Fair Play (L.A. Phantoms Book 6), page 23
I take the world’s fastest shower, put my wet hair up in a towel, and brush my teeth. Then I pad into the bedroom stark naked. Rome’s lying on the bed, also naked, and he crooks a finger at me.
“Come here, beautiful.”
“Remember that night when you got hurt?” I ask, shaking out my hair and tossing the towel before crawling over the bed toward him.
“I’ll never forget it. That was the first time you sucked me.”
“I couldn’t believe we were finally alone. It felt like there was never to be an opportunity for me to tell you I liked you.”
“I couldn’t believe the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met wanted to suck my dick.”
I nestle into his chest and slide my legs between his. “Always. You know that’s my favorite thing.”
“I am the luckiest man on earth.”
For a few minutes there doesn’t seem to be anything to say.
But there is.
We have to talk about the elephant in the room.
“Are you getting traded?” I ask, bracing myself.
“I don’t know, babe. There are no trades until our season is over, and then this summer is the expansion draft.”
“They won’t protect you.”
It’s not a question because that’s basically a given. Even I know they’re going to protect superstars and the guys with no-trade clauses in their contracts.
“No.”
“Ugh. Atlanta. It’s so humid.”
“They’re not taking me,” he says quietly. “Of all the things for us to worry about, that’s not it.”
“Has your agent been putting out feelers?” Bodi has never been in demand like that, but I know the basics of how the process works.
“I told him not to,” he says after a slight hesitation.
Confusion washes over me. I know he wants to play one more year.
He needs to play one more year, to pay off his ex and his cabin.
“Why?” I ask softly.
“Because it would mean being away from you. And I don’t want to. Not after the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t stand being apart.”
“We could survive the long-distance thing for nine months,” I whisper. “You need to pay off Denise and—”
“That’s done.”
“It is?” I lift my head, even more confused than before. “How?”
“I sold my cabin.”
“You sold…” I can’t wrap my head around what he’s saying. “But why would you do that?”
“Because now that I have you, I don’t need a safety net. And that’s all it was. You’re way more important than a place to live. You’re more important than anything, baby. So Denise is paid off and the money that’s left will buy us a franchise of the diner, so we can live anywhere you want.” He pauses. “Even here, if this is where you want to be.”
“Rome.” There’s a roaring in my ears, the kind that means I’m overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude and… love. A kind of love I never imagined.
“You’re not going to cry again, are you?”
“No, but…you sold your cabin?” I’m still struggling to believe it.
“It’s just a building with absolutely no meaning. At the time it represented freedom. From a bad marriage and a lifetime of mistakes. As someone very wisely pointed out, it was where I could go lick my wounds. The thing is, you healed them all.”
I kiss him with what I hope is everything I’m feeling. Because it’s a lot.
“I want to get married,” I whisper between kisses.
“Okay.” He rubs his hands down my back.
“But I don’t know if I want babies,” I murmur, nuzzling the underside of his jaw.
“I’m not sure either.”
“You and Bodi have to try to get along.” I stop kissing him and make sure he’s looking at me. “Can you do that?”
“I can do anything you need me to do.” He brushes my hair back from my face. “I love you, Billie. The only thing I care about is making you happy.”
“It will make me happy if you don’t try to make decisions for me. Make them with me, even when things get tough.”
“The next year will probably be tough,” he whispers. “But I’m going to try to love you so hard and so well that you won’t notice.”
“Should I take that literally?” I tease, even though my heart feels like it’s swelled to twice its normal size—it’s so full right now.
“Literally and figuratively. My love for you is literal, figurative, and infinite.”
God, I love this man.
“Show me,” I whisper.
With his lips fused to mine, he rolls over so he’s on top of me. He nudges my entrance and then slides in with one firm but gentle thrust. Then he pauses, looking down at me. Leaning on one elbow, he uses his other hand to brush my damp hair out of my face.
“I will never get tired of looking at you,” he says in that gruff, baritone I love so much. “Touching you. Loving you. Every single day.”
“And I’ll never get tired of looking into your eyes. You know I can see straight into your soul, right?”
He smiles. “I do now.”
“It shows me everything I need to know, even when you have trouble saying the words.”
His lips find mine again, and our bodies blend into an exquisite tangle of kisses and passion and…love. So much love. If there’s such a thing as love personified, it’s this. Us.
My orgasm comes on gradually, a gentle detonation that’s no less pleasurable because he’s right there with me. Bodies and souls become one as we move together until the last waves pass and then he collapses against me, lips against my throat, fingers buried in my hair.
“You’re my world, beautiful girl.”
“Are you still afraid I’m going to wreck you?”
“Terrified.” He chuckles. “But I’m still coming back for more.”
“You’d better.”
“What about you?” He stares into my face, and I smile.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.”
Epilogue
Rome
It’s been an eventful couple of weeks.
Between the Phantoms winning the Stanley Cup and Billie graduating from college, there’s been a lot to celebrate. A group of us brought the Cup to her graduation, and it turned into an all-night party, which is crazy considering we partied all night the night before too.
The best part for me was seeing how happy Billie was—because Bodi and I are doing our best to play nice as we get to know each other. Billie’s staying in my room now, and while Bodi doesn’t love it, he’s getting used to it.
Honestly, we’ve all been too busy to worry about much of anything but the championship series and Billie’s graduation.
Today, however, that’s all over and I’ve been summoned back to Ms. Barrowman’s office. I’m nervous, but Billie’s with me for moral support. Her plan was to wait in the lobby but as soon as Ms. Barrowman saw her, she invited her to join us.
“I just came because we have plans afterwards,” Billie lies with an engaging smile. “I truly didn’t plan to intrude.” That’s at least partly true.
“It’s more than fine.” Ms. Barrowman leans back in her chair. She’s behind her desk and we’re sitting in chairs on the other side of it. “What I have to discuss with Rome probably involves you, so it’s good that you’re here.”
“Are you cutting me loose?” I ask bluntly.
Ms. Barrowman’s gaze is inscrutable. “I guess that’s up to you,” she says after a moment. “A few weeks ago, you sat here and told me you don’t want to live in L.A. and that I should trade you. Is that still the case? Because you had a hell of a playoff run. Detroit is interested. I think Tampa is too. Do either of those sound good to you?”
“Ew, no.” Billie responds before I can and immediately claps a hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
I chuckle, reaching for her hand. “It’s okay. That’s pretty much how I feel too. I don’t want to go anywhere, Ms. B. I don’t love the traffic here. Smog sucks, and real estate is fucking ridiculous. But this is where my girl has to be for the next year so she can finish her master’s degree. It’s also—”
“Rome.” Billie cuts me off, giving me a warning look. “I don’t need to finish my master’s if—”
“Yes, you do.” I glare right back. “You’re halfway done—why would you stop now?”
“Because I go where you go. Period. Even if it’s somewhere…we won’t love.”
I lean over and lightly kiss her.
“Are you two done?” Ms. Barrowman asks dryly.
“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “As I was saying, it’s also where my family is. And where Billie might open her own restaurant in a couple of years. Like it or not, this is home, and if there’s any room on the roster for me, I’d like to retire here.”
“You showed a lot of growth, strength, and maturity during the playoffs. Frankly, your altercation with Bodi, and the subsequent conversation the three of us had, showed me who you really are. Which is exactly the type of person I want in my locker room. Someone who stands up for himself and for what’s right but also knows when to put the needs of others before his own.”
Billie and I exchange a quick glance.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. No one’s ever said anything like that to me and I’m deeply grateful to hear it.
“Lucky for you, I was planning to offer you a contract,” she continues, handing me a large envelope. “But I wanted to talk to you first. Two years, Rome. Two million the first year, and one million for year two. If you’re sure you can stand the smog and the traffic.”
“Yes!” Billie squeaks, before clapping her hand over her mouth again. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I may be a little wound up today.”
Ms. Barrowman just laughs. “Actually, it’s kind of refreshing. It’s rare for anyone to be that excited when I’m negotiating contracts. I should bring you in for all of them, see how the guys react when you say ‘ew.’”
I chuckle. “Our situation is a little different.”
“You’re part of the reason we won the Cup,” she says softly, all traces of humor gone. “And like I told you once before, loyalty plays a big part in how I run this team.”
I take the envelope and pull out the papers. Before anyone can say anything, I sign them and push the stack back to her. “I don’t need anyone to look at it. I don’t believe you’re trying to screw me over and if I find out there’s a clause in here that I have to scrub your toilets or something, for a million a year, I’ll do it.”
Ms. Barrowman nods and smiles. “I am not trying to screw you over and I have professionals to clean my toilets. Welcome back, Rome. You too, Billie. You’ll find the ladies are a pretty close-knit group.”
“I see that,” Billie says. “And thank you so much. We’re excited to be part of the organization for another two years.”
“And there’s one more thing. I’m chartering a plane to take everyone to Paris for Marty and Stevie’s wedding. The whole team is invited, so if you’d like two seats, let me know now because we’re almost full.”
“Paris?” Billie’s eyes widen. “Oh my God! Really?” She turns to me. “Can we go?”
I laugh. “It’s the off-season for me, babe. I’m not the one who has to work right now.”
“Today is one of the best days ever!” she says, her eyes twinkling.
It’s a pretty great day, but not as good as the one where she forgave me and told me she loved me.
As far as I’m concerned, that will always be my best day ever.
Billie
What does one pack for a black-tie wedding in Paris? I’ve never been anywhere but Arizona and California, so we had to scramble to get me an expedited passport and prepare for the trip of a lifetime. I went shopping with Saylor and Ally, so at least I have something appropriate to wear for the wedding and rehearsal, but we’re going to be there for a week. There will be a lot of other activities, both as a group and individually, and I’m feeling frustrated with my wardrobe.
I’ve never cared about designer brands or anything like that, but now that I’m with Rome I feel like I have to up my game a tiny bit. My clothes don’t have to be expensive but I do need to look well put together if I’m going to hang out with the other wives and girlfriends.
The good news is that we’re still living with Bodi and saving money, so I could afford to splurge a little. And Rome insisted on buying me the floor-length gown I found for the wedding. I’ve never spent five hundred dollars on a dress, not even for prom, but he didn’t bat an eyelash.
I wander down the hall to Bodi’s room, looking for a pair of sandals that might have fallen in his closet.
“Bodi, have you seen…” I stop talking as I take in the look on his face. He’s sitting on the edge of his bed, forearms resting on his thighs, obviously a million miles away. “What’s wrong?” I ask automatically.
He doesn’t look at me. “I’m, uh, I’m going to Atlanta.”
“For what?”
“The Thunder reached out to my agent. They’re taking me in the expansion draft.”
“I…” I’m momentarily confused. “Does that mean you’ve been traded?”
“Essentially.”
“To another NHL team, right?”
“Yeah. The new team in Atlanta.”
“But Bodi, that’s good, isn’t it? That means they wanted you more than almost anyone else on the Phantoms.” It’s a given that Canyon and a few others were on the team’s protected list.
“Yeah, I know.” He finally meets my gaze. “I’m going to Atlanta, Billie. Without you.”
Then it dawns on me.
We’ve never lived apart.
Since our parents died, it’s been the two of us. We muddled through a lifetime of good and bad times, including grief, my injury and subsequent surgeries, lean financial times, and everything in between.
And for the first time, we’re taking separate paths.
“Are you…scared?” I ask softly, sitting next to him on the bed.
“Not scared so much as…nervous.”
“You’re going to do great. You found your groove during the playoffs. And let’s be honest, you’ll probably do better without me to distract you.”
“You’ve never been a distraction, Billie.” He reaches out and puts an arm around my shoulders. “You’re my sister. My family. And I want you to know—you were never a burden.”
“Not even when I was the most hormonal sixteen-year-old on the planet?”
He chuckles. “Not even then.”
“I’m going to miss you,” I whisper, my eyes welling with tears.
“You’ll be busy with school and work and starting your life with Rome.”
“I’ll still miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” He hugs me tightly.
“Everything okay?”
I look up to find Rome standing in the doorway watching us.
“Yeah. All good.” Bodi lets me go and stands up. “Looks like I’m going to Atlanta.”
Rome is quiet for a beat, and then his eyes widen. “Oh, wow. They’re taking you in the draft! Are you okay?”
“I’m still a little shellshocked,” Bodi admits. “I really didn’t think they’d want…me. I haven’t been playing in the NHL long.”
“Obviously, they saw something they liked.” Rome holds out his hand. “Congratulations.”
Bodi hesitates but then shakes it. “Thanks. Uh, the lease here is up in August. If you’re going to keep the place, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll inform the management company we’re moving out.”
Rome glances at me. “What do you think, babe? You want to stay here or get a one-bedroom somewhere?”
“Can we decide when we get back from Paris?” I ask, getting to my feet. “I’m not finished packing, and I can’t think about anything else right now.”
“Yeah, no worries.” Bodi waves us off. “Go do what you need to do. I have to make some calls. And have fun in Paris. I’m not going now that this happened, I have too much going on. That’s one of the phone calls I need to make. Then I’m flying down there to meet with everyone, start looking for a place to live.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask him.
He nods, one side of his mouth quirking up. “I’m fine. Go finish packing.”
I don’t think he’s as fine as he says he is, but there’s nothing I can do about the trade.
“You won’t move to Atlanta before I get back, will you?” I ask, momentarily alarmed.
He laughs. “No. I probably won’t move until the lease here is up, or right around that time.”
“Okay, then we’ll talk about the details when we get back.”
Rome and I walk back into our bedroom, and I see the sandals I was looking for peeking out from under the bed. I must have accidentally kicked them under there, so I put them in my suitcase.
“You going to be okay?” Rome asks softly, wrapping his arms around me from behind, voice close to my ear.
“It’s a little jarring, but honestly, I really don’t want to think about it until we get back from the city of love. Where I have some very romantic plans for my boyfriend.”
“Same.” He hugs me tightly.
“I’m so excited about Paris,” I whisper, not wanting Bodi to hear me.
“Me too.” He kisses the side of my face. “Now finish packing so we can get some dinner. I’ll see if Bodi wants to eat with us.”
“Okay.” I watch him go and my heart swells with happiness.
I’m a little sad that Bodi is moving to Atlanta, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise. It’s time for both of us to live our own lives, and for him to finally get over the loss of our parents. He may not admit it, but I have a feeling that one of the reasons he’s been such a playboy is because he didn’t want to get into a relationship that might complicate ours. Kind of like what happened when I met Rome.
Now maybe he’ll be free to find the same kind of love I found.
Because I’ve never been so happy.
And I want that for my brother too.
With a smile, I close my suitcase and then head downstairs where I hear the two men I love most in the world discussing dinner.
