Page 48 of Seal the Deal

Me:Trust me, I can think of a few other things I’d rather have you stroke than my ego.

I did not resist the urge. I grin at my own audacity, waiting to see if she’ll let me get away with that.

Charlie:Wow. You have a very vivid imagination, Brooks. Must be lonely in that hotel room.

Me:You don’t know thehalf of it. I miss you.

Charlie:We miss you, too. The kids asked about you tonight, especially Noah. You’ve got a number one fan here.

The idea that they’re thinking of me, missing me, makes everything else fade. It’s not just Charlie—it’s all of them. And damn, I want to be there.

Me:Tell Noah I’ll be back soon. And that I’m bringing him a surprise. I’ve got something for Meadow, too.

Charlie:Now you’re just spoiling them! But they’ll be stoked. Thanks, Jake x

The way she says my name, even in text, feels like I can hear her voice, soft and warm. And that little kiss she added? I want to be with her right now, pressing my lips to hers for real. Not in some hotel room hundreds of miles away receiving typed ones.

I hover over the screen, fingers itching to type something flirty again, something to make her smile. But beneath the easy banter, there’s a seriousness I can’t shake. This isn’t just some fling. Not even close. When I finally type my response, it’s with the hope she feels it too.

Me:It’s gonna be hard to sleep tonight

Charlie:Who says you’ll be sleeping? ??

Her reply sends a jolt of desire straight through me, already conjuring all the ways I wouldn’t ‘not sleep’ with her in my bed. This woman—she has me completely.

Me:You sure you don’t want to fly out here? I could make it worth your while.

Charlie:Tempting. But I don’t think your team would appreciate me distracting you

Jake:I’d risk it.

Charlie:Of course you would.

Me:Can’t help myself when it comes to you.

There’s a beat—just long enough for the words to settle.

Charlie: Night, Jake. See you soon xx

Me:Sweet dreams, Lady Lightning x

I stare at her last message for a moment, heart pounding in a way that has nothing to do with the game. Setting the phone down, I lean back and close my eyes.

But all I see is her.

Chapter sixteen

She sees the cracks in my armor and fills them with her warmth

Jake - 12 Years Ago

Islip away from the group, my heart pounding harder than it should after a simple game of capture the flag. It’s not the physical exhaustion—I can handle that—but the pressure in my chest, like something’s about to cave in.

I lean against a tree, the bark rough under my palms as I try to focus on my breathing. In, out. In, out. But the air doesn’t reach my lungs, no matter how hard I try. My vision blurs at the edges, a weight settling like lead in my stomach.

Not now. Not here.

I ball my shaking hands into fists against the bark, willing the anxiety to go away. I’ve felt it creeping in before—usually when I think too much about the draft, about what comes next. But I can usually push it down. Not today.

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