Page 84 of The Recovery Coach
“Could you see yourself dating Lover for real?”
The more time she spent with Valentine, the more she adored him.But their relationship veered into platonic territory at lightning speed.
“Idon’t think so.”She didn’t want to say no, because the seed of attraction was definitely there.
Jake gasped and clutched nonexistent pearls.“What did that sweet man do to give you the ick?”
“He didn’t give me the ick.I love him.Like I love you.”
“Oh, girl, that is definitely not going to work then.”
They laughed, and when Jake turned the TV on, Olivia said, “If it’s just us, I’m getting comfy.”
Olivia took some time to change.She slipped her dress over her head and replaced it with one of Connor’s hoodies she’d stolen.Then she washed her face in the bathroom sink and piled her hair into a messy bun.
Feeling more herself, she returned to the living room.Jake flipped to a sitcom.Valentine texted the details of his altercation with Connor.Olivia showed Jake so everyone knew what was going on.It took everything Olivia had to stay in her seat instead of seeking out Connor to offer a hug and reassure him.They waited for Connor to join them, taking Valentine’s advice to make him come to her, but he never did.
The next night, Jake and Valentine went to Connor’s house after their game.They lost, and at first, tensions were high.But Olivia and Jake left Valentine and Connor in the kitchen together, where they whispered back and forth.Olivia could see them, but couldn’t hear them.She assumed they had worked things out because as they talked, they each seemed to relax.She knew they were good when Valentine slapped Connor on the back and returned to the living room with a goofy grin on his face.He didn’t offer any details.
Valentine sat on the opposite end of the couch from Jake.He pulled Olivia onto his lap.Connor sat on the floor, his back pressed against the corner of the sectional.
They hit play on a replay of a hockey game Coach Bree asked them to watch.One of the teams they faced soon was on a tear.The Freeze held a wildcard spot and needed to start winning games if they wanted to clinch a playoff berth.
At first intermission, Olivia went to the bathroom.When she returned, Valentine held a hand out in invitation to her, and she moved to take the offer.Connor hopped to his feet before she could sit.
“No,” he whined.“It’s my turn.Somebody better snuggle me before I lose my mind.Do you know how long it’s been since someone cuddled me?People are supposed to have eight hugs a day.I’ve had none.”
“Dude, you had like twenty.Every teammate.You’re not touch-starved.”Valentine laughed and grabbed Olivia’s outstretched hand.
“Come here,” Jake said.“Leave the lovebirds alone.I’ll snuggle you.”
Connor shot Jake a murderous glare and snatched Olivia’s free hand.
“You don’t like being touched.I need actual loves.Not five minutes of comfiness and then you complaining about being too hot.”
“Let’s keep in mind that I am not a tug-of-war rope,” Olivia pointed out, laughing as Connor and Valentine pulled her arms in different directions.
Connor dropped her hand and climbed into Valentine’s lap.Valentine pushed him off.
“Next to me, not on me, you psycho.”
“Fine,” Connor said.“Livy will let me be on her.”He climbed out of Valentine’s lap and looped his arms around Olivia’s legs, trapping her.He stood, tossing her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes.She squealed and fisted her hands into his shirt, trying to get upright again.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” she said.
“I’ve been cleared to lift way more than you.I’ll be okay.”
She forced herself upright and managed to wrap her legs around his waist.He lowered himself onto the floor in front of Valentine.
Jake smirked at her and gave a thumbs-up over Connor’s shoulder.She flipped him off.
“You’re kinda needy today,” she said.
Connor wiggled under her and man-handled her into a comfortable position with her head resting on his chest, her ass between his spread legs, both her legs splayed over one of his thighs.Olivia closed her eyes and let herself breathe him in.God, he smelled so fucking good.
“I’m needy every day,” he said.
He reached over his head and fished for Valentine’s hand.When he found it, he rested it on the top of his head in a clear order for Valentine to play with his hair.His friend obliged, mussing it with a noogie and then lovingly smoothing it into place.Connor wrapped his arms around Olivia and squeezed hard enough to be uncomfortable.
