“I’d never pass up a good cuddle,” I reply with a smile.
“Cuddling it is.” Gage hauls me up, turns us on the couch so he’s sitting and then pulls me into his side. “I won’t stay long. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Big, indeed,” I say with excitement. Because it feels natural to me, I lean my head on his shoulder and wrap my arm around his stomach. His arm around my back gives me a squeeze.
Tomorrow the team flies to Arizona for a game against the Vengeance. The documentary crew will be attending and traveling on the team plane to shoot footage. Tying in Baden’s origin story about when he was the Vengeance backup goalie is paramount to telling his story. I’ve been told they’re going to interview one of the detectives who investigated the assault that left Baden paralyzed as well as the district attorney who prosecuted the men arrested.
This all means great things for me since Brienne has ordered me to be present during all the filming. I get to see my sister and niece, which is a treat since I didn’t think we’d be able to see each other until the season ends.
Moreover, I get to spend more time with Gage.
“What’s your schedule like while we’re in Arizona?” he asks.
“I’ll be with the film crew the entire time, but after the game, I’ll hang with Emory and Felicity.”
“You need that,” Gage observes. “I know you miss them.”
“That I do,” I say upon a sigh. “We’re probably going to have drinks at the hotel after the game, if you’d like to join us. I’d love for you to meet Felicity.”
I hold my breath, ready to cringe if he says he can’t, because while he might have a legitimate reason, my abused and battered ego expects the worst.
“I’d love to,” he replies. Although I can’t see his face in my current position with my head against his shoulder, I hear delight in his voice. “I was hoping I’d get to spend some time with you.”
I force myself to release my breath slowly and easily. Once again, Gage has shown by his actions that he’s almost too good to be true. I know I should accept and enjoy, but part of me can’t help but feel like the other shoe is about to drop.
“Do you think this is weird?” I ask.
Gage jerks a bit, pushing me back so he can peer down at me. “Think what is weird?”
I feel my face flush warm, but I want to be honest. “Just… this seems like an old-fashioned courtship. You’re the epitome of the perfect gentleman. Far kinder than most men I’ve known, except for maybe my dad. You’re so careful and respectful of me. And here I am, after only having been on three official dates with you, only knowing you for three weeks, cuddled with you as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. It’s just… weird, right?”
“It’s unusual,” he admits with a chuckle, pulling me tight against him. “But if it helps you to know, I have plenty of thoughts about you that aren’t gentlemanly. I definitely want to take this to another level when you’re ready.”
The man is dangerous, for with a few words, he makes me want him fiercely in all ways.
“I can’t explain what this is, Jenna.” Gage once again pulls back and cups my jaw with his hand so I look up at him. “Honestly, I don’t want an explanation. I just want to trust in my instincts with you, and my gut is telling me that fate has been holding you in reserve for me. That I’ve been waiting for you to come along. And maybe, you’ve been waiting for that too.”
I get sucked into the naked truth brimming in his eyes, and a moment of clarity comes over me. I’ve never been a romantic believer in soul mates, but I think that might be because I’ve never come close to feeling what that might be like.
It’s soon. It’s fast. It’s not love at first sight, but it is a deep connection building very quickly.
It will be a roller coaster for my emotions. Mere weeks ago, I’d shy away from something so volatile to my little bubbled world, but somehow, this man has picked me, and I realize now this is a gift I cannot ignore or push away.
With my hand on his stomach, I push up so my mouth meets his. Within my kiss, I seal a vow that I’m going to bare myself to him in all ways that I can and trust in what this is and has the potential to be.
CHAPTER 15
Gage
I’m not sure what it says about me as a leader on the Titans, but we just got our asses handed to us by the Arizona Vengeance, dropping us another position in the playoff standings. And yet, I’m more excited to spend time with Jenna and her sister and niece than I am bent out of shape about the loss.
I’m slightly ashamed because tonight I wore the C on my jersey, having been elevated to team captain. Coen’s league suspension was handed down this morning, as expected, and he is captain no more. Coach Keller was almost giddy tonight. Although he’d never admit to it being because Coen wasn’t with us, we all knew differently. Callum spoke with the team before our flight took off, the entire thing recorded by the documentary crew. He gave an impassioned speech about needing to balance consequences—which were deserved—and grace to have understanding for the circumstances.
As it stands, Coen’s suspension is for ten games, and Callum has said he’s not going to appeal. I suspect it’s because everyone expected a much larger suspension, given Coen decked a ref, but I’m assuming there’s been some compassion coming into play for what he’s been through. As it stands, his suspension will carry us past the end of the regular season. After tonight’s game, there are only five games left.
Five games to hang on to a playoff spot, and we are clinging on by our teeth now without Coen and Jesper.
But that worry is for tomorrow. It’s not going anywhere.
Tonight is for Jenna.
Or rather me, who will be graced by Jenna and her family.
I’m swept up in this whirlwind of discovery with her, and it’s so crazy. I should be leery, but I’m not. I’m riding the wave and despite it being a bit scary, it’s fucking exhilarating.
I exit the team bus, along with the rest of the players, upon arriving at our hotel. The mood is dour because while we lost, we fought hard. That makes losses tougher as opposed to easier because we gave it our all and it still wasn’t enough. I doubt many will be going out tonight.
I head to the restaurant/bar where Jenna will be waiting. She took an Uber from the arena to meet Emory and Felicity as their time is limited.
The hostess podium is empty since the restaurant portion is closed, but the bar is still open. Glancing around, I spot Jenna in a booth near the back, cuddled next to a little girl with raven-black hair like Emory’s. No doubt that little cutie is her niece Felicity.
Emory sits across from them, a glass of wine before her, and the women talk animatedly. I wonder if I’m being intrusive and should let them have some alone time, but the selfish part of me doesn’t want to miss a single second with Jenna. I also don’t want to miss any opportunity to learn more about her.
Emory sees me first as I approach, and then Jenna’s head swivels my way. The smile she offers is brilliantly happy, and my bucket fills to the brim, all the drainage from the game loss recouped.
I return the smile, and so as not to disturb her space with Felicity, I slide into the booth next to her sister. “Hey, Emory,” I say, and she smiles back. I look at Felicity. “Hi.”