I never looked, I replied honestly, but there’s going to be pictures out there. They’ll never be front-page news, but if I’ve learned anything the last couple years in the league, it’s that some fans like to have a bit too much information about our personal lives.
That’s… so strange.
Agreed.
They can’t have moments like this though- She cuddled closer. -right ?
No, I trailed off, they can’t have this.
No response followed ; only a few long moments when neither of us said a word. Yet, I felt every curve of her body against mine. Every time her chest fell and rose against mine, and when her lips finally brushed against the corner of my jaw, my hand drifted upward to cup her breast.
Only for her to pull back with amusement glittering her irises.
Sorry to disappoint, she drawled, but as much as I’d like to get naked with you right now, it’s not happening with your parents in the next room.
Damn, I breathed. Cockblocked by my own parents.
A soft chuckle escaped her. They leave a few hours before me tomorrow. She craned her neck to kiss me. I’ll make it up to you before I fly out.
Those words should’ve been the cause of a cold shower, prompting my mind to run off in one hundred creative directions, but tonight, they didn’t. Not when the suggestiveness was overshadowed by the fact that she was indeed flying back east tomorrow. Because her life was out there, and mine had brought me across the country.
And for the first time, I was hit in the face with the downside of this weekend. That three days with her was simply not enough. However, there was no ace up my sleeve, and nothing I could do to stop her from leaving.
So, I did all I could. I tightened my arm around her waist and pressed my lips against her forehead.
I’m holding you to that.
The weekend in Los Angeles had been a whirlwind. I’d spent less than seventy-two hours on the west coast, and somehow had managed to squeeze in a hockey game, quality time with both my boyfriend and my parents, as well as a handful of little adventures around Derrick’s new city.
Not to mention all the sex.
But sadly, the fairy tale came to an end all too quickly, leaving me to settle right back into life in Boston.
Are the two coffees a good thing or a bad thing ? Harper asked when I took a seat across from her and Esme Monday morning.
Neither, I responded, taking a long gulp to try and get as much caffeine flowing through my body as possible. In an attempt to prolong my weekend with Derrick, and because there’d been limited tickets left so last minute, I’d taken a red-eye back from Los Angeles and had only landed a few hours earlier. I’d been so close to canceling, but after realizing I had no coffee at home, I knew there was no way I could get through the day without it. Just precautionary, since I didn’t really sleep all that well on the flight. So, I’m hoping this- I shook the coffee cup in my hand slightly. -can get me through the day until I can crash in my own bed.
Esme lifted a brow, an ounce of concern noticeable in her expression. Was it just the plane that made it hard to sleep ? Or was it knowing you were leaving your man on the west coast ?
And if I was being honest with myself, it was mostly the latter.
Typically I was okay with flying overnight, or as good as any normal person could be seated in coach. Last night, however, I couldn’t get my brain to shut off. I’d close my eyes and think about the weekend Derrick and I had shared-the nights wrapped up in one another and the days spent laughing and exploring-wondering when we’d get a chance to be in the same time-zone again.
Looking down at my cup, I asked, Does it being the second one make me a fool ?
Harper shook her head. You couldn’t be a fool even if you tried.
Apparently I can be, I said, because I used to be logical about things like this. How the hell is anything about my relationship with Derrick logical ?
Logic doesn’t always come into play when it comes to love, Lia.
My shoulders fell as I blew out a long breath, that simple four-letter word floating around my head. He flew my parents out guys.
The words tumbled out with whispered awe, and while it wasn’t a new revelation, I’d been too busy enjoying my time with them to fully digest the significance of the action until now.
Both of them feigned shock and I rolled my eyes.
I know you guys helped him pull it off, I said, watching as their expressions turned sheepish, but I still can’t believe it happened. Like, how did he even come up with the idea ?
Did you ask him ? Esme asked, lifting a brow. Because he didn’t give us much information when he looped us into his plan.
I did.
And ?
He said he wanted to make the most out of my visit. That he was thinking of a way to make me feel at ease with taking time off work and also didn’t want me sitting all by myself in the stands at his game. And despite how crazy it’d sounded, he’d thought finding a way for me to see my family was the perfect solution.
Are you doubting him ? Harper asked.
I shook my head. No, no, it’s just… who does that ? I’ve never had a guy do something that thoughtful. And obviously he had the means to do so, but it wasn’t even about the money. It was the fact he happily gave up time that was supposed to be about the two of us to give me some rare time with my parents. And that was before his family showed up.
I’m sorry- Harper blinked, suddenly confused. -what ?
Oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that his parents also decided to surprise him by flying down for his game ?
Damn girl, Esme said, so the weekend ended up being a whole family affair ?