As we’re drinking and pedaling, the boys complain about being tired, Maksim more so than the rest.
“How about we hop off and go back to the hotel?” the one girl says.
So much for just wanting to hang with the team.
“Nah. I’m good here.” Maksim eyes me over the table.
I sip my beer. “When is your baby due?” I ask Ford because I’d rather engage in conversation than watch these two talk up my secret boyfriend.
Ford balks. “Paisley, we don’t talk about my baby mama with ladies present.”
I shake my head. “My mistake.”
I can’t believe this guy is going to be a father.
He leans in and whispers, “Very soon.”
I nod. Although the girls were clearly trying to eavesdrop, I don’t think they heard.
Since Ford is all about scoring with one of the ladies, I leave him and Maksim to talk with the girls and I set my attention on the rookie. His name is Prescott and he goes by Prez. He was just traded in a few months ago and he barely makes it off the bench. He’s originally from North Dakota and has no idea what to do in Florida, so I give him some ideas of places and restaurants to check out.
By the time the night ends and we make it back to the hotel, I’m barely able to keep my irritation in check. This certainly wasn’t the date I expected.
I say good night to the group as Ford, Prez, and Maksim walk the girls into the hotel lounge. In the elevator, all I can do is stare at the numbers as the car continues to rise. I know we’re not supposed to act like a couple in public, but I could do without Maksim actively flirting with someone else.
As soon as I’m in my hotel room, I strip down and throw my clothes by my suitcase and turn on the water for the shower. I was sweating so badly while pedaling. All I want is to shower and go to bed and not even think about what Maksim is doing.
I’m just about to go into the bathroom when my hotel room door buzzes and opens. Maksim walks in as though he owns the place.
“Excuse me?” I grab a towel to cover myself.
“Why are you covering yourself up?” His eyebrows are raised.
“Um, because I’m naked.”
“I’ve seen you naked.”
“How did you get a key for my room?” I change the subject.
“I told them I was your boyfriend. Voilà.” He holds up the key card.
“Well, that makes me feel safe.”
“Were you disappointed it wasn’t Prez? I could call him right now for you.” He sits on the edge of my bed and takes off his shoes and socks.
“What? I wasn’t the one all over a bunch of puck bunnies tonight.”
He looks at me with irritation. “You were talking to him the entire night.”
“And you were lip-locked with some Russian chick before the night even started.”
“I pushed her off. I didn’t ask her to do it.”
I stand in the bathroom doorway, waiting for a better answer.
“So what? Prez was payback?” He stands and takes off the rest of his clothes, leaving him in only his boxers.
“What are you talking about? I had a pleasant conversation with the guy while you and Ford chatted up those girls. That’s all. Why don’t you tell me who the Russian really is?”
He puts his hands on his hips. “She’s someone I’ve seen here before. Her name is Alina.”
I suspected as much but hoped I was wrong. “You mean someone you hook up with when you come through Nashville?”
“On occasion. But I told her it was over. That I’m seeing someone now.”
I shake my head. “I gotta take a shower.”
Heading straight for the shower, I stand under the stream of water, a million questions accosting my brain and a million emotions swirling through my heart. Does he have hookups in every city? How will I ever deal with his life when I’m not traveling with him? I understand a little better now why it’s hard for Saige. Trust is huge and hard for me to give. Do I have what it takes to handle dating a professional athlete? I mean, my dad wasn’t famous and look what he did. He didn’t have to face temptation from women every time he clocked out for the day.
The fogged up glass door slides aside and Maksim steps in. “We’re going to talk about this.”
“I’m busy.”
“Paisley,” he says with a bite.
“Maksim,” I impersonate his tone.
“She means nothing.”
“Prez was just someone to talk to. I don’t like it though. I don’t like the girls. I don’t like the way it makes me feel.” Water streams down my body and I think it’s all the better to hide the tears brimming in my eyes.
“Good thing I only like one girl,” he says with a smile. He always says the sweetest things. He takes me into his arms, turns me around, and shampoos my hair. “Have I ever told you how much I love your hair?”
“About a hundred times.” I allow the distraction, leaning along his body after he’s washed and conditioned my hair. I look up at him, feeling more vulnerable than ever. “Maksim, please don’t hurt me.”
“Never.”
Afterward, Maksim dries me off, picks me up, lays me on the bed, and makes love to me—missionary style.
I knock on Maksim’s door with a cheesecake in my hand.
Nadiya answers in a tight aqua dress that will make sure she’s noticed anywhere she goes. She points at the box. “Is that dessert?”
“Cheesecake,” I say, offering it.
She takes it from my hands. “I love cheesecake and so does Jessie.”
Jesse? Does she have a boyfriend? Maksim is driving me crazy with his lack of details.
Nadiya turns and walks down the hallway toward the kitchen, and I follow. I haven’t even been here since I found out about Nadiya.
“He’s out on the patio. That man loves to grill.” She places the cheesecake in the fridge and turns around, her toes painted the cutest pink.
“I didn’t know he grilled,” I say, hating that this woman knows more about him than I do.
“Everything from fish to vegetables. Always out on the grill.” She waves toward the patio where I’m guessing Maksim is.
He and I have been good. Happy. Still having sex every chance we get. But I can’t help but feel as though there’s something more going on underneath it all. My jealousy in Nashville. His jealousy in Nashville. Him living with a beautiful woman—regardless of who she is. And Armen. The fact he refuses to talk about his feelings from his friend’s death. It’s all brewing underneath our new relationship, and sometimes I feel as if we’re waiting for a bomb to go off.
“Tell me about yourself. Maks says you’re a psychologist? How did you go through that much schooling?”
I laugh. “Well, I love it. I want to help people.”
“Good money though. That’s what my mama would say. It pays good.” She takes a vegetable tray from the fridge and places it in front of me.
“Not yet. Takes a while to get a practice rolling. Hopefully in a few years.”
“I’m graduating from a fashion design school and my mama says it’s not practical.”
“Well, my mom was mad about the loans I took out. I’ll be paying those for years to come.” I roll my eyes good-naturedly.