Chapter 15 Gracie
GRACIE
I’m waiting for my best friend to say something because I just told her the big news. Although, I feel guilty for not telling her sooner, I knew she would understand. I sit cozily on her couch while I watch her reaction, which is somewhat amusing.
“P-Pregnant?” She’s definitely in shock.
“That I am.” I’m completely relaxed and feel my smile wanting to break out as I play it casual.
“And with the coach?” She’s still in disbelief, it seems.
I nod in confirmation.
“As in you and he are going to be parents.”
Staring at her blankly, I wonder how long we will go in circles. “You heard me the first time.”
She touches my knee. “How?”
“One of those annoying October storms of rain and sleet, finding shelter, and chewing on candy, you know how it goes. Then boom, a few weeks later, you learn a baby is on the way. A complete Chrismukkah miracle, right?”
“Who else knows?”
“Our parents.” As much as I want to go into every detail, I want to discuss her current situation. I refuse to make this whole conversation about me. “You know what? Let’s leave the baby talk for another time. I need a distraction, so can we talk about something else?”
“Sure. Just know that I’m here for you, and if you’re happy then so am I,” she assures me, and she means every word.
“Thanks, but you are also happy because of a certain hockey player,” I point out.
Lainey’s blush says it all. She’s completely falling for the guy she always thought she hated.
“You were watching the locker-room interviews after his game when I arrived.” There is no way I’m not calling her out on that.
And for the next twenty minutes we discuss her accidental Chrismukkah day with his family and the fact they have slept together. Tis the season. Being with Asher lately in bed, it’s different to our first night that created a baby; better.
Lainey waves her hand in front of my face. “Yoo-hoo. Earth to baby mama.”
My eyes pop out as I stall in my transport from daydreaming and re-enter the current world. “Yes?”
“I could have told you that I murdered someone and hid the body with clues for you to find to help the police, and you would have no idea.”
Shrugging a shoulder, I must admit defeat. “Okay, maybe I do need to get this whole pregnancy with the hot coach thing off my chest.”
Lainey throws her hands in the air. “Finally.”
I brush her up on my excitement, how our parents found out, and Asher’s demand that I move in with him. It’s just the one piece that I have no answer to when Lainey tries to break down what I’m feeling.
Leaning against the sofa with my feet tucked under my legs, I hold my cup of tea between my hands.
“I’d be crazy not to contemplate the future.
I curse schedules and biology for making me tired.
New Year’s Eve the team is playing an afternoon away game, but they probably won’t be back early enough. ”
Lainey is looking like a complete smartass right now, filled with glee as she both teases me and is eager to break me down.
“You love New Year’s which means perfect timing for puzzle pieces to fit together and become more logical with one another about what is happening between you two.
I can see it on your face that for anyone to be the dad, then you are very happy that it’s him. ”
Smiling to myself, I’m aware every word she says is true.
“How can I not be? I mean, maybe we had a few questionable moments, such as saying we would be only one time, or some words were not well chosen when we found out, but he is stepping up. We didn’t know one another well at all, but now we learn more every day, and it feels right.
Not only that, but I want to fuck him into next Chrismukkah. That’s a bonus.”
She chuffs a laugh. “Attraction is a bonus if you are both going to try. That’s what you are doing, right?”
“Being together? I mean, maybe we haven’t said it specifically, but everything we do leads that way.”
“Well, that’s promising.”
Searching for my sweater that I threw on the arm of the sofa, I feel confident too. “It is.” I slide on my cardigan as I stand. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to get going. There are just a few errands I need to run, and I know your son will last only so long on his tablet in his room.”
“So true.” She hops up to accompany me back to the front door, then we stop to give our usual hug goodbye. “Just give it all a chance. I think you two will be fine, and I love that for you.”
I give her a knowing look. “Someone should take their own advice.”
“Get out of here.” She grins.
We didn’t think this through. Am I just supposed to make space in the bathroom drawer for my things?
I’m at Asher’s house and figured I should unpack a few more things. He’s been bugging me that I haven’t been bringing over enough suitcases. His flight should be landing soon, which means I’m alone here to fend for myself. But without direction, I’m trying to skirt around boundaries.
“Meh.” I shrug and claim a drawer on the right. He’ll have to get used to my boldness. Swooping up all of his hotel shampoos, I throw them to the ground; I’ll sort it out later. I place my things in the drawer that I’ve now claimed.
Whether he minds or not, I’ve come to realize that he is used to my quirks, and he hasn’t complained once. That’s a good sign for two people who maybe could be more than just parents together.
After ruffling through another drawer in his bedroom, I decide it’s time to conquer the living room.
A quick power snack and drink and I’m unpacking a bag of gold-and-silver garland that I bought. Post-Christmas means decorations are 60% off at the store, and that’s a win. The fireplace mantel is the only spot that doesn’t require tape or me standing on a ladder.
Just as I’m making the final touches of the gold wrapped with silver on the edge of the mantel, I hear the door open, and my heart lifts. It’s excitement.
“Hey, I’m he—” Asher is still in his suit when he stops in his tracks as he enters the living room, and he stares blankly at the fireplace. “What the hell is that?”
“Ta-da.” My hands display the garland. “A little sparkle for New Year’s. It was a little dull around here, and I love New Year’s Eve. You can get mega excited because I also got hats and noisemakers.”
The way he tuts at me is far sexier than I think he intends. “Not a fan of your glittery decorations.”
I fake a frown and silently laugh as he begins to loosen his collar.
“Don’t.” It comes out a little eager from my end.
He stops before he begins to undo a button. I’m well aware that when I stride to him that my hips sway. I’m not sure he notices, as his eyes are fixed with mine. Arriving to him, I fist his shirt and step closer, causing our bodies to be flush.
“You look good in a suit.”
“And you look good with clothes on the floor.” His voice today is deeper and dripping with sin while his hands square my hips as he pulls me tighter to his body.
He’s a wall of warmth and firmness, and it feels secure and stable, and it isn’t just a physical thing.
The way his eyes dip down and focus on my mouth, it’s clear that there is a hunger in his body, and I’m what is on the menu. It’s only confirmed as he walks me backwards, with merely a deep hum leaving his lips. The entire journey to his room he keeps me captive purely with his eyes.
He’s determined to get my clothes on the floor, that’s for sure.
When the backs of my knees hit the end of the mattress, I flop down to sitting as he towers over me, and he loosens the cuffs of his sleeves.
I should probably be stripping down to the lace on my body, but my eyes are glued to him.
Just because I don’t look away doesn’t mean I can’t assist with unbuckling his pants.
But my hands don’t get far because as soon as they touch the buckle, Asher pushes me to my back and lies next to me on his side.
Suddenly, the passionate need seems to simmer down.
“If you dragged me here only to sleep, then I need to tell you that sleeping in your bed is literally not happening,” I quip quietly.
His long finger lands on my mouth to shush me.
“Want to know something?” I nod. “You’ve invaded my thoughts.
After the game when my mind should shoot all focus toward how to improve for the next game, they went straight to you.
Your laugh, your beautiful smile, the way you can be unpredictable, your lips that taste of peaches, and the fact that being away from you does things to me. ”
“What might that be?” I whisper against his lips, entranced because it seems that we are on the same page.
“It seems I miss you and hate that I haven’t been able to keep you in my bed every night and keep you warm. The whole flight I felt heavy, and maybe that can only be described as excitement because I want you.”
Shifting to my side, I touch his face with my hand because this moment is a big step. “I should be worried that we are only feeling this because we are blinded by a baby that binds us, but it’s not that at all, is it?”
His hand follows the curve of my body up then ends with his thumb pressing against my bottom lip. “It’s not. We seem to be right for one another. You actually make me a little less uptight, and that’s pure mystical powers that only you seem to have.”
I glance away, only for Asher to guide my chin and gaze back to him. “I’m not going to deny nor debate your observation. You and I have eased into one another, two strong-willed people, and that can backfire for some, but… I don’t think it will for us. I don’t want to ignore it.”
His face is filled with the tenacity that he is known for. “We’re not going to. I’m not sure this is us even trying to be something. We just walked right into us, and we don’t even need to try.”
I feel like I’m glowing as bliss fills my lungs. “I want this.” My conviction is strong as a vow.
“Me too.”
He brushes his lips over mine, almost shy, afraid to break a spell between us. But finally, he kisses me with firmness, unhurried.