Page 91 of Delay of Game

Jordan and I have not found the time to go on more dates since that night a week ago, and while I was a bit disappointedwe didn’t get to see each other as much, we’ve both been busy. At least I managed to see a home game and catch him in action as the assistant coach. I loved seeing him so confident behind the bench, making good calls and helping lead the team to a 4-1 victory.

Between that game, finalizing everything for my book to get published, and babysitting the kids as our siblings prepared for hosting the holidays, I haven’t been able to get my hands on him as much as I wanted to.

The pounding on the door persists—or is that the pounding in my head? I peek through the peephole and see a fit chest and a dark red beard. I roll my eyes and fling the door wide open. “Ash, what the hell? Don’t you know my head is killing me?”

“It’s an emergency,” he says, barreling past me.

I straighten up at that and spin on my heels. “What? What happened?” I ask, panicked.

“I have to pee,” he says, running down the hall.

Groaning, I fall on top of the couch and regret even getting up this morning. Ash comes back out and pokes my cheek, but I swat him away with a glare. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“Aw, that’s no way to greet your best friend,” he teases, laying down beside me. I scoot over, making space for his six-two ass.

“You’re not my best friend,” I mumble, turning my head to see his expression. He snickers and scowls at me and I grin, poking him in the side. “Eli’s my best friend. Followed by Olivia, then Robbie, then?—”

“Bullshit.” He laughs and elbows me.

“What are you really doing here?” I ask.

“I’m supposed to keep you busy as Jordan sets up your Christmas present.”

“What did he get me?” I question, skeptically.

“Yeah, I’m not falling for that. C’mon, get dressed and we’ll go get some coffee on the way to Robbie’s house,” hesays, standing up and dragging me by my arms. When I don’t cooperate, he throws me over his shoulder and walks me to my bedroom. “Don’t think I won’t dress you like a doll,” he says, and I relent.

“Fiiine, I’ll get dressed,” I say, walking into the closet and pulling out my favorite holiday sweater that has a fluffy cat in a Santa suit on it. I pair it with a comfy pair of red leggings and walk back out, ready to go.

“Cute,” Ash smirks. “Jordan must love your wardrobe choices.”

“Hey, don’t make fun of my sweaters,” I pout.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” he shrugs. “Y’all are nerds, so it makes sense.”

“Speaking of us, together. Has he mentioned anything to you?” I ask, looking at him through my mirror as I put on my tree-shaped earrings.

Ash leans back on his elbows, raising an eyebrow at me. “Like what?”

“Like, if he thinks we’re serious or if he thinks we’re casual?” I ask, voice going higher on the word casual. As much as I want to believe that Jordan is all in, there’s still some doubt in the back of my mind that at the next opportunity, he might leave me behind.

“Al, are you kidding? He’s crazy about you. He even made me give up—” he stops himself from finishing that thought, jaw clicking shut.

“Made you give up what?” I ask, eyes narrowed.

Ash mimes zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key and I groan. “I just—I trust him, but I just wish things would move a bit faster, you know? I mean, we did just go on our first date a week ago, but I feel like we should be further along in this relationship.” I frown and pick at my nails. “I don’t know what I want.”

“You want some kind of commitment, it sounds like,” Ash says, wrapping me in a hug. “Which is understandable. I know it’s not your forte, and it’s not mine either, but just be patient, yeah?”

I nod against him and sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”

We pullinto Robbie’s driveway and I’m shocked to see that everyone’s cars are already here. Did I miss the memo about when Christmas brunch was supposed to start?

Ash turns the engine off and grins over at me. I smile back, not sure why he’s so chipper. “Everything okay?” I ask, hand on the door handle, ready to make my way inside.

“Oh yeah. Can I show you something across the street, though? Before we join everyone?”

“Across the street?” I whip my head around, looking over at the house that was for sale for the past six months. Realization hits me like a brick—this is the house he bought for him and Eli. “You got the keys already? Show me!” I squeak out, and open the car door enthusiastically.

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