17. Ash
CHAPTER 17
ASH
I could barely hear the chatter around me as I walked toward where Jay and his mom stood with the man Jay was being set up with. Fuck, how could this happen?
I glared at Howie, wondering if he’d been in on this, too. But the shock that registered on his face indicated he was just as surprised as I was.
Jay glanced at me for help, but I just stared back at him in wide-eyed terror. We’d talked about keeping things between us as we got settled in our relationship.
There was not a single doubt in my mind that I wanted to be with Jay, but I thought we’d have more time to ourselves.
I’d been so happy living in our little bubble that I hadn’t mentally prepared myself to tell our families. Once they knew it was only a matter of time before I needed to come clean to the team. But was I ready for that ?
It didn’t matter if I was or not, because my fear of losing Jay was much greater than any concern I had about what our families and my team thought of us.
Jay was mine . I couldn’t let anyone take him away from me, not when I’d finally got him.
“I’m so sorry. I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Jay said to the stranger. I hated how handsome he was, more refined than a rugged football player like me. My fists clenched, hating to admit that they did look good standing next to each other. I wanted others to think that about Jay standing beside me and nobody else.
“Mom, can I talk to you for a second?” Jay pulled his mom into the house. Howie and I followed. Jay glanced at us wearily, but didn’t try to kick us out. Instead, he refocused on his mom.
“I can’t believe you just did that, Mom! That was awkward as hell.”
“Language!” Karla glared at her son, which only made Jay sigh and press his fingers to his temple.
“Mom, I’m not looking to date anyone right now, so can you please just leave my love life alone?” Jay finally said.
“Now wait one gosh darn moment, Jaydan Cobb. What in the world is wrong with you? There’s a nice young man out there, so why can’t you just try to get to know him? Isn’t he a nice man, Howie?” Karla turned to her youngest son for support.
“Hey, don’t drag me into this,” Howie exclaimed with his hands up in defense.
When she realized she wasn’t going to get any help from her boy, Karla set her eyes on me. “Ash, don’t you think they’ll make a fine couple?”
Jay had looked annoyed when Karla tried to drag Howie into this, but now there was absolute horror on his face as my mouth opened and closed, trying to find the words in reply.
I wanted to yell and curse that no, I did not think they’d make a fine couple. The only thing fine about them would be if they were halfway across the world from each other. Naturally, I couldn’t say it like that.
“Mom, this has nothing—” Jay started, probably trying to help me. I loved that he wanted to protect me, but I also wanted to do the same.
“No, I don’t think they suit each other at all,” I started, then walked to Jay’s side. “The only person meant to be by his side”—I took Jay’s hand in mine. He easily yielded to me and just stared at me in wonder as I placed a kiss on the back of his hand.—“is me.”
“Oh, my fucking god!” Karla squealed beside us.
“Mom, language ,” Jay teased lightly, though his eyes were glued to me. The brief worry that I’d done something unnecessary and exposed our relationship when it wasn’t my place was quickly dispersed at the awe in Jay’s eyes as he looked at me. I gave his hand a squeeze, then slowly turned to face Karla.
My heart thumped harder than it ever had when I was on the field, worried that her exclamation was a disapproving one. Fortunately, she was all smiles .
“See! My meddling did do some good. It finally pushed them to confess what we’ve all known for years,” she said with a hand on her heart.
My ears burned. I knew my crush wasn’t a secret, but I wasn’t excited to have everyone and their mom point it out.
Howie snorted. “Sorry to disappoint, Mom, but them being together had nothing to do with you. I take the claim for this match,” he said with his chest puffed up.
I gawked at him. “You knew?”
He rolled his eyes like it was given. “Why do you think I orchestrated your reunion at the yoga studio? If you had blown that chance again, then you really would have been hopeless,” he said with a shake of his head. “Besides, I kinda figured when the calls complaining about your game stopped. Something must have taken up all your time.”
“That’s my boy! You got your matchmaking skills from me.” Karla guffawed and slapped Howie on the back—hard.
I was still shocked silly, and Jay looked to be in a similar state as me. “Are you…are you okay with this?” I asked Howie, holding up Jay’s and my linked hands to indicate what I meant.
Howie let out a loud belly laugh and wiped under his eye. “It was a little weird when I first realized you liked my brother, but that was like ten years ago. I’ve had a lot of time to get used to it. Besides, I figured if you still liked him after all this time, knowing how one-track minded you are, that’ll never change. And most importantly, I trust you. I know you’ll take good care of him.”
He clasped my shoulder.
I never knew how amazing it would feel to get the blessing of my best friend. There had been a hint of worry that Howie wouldn’t approve—I’d feel weird if I found out one of my friends was sleeping with my little sister—so I was relieved to know how he felt.
Pulling him in for a tight hug, he hung on just as tightly. His breath tickled my ear as he whispered, “Though, I wouldn’t be doing my job as a sibling if I didn’t warn you—you break his heart, you deal with me—ow!”
Howie pulled back to glare at Jay as he rubbed the back of his head, where I was guessing Jay had struck him. “Don’t antagonize my boyfriend. Ash would never hurt me, right?”
My heart squeezed at being called his. Nothing ever sounded better. He looked at me, his eyes so trusting. I promised to never betray that trust.
“Never,” I said, my voice choking with emotion as I pulled him in. His laugh sounded so musical as he easily fell into my arms, right where he belonged.
Howie laughed too, and wrapped his arms around both of us. We stood there like three drunkards just hugging and laughing until Karla clapped her hands.
“Alright, alright. I think it’s time we return to the party. I’ll let Antonio down gently,” she said with a hand on her hip .
From my memories, Karla had always been a strong pillar that no one in the Cobb family dared to disobey, but her solid footing wasn’t earned with an iron fist, but her love and dedication to her family and loved ones.
“Yes, ma’am,” we all said in unison, though the smiles never left our faces.
“Thanks, Karla,” I told her as we followed the other two back out into the yard. “Though I’d appreciate it if you didn’t surprise my boyfriend with another blind date.”
She grinned and patted my shoulder. “Took you long enough,” was all she said before turning to where Antonio still sat on the patio couch.
We stood in a huddle, catching up with some of Jay’s cousins, when one of his uncles pulled him away. He looked more than tipsy while dragging him over to a group of older men.
I shot him a sympathetic look but knew better not to get in the way of any of the Cobb men, especially when they were drunk.
While waiting for him to return, Howie pulled me to an empty corner later and asked, “So, you gonna come out to your team?”
I bit my lips, hating that I even needed to do that. Nobody cared when straight people started dating someone, so why did it have to matter that I was dating someone I loved?
Fuck .
The emotion struck me hard and fast, even though this had probably been years in the making, ever since the day he’d caught me from the bleachers. Back then, I never dared dream that my silly little high school crush would become anything, and look at us now.
Now that we were together, I had to believe that all the other pieces would fall into place as well.