Chapter 19 - Jackson #2
“I’m not admitting to shit that ain’t true, J.
” Instead of giving me the opportunity to rebuttal, he turns up the music loud enough to cut off any conversation.
Fine by me, we’ve only got another twenty minutes until we’re at the cabin anyways, and I intend to spend every second thoroughly riling Taevin up until she’s begging me to stay in our room instead of hanging out with the group.
By the time we pull up to the cabin, Taevin is flushed and her breathing has picked up; essentially, I got her right where I want her.
“Wait, I thought you said we were staying at their cabin. Is this a resort?” Taevin asks, gawking at the mansion before us.
Cutting the engine, Bennett shifts in his seat and chuckles.
“Not a resort. This used to be their grandparents’ estate.
Carson and McKenna’s parents inherited it a while back, but they completely remodeled the place about four years ago.
They call it their family cabin, but it’s like over eight thousand square feet.
I’m not sure anyone would consider that a cabin. ”
“Definitely not what I’d consider a cabin,” she mutters before getting out of the car.
She leans against the side of Bennett’s SUV, taking it all in.
The exterior of the place has a lodge aesthetic and is expansive from the front, with large stone and cedar beams that score to the second story.
I’ve been here a few times over the years I’ve known Carson and McKenna, and I think Tae’s mind is going to be blown when she sees the inside.
While this house looks fairly stately from the outside, the exterior is somewhat deceiving for how big the interior really is.
Tossing my arm over her shoulder, I lean in and brush my lips against the shell of her ear.
“Did I mention there’s seven bedrooms? Meaning we’re not sharing with anyone.
And Carson being the best friend that he is, gave us the biggest bedroom in the basement with its own ensuite and french doors that open right to where the hot tub is. ”
“I’m afraid you didn’t. Jokes on you, though, because if I would’ve known we weren’t going to be sleeping on an air mattress all weekend like I thought we might be, I would’ve packed skimpier sleepwear.”
I nip at her ear lobe before letting out a menacing chuckle. “It’s cute that you think you’re wearing anything to bed while we’re here, baby.”
With that, I swat her butt and grab our bags before following Bennett and Tae inside.
Instead of getting her all to myself, we’re immediately swarmed by the rest of the group.
McKenna and Katie introduce us to the only two people who are staying here that we haven’t met, their two new teammates they’ll be playing with at Abbott University, Alexa and Brooke.
They seem cool and like they’ll fit right in with our group.
But I can’t stop myself from bending down and greeting my favorite guest of the weekend. McKenna’s Golden Retriever, Ranger, is the dog I always begged my parents for but my dad always forbade us from getting.
Ranger rolls onto his back the way he always does when he sees me, knowing I’ll give him the biggest tummy rub. “Hey, buddy. Who’s a good boy? Yeah, you are, aren’t you, good boy?”
“Um, this is the cutest dog I’ve ever seen,” Tae says as she kneels beside me and joins in giving Ranger his favorite pastime.
“Do you want pets one day?” I ask her.
“As many as we can fit in our house. I was never able to have any growing up, and I’ve always been so jealous of Ryan because she has two dogs and her nana’s house has a stable with horses she got to ride pretty much whenever she wanted growing up.”
“Then it’s settled, I’ll get you however many pets you want,” I tell her. “Consider that one of my future vows.”
My eyes widen at what I’ve just let slip.
Taevin either doesn’t register what I said, or she takes it in stride. Shit, now I hope she did realize what I meant by that.
She looks over at me with a radiant smile. “Then we better live on a big plot of land so I can fill it up with all the chickens, cats, dogs, and goats my heart desires.”
“Goats?”
“Yeah, I feel like they’d be fun for our kids to chase around some day,” she says wistfully.
I know I’ve got the dopiest smile on my face right now as warmth spreads throughout my chest. “I’m going to take our bags down to our room quickly.
Do you want to check it out or stay up here with the group?
” I ask, hoping like hell she’ll agree to get away with me before I have my way with her right here and now.
Standing, I offer my hand out to help her up. “I’d love it if you gave me a tour.”
“One grand tour coming right up.”
Our grand tour is unfortunately postponed when the guys pull me into a conversation just as the girls whisk Taevin into the kitchen to do a welcome shot.
The draft is all Carson, Griff, and Bennett want to talk to me about, and after a while I can see it’s making Taevin anxious when she catches snippets of our conversation, even though she won’t admit it. I wish I had known she was hesitant about living in Minnesota after college.
I meant what I said when I told her I’d do everything in my power to sign somewhere else after my rookie contract.
Hell, I was serious when I said I’d quit if it was in her best interest for her to pursue her dreams. I’m pretty sure that scared her more than anything, so I dropped it for the time being.
When it comes to how I feel about her, I want Taevin to have no reservations or confusion. I want her to be sure of what we have and secure in my love for her. I intend to do that, no matter what it takes.