Chapter 23
“We are so going out tonight.” Emalyn says as she applies mascara in the mirror. “You’re such a good mom, and it’s been a while since you’ve let loose. Had a few drinks.”
“We have wine at nearly every book club meeting.”
“You know what, that sentence right there only proves me right.” She points the mascara wand at me through the mirror.
I roll my eyes. I take another bite of the cheeseburger.
“Besides, you can’t tell me that there isn’t a certain neighbor on this trip that you wouldn’t mind spending some time with.”
I blush furiously. With her away on other bookings, I hadn’t really updated her on Tate. Her eyes pop wide open at my sudden quietness.
“Girl. Tell me everything!” She squeals, jumping on the bed next to me. Fries go flying. I tell her all about the past few days with Tate and especially about the supply closet.
“Then we’ve just texted since then.” I shrug.
“So tonight… I totally need to go hang out with Dakota in her med staff rooms then, don’t I?” She grins and bounces her brows in that way only she does.
“Stop.” I swat her arm. I brush my hair behind my ear. “Maybe... I’m not sure. He hasn’t really said anything.”
I show her the last of the texts we had sent. Nothing too exciting and it’s been quiet since.
“I’m sure it’s no big deal. We will see them all at the team breakfast tomorrow.” She lifts a shoulder with a supportive smile.
I take a deep breath.
“There’s something else…” I fold my hands in my lap and then unfold them. I shift on the bed. Emalyn’s expression melts immediately and she falls onto the bed next to me.
"What is it?" Her hand immediately starts to rub circles on my back.
"I feel like such an idiot.” I bury my face in my hands. She pulls me into her as I explain what happened at the after party at Tates. The years of lying exposed. "And I know you kept telling me over and over to go in and see the specialist. I should've listened to you."
"It's ok, you were just scared." Emalyn speaks in a soothing tone as tears pour down my cheeks.
"And now, it's stupid but I'm relieved, God, I'm so relieved I didn't have any more children with that man." I sit up and wipe my tears on the back of my hands. “Sorry, I'm being insensitive right now aren't I? I'm crying because what I thought was wrong was never even a problem."
Emalyn dabs at a few of her own tears.
"Don't be sorry. We are here for each other always.
Even if its hard for me to hear we aren't the barren sisters that we thought we were.
" We share a shaky laugh. " I'm so happy for you, really. But I will actually pussy slap you if you don’t put that revived uterus to work making beautiful babies with that man. He is seriously smitten."
"Okay, slow down, we are hardly at that stage." I hold my hands up. We giggle.
"Seriously though, I will get all the worst shots of TJ. People don't realise the power the photographer wields." Emalyn threatens with a finger in the air before she’s interrupted by her phone ringing. She rolls her eyes as she shows me the screen. Ronan. She answers and puts it on speaker.
"Babe. You won't believe it." Ronan nearly squeals in excitement.
We instantly start giggling. "Tell Alli her man is the fucking goaaat.
He got Fitz and Coach to have their poker game here in the hotel and guess what?
I'm invited. I'm so excited. I never thought this day would come. Do you think he’ll let me call him Ra-"
"Slow down there, killer. You gotta play it cool or they won't invite you back." Emalyn says. I swear she's the only one who could ever talk any sense into my little brother once he gets on a roll.
"I know. That's why I need you there with me, Em." He says in a no-nonsense tone. "Please say you’ll come, Poker Queen."
She rolls her eyes. We both know that Emalyn isn't that great at poker. She'll win all day at bullshit though.
"You said Tate made it happen?"
"Yeah, the man is a master craft instigator. Now there's a wager between Fitz and Coach. It's a whole thing. "
"So basically, Tate orchestrated this whole thing so he could slip away unnoticed and you need me to come to free up Allison's room?" Emalyn asks. She is only answered with silence on the other line.
"Damn. You always see right through me. It's how I know you're my soulmate." Ronan clears his throat, "So you coming?"
She answers immediately and without hesitation.
"Of course. I'll be down in ten." She hangs up and immediately crosses the room to her duffel on the floor.
She sends a long pink foil strip of condoms sailing through the air. They land perfectly in my lap. I raise an eyebrow.
"What? If a man forgets his own condom, he's gonna have to put up with a pink glowy one." She grins as she changes her clothes. Yes, right in the middle of the room. It's the norm for her. I wish I was as confident in my body as she is.
"These are all the XL ones…" I trail off with a blush.
"I have a feeling those are the ones you're gonna need." She cackles when I hide my face. She’s not wrong.
In less than five, she's making her way to the door in jeans and a pink sweatshirt that has a D inside a crown. It’s the merch from our favourite author that just released.
“Have fun.” She sings on her way out. Then she pauses and leans her head back in.
She makes a cat-like scratching motion in the air and meows at me. I throw a pillow at her. It hits the door just as she jumps out with a squeal of laughter, slamming it shut.
Once I'm alone, I do a quick scan of the room. It’s pretty tidy. It’s only the first day after all. Day three there would probably be an array of hair tools and makeup exploding from the bathroom.
There’s not much for me to do with myself either. Especially after getting a Brazilian wax for the first time. I’m smooth from the eyebrows down. It was kind of terrifying, but I also can’t stop rubbing my legs together like a grasshopper.
I pick up my phone to text Tate and quickly change my mind again. I don’t know the etiquette and while it’s not exactly a booty call, I know what I’m hoping will happen tonight. So, it leaves me a little blank on the conversation starter.
Thankfully I’m saved by the phone ringing. I’m not proud of how quickly I answer without even looking at the name.
“Hello?” I sound breathless.
“Hey, Al.” My stomach drops at that nickname. “Since you’re traveling with the team, I wondered if you wanted to go to the poker game together?”
“Oh… not really. No.”
“Oh, come on. We share a kid. We can spend an evening together.” TJ coos like I'm a child.
“Sure, we probably could. The thing is just that I don’t want to.” I draw out letting my voice carry the full weight of my attitude. “I’m actually going to be headed out soon.”
“Oh yeah? Going somewhere nearby?” He prods.
“None of your business, actually. Bye.” I hung up the call without waiting for an answer. I run my hands through my hair as I clear my head of all things TJ.
A soft knock comes at the door. My heart skips a beat. I take a deep breath and cross over to it. I’m already smiling when I open the door. Tate stands there, Tulips in one hand and a grin on his face.
“Hi.” I breathe. I accept the tulips with both hands, admiring them.
“Hi.” His gaze drops to my mouth. Then his arm is winding behind my back and drawing me to him.
My face turns up to him on instinct. His lips are on mine, kissing me softly at first. When my arms go around his neck, one hand gripping his hair, the kiss deepens.
My whole-body lights up at the softest touch of his hand on my jaw, angling my face the way he wants.
I feel myself relaxing into him, letting him take control. His hands slide under my thighs and lift me in swift motion.
Tate kicks the door closed as he walks us into the room.