Chapter Fourteen
The crowd is so into it, too, making it even better.
Easton also scored a goal, so Claire is really happy. Of course, I have to play up my excitement for Lennox’s goals as just my rooting for the whole team and not one player.
I wish sometimes I could tell my best friend about Lennox and what’s been going on. But she’d just be worried about him breaking my heart.
I sometimes even worry about that myself. I like that man far more than I should. I’m even kind of pissed now that I gave him the whole “I don’t want a relationship” talk.
What was I thinking?
Good God, maybe I do want a relationship.
I mean, would dating him exclusively be so bad?
No, not at all.
I think it actually might be kind of great.
It’s not like I’m interested in anyone else. And because we agreed to be honest about other people in our lives, I know he’s not pursuing anyone either.
Boy, is that a relief!
Why is that, Madison?
I can’t think about that now, as there are only a few minutes left in the game. At the moment, there’s a TV time-out, so the guys are just out on the ice, skating around.
Lennox flies by.
When he makes another pass, he catches my gaze and starts heading over to skate right by the glass where we’re seated.
I’m worried, but then I notice Claire is looking down, picking lint off of her leggings.
Feeling bold, I take a chance and smile at Lennox as he approaches us.
When he pivots and starts skating backward, he gives me a sly wink.
Annnd my heart just skipped a beat.
He turns around and skates away then.
It was such a simple gesture, but I’m filled with joy.
I’m just sad that I can’t grab Claire’s arm and say, “Did you see that? Isn’t he just the sweetest?”
Hmmm, what would it be like to be able to express our affection for each other in public?
Sighing, I resign myself to the fact that I’ll never know. Lennox and I are just friends who fuck around.
Nothing more, nothing less.
The game resumes, and as the minutes tick down, there’s no more scoring, despite the fact that the other team pulls their goalie.
We win, and people start standing up to clap and cheer.
But I’m down in the dumps, just sitting here in a funk.
Claire, who’s standing next to me, looks down to where I’m still seated.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her clapping slowing to a stop.
Eek, I can’t tell her the truth.
I stand quickly and begin clapping like crazy to make a show that I’m okay. “Nothing is wrong,” I tell her. “My stomach just felt funny there for a minute.”
Still eyeing me concernedly, she asks, “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yep.” I clap even more exuberantly. “I’m fine.”
Looking doubtful, Claire murmurs, “Hmmm, I knew we shouldn’t have loaded up those nachos with that many jalapenos. That’s probably what’s making you feel off.”
The food was great and not a problem at all, but I agree to quell her curiosity. “I think you’re right. We’ll go lighter on the hot peppers next time.”
It’s actually good that Claire thinks I’m not feeling well. It gives me an excuse, once we leave the arena and reach our cars in the parking lot, to wrap up and go our separate ways.
“Hope you feel better!” she yells as she opens the door of her car, parked two spaces away from mine.
I call out over the roof of the car between us, “Thanks. Drive safely, and tell Easton I said hi.”
“I will,” she says back. “Talk to you later.”
She hops into her car, and I get into mine.
And then I’m off.
A short while later, I’m pulling up in front of Lennox’s house, where I park and then head to the front door to let myself in…with the key he gave me!
As excited as I am about having a key, I’m not ready to use the garage yet. That seems like too much for right now. Maybe my next visit over here, I’ll give it a go.
Since I’m wearing simple black leggings, an oversized violet Bears hoodie, and ankle boots, I just stand in the entry hall for a few moments, considering if I should change into something sexy.
I brought an overnight bag with a change of clothes for tomorrow, a few toiletries, and some lingerie. I could easily slip on a slinky bra and panties and be waiting for Lennox up in his bed.
But the more I think about it, I decide to just be me tonight.
Lennox and I are already getting past the point where I need to dress skimpily every time we see each other. I mean, sure, he loves the sexy outfits and silky undergarments, and I certainly will wear that stuff again, but it’s no longer an expected requirement each time we’re together.
Sighing, after kicking off my boots in the hall, I head upstairs to drop off my bag.
I then come back down and settle in on the sofa in the living room to wait for my man.
It makes me smile that, despite what we’ve agreed to, he kind of is becoming exactly that—my man.