Page 60 of Stick Fight

“I thought… you might like it,” Roman says behind me, his voice almost tentative.

I turn to him, words failing me. “Roman,” I breathe, emotion catching in my throat.

“It came this afternoon. Everett snuck it in when we were out. I wanted to surprise you with it tonight. Is this okay?”

The vulnerability on his face undoes me. “It’s more than okay. It’s… it’s…”

“Not your machine, I know,” he says quickly, trying to fill the silence. “Not the one you’re attached to.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head as I step closer and place my hands on his cheeks. “I was going to say, it’s too much.”

He grins, his eyes sparkling. “Oh, this isn’tjustfor you,” he teases. “I’ve got a whole line of wicking shirts in mind. Maybe a few thermals. Some custom hockey jocks. Gotta protect the goods.” He adjusts himself dramatically, and I laugh.

“Oh, so it’s all about you,” I say, even though my heart knows better and when he’s talking about protecting the goods, maybe I need to be thinking about my own goods and when I say goods, I mean my heart.

“Damn right. If you’re staying here, you better earn your keep. No freeloaders, Gabs.”

I laugh and throw my arms around him, everything in me softening. “Well, maybe I have otherways I can work off my debt.” I pause, then gesture to the machine. “Unless you’re really committed to those jocks…”

“Fuck no.”

17

Roman

Istill can’t wrap my head around how fast my life flipped. One minute I’m at a wedding, fully prepared to hook up with one—maybe even two—bridesmaids, and the next... there’s a woman living in my apartment. Not just any woman.Her. The one I can't stop thinking about, the one whose laugh echoes in my head during practice, and whose smile makes me count the hours until I’m back home.

When we’re on the road, being away from her actually hurts. Like, physically. Which should freak me the hell out. But instead, it kind of feels right in the most dangerous way.

Gabby’s settled in like she’s always belonged here. At first, she only drove the car I bought to Tanner and Maeve’s place. But now she’s exploring the city like a local, hitting up the coffee shops, checking out fabric stores. I keep catching glimpses of bold, bright fabric, but she still hasn’t shown me what she’s been working on. From the colors, I hope it’s not some custom jockstraps. Although if she made it, I’d wear it.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say to Tanner as I reach for the car door.

He gives me a look. “Didn’t you buy a car?”

I laugh. “Yeah, well... Gabby’s using it. To helpyouout, remember?”

“True.” He smirks. “Stella’s obsessed with her.”

“Any luck finding a full-time nanny?” I ask casually, even though deep down, I’m not exactly rooting for them to replace Gabby. She’s glowing these days. Smiling like babysitting Stella is her favorite hobby. Though, that could just be from all the really good sex.

“We’re still interviewing,” Tanner says. “It’s a nightmare. If you ever plan on having kids, start now. Get on waitlists. Tour some schools.”

I stare at him like he’s just grown a second head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Wish I was. We got lucky with Mom in the beginning. Your parents would totally help you guys out, too. I’m sure.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, instantly tense. The world thinks my parents are the picture of perfection. When doing interviews, they’re the golden couple. Only my brother and I know what the cameras never see. And it’s a brutal reminder of why I swore off marriage. Off family.

“Wait a second,” I snap, shaking my head. “I’m not having kids. I don’t even know why I let you drag me into this conversation.”

Tanner just grins. “Oh, but youdid. Might want to ask yourself why, Romeo.”

“Fuck off,” I laugh, but I’m grinning too, because maybe the guy has a point.

“Hey, be nice to the guy driving you around,” Tanner says, giving me a look.

“Okay,Dad.”

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