Page 111 of Seal the Deal
Flushing,Andrew averts his gaze from his phone. Hearing Nicki say these things in person is hard, but reading them is easier somehow, as if the words are more accessible to his brain or something. Andrew’s always been like this. It’s why he prefers texting his brothers to calling when possible, and why he loves reading so much.
There’s extra processing time with reading, and while he still thinks Nicki is laying it on kind of thick, he can’t deny that it feels good to be so wanted. Even if Nicki’s jealousy is borderline ridiculous and unwarranted because contrary to what Nicki seems to think, no one is clamoring for Andrew. No one except Nicki. Even days after they officially got together, it is hard for Andrew to make sense of.
Even though he’s missed Nicki while he’s been gone for his away games, Andrew’s kind of grateful for the time to himself to do nothing but think and read when he isn’t at work. The change from fake boyfriends to real ones is a huge change, and he needed the time to mentally process.
For days, he’s done almost nothing but think, and while the idea of anyone wanting him this much is hard for Andrew to accept, he won’t deny it makes him feel secure.
While Nicki will never be a loquacious man, he texted Andrew more than he expected while gone, and each messagebrought a smile to Andrew’s face. A smile he would like to return to Nicki right now because as fun as it is to tease him just a little, he deserves to know Andrew is cheering him on too, so he resumes texting.
Andrew
To answer your earlier question, of course I watched you. Charlie came over to see the boy aquarium on the big screen. His words not mine.
Nicki
please don’t fucking start calling it that
Andrew
I don’t know, maybe I should. It has a nice ring to it.
Nicki
I’m not going to text you anymore
Andrew can’t help but smile to himself, perfectly aware that’s not true.
“What’s got you smiling like that?”
Andrew drops his phone onto the kitchen island, the clang loud as he spins to see who the hell is in the house.
“Fuck, Amanda. You scared me.”
“I knocked twice, but you didn’t answer, so I used my key.” Amanda lowers a canvas tote onto the kitchen island along with a bottle of wine. “Benefits of being Nicki’s agent and family. I have full security clearance. I did assume you heard me and were busy though, sorry.”
Andrew rubs the back of his neck. “I must’ve been distracted.”
“Distracted by what?” She arches one elegant eyebrow at him. “Or should I say who? Did you meet someone?”
“Sort of,” Andrew admits, his heart speeding up at the confession.
“Wait, seriously? I was just teasing. How the hell did you find time to meet someone while you’re fake dating Nicholas? Is it someone from work? Please tell me you didn’t agree to go out with Mark. He is not good enough for you. Even if he’s been trying to get you to go on a date with him forever. The way he always stampedes over your boundaries pisses me off.”
“He doesn’t stampede over my boundaries, he’s just…overeager,” Andrew says, unsure he believes the words. “But wait back up, what do you mean Mark has been trying to date me?”
“Sweetie.” Amanda tilts her head, sweeping her dark hair over her shoulder. “You knew right? You had to know.”
“Know what?”
“He’s literally been throwing himself at you. All the after hours attempts to see you. You told me last month he tried to get your address to come over on the weekend.”
“He said he needed help with his reports.”
“He’s not incompetent,” Amanda says sharply. “He can finish his work alone.”
“Is that why he’s always asking me questions I know he knows the answer to, even when I’m busy?” Andrew says, something clicking into place.
“Yes, sweetie.”
