Chapter 28
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Well, Miles was absolutely, utterly, undoubtedly fucked.
Surrounded by the entire Bailey family, he was supposed to act like he didn’t feel a damn thing for Indigo. How was he supposed to do it? Especially as she walked up the stairs to the VIP box, wearing Romeo Quinn’s jersey paired with a short skirt and knee-high boots.
She was talking to one of the New York Nightingales’ marketing managers, her signature, beautiful smile plastered to her lips.
Miles forgot about the drink he had brought to his lips when their gazes collided. Her eyes were full of mirth and mischief, yet he had to keep his poker face on. Had to pretend like he didn’t want to pull her into his arms and whisper in her ear that she belonged right there.
The woman Indy was talking to left, and Indy walked up to her parents who were chatting with Henry.
Miles felt content to be in the company of these people, cheering on his best friends who were warming up. Perhaps one day he could bring Charlie, Thiago, and Rowan along with their girlfriends to a game and let his two worlds collide.
“Is there something you’re not telling me, Miles?”
Realising his perusal had lingered on Indy’s beaming smile, he tightened his jaw and glared at Kai, whose gaze was settled on the ice rink below.
Romeo’s face appeared on the jumbotron as he was passing the puck to one of his teammates, eliciting roars from the crowd. Miles smiled at the sight of his friend—the captain of the New York Nightingales and one of the best forwards in the league—who had worked so hard to earn this position.
“So you’re not going to answer?” Kai asked then. “Deny or confirm anything?”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, Malakai.”
Kai snorted. “ Ouch . Full name and all? You must be extra grouchy today. Anyway, how’s it going with my sister?”
“What?”
“How’s the whole roommate thing going?”
For a second, he thought Kai knew about their date, the late nights, the secret touches, but how? Photos had been circulating all over the internet for months—rumours, but still. It was a mystery why Kai hadn’t confronted him yet.
“I like her,” he confessed, slipping his free hand in the pocket of his jeans. “Living with her, I mean. She’s less messy than you, even though she’s pure chaos walking on sunshine. We have dinner together when we’re not travelling. I cook for her, and she makes the most delicious desserts. I bought her painting at the auction a couple of weeks ago—yeah, you already know that—and we hung it up in the living room above the sofa. She loves taking Rosie on walks. She brings Teddy breakfast every time she goes to the farmer’s market.”
Indy truly belonged there. With him. And that was all that mattered to him.
In a short amount of time, she had made his penthouse a home, her own heart a safe place for him, allowing him to carve his name in the organ and giving him the power to shatter or protect it. Still, he needed to convince himself that she wasn’t leaving. He needed to give her a reason to stay.
“Say it.”
“Say what?” That he was utterly obsessed with Indy? No fucking way. He didn’t want to tell Kai just yet.
“Admit that I was right. Living and being friends with Indy has brought nothing but positivity into your life.”
“Go fuck yourself. I’d rather have a puck thrown in my face than ever admit I was wrong.”
Aside from the amusement sparkling in Kai’s gaze, there was a softer emotion gleaming there. He nodded, clearing his throat. “Glad it all worked out, though.”
“She’s giving me grey hair,” Miles continued, chuckling. “Shoes all around the foyer. Clothes scattered here and there. But I know that she’s dyslexic, and it appears that it can cause her to be disorganised. That’s what I read when I did my research.”
And truth was, Miles liked her messy side.He liked every version of her—he wouldn’t have her any other way.
Kai paused. “She told you about her dyslexia?”
“Yes. I’ve been helping her out with her work. Bought her a couple of audiobooks I sent to her phone, too.”
Raw surprise was drawn onto his best friend’s face. Kai blinked, then blew out a breath, slowly nodding to himself. “Wow. Okay. Cool. Cool. Cool.”
“You’re being weird.”
“No, I’m totally fine. I’ll be back. Need a refill.”
Miles glanced down. “Your glass is full.”
Kai downed his beer. “Is it?”
Sometimes Miles genuinely wondered why he was best friends with Malakai Bailey.
“How are you doing, my love?”
Miles instantly smiled at Lisa when she took a seat by his side. She offered him some popcorn which he gratefully grabbed a handful of.
The second period was about to end, and the Nightingales had scored two goals, both assists from their captain, Romeo. Ezra was currently in the penalty box, his busted lip being tended to.
“I’m good,” he answered. “How about you?”
“I’m doing amazing! I have so many projects which I’m excited about. Thank you for inviting us to the Grand Prix, by the way. I love seeing you behind that steering wheel and captivating the entire track with your skills and speed.”
“Don’t make me cry, Lisa,” he grumbled through the lump of emotion that had formed in his throat.
“I’m just telling the truth. Seeing you go through all that shit, and watching you grow into this inspiring man… You’re breaking records, and I’m so happy to be able to see you succeed.”
Miles may not have a mother, but Lisa Bailey had always been a motherly figure to him. And Zach, who’d become Henry's best friend through the years, was akin to an uncle for Miles.
As Miles was about to voice his gratitude to Lisa, voices boomed from the other side of the room. He turned towards the source of disturbance, chuckling under his breath at the sight of Indy and Kai standing and throwing their arms in the air.
“Ref!” Indy shouted. “That’s bullshit!”
“Yeah!” Kai bellowed. “That’s a penalty shot, bro!”
They started screaming profanities, and Miles shook his head whilst laughing.
Lisa nudged his side, and he realised he had been staring at the stunning blonde for a few beats too long. “Indy is not making your life a misery, is she?”
“Never. She’s truly incredible. Fun. Makes life exciting in a way I didn’t know could be possible.” The words had escaped of their free will, but he didn’t regret confessing to Lisa.
There was a knowing gleam in the woman’s eyes. “You like her, don’t you?”
He took a breath in, looking back over to where Indy stood with her hands on her hips, an aggravated expression on her face. He’d continue to lie to Kai, but the truth could never be hidden from Lisa. “She makes me want to be better. I haven’t felt this way in forever, and there’s just something about her that makes me want to stay, grow, be alive. So to answer your question, yeah, I really do. There’s this consistency about her that keeps me grounded. I love that she always lifts others up, and I admire her so much for that. She pours her heart into everything she does, and it’s mind-blowing how gentle her soul is. She’s a fighter—she doesn’t look down or turn around, she just does everything with her head held high and, honestly, Lisa, she just renders me speechless.”
“Miles… For someone who can’t find the words to say, you know exactly how to describe what you feel for my daughter.” Lisa smiled, then stood up. She kissed the crown of Miles’ head, whispering, “Thank you for taking care of my baby. She needs someone like you in her life. You keep this wild girl grounded.”
But did Lisa know that Indy was his anchor, too?
“Stop staring at my ass and answer my question.”
Miles blinked, darting his gaze upwards to find Indy’s. He shrugged sheepishly as he followed her into the crowded pub, unable to control himself from looking again at her backside hugged by this tiny thing she called a skirt. What he hated most, though, was Romeo’s name displayed on her back like she belonged to him, or something.
“But you’re so beautiful to look at.”
She scoffed. “You’re lucky I like you. So? Do you want something to drink?”
He waved her off. “Just whatever you’re getting for yourself is fine with me.”
Indy didn’t drink alcohol in his presence anymore, but still, she taunted him by saying, “I’m getting the girliest drink, then.”
He made sure his annoyed groan could be heard through the loud bass of the music. “What have I done to deserve this? I hate you.”
Halting and pivoting, she faced him, and his chest nearly came in contact with hers. She lifted a brow in defiance. God, didn’t the devilish glint shimmering in her gaze and that smirk dancing on the corner of her lips turn him on.
She fisted his shirt and pulled him towards her. “Hate sex? Yes, please.”
“Indy,” he warned, looking behind her shoulder to where Kai had sat down.
“I dare you.”
Then, she left, squeezing between dancing patrons to access the bar.
Rubbing his tense jaw, Miles observed the steady sway of her hips as she walked towards the booth he was sitting in, Romeo in tow with drinks in both hands.
Miles hadn’t listened to a single word Kai said. Instead, he’d watched Indy and Romeo talk as they waited for their beverages to be served, standing close to one another due to the lack of space around them. At one point, Indy had engulfed Romeo in a tight hug, and even after separating, he’d kept his arm looped around her shoulders. What the fuck had he said to make her laugh so loudly?And why the hell was his pulse thrumming any time he would glance at the jersey clinging to her chest?
Then, Miles had watched a woman come up to Indy and ask for a photo. She looked so emotional that he felt his chest tighten with pride.
Now, as she slid into the booth and was forced to sit in his lap—thanks to half of the hockey team hogging the space—Miles looped an arm around her waist, placing his chin atop her shoulder.
There was just something about touching her that he loved so thoroughly.
She was his anchor. His steadiness in an ocean rattled by reckless waves.
She was his favourite place. His getaway.
“Hi, stud.”
He smiled, then glanced at Kai who was busy showing something on his phone to Ezra. Neither of them were paying attention to their surroundings, but it was only a matter of time until Kai would notice where Indy was sitting.
“Hey,” he murmured. “What was that about?”
She leaned forward to snatch a mozzarella stick from the table. Miles suppressed a grunt as she rubbed herself on him. It was already an effort not to let the blood rush south, but he was fairly certain that she was provoking him. “Please be more specific, darling.”
Kai looked up, frowning. “Jesus fuck. Get a room. Wait. No, don’t do that, but why are you sitting on Miles, Ind?”
“Do you want me to sit on Ezra?” she retorted, causing Miles to pinch her hip.
“I’m not opposed to that.” Ezra bristled dramatically when he met Miles’ cold glare.
“Nah,” Kai said, looking back down at his phone. “You’re a player. I’m not letting my sister near you.”
“Well, damn. For the record, I don’t sleep around that much anymore.”
“Since you met your new neighbour, right?” Indy asked, smiling teasingly.
“What? Who?” Miles asked in unison with Kai.
Ezra blushed furiously. “Doesn’t matter. She’s got a boyfriend.”
Okay, Miles really needed to catch up with his friends.
“Well, shit.”
When Kai and Ezra were back to minding their business, Miles leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “You want me to ask about Romeo, don’t you? You want me to tell you how much it’s pissing me off to see another man’s hands on you? How I’m fuming inside at the thought of someone else touching you?”
She tensed at the sound of his low voice, and Miles took the opportunity to drag her backwards into his chest.
His hand slid up her bare thigh, her breath hitching at the contact. “You want me to tell you how much I hate seeing you wear his jersey?”
“Huxley.” Her voice was strangled. “Come on, have some self-respect.”
He huffed out a dry laugh, applying pressure on her leg. “You’re such a brat.”
“I’m loving the compliment.” She turned to him, smiling. “What are you going to do about it?”
She could probably feel him growing, right?
Oh, she could. Because she started moving, pretending to make herself more comfortable before leaning forward to grab her glass.
Holding her hips, he forced her to stay sill. “Damn it, Indy. Don’t move.”
“Why?” She blinked, feigning innocence.
“You know why,” he gritted out. “I’ve been trying my hardest to be a gentleman all night long, and I’m not going to drag you into the washroom. So please, just stay still until we have to leave.”
“Are you still going to be a gentleman when we get back to the hotel?”
His temper sparked, and his jaw tightened. “Only good girls get rewarded.”
She nodded, her pulse racing beneath his fingers when he pushed her hair away from her neck. “Okay.”
“Do you want to get out of?—”
“Okay, I can’t do this anymore,” Kai snapped, frowning at them. The confusion and frustration in his eyes made Miles’ stomach bottom out, guilt consuming his senses for still not saying the truth to his best friend. “What’s going on between you two?”
“Are you aware they’ve been flirting right under your nose?” Ezra commented around a mouthful of nachos.
“What the fuck?!”
“Kai’s face was epic.”
Unable to contain his laughter, Miles tucked her into his side as they walked towards the hotel’s entrance, his arm secured around her shoulders. “We need to stop fucking with him.”
“But he really believed that you were in love with me,” she countered, still smiling widely.
Why, do you think, would Kai believe that? Perhaps because of the way Miles had clung to her the entire evening. That he only talked to her.
He tensed, knots forming inside his throat. As he opened the door, he whispered, “Would that be a bad thing?”
She glanced over at him, shrugging. “Kai’s a good guy. He would just want me to be happy.”
“So would I.” He found her hand, interlacing their fingers together. They’d walked from the pub to the hotel, laughing and holding hands as if the world didn’t matter.
“Are you going to tell him? The truth about us?”
His heartbeat sped up. “I will one day. Just let me have you for myself for a while longer, okay?”
She squeezed his hand. “Okay.”
“I had your bags moved into my room,” he announced as they stepped inside the lift.
“Why?” She turned around slowly, lifting a perplexed eyebrow.
“You know exactly why,” he murmured huskily, looking at her full lips. “We wouldn’t have made it to your room. You would have begged to spend the night tangled in my bed sheets.”
The salacious gleam in her eyes made his breath hitch. He backed her up until she was against the wall, her hands fisting the front of his shirt. God, he couldn’t wait to rip that fucking jersey off of her and replace it with one of his own—well, at least with team merch that had his name on it. “Doubtful.”
“Can I change your mind in”—he glanced at the numbers going up. They were already on the fourth floor, and their room was on the fifteenth—“less than thirty seconds?”
Challenge flashed in her eyes, and she gave him that seductive smile that made him more aroused than ever. “I dare you.”