Chapter 17
CONNOR
The way Hadley’s lips twist when she’s watching videos of my old hockey games is spellbinding.
Games where I lost my cool seem to be her favorite.
Nah, who am I kidding, it’s me in my pre-game suit that she loves the most. A sort of smirk tilts on her lips, as if it’s typical of me, yet she finds it irresistible.
The best part is that she has no idea that I’ve caught her yet again watching in what she thinks is secret.
She sits on the couch in the living room with her knees tucked under and ear pods in while she holds her phone screen.
Here comes my favorite part.
Walking on my toes, I sneak up behind her and reach over the back of the sofa to shake her shoulders. Instantly, she shrieks and brings her hand to touch my arm that’s wrapping around her as I playfully bite her cheek.
“Connor,” she squeals my name.
I hop over the back of the couch because I’m smooth like that and land next to her on the cushions, only to encourage her to swing her legs over to rest on my lap.
“This is classic. My very own superfan, and it’s none other than you,” I note.
She pinches my arm. “Simmer down that ego, I’m just… curious.”
“It’s not a little bit that you’re wondering why everyone is obsessed with our team? Or maybe you love that interview I did with a nine-year-old which melted the hearts of many.” I bring a hand to my chest.
She rolls her eyes. “I never realized that perhaps you play kind of a cool sport, plus once you watch one video, then the app’s algorithm sends you down a rabbit hole of more videos.” It’s cute the way she tries to play this down.
The last few days we have talked about aspects of our careers that we probably didn’t realize. We went off track when I caught her glancing at photos of me in a suit when traveling between games; her bottom lip always gets attacked when she stares at those photos.
I stroke her thigh with my hand as we just relax together on the sofa. “The guys will be here any second, then I’ll start the grill.” The goal is to hang out, but I’m sure we’ll end up re-watching a few games from last season.
“Cool. I’ll stay for a drink then leave you guys be.” She gently combs the hair behind my ear, a soothing touch that I love.
“We have cake at least. Our moms dropped off a box when I was in the shower and you were at the store.” I flash my eyes at her because I’m entertained.
She giggles. “They did a wedding cake testing without us, didn’t they?”
I grin. “Just in case, plus they’re getting ballsy.”
“But they are happy, and they would shut it down in a heartbeat if we asked them to. I’m convinced they enjoy messing with us. Yet, I really want to see how far they’ll go.” I couldn’t agree more, which is why I smile. Hadley gets more comfortable on her spot. “Which cake are we having?”
“No clue.” I shrug.
Just like that, we fall into a moment. One where our eyes linger and the lines on our mouths are in a permanent tilt.
This is when I enjoy gliding my thumb along her cheek that causes her eyes to flutter at me with a glittery ember glazing in her eyes.
Lowering my head, I gently nip at the tip of her nose, eager to get us lost in a deep kiss.
But the sound of the doorbell causes us both to groan because we can’t stay in our moment of bliss.
Struggling to get off the couch together feels good because she’s here, in my house that we now share, and we just move around one another in a perfect pattern.
Apparently, we are good hostesses together too.
Hadley set the television to the right channel, while I offered beers. I worked the grill, and she tossed a salad.
“You’re okay if I steal him away in a few weeks? Bachelor day and all,” Briggs asks Hadley as he refills his plate with food as we put one of our late-season games on pause.
Hadley stabs another cheese cube with a toothpick to snack on. “Yeah, sure. Just don’t tell me what happens on it, okay?”
“I would say relax since your dad and Ford will be there, plus your one neighbor is invited too,” he explains.
“Hudson Arrows? Yeah, he’s friends with my dad, and our street is small,” I explain.
“Those guys are legends and know how to party if needed, so you may want to be afraid.” He winks at her.
“Oh, I know, I’ve witnessed far too many holiday parties. By the way, what is with the hate in this room for Vaughn? I don’t even need to look at the screen and I know when he’s on, as you all say, ‘fucking Vaughn.’” She attempts to deepen and lower her voice.
I grab another beer from the fridge. “I get along with him, but he and Briggs don’t see eye to eye. Rumor is that next season is his last down in Tampa, then he will either retire or maybe come back to us. Our current coach likes him.”
“But Vaughn is past his prime. A complete douche too.” Briggs crosses his arms, agitated. “That asshole got me out of the game in our playoffs. I couldn’t play the last four minutes.”
I slap a hand on his shoulder. “Relax, we’ll worry about him next season.”
One of the guys sitting in the living room calls out, letting us know they are going to press play again. Briggs grumbles his way back, and I take the opportunity to quickly check in with Hadley.
“You good?” I ask as my eyes narrow in on her, and I step close enough that I can bring an arm around her.
She checks the screen behind me then focuses on me again. “Totally. I’ve been sipping on Chardonnay while you guys swear at the screen every two seconds.”
I laugh. “Are you tipsy?”
She tilts her head to the side in doubt. “Maybe.” She leans in to pretend to whisper, “I get kind of handsy when I’m tipsy.”
“Oh yeah?” I’m very interested in this side of her.
She nods and a droll sound escapes her. “Like full-on ‘I’m making plans in my head for how to mount you later’ handsy.”
I snort a sound, as she’s definitely feeling light right now. “I will gladly take part in this.”
Hadley stands up on her toes and brings one leg high up above my waist. Those dancing skills are a gift from the heavens.
“I’ll leave you guys to enjoy the game. Me and my wine will be in the bathtub soaking and preparing for later.” She kisses me sensually on the lips and my entire body feels aflutter with anticipation.
“Get a room,” someone calls out, and I only grin more.
Hadley gives me a sultry look before she touches my chest with her fingertips in parting and walks away with an overdone sway that looks perfect on her.
I can’t wait for later when I can plunge into her warm heat and see stars when I come while she screams my name.
I blow out a breath to recenter myself and turn my attention to the TV screen. Picking up my beer bottle, I walk back into the open living room to join the guys.
It’s a slew of expletives and commentary right off the bat. I’m able to get into the game until my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see that it’s a reminder for next week.
Hadley has a summer dance show, then we’re having dinner with her parents after.
I don’t remember discussing this, but the joint calendar doesn’t lie. It’s a sacred tool for any marriage. I may be young, but I realized that quick.
The difference is that most people don’t fear dinner with the in-laws the way I do. Because Spencer Crews may just be the reason that I lose it all.