12. Matt
MATT
The next two weeks fly by, and Shay and I have found a new groove in our relationship. But we’ve been so busy, and the Patriots have given us a hell of a fight, so there hasn’t been time to even think about anything besides the game.
We’re up in the series, winning two games to one loss. But now we’re heading back into their arena for our next match-up. We really need to win game four and secure our lead, going into, hopefully, the final game of the series.
When we land in Philadelphia, the guys have plans to have takeout delivered to the hotel and watch a movie in one of our rooms—something we used to do more often during away games a couple of years ago.
Thankfully, we all decide on one of my favorite places here—Arly’s. So, I’m a happy camper with a rumbling stomach when Alec leaves to meet the delivery driver downstairs in the hotel lobby.
JD kicks my foot, shaking my entire leg that’s resting on the mattress. We’re both lying on one of the queen beds in the room, Costy and Burnsy in the other. Kos might have to sit on the floor during the movie.
Turning my head, I find a shit-eating grin on his face. “So, Matty boy, got anything to share with the class?”
I don’t have to look at the other side of the room to know the other two are carefully listening in. Although I don’t know what JD expects me to say.
“Nope.” I pop the P, turning back to the TV.
Burnsy groans audibly. “Oh, come on, Matt! We already know about you and your girlfriend.”
I scoff, probably too quickly. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Now it’s Costy who laughs. “And I don’t have a wife.”
“And I don’t have the world’s biggest dick.” JD chuckles. “Great. Now that we’ve played the opposite game, can you fuck off and tell us the truth?”
Shit. They’re really not going to drop this, are they?
“I’m sorry, nothing to say.”
“You’re fine if I set your new coach up with a friend of mine then?” JD asks almost immediately.
My head whips his way, words at the ready to tell him he’s about to find my foot up his ass, but I see a smirk on his stupid fucking face and stop myself.
“I hate you. All of you,” I groan, plopping back down on the pillow.
“No, you don’t.” Burnsy laughs and launches a pillow at me from his bed.
I catch it and tuck it between my legs, giving my hips good elevation as I turn on my side to face them.
Burnsy and Costy are sitting up and waiting, matching JD’s impatient expression. For God’s sake.
“She’s not my girlfriend. We are strictly coach and player. Maybe friends.”
“That’s what she said?” JD pushes.
I nod. “Yep.”
“And what do you want?” Burnsy asks, prodding further.
“For this conversation to be over.” I grin.
They all argue at once.
“Nope.”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
Closing my eyes, I pull the pillow from my legs and tuck it in my arms, squeezing it for comfort. “I want whatever she’s willing to give me. That’s all I want.”
“While that’s honorable”—Jensen pauses—“that’s not a real answer.”
“I’m fine exactly how we are,” I add, truly unsure of what to say.
But I don’t have a real answer. I haven’t let myself think about it for long enough to even wonder what anything but our current situation would look like. And I’m scared to start.
The lock opening on the door kills the conversation, thankfully, as Alec and Luca burst in like the Kool-Aid Man with arms full of takeout bags.
“Let’s go, boys! Dinner of champions!”
Thankfully, the guys don’t push it further, turning their attention to the food and their growling stomachs. Eventually, the room is quiet as ever, aside from the TV playing the start of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Before we know it, we’re all full and quietly watching our movie.
Costy’s the first to pass out, and Burnsy is damn near cuddling him by the time we reach halfway through the movie. JD heads back to his room shortly after that, and I’m behind him a few minutes later.
Strolling down the hallway, I get a craving for something sweet, so instead of walking farther down the hallway to my room with Huang, I hop in the elevator and head to the lobby to get a treat.
The place is almost eerily quiet as I step onto the ground floor and make my way to the Stop Shop. Thankfully, they’re still open, and I quickly find my go-to treat—Reese’s Cups. Since I’m here, I also grab a Gatorade and a backup pack of Reese’s Cups, just in case.
“Excuse me,” I murmur, bumping into someone behind me as I grab my bag of goodies and turn away from the register.
I swear my soul somehow knows it’s her before my gaze drinks her in.
Shay.
There she is, in an outfit I’ve certainly never seen her in.
Taking a moment to fully drink her in, I do something I probably shouldn’t. But apparently, that seems to be my thing when I’m around her.
She’s wearing a set of matching satin pajamas—a short-sleeved top and wide-legged bottoms that hug her thighs. I’d hate for her to turn around right now. I might pass out if I see her ass in those.
My gaze devours her from head to toe and back up to the top few unbuttoned buttons, giving me the tiniest glimpse at her full chest.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I ask her.
She looks up, just now registering who’s in front of her. Her eyes are clouded over, like she was miles away until I spoke to her. But the fog clears, and she blinks it away, only for it to be instantly replaced with a wave of vulnerability.
“Oh, hey,” she murmurs before glancing down at the stash of goodies in her hand. “Yeah. Something like that.”
“Me neither,” I tell her as she checks out with the clerk.
I should walk away and head back to my room. There doesn’t need to be a formal goodbye or a pleasantry. I wouldn’t be waiting around if it were any other coach. So, why her?
A dumb question. I’m aware of that. Evidently, I just like playing this game with myself.
Collecting her bag, she digs the Snickers out and holds it, not planning on letting it survive the trek back to her room.
She turns to me, her eyes slowly drifting up my torso, slower than it should. “Reese’s Cups, huh? I don’t know why I didn’t take you to be a chocolate lover.”
I scoff, grabbing my chest like I’m offended. “I’ll have you know that chocolate is my favorite food group.”
She rolls her eyes. “Chocolate isn’t a food group, you nut.”
I force my face down, deadpan and blank. “Did you just call me a nut?”
She giggles, a soft snort breaking loose. Immediately, her hand covers her mouth, another giggle following as she realizes the sound came out of her.
Her eyes twinkle as she looks up at me, lowering her hand and revealing two round cheeks painted the prettiest shades of pink. “I sure did. What are you going to do about it, nut boy?” Her tongue slowly wets her bottom lip, the smallest furrow forming between her brows.
“That’s got to be your worst insult yet.” I chuckle.
Her lips twitch, fighting her smile. “Shut up.”
I have the instinct to tell her to make me, but I refrain.
God, she looks good. But that’s the annoying part. She looks good in everything she wears. In a suit. In a sweatshirt or hoodie. Jeans. Joggers. There isn’t a thing this girl can’t pull off. And every new outfit seems to become my favorite.
Fuck. I’m losing my mind for her. And I’m getting really goddamn impatient. I want the Cup more than I want to breathe. Before it’s too late, I want to show my dad that I’ve achieved my dreams, ones he’s cheered on since the day I was born.
It never mattered what I wanted to be; he was there, my mom at his side, cheering me on. I’ve always wanted a love like theirs, unconditional and strong, able to withstand even the hardest storms. That’s what I want with Shay.
There’s no denying the way I feel about her. Even I can’t ignore it anymore. Clearly, the guys are noticing it too. I just want to know what’s holding her back because I know she feels it too. It’s clear in the way she looks at me, in the way her body responds to me whenever I’m near.
With a quick swipe, I steal her Snickers bar from its place, now tucked in her arm. I turn on my heel and race away, heading to the first sitting area I see—a lounge area with a cozy real fireplace.
“Hey! Wait!” she whisper-shouts after me. “Matt!”
Slamming to a halt next to the sitting area, I spin around fast, and she crashes right into my chest with a grunt. My arm’s around her instantly, securing her safely in place, her waist pinned to mine.
The room fades away, not a single noise, aside from the heaviness of our breaths. We’re both fit athletes who have good stamina. But I’ve never been more out of breath than I am right now with my fingers melting into her side and her eyes upturned and needy.
For a moment, everything in the world disappears. It’s just us, and right now, I think that’s all I’ll ever need.
Gradually, a millimeter at a time, I lower my head, dropping it to her forehead. I don’t care if someone sees us, and she’s not backing away either. Inhaling deeply, I shudder as her scent anchors itself to my heart.
“Shay.” My whisper falls to her lips, and she inhales it sharply with a trembling breath, her hands tightening on my arms.
Without a word, her head starts to shake, slower at first but picking up pace as she finds the will to step out of my embrace. “W-we can’t.”
My nostrils flare with an exhale, my brows pinching together as I step back and cross my arms, trying to put any barrier between us so I don’t break every rule. “I … I know, Shay. Fuck, I’m sorry. I can't help it when I’m around you sometimes. I can’t think clearly.”
Stepping toward me, she reaches her hand out, and my heart somersaults in my chest.
Yes, yes, touch me, anywhere you want.
“I’ll take that.” She purses her lips, smirking as she yanks the Snickers bar from my hand, which I completely forgot I was holding. “Thank you very much.”
“Rude,” I scold her. “Finders keepers.”
“Losers weepers,” she teases me like we’re two kids on a playground.
“Really?” I laugh. “Losers weepers? What are you, twelve?”
“Screw you, MacArthur.” Something about the way she says my last name has me wanting to drop to a knee and give it to her.