Chapter 30
Bear
The group disbands and we mingle with the rest of the team. Pen and I catch up with a few of the coaches, but say goodbye to them after a while. As soon as we're alone, Pen leans close to me.
"Now that we have some privacy," Pen says. "I need to tell you something or I will explode."
I wipe all previous thoughts from my mind. Mostly. As best as I can.
"Let me guess." I take a deep breath. "Are you considering a new job at the Strike?"
She chuckles. "Wow, you know me well."
I rub my lips together and command my heart to keep a steady pace.
A decision was made. I'm keeping any romantic feelings at bay.
No matter how gorgeous she looks in this dress, or the way the cinched waist accentuates her generous curves, or how the gold and black contrast with the light sienna of her skin, and how all the generous material makes me want to check what's underneath— by touch. Better not to think about it. At all.
She continues. "But would it be weird? You and I working for the same organization?"
I lift a very casual, very composed shoulder. "We do everything together."
"Mostly everything."
I arch an eyebrow but otherwise ignore her comment. "Considering how your last job burnt you out—"
"You convinced me to quit though—"
"The real question is, would a job with the Strike be different? Sustainable? Because that's the whole point."
"I would hope so." She snorts. "I expect the budget alone would make a huge difference.
I would actually have the money to help with some things.
I could advocate for people. I could point folk to resources.
Hell, we could be the resource. We could change a few families' lives. That's like… my professional dream."
She looks deep in thought for a second. Out of nowhere, I push a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Oops. I didn't mean to do that but, when she gazes at me, I smile.
"Talk to Evie," I say. "She's the expert on the front office stuff."
"I would have to apply properly of course…"
"You're my wife. It’ll help."
The words— they roll out of my tongue with ease. They fit. They feel good. They may be seen as slightly possessive if someone were to look too deeply.
And they should have stayed buried deep within my psyche. Fuck. I'm failing spectacularly at this already.
She shifts on her feet.
I clear my throat. "Some team spouses volunteer on the charity side of things, just like the team does when we go out to the community for all of these projects."
"I wouldn't be volunteering." She frowns. "Which, by the way— we have to get that postnup. Otherwise, everyone will think I'm greedy. Married to a rich guy and entitled to half his fortune. Why do I want to be paid? I should be volunteering."
I frown. "Why wouldn't you get a salary? This is your career. You have the background to get hired if you want. We need to look into it, but if they're expanding, there should be new positions opening."
"Well, let's hope this Mariana Sinclair and Selena and whoever else agrees."
Her tone fades into the space between us, as her eyes turn to Dom nearby. He approaches in a way that makes it clear he intends to join us.
Pen sighs. "The minicamp starts in three days. I'll ask Evie then."
She finishes the thought just as our friend reaches us.
Dom pats my shoulder. "Hey. Did you hear about the photobooth?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Any reason we should have?"
He shrugs, nonchalant. "I'm only thinking out loud when I say you two should go make use of it."
Pen smirks. "Make use…?"
"Photo evidence of a perfect romantic moment. You know, to convince all sorts of people about the validity of your marriage."
"My parents are already convinced." Pen's mouth pulls down at the corners.
"We've given them no reason to doubt," I add.
"Why not make sure?" Dom insists. "The photos are being streamed onto a social media hashtag. That would work well for you guys, right?"
"Are you meddling, Dominic?" I use his full name to bug him.
"Me? Never."
"By the way." Pen grins mischievously. "Would you introduce me to Mariana Sinclair? Cora's sister. I think you may be acquainted?"
It's Dom's turn to squint. "Who's meddling now?"
Pen adds a few extra innocent blinks and I snort.
"I'm not meddling," she says. "I'm not even going to mention how interesting the whole exchange with Cora was, or how you reacted to the news Mariana is getting divorced."
"Glad you're not meddling either," Dom says. "There's nothing to discuss in that regard."
"Of course not," Pen continues. "But if you know the Sinclair sisters so well… And if there's history with Mariana in particular…"
She lets the word hang and I chuckle.
"Mariana is my ex." Dom rolls his eyes. "Happy? I don't know if I can introduce you. We haven't talked in years."
"Oh, I see," Pen says.
"Talk to Evie instead," Dom insists.
"I will."
"And use the silly photobooth." Dom sighs. "That's all I came here to say."
"Thank you so much, Dom." Pen gives him a bright smile. "You're a star."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell people Mariana is my ex."
I purse my lips. "You know the whole group figured that out already."
He sighs. "Yeah, I know."
He shakes his head like he's given up on arguing with us already, and leaves. As soon as he's far enough, Pen turns to me with a giddy grin.
"Did you see that?" she asks. "I've never seen Dom react like that. Do you know anything else about Mariana?"
"No, or I would have told you already. But I know Dom is almost as bad as Saint was before Ames. Dom may not provide pies as break up consolation prizes, but he dates a lot. He's never serious with anyone."
"He's not a serious person at all." Her lips pull down at the corners. "He has that boy-next-door vibe and he's always in a good mood. And he's attractive like the whole lot of you."
"I was your literal neighbor, Pen. You've never told me I have that vibe. Should I buzz my hair short? Clip my beard shorter? At least I have as many tattoos as he does."
I'm not jealous. I'm bantering.
She glances at me like she knows what I'm thinking and she disagrees.
"Anyway," she says. "What do you think of the photobooth?"
"What do you think?"
"Why not?" she shrugs. "It will be fun."
Next thing I know, we go into the hexagon-shaped structure.
The booth is made to look classier with padded black walls and an extended size.
Only two of the sides are different. One of them is the hanging black fabric serving as a makeshift door, which we close behind us.
Opposite from it, large gold and champagne-colored sequins hang from top to bottom.
In the middle of the room and pointing toward the shiny set up, a single column holds a tablet and a camera.
We stand in front of it and inspect the screen.
"What's the plan?" I ask.
If I let her lead, this might go better. The last hour has proven how little control I have over everything happening inside of me.
Maybe I should spend some extra time at the gym.
If I get into a flow state and focus on putting these feelings into a container, I may succeed at compartmentalizing them.
I can't entertain them. It's not like she's ever seen me in a romantic way.
All I need to do is remember her laughter when we kissed in her backyard to sober me up.
She gazes around the booth. "I always wanted to do something cute in one of these."
I raise an eyebrow. "More spontaneous bucket items?"
"Yep. Let's seize the moment! We can… I don't know. Make silly faces or something."
"We can do that. Unless there's a sexy bucket list item you'd consider?"
Fuck. Oops.
Her eyes whip to me.
Okay. I'm going to the gym first thing in the morning. The calendar will get busy again soon with the camps and pre-season stuff. It'll be the perfect excuse. I definitely need to get all of this extra… energy… out of my system.
"You've mentioned that a couple of times," I admit. "Then you surprise me with this little tidbit. The wires got crossed, that's all."
She gives me a slow nod. "The photobooth isn't one of my sexy bucket list items."
Don't ask, Leon Karlsen. Do not ask.
My workouts generally focus on weight lifting, but maybe I'll torment myself with some extra cardio as well. Just in case.
"Silly faces." I press my lips together. "That's what you said. I remember."
"I guess that's a wasted opportunity, isn't it?"
I study her. She's not considering anything remotely sexy between us. She can't be, the way she's been ignoring most of my weak moments. At most, she's been playful back. If I'm still looking for signs, that's all on me.
I'm the guy who believes her. Who doesn't ask for more than she's willing to give. I need to stop with my bullshit right away. I might have to throw my whole romantic heart in jail too, just in case.
"What else do you have in mind?" I try again.
"Something romantic?" She licks her lips. "Since it's getting used on social media."
Right. If we'd done something sexy, that would have gotten posted. Then I would have gotten in trouble with the league.
The funny thing is, I'm still very much in trouble. A voice resounds clear in my head.
Touching Pen would be worth the penalties.
I take a deep, calming breath. It helps. Somewhat.
"Penélope. Help me out. What should we do?"
If she doesn't tell me something innocent, I'm going to end up asking her for those sexy list items and going for one of them.
I busy myself by peeking out of the curtain, but there's no one waiting to use the booth. Pen and I can take our time. It's a problem, all things considered.
"Leon. How would I know? You're the expert at romance."
I rub the back of my neck. I chew the inside of my lip. This should be as simple as helping her do everything family friendly on her bucket list, but I'm overtaken by my overeager heart.