Page 65 of Sportsball is for Lovers

Opening my mouth, he cuts me off.

“I’m not saying I’m perfect or that everything will be smooth sailing. I’m human. I make mistakes. And honestly, I haven’t tried for a relationship in years.” He pauses, his eyes glued to mine. “But you’re the one I want to try this with.”

Plucking at a loose thread in my sweater, I ask quietly: “Why me?”

His brown eyes are a rich amber, light and bright. “It was only ever supposed to be a one-time thing. That’s what we agreed to, right?”

I nod.

“So why have we hooked up four times in three cities? What keeps bringing us together?”

“An app?” I guess.

Jared shakes his head. “I’d like to think it’s fate.”

Oh.

“We don’t have to get married and have a million babies. We can just date for a while and see if we’re compatible,” he says.

I chew my lip again.

“What is it?” He leans forward, tugging my lip free.

“I don’t want kids,” I admit.

He blinks.

“Is that a dealbreaker?”

Jared exhales slowly. “Not at all. I’m not crazy about the idea, either.”

“I did…” Blowing out a breath, I squeeze my eyes shut for courage, then open them again. “I offered Yoni and El my eggs. I told them I’d be a surrogate if they want.”

He blinks a few times. “You would do that?”

Slowly, I nod. “It’s not like I need them. And they would be great parents.”

Jared rushes forward, toppling his chair, and scoops me into a hug. His arms are tight around me, his scent enveloping me in the most perfect cocoon.

“You’re the best person I’ve ever met,” he declares.

“Oh, I don’t know…”

“You are.” He squeezes me tighter. “I can’t believe you’d do that for my brother. I—Thank you.”

“They haven’t taken me up on it yet,” I mutter. “They’re still thinking it over.”

“Still. That you would even offer…”

He releases me, but he doesn’t go far. His thumb trails my cheek, his eyes bright.

“You really care for him, don’t you?”

I nod. “He’s my other half. I don’t function without him.”

Jared chuckles. “I’m glad it’s my brother and not some random man.”

My eyebrows go up.