11. Nash
Walking into the office this evening feels like stepping into a shitstorm, and I can instantly feel the tension coiling around me like a noose as soon as I cross the threshold.
“Uh-oh, not this again,” Nora calls out from across the room, her eyes sharpening with that knowing look only a sister would have. “Follow me.” Before I can even think about protesting, she strides toward her office, ignoring my grunt of irritation. She leaves no room for argument, so I fall in line behind her.
As she slams the door shut behind us, the sound reverberates in the cramped space. “What’s wrong?” she demands, folding her arms.
“Nothing,” I snap, though I know it’s complete bullshit. I lean back against the wall, running a hand through my hair. “Everything’s fucking perfect.”
Nora raises an eyebrow, unimpressed by my bravado. “Cut the crap, Nash. I know you better than that. This has to do with Leni, doesn’t it?”
My chest knots at the mere mention of her name. “She got an offer to work with the Devils Hockey team.”
“Well, that’s great. You should be celebrating. Why do you look like someone just kicked your puppy?”
Great. Now, I feel even crazier. “I’m just… I’m having a hard time with the idea of her working on athletes, alright?” Spilling my guts to my twin hurts my soul. “I can’t stand the thought of her touching other men.”
Nora rolls her eyes incredulously. “You’re a moron, you know that?”
“What?” I shoot back, my frustration brewing. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I’m on your side when you aren’t being clueless.” Nora stares at me through narrowed eyes. “Leni didn’t let the fact that you help people end their relationships every day stop her from falling for you,” she points out, urgency drilling into her words.
“That’s not the same!” I bark, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I don’t touch other women.”
“Let me ask you this. Did Leni do anything inappropriate when she gave you your first massage?” she interrogates, her tone sharp as a knife.
Has my sister lost her goddamn mind? “Hell no!” I answer, pissed she’d even consider such a thing. “What kind of stupid question is that?”
“Then why do you think she would do something wrong with these athletes?” She’s leaning into the conversation now, challenging me, and I can feel the tension swirling.
I know she wouldn’t cross that line with them. I know she respects boundaries. “I know she wouldn’t ever betray me,” I admit, the truth crashing down around me.
Nora looks at me like I’m some clueless idiot. “Then you just answered your own question.”
The realization washes over me like a cold shower, and for a brief moment, I find myself grasping at the edge of clarity. Leni is fiercely independent, and I love that about her. She’s capable and self-assured, and she can handle herself. Goddamn it. That doesn’t make the jealousy simmering in my gut any easier to swallow, but I’ll have to learn to deal with it because giving up Leni isn’t an option.
“I’m a fucking moron.” The truth fucking hurts.
“Yep,” Nora snorts. “I’ll take care of the Andersons’ meeting so you can get home and fix this before you lose the one woman on earth who’s willing to put up with your ornery ass.”
Fuck. My sister is right. Leni is everything to me and I wouldn’t survive losing her.
I rush through the door of Leni’s apartment, the weight of the world pressing down on me like a heavy fog. My gut twists as I think about my last conversation with her. I knew I’d screwed up, and now I was facing the fallout. The familiar warmth of the place feels cold as I step inside and see her sitting on the sofa, Boo curled up and purring against her leg.
“Hey,” I say, my voice coming out too low and uncertain. Leni glances up, and the moment her eyes meet mine, I can tell she’s fucking pissed. I’m ashamed of my earlier behavior. Guilt washes over me and I want to kick my own ass.
Her expression is a mixture of disappointment and annoyance. The tension between us has thickened like a dark storm cloud. “You’re home early,” she states, crossing her arms defensively.
“I’m a moron.” No use beating around the bush. I step into her space, the air between us heavy. “I reacted like a jealous idiot, and I’m really fucking sorry, Leni.”
She bites her lip, and I can tell she’s holding back her feelings as she searches my eyes for sincerity. “It isn’t just about the stupid offer,” she finally says, her voice steady but laced with disappointment. “It’s about you not trusting me.”
“Trust you?” I repeat, the urgency of her statement knocking the breath from my lungs. “I trust you with my heart and soul.” I pull her close, and when she doesn’t resist, the suffocating band around my chest loosens a little bit.
She takes a tiny step back as her gaze sharpens, and I can’t remember the last time she looked at me this way. I suddenly know I don’t ever want it to happen again. “Then why don’t you want me to take the job?” she shoots back, the fire in her voice unmistakable.
“Because I’m a jealous asshole who doesn’t deserve you.” I’m not sure how to explain it to her when I don’t even understand it all myself. “The Devils will be lucky to have you on their team. I want you to take the job with the hockey team,” I declare, my voice stronger than my nerves. I’ve wrestled with insecurity since our fight, but now I know I can’t hold her back. She deserves this opportunity, and damn if my jealousy should get in the way.
Her eyes widen, a mixture of surprise and joy sparking to life as she takes a step closer. “Really? You mean it?”
“Of course, I mean it,” I reaffirm, stepping forward and closing the distance between us. “You're amazing at what you do, and I support you no matter what. I want you to go for it.”
I watch as she processes my words, the tension from before easing, and I can see the way her shoulders relax. “I don’t want to lose you over a job,” she trails off, the discomfort of our earlier conversation evident.
“Leni,” I say, my tone firm but gentle, “I love you more than anything in this world. You deserve to chase your dreams, even if that includes working with those hockey players or whoever else. I won’t ever hold you back.”
Her smile blossoms, lighting up her face and melting the remnants of my doubts. “You really mean that?”
“Absolutely,” I insist, reaching out to cup her cheek with one hand, running my thumb along her jawline. There’s a warmth spreading through me, an overwhelming sense of relief and affection. “I want you to take that job and kick ass with it. If some jock gives you trouble, he’s going to have to answer to me. But I know you can handle yourself.”
A giggle escapes her, bright and light, and I notice the way her eyes sparkle with warmth and love. “Don’t worry, I can do the ass-kicking myself if someone wants to be difficult.”
“I already know that,” I concede, keeping my tone playful but letting the sincerity slip through.
“I love you, too,” she finally says, locking her gaze with mine. The sincerity in her voice sends a rush of warmth through me that has nothing to do with lust and everything to do with that emotional tether holding us together.
“So, we’re good?” I ask, diving deeper into those eyes that have been driving me up the wall since the day I met her. As long as I have her, I can deal with anything the universe throws my way.
“We’re more than good,” she replies, her voice soft yet sure. “We’re perfect.”
That simple declaration sends a rush of warmth through me, deeper than anything I’ve felt before. I’m ready for this adventure with her, ready to dive into the chaos, to embrace everything that comes with loving Leni.
“Perfect it is, then.” I plant a firm kiss on her lips, savoring the sweetness and solidifying the moment in my heart, knowing that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we’re in this together, and I won’t let anything tear us apart.