Chapter 41
PARKER
“We’re going grocery shopping,” Linc states after we’ve returned to his car, stomach full of arguably the best sandwich I’ve ever consumed.
Damn him for being right.
I didn’t intend on spending my day off with Linc, but that seems to be what’s happening.
“I’m sorry, we’re what?”
“Going grocery shopping,” he says slowly.
I stare at him as he waits for a reaction with his hands on the wheel.
There’s a dimple in his right cheek, and my hand twitches in my lap to reach out and poke it.
It only appears when he’s really trying to hold in a laugh. I can only hope that means he’s joking.
Hell, when my alarm went off earlier this morning so I wouldn’t be late for Pilates, I turned it off, intending to stay in bed all day.
I’m exhausted, but…I’m glad I allowed him to drag me out.
Pilates always makes me feel good. But watching him struggle beside me made it all the more entertaining.
He’s an incredibly fit athlete, but even those at the top of their game struggle when things are different. And today was different. I have no doubt that I’m going to have him on my table tomorrow, complaining. A smirk twitches at my lips as I debate whether to go easy on him or not.
Of course I won’t. Where would be the fun in that?
But I wasn’t expecting a lunch date—it wasn’t a date—and then a domesticated trip to the store.
“Can’t we just order it? You’ll be recognized and it’ll be awful.”
“We could. But there’s no fun in that. I like choosing, experiencing things.”
“Really?” I deadpan, not believing him for a second.
Finally, his smile breaks through. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll buy you a sweet treat.”
I playfully smack him in the chest. “You’re a nightmare.”
“You wouldn’t have me any other way,” he states confidently as he puts the car in drive and pulls into traffic.
He turns the music up, stopping any further conversation before he begins singing along. It’s infectious, and one song later, I’m joining in.
“Didn’t have you down as a Taylor fan,” I say when he’s finished a god-awful rendition of “Cruel Summer.”
“I like all kinds of music,” he says, killing the engine and staring out at the store in front of us. “And she’s a legend. How could I not like her music? That’s like saying someone doesn’t like watching me play hockey.”
I laugh. “Conceited much?”
“Meh,” he mutters with a shrug as he leans over me to pull a baseball cap from the glove compartment. “Ready?”
I sigh. “As I’ll ever be. If you get swarmed, I’m calling a rideshare and leaving you here.”
“You mean you won’t rescue me from my devoted fans?” he asks as we round the trunk of the car. He pulls his cap on and tugs it low, doing the best he can to hide his face.
I’ve been out with both him and Rett loads of times where they haven’t been recognized, or where fans are able to keep their distance, but something tells me today isn’t going to be the day.
“I really don’t need to watch you get molested by the female population of LA.”
“I knew it,” he says enthusiastically. “You’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous,” I state firmly. “It’s just…ugh.”
“You sound jealous,” he teases as I battle to find the right words.
“Women are strong and independent beings. We are capable of doing everything men can, and yet, they take one look at you, or any other member of the team, and go all weak at the knees.”
Linc beams. “It’s a special kind of skill to possess.”
I shake my head as he grabs a cart.
“Come on, then, roomie. What are we getting?”
“Out of here?”
He laughs and links his arm through mine, tugging me into his side and pushing the cart one-handed.
“You’re cute,” he muses before diving into a conversation about meal planning for the days we’re home this week.
I silently walk beside him, wondering who the hell he is and what he’s done with Linc. Linc doesn’t worry about meal planning. He just orders in after spending an hour banging a different girl. Or at least, that’s what I assumed.
I’m starting to wonder if I’ve got it all wrong.
We’re about halfway around and I’ve barely said a word when he pauses at the bread. I frown, wondering what he’s doing before he turns to me with a wide smile on his face. “What would you prefer this week? White or seeded, sweetheart?”
I practically choke on my own saliva. “I’m sorry, what?”
He smirks at me as another couple walks past.
Narrowing my eyes in warning, I reach for a loaf of bread, not caring to look what type it is before throwing it into the cart.
“Watch it, Storm,” I warn before taking off.
“Wait, love,” he calls behind me, making me cringe. “You missed the soda aisle.”
“I am going to hurt you,” I quietly seethe as he steps up beside me.
“Aw, it’s fun. You should play along,” he suggests.
“You’re not meant to be drawing attention to yourself,” I remind him.
“You’d like Fanta. That’s a fantastic suggestion, sweetie pie.”
I inhale a deep breath, trying to find some patience.
We continue up and down the aisles until we get to the fresh bakery section.
“You’ve been such a good girl for me, you should get some donuts, baby.”
A young guy walking behind us snorts, unable to contain himself.
Curling my fists at my sides, I just about refrain from punching the asshole.
“I’m done. I’ll meet you back at home,” I state, storming off, or trying to, at least.
I barely make it five steps before Linc’s fingers wrap around my wrist. He tugs and I’m powerless but to go where he wants me, and not a second later, I find myself pressed up against the shelves with him crowding me.
He’s so much bigger than me in all aspects that he’s the only thing I can see. His scent rushes through my nose, and without permission, my thighs clench.
The air turns thick as my chest heaves and my body burns.
Time slows to a stop as I wait for what comes next.
Linc’s eyes are dark with a fire roaring within them.
My tongue sneaks out on instinct, swiping across my bottom lip as if I’m preparing for a kiss.
“Parker,” he breathes, closing what little space there is between us.
Panic roars within me. And for the first time, it’s not because he’s about to kiss me but because he’s about to do so in such a public place. The last thing either of us needs is a photo being leaked to the press.
“Oh shit, you’re right,” someone to the right of us cries. “It is him.”
“Shit,” Linc hisses before jumping back and smoothing his hands down his shirt.
“I’m so sorry, I know you’re in the middle of…something,” the guy says, looking between the two of us.
My cheeks instantly burn with embarrassment, regret surging through my veins.
I can already picture the headlines. “Vipers’ new female assistant athletic trainer only got the job because she’s in a relationship with Lincoln Storm.”
“Is there any chance you could sign something for my son? He’ll lose his mind when he hears that I’ve bumped into you.”
“Yeah, sure,” Linc replies, sounding completely unfazed. I wish I could say the same.
“I…um…I’m not sure…” the guy mumbles, patting down his pockets for something for Linc to sign before he turns to his cart. “Here,” he finally says, pulling a packet of Ramen from the pile and thrusting it at Linc.
Linc laughs. “I think this might be a first,” he admits, accepting the pen from the guy and scrawling his name across the packet.
“Thanks so much, man. I really appreciate this. My son is going to be so pissed he missed out. We’ll see you at the game tomorrow, though. We’re going all the way this year.”
Linc agrees before the guy carefully puts his special Ramen back in his cart and continues down the aisle.
“Well, the price of those noodles just increased,” Linc quips, making me shake my head as I trail behind him.
I pause in the toiletries aisle to grab a couple of feminine products—not because I need them, just because there is no surer way to make a man more uncomfortable.
I grab a few things before continuing forward.
An idea hits me, and I glance over my shoulder to ensure no one is going to overhear when I say, “We need to get some more lube, seeing as you struggle to get me wet.”
Linc freezes, his grip on the cart he’s pushing tightens, and an accomplished smirk pulls at my lips.
But the second he spins around and stares down at me, I realize my mistake.
Abandoning the cart, he prowls toward me, but despite needing to get away, my feet are rooted to the floor.
“Let’s just get one thing straight, little P. You give me the chance, and you will never, ever struggle to get wet.”
I stare up at him, my breathing labored, heat surging south, proving his words true.
I’m standing in the middle of a grocery store, and he’s got me more revved up from a look and a wicked promise than any other guy I’ve ever been with.
“I doubt it,” I mutter, forcing myself to look away. If I don’t, there’s a chance he’ll be able to read the lie in my eyes.
He chuckles to himself as if he knows something I don’t before grabbing a packet of condoms, extra-large, of course, and throwing them in the cart as I pass.
He follows me toward the cashiers, but his voice stops me before I can get in line. “Shit, we need to get something for tonight.”
“What’s tonight?” I ask, feeling like I’m missing something.
“Team night at Fletch’s. It’s a bring-a-plate situation.”
“Okay, well, grab whatever you want.”
“What do you want?” he challenges.
“Linc,” I warn, guessing where this is going.
“You know you’re coming. You may as well take something you want to eat.”
“I’m not going,” I argue.
“Casey is expecting you.” He smirks like he’s just won.
“You’re an asshole,” I seethe.
“I know. Now, what do you want to take tonight?”
Five hours later and I’m walking into Fletch and Reese’s house with a huge bowl of salad in my hands. Just ahead of me, Linc holds their front door open with a homemade lasagne balanced in one hand, a bag full of drinks hanging from the other.
Noise echoes down the hall to us, and I grimace as I think about the attention that’s going to be turned on me the second I step inside.
The guys are all great, but I’m not one of them. This is their evening, their time to bond. Like Linc said, no other staff members are invited unless they're involved with players. And I am not. I might be living with Linc, but that’s where it ends.
“Come on, the guys are going to be stoked that you’re here,” Linc says, watching me hesitate.
“I’m not so sure about that. I’m the one who makes them hurt and forces them into ice baths.”
“It’s for our own good.”
As I follow him down the hallway, the noise gets louder and louder. And just as I predicted, the second we appear in the doorway to Reese and Fletch’s huge, open-plan living area, all eyes turn my way.
I swallow nervously. But I soon realize there’s no need to be nervous. Despite a few lingering stares and glances between Linc and me as if they’re expecting some kind of announcement, they accept me into the fold, just like they have at the arena.