58. Chapter 58
Jake
These past weeks with Lottie have been incredible, but things are about to change as it’s time for pre-season training and exhibition games.
Don’t get me wrong, my training with the team has already amped up, and she’s used to me being out most of the day.
But now, I could be away overnight or for days at a time.
I don’t know how to feel about it myself.
I’ve only just got her, and I don’t want time apart to cause her to change her mind about me. About us.
We’ve just checked into our hotel following our flight to San Jose. Tonight is our first preseason game, and we’re all pumped to get back out on the ice.
As usual, I’m sharing with Codey. I couldn’t share with Theo or Louis.
They're too loud, and I need my quiet before a game to nap and watch my crime show with Lottie. Speaking of which, I promised her I’d call once we landed.
Thinking of her alone in bed, sated and satisfied after I gave her not one but two orgasms before I left this morning, makes my dick throb in my pants.
Just as I’m about to make my call, there’s a knock at the door. I watch as Codey huffs and looks through the peephole before opening the door to Theo and Louis.
I quickly send a text to Lottie, knowing full well a phone call is now out the window, before asking, “What are you two doing here?”
“We wanted to see if you two wanted to review some game footage so we’re ready for tonight.” Huh, they’re not normally bothered about reviewing tape during preseason, so there must be an ulterior motive to them being here.
“Plus, we haven’t really caught up on what’s going down with you and Charlie,” Louis says.
These two are such gossips. “If we want to talk about what’s going down, let’s talk about why Theo’s new friend doesn’t know he plays hockey. What’s up with that?”
“Look, our friendship is new, and you never know who you can trust. So, I’m just keeping it on the down-low for now,” he insists, and to be fair, that’s reasonable. People always want something from you.
“Anyway, hasn’t Kayla told you all you need to know about the status of mine and Lottie’s relationship?”
“Kayla hasn’t really been talking to me since the piercing,” Louis shakes his head. “She told me she’s in mourning. I’m talking full on funeral garb—she has a black wig on with a veil!”
“Wow, your dick really must be something special, Frenchie,” Theo pipes up.
“I came home from practice yesterday to find a photo of my dick in a frame surrounded by candles like some sort of shrine. A few weeks without sex has made her unhinged, and there's so many more to go still.” That makes us all burst out laughing—Kayla is comedy gold.
“So, back to you. What’s going on with you and Charlie?” he says, changing the subject. The guys all turn to look at me.
“Well, we’re officially a couple. I’ve told her I love her.
She hasn’t said it back, but it’s ok, she told me she needs time.
I just worry about being away. I don’t want her worrying about what she sees in the gossip rags or online.
I can be walking down the street next to a stranger and the next minute we’re hooking up.
I need her to know not to believe everything she reads. You guys know what it’s like.”
They all nod their heads, and I go to the mini fridge to grab us all some water bottles.
“Let’s get on with watching this tape, shall we?” Codey commands, fully in captain mode.
About an hour and half later, Codey claps his hands together, “Right boys, it’s time for you to leave. Jake’s got to watch his crime show with Charlie.” He ushers the guys out while I find the episode I queued for tonight. I hit the button for FaceTime.
After a couple of rings, it answers, and the screen is filled with my girl's beautiful face. She’s got her glasses on and not a stitch of make up. This is my favorite look on her—natural and relaxed.
“Hey, baby, how’re you doing?” I say before taking a sip of my water.
“Hey! I’m good, just finishing up on a commission. Bella’s here.” She pans the camera round to show her dog asleep on her lap.
“I miss you both so much.” I know I sound like a simp, but I don’t care, I need her to know she’s constantly on my mind.
“Jake, you’ve literally been gone for a few hours, and you’ll be back tomorrow.” She's smiling as she says it and I know she misses me just as much but won’t admit it.
“I’ve got The First 48 ready to go, have you?”
“Oh, hold on. I didn’t see the time, bear with me.” I take a moment just to take her in whilst I wait. God, she is the most stunning woman on this planet. I never stood a chance against those beautiful grey eyes, pouty lips, and wavy blonde hair. Don’t get me started on her body—it’s perfection.
“Ok, I’m ready to go.” We both press play and watch the preview of what tonight's episode is about. We’ve got a stabbing in New Orleans and a gang shooting in Atlanta, which should make for a good show.
I see Codey out of the corner of my eye, looking up from his phone.
He won’t admit it, but he likes to watch this, too.
“It’s definitely the neighbor who stabbed him to death; it’s always someone you know,” I say to Lottie.
“Hmm,” she taps her chin. “I think you’re right that it’s someone he knew, but I don’t think it’s the neighbor. I think it’s the wife.”
“Why would she stab him, what would she have to gain from doing that?” I question her.
“Well why does anyone do these things? Usually, it’s for life insurance, or maybe she’s having an affair with someone else, or he was.
We’ve seen enough of these for you to know how these things go.
” She gasps and claps her hand over her mouth.
I can’t believe she just said that either. Has she remembered something?
“Has this spurred a memory, baby?” Please say yes.
“Not exactly, I don’t remember anything specifically, but I know I’ve watched this show a lot, and my brain seems to remember it’s with you.”
I’ll take it. Her memories have been slow to come back to her lately, so anything that happens is good in my books.
We continue watching the show, and then it’s time to say goodbye, but I really don’t want to. “I’ve got to go and get ready now, baby. Can I text you later?” I ask hopefully.
“Of course you can, I’ll try and stay awake. I wanted to watch the game, but I couldn’t find it televised on any channel I have.” She looks so disappointed. I’ll fix that once I’m back so she can watch every game I play.
“Bye, sweetheart. I love you.” I wave at the screen.
“Bye, J. I…ok, bye.” She waves and then hangs up.
“She was going to say it, wasn’t she?” Codey says from his bed.
“I don’t know, man, sure felt like it though.”
“Let’s get suited up and down to the bus.”
We head down to meet the others in the foyer before we head over to the arena. It occurs to me on our way down that Lottie didn’t mention the memory I left out for her. Maybe she hasn’t seen it yet. I make a mental note to ask her later.