CHAPTER 21
Paige
It’s after work hours at the library but I’m still at my desk, going over the details for events that will be taking place here in the next two months without Layton.
I hope to God a replacement for her is found before then because I can’t deal with another party planner who wants to know if we can temporarily remove two-hundred-year-old stained glass windows for more light, or if live animals can be incorporated as long as we have poop bags on hand.
“How do you do this without going insane?” I all but whine as I slump across my desk.
Layton gives me one of her patented mom looks. She’s so good at it that I sit up and make sure I’m not slumping. “I make myself assume that each person simply wants the best for their party. And that when they make odd or impossible requests, it’s because their client is making them be the bad guy.”
“That doesn’t help.” I pick up my pen and flip back to November. “Dallas’s event is in two weeks.”
“And you’ve done an amazing job.” She smiles and drinks hot chocolate from a mug that has SPARKLE ON, SUGAR written on it in glitter lettering. “The only thing left to do is confirm the guest list to make sure we don’t go over capacity and that access to the third floor is fully functional that day.”
“I have to worry about the elevator?”
“It’s almost as old as the house.”
“Oh, no.” I start to fan myself. “I can’t deal with things that move. Books don’t move, Layton. Where you put them, that’s where they stay, and they’re always in working order.”
“And to think I was voted most dramatic in high school.”
“That is not a helpful observation.” I stop fanning myself. “Can we take a break and eat the yummy Chinese food you had delivered?”
“Yes, but only because we got all our work done.”
“Oh, thank you, Mom.”
She fluffs her hair. “You’ll thank me later when we get to go home after we eat, instead of working for another hour and then eating.”
“Or we can take breaks like normal people do at work.”
“My way is more efficient.”
It totally is, but I’m not going to encourage that sort of thinking with her. I snag the container with garlic chicken and fried rice while Layton picks shrimp and broccoli like I knew she would. “How are things going with cheatergate?”
Layton makes a face. “Aiden told me he doesn’t have anything to share… yet. It would be easier if I could look that jerk in the eyes to see if he’s lying or not.”
“You could go to his house.”
“Security would stop me since I’m not on his guest list, but I am considering other options.”
Too bad Aiden didn’t live in the same neighborhood as Dallas. I’d get her in without a hint of remorse.
“And as of yesterday, he stopped answering my texts. So… the whole thing was more than likely a joke to him. He probably thought he’d humor me, pat me on the head, and make up some stupid payment because he thought I’d say no.” She stabs a shrimp with a chopstick. “Such a jerk. Oh, and to add insult to injury, I can’t even wait for him in the parking lot after practice because he’s going on vacation in two days. The only day I have off during the week when I know he’ll be in Raleigh, and he has the nerve to skip town.”
Inspiration strikes. Hopefully, Dallas won’t be upset with me. “I know where Aiden is going to be this weekend.”
Her hazel eyes round. “You do?”
I nod. “Yes, because I’m going to be there, too. You should come with me. Dallas won’t care, I promise.”
She hesitates. “I don’t know. That might seem kind of desperate.”
“Says the woman who was ready to stalk the guy in the parking lot of the stadium.”
“My future is on the line… and my wedding is in t-minus twelve days and counting.”
“Which is why you should come with me to Miami.”
“When do y’all leave?”
“After he’s done with practice tomorrow night. Dallas got a private plane. Oh my gosh, wouldn’t it be amazing if Aiden’s on the same flight? He would be trapped and unable to not answer your questions.”
She grins. “I like your devious ways. I’m in.”
* * *
After Layton and I finish dinner, I drive to Dallas’s house instead of home so I can break the news to him that Layton’s going with us to Miami. I’m hoping he won’t mind and that I didn’t lie to my best friend when I said he wouldn’t care.
As usual, Dallas meets me at my car door before I can get out. He opens the door and grabs my hand, helping me from within.
“This is a pleasant surprise. I thought you’d spend the evening packing for our trip.” He captures my lips in a kiss that makes my toes curl. “You planning on spending the night?”
I shake my head and give him one last kiss to help ease his disappointment. “No, I still have to pack. I actually have nefarious reasons for coming over… and I’m willing to do sexual things to get you to go along with my plans.” I want to do sexual things to him anyway, so even if he doesn’t agree, I’ll still get orgasms.
And I’ll book a flight to Miami for Layton on a separate plane.
He links our hands together. “I can’t wait to hear all about the sexual things you’re going to do to me.”
“But not my nefarious plans?” I ask as he opens the door to the house. I walk in slightly in front of him. “Aren’t you worried I’ll ask you to rob a bank or—”
“Play with snakes in a pit,” he finishes.
“That will never happen.” I shudder. “That’s plain cruel to even imagine.”
“There aren’t any snake pits around here for you to fall in. I googled to make sure so when we have a picnic at Falls Lake, you won’t be worried… shit. That was supposed to be a surprise.”
My heart flutters. “You did? It is?”
“Anything for my girlfriend’s peace of mind, and yeah, I thought a picnic would be nice when we got back from Miami. Hopefully, it won’t be too cold for you.”
I spin around and grab his shirt, pulling him to me. “That’s so romantic.”
“I’m getting moderately better at it,” he says with that cocky grin I’ve come to adore. “Catherine gave me the idea.”
“You should listen to your sister-in-law more often.” I lift on the balls of my feet and kiss him.
“About Catherine… and the rest of my family, they really liked you.”
I take a step back, my hand loosening on his shirt. “They did?”
“Mom and Dad couldn’t stop singing your praises. Mikey said you were okay in his book, which is the best compliment you’ll get from that pain in the ass. Catherine wants to quit her job at the coffee shop and become a librarian.” For once, his forest-green eyes aren’t smiling. He looks… afraid? Nervous?
“I’m not sure how to respond. Normally, I’d be pleased and relieved, but you don’t seem like you’re either of those things.” My stomach churns and my throat gets a little dry. It seems silly to feel like this. Yes, we’re exclusive and not casual, but he’s not my fiancé or—
“My parents wanted me to ask you to spend Christmas with us. They wanted Thanksgiving, but I have to play and I don’t know what you’re doing with your family.”
My skin gets all itchy and I have the urge to bolt, but I stay where I am with a smile fixed firmly on my face. “Let me think about it and get back to you.”
He cants his head from side to side. “Better answer than I thought I’d get.”
“You thought I’d say no?”
“Nope. I knew you’d no. Hell, I bet your polite reply is just a way for you to stall for time so you can come up with a reasonable explanation as to why you can’t be with me—us.”
Taken aback, I fist my hands on my hips. “I do have a family, Dallas.”
“You could’ve fooled me seeing as how I’ve only met your sister and she doesn’t even know about us.”
“Do you want Finley to know?”
His jaw works, turning granite hard. “Not if she’s going to react to it like you are.”
I throw my hands into the air. “Where is this coming from?”
“Nowhere. It’s just how I feel.” He shifts his stance. “We don’t ever go out in public, Paige. You don’t come to my games. When you thought I was asking you to, you were shutting me down before I had the chance to explain anything.”
“I told you that you could say you were seeing someone, and I’m going with you to Miami, not only as your guest, but also as your girlfriend. Your teammates will be there.”
“Big fucking deal. They can’t say shit about us.” He walks past me, moving into the kitchen. “I made sure of that to protect your precious privacy.”
I follow him, my heels clicking angrily on the floor. “Don’t act like this is something new. I was upfront about how I felt about dating someone like you.”
“Yeah, thanks for the ego boost, babe.” He opens the fridge, gets out a water, and rips off the top. “Appreciate it.”
“Like you need an ego boost from anyone. Don’t be that guy, Dallas.” As soon as I lob those words at him like a grenade, I want to take them back.
“What guy is that? The one who fucks you, eats your pussy, and makes you scream my name, or the one whose dick you love to suck?”
Outraged, I grab an apple from the bowl of fruit that he keeps on the island and throw it at him. He catches it easily and takes a bite.
“You’re such a pig.”
He stalks to me. “Oink. Oink. And don’t act like you don’t love getting dirty with me.”
“I never said I didn’t like it.”
His eyes widen in surprise, then grow hooded. “Show me.”
“How?” I lick my lips and become acutely aware of how the nearness of him, the scent of his cologne, and the fullness of his mouth turn me on.
“Get down on your knees, bright eyes. You know what to do next.” He leans back against the island and resumes eating the apple. “I’m waiting for your apology.”
“My apology?” I sputter, even as I’m kneeling before him. He’s right. I should apologize, but so should he. “I think we both need to apologize.”
“You first, baby.” He thrusts his pelvis in my face, the ridge of his erection nearly obscene in his sweatpants. “I’m ready when you are.”