Page 90 of Delay of Game

I walk backwards out of my own bedroom, admiring her naked legs and thick thighs that I wouldn’t mind having wrapped around me again.

“Practice is going to be pure torture when all I can think about is my sexy girlfriend,” I say with a wink, hearing her laughter echoing in the hall as I leave my apartment.

When I get to my car, I send Ash a quick text, thinking of an idea for Alice’s Christmas present.

Jordan

I have a huge favor to ask and you’re not going to like it.

Alice

The arena is packedby the time we get to our seats. Happy hour with Megan usually involves more than one drink and long-winded conversations about our crappy coworkers, none of which I mind. But I knew I had to cut it short today, which is why I invited her to see the game with me.

“So, I finally get to see the elusive Jordan in the flesh,” she says, pulling her beanie further down her ears to ward off the cold.

“You’ve seen pictures at least.”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same. I need to get a good read on him, you know? Really see what his vibes are if he’s here to stay for good this time.”

I sigh, feeling bad that Megan got the brunt of most of my complaints and heartbreak over Jordan. She’s seen me cry at work in between classes and in the break room. “Things are different now,” I say, a touch defensively.

“I’m not suggesting otherwise. I just want you to be happy, Al,” she says gently, squeezing my hand.

I squeeze hers back and say, “We’re figuring things out. It’s a good thing, I promise.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. The truth is, I could tell Jordan was holding back today and all I want is for him to be open with me and be able to say what’s on his mind.

Right as my mind starts to wander, the announcer welcomes the Manticores to the ice, and I stand up, cheering. The seats Jordan has reserved under his name for the season are right by the home bench, so if I lean into the railing and pop my head over, I can see the players in the tunnel.

Tripp, the team’s new captain since Robbie retired, sees me and waves enthusiastically. I wave back and smile, reaching my hand down for a high five as they start getting on the ice.

The coaches and staff are the last ones to come out and I watch Jordan as he confidently takes his place behind the bench, looking like a million bucks in his charcoal grey suit that looks like it was tailor-made for him.

“Hey, hotshot,” I yell over at him, earning a glare from the nearest security attendant. All the coaches turn over to look at me at the same time and I bite my lip, laughing.

I wave at Jordan and turn around, showing him the jersey I’m wearing. It’s his old one with the number 20 stitched under “Hill”. It’s well-worn and frayed at the cuffs, but it’s my favorite one. And now I have a reason to wear it again. Now I have a reason to come to games again.

When I turn back around, I expect Jordan to be embarrassed, maybe sporting a blush on his pretty face, but instead he’s grinning from ear to ear.

Hand over his heart, he throws his head back and closes his eyes. When he looks back at me, all I see on his face is pure happiness. I blow him a kiss and he winks at me, just like he did this morning as he was walking away in his sexy-ass tracksuit.

I swoon and decide I’ve made enough of a scene for now. When I turn back to Megan I find her regarding Jordan with a curious expression on her angular face. She usually looks stoic, but there’s some softness to her now. “What?” I ask her, not sure I want to know what she’s thinking.

“I get it now,” she says as we continue to stand and turn to face the flag for the anthem.

“Get what?”

“That man is head over heels in love with you.”

CHAPTER 33

December - Christmas Day

Alice

Someone is tryingto kick in my apartment door. The pounding comes again, and I rub the sleep from my eyes, wishing my hangover would just disappear.

Robbie’s fundraising gala for Blue Line Brigade was last night, and I may have had a little too much fun, dressing up in my fanciest dress, drinking mimosas with Olivia and Malia, and having a blast bidding on the auction.

I even won a basket of Manticore goodies after adding all my raffle tickets to it. I smile at how much fun we had last night. Jordan and I danced together a handful of times, and even managed to steal a few moments together, kissing in the hall or taking a short walk for a breath of fresh air. And at the end, we left the gala and headed to the Arcadian for drinks, hanging out well into the night with Alex and Malia.

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