Chapter 29
TALLY
Fee holds up a slinky blue number I bought on a whim and have never had the confidence to wear. “Pack this.”
Cammie holds up a pale blue demi-cup. “And this!”
I have modest cleavage, and the bra in question accentuates everything nicely, but I haven’t had anyone to wear it for. Until now.
“Also this!” Enid tosses a blue, mostly sheer teddy into my suitcase.
“I should also pack actual clothes that I can wear to the arena and on the plane and out for dinner.” So far, my suitcase contains only lingerie and underwear. I toss in my favorite jeans, a T-shirt, a hoodie, and my Madden jersey (that I’ve kept hidden in my closet for years).
Fee flops down on my bed next to pillow Flip. “Your boyfriend is flying you out to his hockey game. It’s so romantic.”
“He’s so into you…” Cammie smiles dreamily.
“One day I hope someone is this into me.” Enid looks wistful.
Cammie, Fee, and I say nothing. People see what they want to see when they’re ready.
“You must be so excited!” Cammie does a full-body shimmy. “Post-game hotel sex is the best!”
“He hasn’t touched me,” I blurt. I can’t keep this to myself anymore. Not when Cammie believes Flip and I will be having swing-from-the-rafters sex in Montreal.
The girls go silent.
Cammie’s lips push out in confusion. “But he had his arm around you the whole time we were out for brunch the other day.”
“I mean touched me.” I point to my chest and crotch to clarify.
All three sets of eyes go wide.
“But, but…it’s Flip.” Cammie is appropriately mystified.
It’s legit. Flip’s reputation precedes him.
I wring my hands, all the anxiety over this trip finally coming to a head.
I’m excited to see him, but I’m also so, so nervous.
I miss him. I can’t wait to spend time with him, both inside and out of our hotel room.
The phone sex we had last night was next-level hot, but it will be different when we’re together.
I’m already so enamored with him. It’s terrifying to have these huge feelings that are new, and something I’ve never navigated before.
“He wants to take it slow,” I explain. “Which is like…the opposite of all the other guys I’ve dated.”
“That’s so sweet,” Enid whispers.
“Like the sweetest,” Cammie agrees.
“Right? And I love it.” I sit down on the bed and cross my legs. “But it’s scary, too.”
“What makes it scary?” Fee asks.
I jiggle the Flip bobblehead he sent me to make him nod. “All we’ve done so far is dry hump—”
Cammie’s brows pull together. “Like fully clothed and just…rubbing on each other?”
I nod and swallow thickly.
“It’s so hot, right?” Fee jumps in.
“It was so hot. And Flip has these moves that are just.” I make a mind-blown gesture. “But it wasn’t just about how hot he is or how good his moves are.” I wrinkle my nose. “I’m not explaining this well.”
“It’s the connection you share,” Cammie offers.
“Yes! That’s it. Like he was so focused on me. It was probably one of the most intense orgasms of my life.”
“Amen, sister.” Fee holds up her hand for a high five.
“All the eye contact, and the things he says, it’s more than that, though. It’s the chemistry, but also all the nice things he does for me, too. It’s like…he’s my dream boyfriend and he’s already exceeding all my expectations, but what if I can’t meet his?” How did I get in this spiral?
Cammie tips her head. “Did he get off during the dry hump, too?”
I hold up my pinkie. “This stays in this room.”
They all swear on our tiniest finger.
“He did.”
“With no touching,” Cammie confirms.
“Just through-the-clothes friction. But to be fair, he was the one doing all the work,” I confide.
“But he wouldn’t have come if he wasn’t attracted to you, right?” Enid asks.
“Guys are built a little differently, but Flip was definitely into it,” I reply. “And me.”
Enid tips her head. “Built differently how?”
“They can be erect, and even ejaculate, but not be into what’s going on,” I explain.
She pales. “Oh.”
“But that obviously was not the case with Flip,” I assure her.
“Of course he was into it and you.” Enid nods emphatically.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She waves a hand in the air and smiles, but it looks a little off. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh huh. I think if you both got off with a dry hump, he’s super hot for you. I mean, Flip Madden came in his pants for you, Tally.”
“I just want to be able to give him what he needs. This is the first time I’ve ever been this into someone,” I admit. “And it scares me.”
All three of them wrap their arms around me and tell me it’s going to be okay.
“Are you falling for him?” Cammie asks.
I bite my lip and nod. “I think so. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and he’s connected to all my friends, and my dad’s team. There’s just so much at stake, and now he’s flying me out to a game and it feels so real.”
“It’s big, isn’t it?” Fee rubs my back.
“We’ve been in this bubble and that will break tonight. Once the media sees us together, the speculation will start. All I’ve ever wanted was to be his and now I am, and I’m afraid of how things will change once we’re out in the open.” I don’t want the pressure to be too much.
As if he can sense me talking about him, my phone buzzes with a call.
“It’s him.”
“You got this. We will be here on the other side of this trip for whatever you need. Please, have fun.” Cammie hugs me.
Enid and Fee join in and then they file out of my room as I answer the call.
“Hey, kitten.”
“Hi.”
“How you doing? Are you heading to the airport soon?”
“Rix and Dred are picking me up in fifteen.” I’m so grateful I’m flying with them.
“I can’t wait for you to get here. Not long now and I’ll get to hug you.”
“I’m really looking forward to that.” Just being close to him will make me feel better, I’m sure of it.
“Did you talk to your dad?”
“Yeah. He’s taking me for lunch when I arrive.” I couldn’t fly out to a game and not spend time with Dad.
“That’s good. Are you looking forward to it, or are you stressing?”
I laugh. “Why are you such a mood reader?”
“Because I know how hard it’s been for you and him lately. I’m glad you’re spending some time with him, though.”
“I know. I can’t repair the relationship by avoiding him.”
“No, you can’t. And I’ll be ready to provide all the stress relief you need after the game tonight,” he assures me.
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart, kitten.” His tone softens. “I can’t wait to snuggle you all night.”
“I’m really excited about that, too.” To be spooned to sleep by him and wake up in his arms is the dream, even if I’m scared of how much deeper my feelings for him will become once I’ve had those experiences.
He clears his throat. “We might go out after the game, which means photos will likely be taken.”
“I packed a going out dress.” I wheel my suitcase down the hall. “The media will know we’re dating after tonight.”
Parsnip rushes off, probably to hide under my bed. He hates the sound of luggage.
“They will.” I can sense Flip’s nerves, and they match my own. “Are you ready for that?”
“I am if you are,” I reply.
“I am.” He’s quiet for a moment. “I just don’t want to add more stress to your life. We can talk through a game plan when you get here.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“I can’t wait.”