Page 69 of All In: The Price We Pay

“You guys are killing me,” he whines, which only makes me laugh even harder.

“You know, even though we’ve never announced that we’re together, and I know it’s fake and Valentina is just a great friend.” My gaze wanders. “It still feels strangely good.” Shaking my head, I turn back at him. “Ýou know I never had anything going on with her, but . . . ”

He steps toward me, cups my head, and rests his forehead against mine. “It’s the same for me. You’re a free man now.”

We both grin like idiots and stare into each other’s eyes.

“Silly, I know,” Parker mutters.

“That’s allowed sometimes, right?”

Parker pulls away from me. “I need to let Carly know. She can’t be caught off guard if anything comes out. I’ll deal with Simon tomorrow, after I’ve talked to Valentina.”

I let myself fall back and groan in mock agony. “No, don’t work in the middle of the night.”

He kisses me lightly on the lips. “Go to bed. Your reward is still waiting for you.”

As I slip into sweatpants and one of my favorite soft T-shirts, I hear Parker on the phone in the living room. Even after brushing my teeth, he’s still busy with something. He glances apologetically into the bedroom.

I nod and lie down on the bed.

What I’ve learned is that I can wait. I’d wait forever for Parker.

That’s my last thought of the day.

Chapter 16 – Parker

Evan doesn’t collect his reward for scoring a goal.

By the time I’m finally done talking to Carly, I’ve spent nearly an hour scouring the damn internet for clues from Sid and Valentina. Nothing.

I sneak into the bedroom and see Evan fast asleep in his bed.

There’s no trace left of the beast on the screen who pushes opponents against the boards, rips goals from their mounts, and yells at players.

All that’s left after this day is a giant teddy bear whose tattoos peek out from under his sleeves. In the dim light of his bedroom, he has lost all muscle tension. At least, that’s what he is to me. Cuddly, exhausted, harmless.

Vancouver’s players might not share my opinion tonight.

In the bathroom, I quickly get ready and slip into bed with Evan, wearing just a T-shirt and underwear.

Maybe I should keep a change of clothes here.

Would Evan want me to make myself at home here?

He hasn’t had any visitors so far, but that’s not going to last forever. How is he going to explain that I’m here?

Shit.

He rolls onto his side and wraps an arm around me. Immediately, my thoughts drift away again, and I snuggle up to him.

One step at a time. I don’t need to overthink things or rush into anything.

My touch wakes him up because he blinks at me sleepily. “Hey. You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here.”

A contented sigh escapes him, and he slides his hand under my T-shirt. “Is that my reward?”