Chapter 30 Steele #2
I chuckle. “I wasn’t like this until you.
I mean, I donated to charities and helped my teammates when they needed it, but I never stuck around to see the aftermath.
Like hanging out with those kids at the hospital and bringing a little fun to an otherwise scary and uncertain time…
or seeing how happy Angus is now that he has a place to really run and play.
All of it may have started as a way to get the people of Cleveland to accept me, but it made me realize that I wasn’t doing enough for the people around me.
So, if I’m good or sweet, it’s because of you, Sydney. Nobody else.”
She shakes her head, her lips tugging into an adorable grin. “No. It was always in there. It was just buried under layers and layers of asshole.”
I bark a laugh, giving her a tight swat on her backside. “Such a smart-ass. You’re lucky you’ve got me by the balls—literally—or I’d bend you over this counter and make you apologize for name-calling.”
She rolls her eyes, a move I catalogue for her next session with the riding crop.
Her sass is on another level tonight, due to the fact that she’s in charge, no doubt.
We’re in the middle of a scene that nobody else knows about, which is the hottest fucking thing in the world, and I know I’m not the only one who’s affected by it.
She’s been exuding power and confidence since we left the bedroom, and fuck if it isn’t a goddamn turn on.
I love her like this just as much, if not more, than when she’s on her knees in submission to me.
“Well, if you don’t need any help,” she says, running her hand down my chest. “The guys would like to talk to you in the living room.”
My brows furrow. “Why?”
She shrugs, her lower lip pushing out. “Not sure. They asked me to have you come out after you were done in here. The girls and I are going to the theatre room to catch up on the latest episode of Seduction Island. Just yell if you need anything.”
“Okay, baby.” I dip down, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips before she leaves the kitchen.
Making quick work of tossing the garbage bag into the outside bin, I return, joining the guys in the living room.
The laughter and small talk that filled the house earlier are long gone, only to be replaced with solemn nothingness as they turn toward me simultaneously.
“Sydney said you wanted to talk to me?” I croak, the statement coming out more like a question because I have no idea what’s going on.
There’s a weird tension swirling around the room, making my muscles wind tight as an anxious lump forms in the back of my throat.
It feels like my first day with the Renegades all over again with the way they’re staring—like they’re imagining the sounds I’d make while they beat me with a pillowcase full of bricks.
Awesome.
I really love this for me.
Austin speaks first, jerking his chin toward the empty end of my wraparound sectional. “Have a seat, Steele.”
I swallow thickly, shoving my hands in my pockets as I cross the room and plop my ass down on the couch.
I’m not used to being the subject of this kind of scrutiny, usually opting for a couple of middle fingers and a carefree fuck you while I walked away.
But that was the old Steele—the one who didn’t give a shit whether these guys liked him or not.
I don’t want to be like that anymore. I want to be someone they’re proud to call their teammate, and who they can trust when they need a friend.
“What’s up?” I ask, scanning their faces.
Theo, who I don’t think has taken anything seriously a day in his life, isn’t showing a hint of emotion as he stares without a word.
Emmett looks like he’s ready to jump over the ottoman if I even fix my mouth to say the wrong thing.
And Jett and Maddox? Well, their vibes are off, too.
Austin continues to lead the exchange, sitting forward with his elbows on his knees as his narrowed stare burns into me like a hot branding iron.
“What are your intentions with Sydney?”
Oh. It’s that conversation.
Okay. I can do this. I already had a feeling it would be coming sooner or later after my talk with Theo on the bus; I just wasn’t expecting to be put on the spot by all of them at once.
But I care about her just as much, if not more, than they do.
All I need to do now is convince them of that.
Soon, I’ll have no choice but to tell Mr. Grant that I want to be with his daughter, and I could certainly use some backup when that day comes.
I clear my throat, choosing my words carefully and deciding that full honesty is the only way to go.
“I know you guys hated me when I got here. To be frank, I didn’t give a fuck.
I was full of resentment and figured that if I couldn’t trust the team that I gave my all to since the day I was drafted, I sure as hell couldn’t trust anyone else.
On top of that, my family life isn’t great.
My twin brother is a gambling addict. He’s the reason I was pulled into all that betting bullshit with the Rage in the first place, despite the fact that I had nothing to do with it.
I wasn’t happy when I got to Cleveland. Not with my job, my life, my family… at least not until I met Sydney.
“We got off to a rough start, but eventually, she gave me a reason to be better. I wanted her to come out of this thing feeling proud, not embarrassed, by the person I became. So, I started making changes—giving more of myself to things and people that mattered. And in the process, I fell in love with her. I haven’t told her yet, but I do.
I love her more than anything in this world. ”
My heart squeezes in my chest at the admission.
It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud, let alone where several others could hear it.
I’m not sure if it’s what they were expecting, or if they’ll even believe me, but it’s the truth.
If I have to spend every waking moment proving to these guys that I’m ready to be the man Sydney needs, and the teammate they deserve, so be it.
I spent way too long only caring about myself.
It’s time to put in the work to earn their trust.
Nervously, I drag my gaze over their features, trying to get a read on them.
The corner of Theo’s mouth twitches as he holds back a grin, telling me that he’s satisfied with what he heard.
Austin sits back against the cushions, nodding his head in understanding.
Jett’s posture mirrors his former quarterback’s, while Maddox doesn’t look convinced, his lips pressing into a flat line.
“I’m going to be real with you, man,” he begins.
“Dating the owner’s daughter isn’t a walk in the park.
People will talk. They’ll say that you’re getting special treatment because of her, and that you didn’t earn your spot on the team the way everyone else did.
Opponents will talk shit to get into your head, but you’re expected to ignore it.
“You won’t be the only one who faces backlash, either.
Sydney will be the subject of bullshit social media posts talking about how she’s not good enough and how you only want her because your job depends on it.
You’ll have to put in twice the effort to reassure her that you’re all in, so she doesn’t start to believe it.
Are you ready for that, or will you leave her when she needs you the most? ”
Fuck.
I knew Sydney and I would face some blowback when the time came to tell her father, but I never even considered what the public would say.
I’ve been so focused on showing Mr. Grant that I’m worthy of his daughter and his team, forgetting about all the outside forces that may want to tear us apart.
I love her, though. And there’s absolutely nothing in this world that’ll change that.
I lift my chin, steeling my expression so they know I’m serious. “I’m ready. They can say whatever the fuck they want. That girl will go to sleep every night knowing that she’s it for me.”
“Okay,” he relents. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
I internally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that there’s only one more wall standing between me and the happiness I long for. Well, at least for now.
“Alright, Hayes,” I say, my eyes locking onto Emmett, who still looks like he’s contemplating a felony. “Let me have it.”
He shoves his tongue into his cheek, arms crossed over his chest as he stares me up and down. I know he means well, and that he’s just trying to protect Sydney, which is why I’m not challenging him, even though it’s taking all my self-restraint not to.
“Hurt her, and we’ll kill you.”
Well, shit.
I huff a laugh as his posture relaxes, a smug smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. The other guys join in, and suddenly, the tension in the room dissipates. “You have my word. She’s safe with me.”
“That’s that, then,” Jett says, standing from the couch. “I’ll grab the whiskey.”
He disappears into the kitchen, the rest of us turning toward the TV as game highlights from last week flash across the screen. We don’t play again until next Thursday, but that doesn’t stop us from talking shop as we wait for Jett to return with our drinks.
“Do you guys think Blaze Beckham will ever slow the fuck down?” Theo asks as analysts discuss the Boston Blizzard receiver’s most recent touchdown. “He makes me feel like a third grader every time I have to chase his ass.”
“At least you don’t have to get your dick kicked in by Maverick Moran twice a year,” Maddox quips. “I have nightmares about getting tackled by that guy regularly. I wake up sweating and everything.”
I laugh, listening to them talk as my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text notification from Sydney. Not even thinking twice, I click on it, quickly slamming the device face-down on my thigh as soon as the image loads.