Chapter 19 Beck
Beck
Leaving the storefront, I feel fucking amazing. No one pinch me. If this is a dream, I have zero desire to ever wake back up.
Hell, after that I think I just want to live in between Jensen’s legs.
I feel alive. I could run a damn marathon right now, no, an Ironman.
Actually, a sexual Ironman, if you will.
Looking over at Jensen in my truck, her knee bounces as she looks aimlessly out the window. I’m so damn eager to get back to my place and go for an actual round…but is she?
I don’t want this to turn weird for us. We need to play this smart or it could go south quick. Jensen’s so intertwined in our group and I refuse to let this have any impact on her relationships with the girls.
I know she said she wants to do this, but I also told her that we would still be us. Would taking her back to my place and simply having sex feel like that’s our only reasoning for being around each other now?
Shit, now I’m overthinking it. We’re not a couple. I know we’re not romantic, per se, but we can still be us, and there’s something we usually do that we skipped.
Reaching over I squeeze her leg quickly. “Hey, it’s Tuesday, let’s pick up Dottie and go for a run.”
Jensen’s eyebrows pull together. I know this isn’t at all what she’s expecting, but then her leg stops bouncing and she seems to relax a bit.
“I’m not saying I don’t want to run, but it’s actively snowing. I get we have salt and all the plows, but even I have my limits. Not to mention limits for the conditions she runs in.”
“I know. But I have a solution for that if you want to go run…” I take a small breath. “Or we can get our heart rates up a different way. It’s up to you, Jen. I’m good with either.”
Jensen eyes me cautiously and it takes a few seconds but she finally relents. “Maybe we do go for a run.”
After picking up Dottie and changing, I take us to our new winter running spot. I may have made quite the case for a new machine to come into the Blues training facility.
“What are we doing here, Beckham?” Jensen asks.
“It’s a surprise, Jen.” I put my truck in park. “Wait for me to come around, it’s still slick.”
Jensen lets out a small huff. “I think I can handle a little ice.”
I look her dead in the eye. “I know you can, I’m talking to Dottie.”
Jensen bites back a smile. “Fair.”
Getting inside the lobby, I know the anticipation is eating at both of them. Dottie’s turning circles which is only stressing Jensen out more.
“So, do you have, like, an indoor track or something? Are we going to run fake bases a hundred times?”
I chuckle. “No, smart-ass. I have another idea to try first.” Making sure the door is locked behind me, I turn to Jensen and tap her nose. “Trust me, Killer.”
“Beck,” she groans my name as she swats at my hand.
“Follow me.”
Picking up Dottie’s leash, I lead them both down the hall to our workout room. I honestly can’t believe I actually talked Olsson into this. I mean, I’m the one who paid for it, but really, my argument for the team to bring their dogs might actually encourage workouts seemed to help.
Hitting the code to get into the workout room, I hold the door open for Jensen to go in first.
She hesitates for a moment studying my face. Part of me thinks she might actually want to try and guess what I have up my sleeve, or maybe she’s thinking of taking Dottie and leaving.
I hold my breath until she walks in. “Head over to the treadmills in the back.”
Jensen eyes me curiously, but walks anyway. When she hits the line of machines, she spins around. “What is this?”
“It’s Dottie’s treadmill.”
Jensen’s jaw drops. “You bought her a dog treadmill and got it put in a Major League training facility?”
“Hell yeah, I did. Gotta say it’s probably a gamble if she’ll even like it, but I figured if anyone could get her on it, it’s me.”
Jensen swats at me first, but her dropped jaw has since turned into a smile. “I cannot believe you did this.”
“Believe it.” My hands tug her closer by her waist. “I like running with you both, I’m not going to let some snow stop that.”
Jensen looks back to the machine then back to me now biting back her smile. “You could really charm your way into anything, couldn’t you?”
“I really could.” I tap her ass playfully. “I think the crush you have on me really solidified that statement.”
Jensen shoves me back, but that smirk won’t leave her face. “You and your ego.”
It takes a little convincing to get Dottie comfortable on the machine. Every little adjustment we had to make to ensure her safety while running made her quite apprehensive about it, but once she got going, she absolutely loved it.
Jensen and I stood by on either side for a few minutes to make sure she got the hang of it. It’s non-electric, and once she realized she could control the speed, it was game over.
After that, Jen and I hopped on the two next to her and ran our typical five miles. It may not have been our usual route with the views of the Harborwalk, but I’m not complaining.
Dottie’s definitely not either. We all but have to pull the emergency brake to get her off.
“Safe to say she likes it.” I chuckle, then give Dottie big pets. “Good job, I knew you could do it.”
Jensen comes up behind her, ruffling her fur on her back. “Such a good girl. You did so good! Let’s find you some water, shall we?”
Straightening my spine, I grab my and Jensen’s nearly empty bottles and Dottie’s leash. “There’s a kitchen, we can refill and get her a bowl.”
Walking down the hall, Dottie pants the whole way, but she’s got that border collie energy for sure. As much as this was a good excuse to spend time with Jensen, I freaking love this dog.
Grabbing one of the bowls out of a cabinet, I fill it up with some water. “Here we go, Dot.” Patting her head, I make my way over to the small table where Jensen’s set us out new water bottles.
“Do you think it’s odd how much we talk to her?” Jensen asks, watching Dottie absolutely demolish the water.
“No,” I say without a thought. “If someone thinks we shouldn’t talk to our dog then I don’t want to talk to them.”
Jensen shakes her head with a small huff of a laugh. “She’s my dog, remember.”
“Semantics.” I wave her off like that didn’t hurt my soul. “So, are you going to be my date to Dex and Lucie’s wedding tomorrow?”
Jensen gives me a side-eye. “I’m her best friend. Don’t reduce my presence there to being your arm candy.”
“Alright, fine, I’ll be your arm candy. Dex gave me the title of best man in the group chat, that’s all the acknowledgement I needed.”
“Dios mío, you’re hopeless.”
I take a drink of my water, letting that tension really hang. “I didn’t hear a no. It’s settled, I’ll be your date. Don’t worry, I put out.”
Jensen shakes her head as she bites her lip. “So, do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?”
Shit, was not exactly looking for that change of topic. Adjusting in my seat, I lean back and look toward Dottie now. “I, uh, guess not really. My dad’s messaged a few times, but I haven’t responded.”
“Beck…” Jensen sighs.
“It’s fine, I’m fine. I’ll talk to him before Christmas, I just think both of us could use the space.”
Jensen’s lips fold together. “Well, Stella asked if she could come down from Salem for dinner. Do you want to join us?”
I should politely pass so Jensen can have quality time with her sister. I should let there be some boundaries for hers and my benefit. Eh, fuck that.
“Okay, Jenni-cakes, I’ll take you up on that.” I take another sip of water. “How are you feeling about the whole Reagan situation?”
“A little antsy and nervous, but equally excited and a bit relieved.” Jensen rolls her shoulders back.
“As contradictory as that sounded, it all sort of feels right. I don’t fully love that it comes at me spending your money, but the trade and being able to use it when I need it does make it a bit easier to swallow. ”
There’re so many inappropriate jokes I want to tack on, but it’s probably not the right moment for that. “I guess this will call for some adjusting in that five-year plan.”
Jensen’s cheeks pinken, but she holds eye contact as she says, “I think I’m going a bit rogue, and I can’t say that I’m regretting it.”