Oh my god, sex with Alex just keeps getting better. I flop back on my comforter and press my fingers to my swollen lips, reliving the hot encounter we just had in my bedroom. I know it was risky propositioning him like that, but we’ve been eye-fucking each other all afternoon, and I couldn’t stand it anymore.
There’s no way I’d be able to sneak back to the Whalers hotel tonight without someone noticing, so I had to grab my chance when I could.
But even better than to mind-blowing sex was his declaration afterward. I was afraid that Alex just wanted to fool around, but he’s made it clear that he wants more—eventually. That’s the part that stings a little and takes to shine away. I completely understand his reasoning behind keeping us on the down low during the playoffs. I grew up in a hockey family and get that this is a stressful time and team dynamics are paramount. No one wants to be the guy who causes a rift in the team. However, I still feel shitty sneaking around behind my brother’s back.
Snapping out of my contemplation, I sit up and quickly pull off the rumpled jersey and stuff it back in my suitcase. I dash to the bathroom and clean up, pulling on my underwear and the sundress that I had on earlier so as not to rouse suspicion with a costume change.
When I open the bathroom door, I let out a startled yelp. Zac is sitting on my bed with his arms folded and a serious expression on his face, tapping his chin and looking like he’s thinking really hard about something.
“Now, a less observant person wouldn’t have noticed the birthday girl disappear into the house just before the sexy goalie is sent on an errand to the kitchen. They also wouldn’t have noted the time it took the goalie to return to the party with the beer. It was ten minutes and fifteen seconds in case you’re curious.”
I stand in the doorway to my bathroom and listen to his smart-ass comments, feeling my cheeks burning hot and praying to god it doesn’t smell like Alex and sex in my room.
“So, my question to you is are you or are you not fucking Alex Bergman?” Zac asks, a cocky smirk tilting the corner of his mouth as he tries to keep his serious expression.
“Easy there, counselor.” I laugh, grabbing my hoodie off the back of the chair because once the sun sets, the beach can get kind of chilly. “There’s nothing going on.”
Zac stands up and comes toward me, putting his hands on my arms so that I’m forced to look up at him. “Be very careful, Lana. You’ve just come out of a relationship that was built around secrets and lies. Do you really wanna get involved with a man whose too chicken shit to stand up to your brother and be with you in the open?”
“Hey, that’s not what this is!” I cry, glaring at my friend.
“Ha!” Zac, steps back and points his triumphant finger at me. “I knew you two were fucking!”
I huff out a breath and roll my eyes. “Okay, fine, we are. But we both want it to be more. He just thinks getting the playoffs out of the way first is the best thing. He doesn’t want Matt to be a dick about it and mess up the team dynamic.”
“Babe, I’ve gotta say that sounds like he’s stalling for time. If he really wanted you, he wouldn’t give a shit about that.”
“No, it’s not like that.” But even as I say the words, I hear the truth behind them. If Alex won’t fight for us to be together no matter what anyone says, will he ever have my back?
“All I’m saying is be careful. Have all the hot sweaty fun you want with him, but please protect your heart.” Zac pulls me into a hug and my high from being with Alex quickly wears off, and I feel unsure all over again.
Being back in Seattle also takes the shine off my birthday glow. It’s still raining, and I miss the warmth and sunshine of the Gulf deep in my bones. As I sit at the kitchen counter waiting for my pulled pork to cook, slicing the gherkins for my homemade pickles, I think back to Zac’s words and how they dumped a whole bucket of iced water over my feelings for Alex.
After our encounter in my room, we spent the rest of the party staying a respectful distance from each other. However, it did start to look like we were purposefully avoiding each other which looked even more suspicious. So, every now and again, I would join a group that he was part of, and I tried my best not to look at his strong, thick thighs that felt so good between my legs. And I could tell by the way he kept licking his lips that he could still taste my pussy. It was all too much at one point and I had to retreat to the bathroom to splash water on my face.
But despite all the heat we were generating, Zac’s words still played on my mind.
At midnight, Coach Casey called time and started to herd the players onto the bus, all of them hugging and thanking my parents for the party and hospitality. I received cautious hugs from them as well, especially when Matt was nearby. And when it came to saying goodbye to Alex, I felt my heart stutter in my chest and my lips tingle with the need to kiss him. Instead, we exchanged an awkward hug, and when we parted, I noticed Zac rolling his eyes.
Thankfully, Matt and Mila went back to the team hotel on the bus, so once the party was cleared away, I headed straight to bed. I think Zac could sense that I wasn’t in the mood to talk, so he went to his room and left me to it. Just as I was about to shut my phone off and get into bed, a message pinged in.
[ALEX: Happy birthday, baby. Can’t wait to see you once we get back home. Sleep well xxx A]
I read the message several times, tears stinging my eyes and confusion swirling around in my head. Why did I have to admit what was happening to Zac so he could put all this doubt in my heart?
With a huff, I turn my phone off and put it on the nightstand. It would have to wait until morning. I couldn’t deal with it right now.
And it’s been a day since we returned to Seattle, and I still haven’t replied. Alex sent one more text to confirm he was home because the team plane left before our commercial flight, but I’ve ghosted that message too. And to help matters more, Zac has been AWOL with his new hook up since we got back, so I don’t even have my best friend to talk to about this whole thing.
The sound of my cell phone ringing makes me jump, and I quickly grab it, thinking it could be Alex. But instead of his number, I see Cam’s.
“Hey, Cam.”
“Hey Lana, how are you?” she asks quietly. “Sorry for the whispering, but I’ve just got the baby to sleep, so I thought I’d do some work while I have five seconds.”
I laugh quietly as well, even though I’m sure SJ can’t hear me. “What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to catch up with you about your donation to the Whalers Foundation Auction,” Cam begins. “I know you left before the auction, but your lot went for a great deal of money, and I wanted to give you the details for the dinner party.”
“Oh wow,” I gasp, shocked that anyone actually bid on it because I’m basically an unknown chef in Seattle. “Can I ask how much it raised, or is that inappropriate?”
“Hell no! Of course, you should know. Hang on.” I hear Cam typing on her keyboard and then she’s back. “The donor bid ten thousand dollars.”
My mouth drops open, and I’m sure I’ve heard her wrong. “Did you say ten thousand dollars?”
Cam laughs again. “That’s right. Ten grand. Well done you. You should be getting a thank you card and gift basket from the Foundation because they said no one has ever paid so much for such a low-ticket item. No offense meant, but people usually pay that for a trip to the Caribbean or an all-access VIP experience with the Whalers.”
“Well, I can’t believe it,” I gasp. “Who was the donor?”
“A woman who lives in Denny-Blaine, a very exclusive neighborhood. She’s a French fashion designer and wanted a taste of home.”
“Jesus, for that much money she could fly back to France for a meal.” I laugh, still flabbergasted that anyone would pay that much for a meal cooked by me.
“I know, right!” I hear Cam make a cooing noise. “Oh darn, SJ’s awake. Look, I’ll email the details to you. She wants to have the dinner party as soon as possible, preferably this weekend if that’s at all doable.”
“Oh, that should be fine. We have no Gooey Gourmet bookings this weekend, and it gives me time to prepare the menu and buy the groceries.” I’ve already got recipes swirling around in my head.
“Oh, on that note, she’s also said she’ll reimburse you for all your expenses, so just keep the receipts and present her with an invoice when you arrive.”
“This seems too good to be true!”
“Believe it! Okay, I’ve gotta go. It looks like SJ’s had a diaper explosion. Warren! I need a Code Brown clean up kit, STAT!” And with that Cam hangs up, and I’m left wondering how the hell I’m going to pull off this fancy dinner party with only a few days to prepare.