missed you guys, too, I said genuinely. And don’t worry, you’ve got me for a while tonight.
I was awoken Sunday morning to two alarms going off simultaneously. One was mine, but the other I’d never heard before.
Bleary eyed and confused, I reached out to put a stop to the noise coming from my phone before rolling over to see Derrick doing the same thing.
Oh yeah.
After he’d met up with his former teammates at the pub yesterday, he’d made his way over to my place. Given that it had been passed eleven at night, you would’ve thought I’d have already wound down for the night, but no. I’d fallen deep into work mode after giving half my attention to the game’s broadcast earlier in the evening, and I hadn’t even realized it was that late until Derrick buzzed up to my apartment.
I’d answered the door scatterbrained, still needing to finish up the loose ends with the section of my report I was working on, and I’d asked him to hang out for a few minutes while I did so.
Only it didn’t take me five minutes. It’d been quarter to twelve by the time I clicked the save button for the final time and turned to look apologetically at Derrick, who’d made himself comfortable on the couch.
I’m really sorry about that, I’d said, chewing on my bottom lip nervously as I stood and moved to join him.
He’d lifted his arm to wrap around my shoulders and pull me close. Don’t worry about it.
But I know you’re only here for the night and-
Lia, it’s really okay, he’d said softly. I like watching you get so enthralled in your work. It’s sexy. My lips curved. Plus, I’m very much aware you’re in crunch mode with your defense, so I’m not going to fault you for putting your focus there.
I wish I could give you more though.
You’re giving me a chance… and that’s enough for me.
And then he’d shut me up with a kiss. Filled with passion and longing, we’d made our way to the bedroom and fell between the sheets, exploring each other again like we’d gone months without one another instead of a handful of weeks.
I barely remembered when we’d finally fallen asleep, but now, watching him turn back to me with a crooked smile, I felt the same warm and tingling feeling coursing through my veins that I knew I’d drifted off with.
So, I know why my alarm is set so early, he said as he played with a few loose strands of my hair, his voice still rough and groggy, but why was yours ?
I’m productive in the mornings, so I’ve been trying to squeeze in some extra time to work on my defense.
His fingers stilled. Even on weekends ?
Taken aback slightly, I was hesitant as I nodded and said, Yeah. Things are coming down to the wire, and with finals around the corner, I know I can’t get everything prepared without putting in extra hours.
Sorry, he said, shuffling closer to cut off my rambling with a quick kiss. I didn’t mean for that to come out like it did. I get it. Plus, your determination and love for what you do is one of the reasons I’m so drawn to you. I exhaled slowly, my lips curving as he trailed a hand down my side and left it resting on my hip. I guess I’m just trying to sort through the next couple weeks in my head.
I felt my forehead crease as my brows drew together. What do you mean ?
Well, with this, he said, squeezing my hip. With us. I totally get that you’re at the finish line of your PhD with your defense coming up.
It’s not until the end of April, but I’m trying to be extra prepared, I chimed in before waving off my comment, urging him to continue.
Okay, so you’re going to be swamped come April, and if things don’t totally fall apart these last four weeks of the regular season, the Royals are going to be locked into a playoff spot.