Chapter 25
. . .
Will
Mom’s been talking for the past few minutes, and I haven’t heard a word that she’s said.
All I can think about is last night and this morning.
Drew’s beautiful, naked body laid out beneath me, her soft moans, parted lips. The way she gazed up at me in the shower when I reminded her that she was the only woman I’d ever chased. I wasn’t sure she believed me. This morning, I knew the truth finally resonated with her.
There is no doubt in my mind that while we might be opposites in many ways, we fit together—in and out of the bedroom—so fucking perfectly.
Unlike Drew, I’m not scared of getting caught hooking up, although I totally get why she’s hesitant to risk us being found out.
I’m not idiotic enough to not know that, in the eyes of the public, her career is more dispensable than my own, but what Drew hasn’t quite grasped is that I will literally do anything to protect her and everything she has worked for.
She deserves to be the highest flyer in her field, and I know she will be one day.
When I turned pro, I felt bitter toward the team I’d been drafted to, but mainly, I felt lost because the Rogues wasn’t where I’d always imagined I’d end up.
If I’m ever going to lift the Cup, it will be a long-ass time before this team is ready to do it.
My teammates are good players, but much is missing from our setup.
Coach Callaghan is likely thinking the same thing as he sits next to Drew and spoons shrimp risotto into his mouth.
There’s a chance he’s also wondering why I can’t stop staring at his daughter like she just hung the goddamn moon.
If only he knew that she had rocked my whole world last night and I plan to do the same to her when I get her back to the hotel. As soon as fucking possible.
I’ve thought about how he would react if he found out about me and Drew, and honestly, I don’t really give a fuck. What Drew’s dad thinks about me doesn’t enter my mind each time I crash my lips against hers.
Bench me.
Trade me.
He won’t do either because he needs me on the team.
Hell, tell me I’m not good enough for his princess. Even if I am.
I guess if you use my reputation as the barometer, then he’d probably be right—just ask Hallie and all the other women who wanted more and I ended up breaking their hearts.
But with Drew … I’m the one tagging along like a lovesick puppy, waiting on the next flash of her eyes and curve of her lips. The girl I stroke my dick to whenever she isn’t around.
So, no, I’m not worried about Coach finding out or how our families will react. Because for the first time since I was drafted to the NHL, I know exactly what I want.
To make Drew Callaghan happy. I’m a Jones, and when we set our minds on something, we don’t stop until we have it—or them—in our grasp.
“Will?”
Mom’s frustrated tone snaps me back into the room, and I blink a couple of times.
“Yeah?”
She drops her shoulders before repeating what I missed, thankfully.
“I was asking how often you will be expected to wear Repeet merchandise as part of the potential deal.”
Drew adjusts the collar on her green turtleneck sweater, one I know she wore to hide the legacy of my lips.
Pretty blue eyes settle on me as she says, “We still need to work out a few details in the contract. Potential collaborations are stacking up in my inbox, and the last thing Will’s agent and I want is to overcommit to one brand at the expense of something more lucrative in the future. ”
Help me, for I am hard and sitting at my parents’ dinner table.
Taking a chance that I find Drew and not Coach, I rub my sole over the top of her foot.
Drew doesn’t flinch, but does roll her lips together when we make contact.
Bingo.
She fights back a chuckle when I move my foot again.
Perhaps she’s ticklish?
Noted for later.
“If you ask me, Drew has achieved the impossible—turning my brother into a desirable person.”
“Oh, I’m desirable all right,” I say, leaning back in my chair so I can see June sitting at the end of the table. “Drew just had to peel back the layers and discover the real me.”
I can’t help it; I throw Drew a quick wink, and she scowls at me like I stole the food from her plate. Could this be our first lovers’ tiff?
I hope so. Bossy Drew is my favorite; angry Drew could surely make me come in my pants.
“You’re so gross,” June scoffs and pushes her bowl away. “I don’t know how you put up with him, Drew. You deserve a gold medal.”
From beside me, Dad points at my sister’s food. “If you aren’t going to finish that, then let me have it. Your mom worked really hard, reducing that stock into the best risotto I’ve ever tasted.”
Coach gives Mom a thumbs-up. “I second Jensen. The food is delicious, Kate.”
Mom shimmies her shoulders and refills June’s wineglass. “Thank you, Jessie. I’m only sad that Mia and Marley couldn’t make it to Brooklyn this time.”
When she stands and makes her way over to Drew with the wine bottle, my girl shakes her head. “No more wine for me, thank you. I have an early flight in the morning.”
Wait. I thought she was flying back on the team plane in the evening.
“You aren’t flying home with us?” I ask, garnering a raised brow from Coach.
I guess it is weird that I would be bothered which plane his daughter takes back to Seattle.
Drew doesn’t give me eye contact, replying, “I’m actually not heading back home, but catching a flight to Vancouver. Marley has managed to get a few days off, and I arranged a week of working remotely so I can spend some time with her.”
“Oh, that’s really great. Send her my love, will you?” Mom immediately responds when all I can do is stare at the girl who still won’t look at me.
The next few minutes pass by in a blur, June, Dad, Mom, and Coach all talking back and forth about work and plans to meet up this Christmas.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Drew says, setting her napkin on the table.
Mom points toward the hallway. “If you use the downstairs bathroom, then you can sample the latest Jo Malone soap I was telling you about earlier.”
Mind still spinning out over Drew’s surprise visit to Vancouver, I push my seat back and begin collecting plates.
“Stay seated, Mom. I got this,” I instruct, earning an appreciative grin from her and suspicious eyes from Dad.
Arms loaded with dishes, I stalk into the kitchen and set them down by the sink, waiting for the toilet to flush in the downstairs bathroom.
It feels like forever before Drew finishes up, and I’m propped against the opposite wall in the hallway, waiting for her to step out of the bathroom.
When she pulls the door open, I push off the wall and pull her back into the room, locking the door behind us.
“Will, what are you doing?” she whisper-hisses at me, eyes diverting to the door. “They’re all sitting only a few feet away, likely wondering where the both of us have gone!”
I wave a hand at her. “Have you heard my mom and sister talk? They can go at it for hours without coming up for air.”
Despite the annoyance written across Drew’s face, she snorts a soft laugh.
I pull down the neck on her sweater, lips grazing along the marks I left only hours ago.
What I wouldn’t give to leave some more.
“Are you running away from me, Baby?”
We both know I’m referring to her impromptu trip to Vancouver.
“No,” she breathes out softly. “But I do need some time to think everything over.”
She looks so freaking beautiful tonight in dark blue jeans that hug her shapely legs and a green sweater that contrasts perfectly with her bright blue eyes. Her hair is down but styled straight this time. I love the way it frames her heart-shaped face.
“I don’t understand,” I stutter out, heart rate spiking at the thought of her backtracking on what we agreed on in the shower. “Are you talking about us?”
After a beat, Drew nods her head and drops her eyes.
No fucking way. I need her to look at me when she tells me she can’t do this.
I tip her chin up with one finger. All I want to do is cover her mouth with mine and prevent the bullshit she’s about to spew.
“Firstly, there isn’t an us, Will. There never can be.
” She points in the rough direction of where our families are currently sitting.
“Secondly, speaking with your parents and June tonight has brought home how reckless we’re both behaving.
Can you imagine how wild things would be if this ever leaked to the press?
Our dads are two of the biggest names in hockey.
” She shakes her head and swipes my hand away.
“We’d be making a mockery out of their careers, as well as our own. ”
For the first time since this whole thing started between us, I don’t have an immediate solution to Drew’s doubts. I guess I never thought about it from Dad’s or Coach’s point of view.
“You’re so fucking smart, Drew. So fucking kind too.”
She cocks her head to one side. “I don’t follow.”
Setting my hands on her hips, I pull our bodies closer together.
“You’re right when you say that it would be a big deal to both of our families, although I think you forgot one thing in all of this.”
She waits for me to speak.
“My dad was never accepted by my mom’s asshole parents, and he told them to go fuck themselves anyway.” I drop my forehead against hers. “And if I remember correctly, your dad waited years for Mia’s dad to finally admit that they were meant to be together.”
Drew’s breath hitches, and I seal my mouth over hers until she breaks from me a few seconds later, chest rising and falling at an erratic rate.
“But we aren’t falling for each other like Kate and Jensen or my mom and dad were.”
Speak for yourself.
“I refuse to let what we have go. I can’t let you go, Drew.”
She presses a palm into the center of my chest and steps toward the bathroom door.
“In the end, I’m not sure we’ll have any choice, Will.
” Her eyes look regretful when she rests a hand on the door handle and tips her head over one shoulder to look at me.
“Like I said, I need some time to think everything through. I’ll see you in a few days, yeah? ”
“Yeah,” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets.
I’m fucking gutted right now, but she clearly needs space, and I have to grant her that. Pushing harder will only serve to force a girl like Drew away.
With a half smile, she steps out of the bathroom, and I wait a couple of minutes before I pull the door open and step out into the hallway, drowning in my own thoughts.
“You’re playing with fire.”
I spin around to find Dad standing at the far end of the hallway. Dressed in all black, he looks ominous as the soft lighting accentuates his salt and pepper hair.
Fuck.
“How long have you been there?” I ask.
He shrugs and moves toward me, an unreadable expression across his face. “Long enough to work out that you two were in that bathroom together. But don’t worry; Drew has no idea that I saw her leave.”
I rest my back against the wall and drop my head forward.
“What’s going on, Will?” he asks quietly.
I lift a shoulder and laugh without humor. “Do I really need to spell it out for you?”
“Are you sleeping together?”
I nod once. “Only since last night and then again this morning.”
Dad drops his head. “Jesus, son. Jessie is going to lose it if he finds out that you’re screwing around with his daughter. I’m on the edge of losing it, to be honest.”
My head snaps to him, hot rage rising up my throat. “I’m not screwing around with Drew. I—”
“You what?” Dad challenges me, taking another step in my direction. “You what, Will?”
I push my head back against the wall and stare up at the white ceiling.
“I’m falling for her, and I don’t think the feeling’s mutual. We’ve been working together a lot and—”
“Your feelings are reciprocated,” Dad cuts me off again. “The difference is, Drew is scared, and you’re already a household name in hockey.”
I let all the tension leave my body in one long exhale. It feels good to finally admit my feelings out loud and for the recipient to be someone I’ve trusted and looked up to my whole life.
“What do I do?” I ask, eyes tracking to Dad as he comes to stand in front of me, one hand resting on my right shoulder.
He cocks his head down the hallway, where Drew disappeared a few minutes earlier. “How did you guys leave it in the bathroom? Because Drew looked pretty upset when she walked out.”
The need to march into the dining room, take my girl by the hand, and tell her that I got her, no matter what happens, burns through me like wildfire.
I draw a deep breath into my lungs, knowing that would be the worst idea right now. “She told me she needs space.”
Dad nods, like that doesn’t come as a surprise. “Then that’s what you have to give her.”
“I know it is,” I respond. Irritable. “Easier said than done when I’m fucking obsessed with a girl for the first time in my life and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
He just smiles like he knows the score all too well.
“I never said there’s nothing you can do about it.” He smirks at me, creases forming around his sparkling dark eyes. “I’m just saying that you have to pick your moment and make the right move.”
I drop my shoulders. “And how will I work that one out?”
He keeps grinning. “Trust me, Will, when the time is right, you’ll make her yours. If that’s what you both really want.”
I let his words sink in for a second. “Are you going to tell Mom about this?”
Dad looks more unsure than he did before. I can tell he’s thinking about this one carefully.
“Your mother is your biggest cheerleader and will likely ream me out for keeping secrets from her.” He pulls at the back of his neck.
“But I think this particular scenario should stay between us for the time being. She’s got a lot going on at work, and she’s already stressing out over some of the shit you’ve pulled online recently. ”
I throw him an apologetic glance. “I’ve got this under control.”
He flicks his eyes at me. “I hope so. You know where I am if you need me. Just make sure you keep your feelings close to the vest this time and not out in the open for every man and his dog to comment on. You’re a Jones, Will, and I expect you to carry the name with integrity.”