Page 72 of Coast to Coast

“What are you wearing to the game?” She asked.

“Well, the boys will all be in their suits, so I plan to wear some fuck-me shoes, and depending on the weather, I’ll either do a skirt or dress,” Gwen said.

I watched Callie as she nervously cataloged the clothes available for her to wear in the house. “You know who has a reputation for personal shopping? Your friend Monica,” I whispered.

She turned in my arms, “How’d you know what I was thinking?”

“You’re easy to read. I know you left your pencil skirts in Boston, but you have plenty of time to shop with my mom in town.”

Mariana watched our interaction. “Can I come? I haven’t gone on a kid-free shopping spree in a while.”

Gwen jumped in, “If we’re all going shopping, then we need to make time for a boozy brunch.”

Callie moved off my lap and sat with the women as they made plans. Britney eventually warmed up, and they gracefully included her in the plans. I slid into the seat next to Damon, noticing his wistful stares as the women made plans.

“Any word?” I asked, knowing he hadn’t heard from Kayleigh since she ran off.

“Nope. I think it’s done this time.”

Just like last time, Kayleigh left without a word. Damon came home from practice expecting to join her for dinner, but instead, he found an empty home; she’d packed up all her belongings and left town.

“Was it jealousy again?”

“I think? I don’t know. She should know me, man. She’s the only fucking woman I’ve looked at. We’ve been through everything together.”

Callie looked over at me, sensing the depth of our conversation and not understanding what the hell happened with Kayleigh. Granted, she didn’t know her well, but when we’re away from our family, these guys, the WAGs, become your family. She watched as we talked, offering us space and only interrupting once she saw that the subject had changed to the game and the team dynamics.

“Are you almost ready?” She asked. We’d had Lukas pack her equipment in my truck; we weren’t hazing him, but it didn’t hurt to make him earn his place in the hierarchy.

“Yeah, and just so you know, my mom sleeps like the dead.”

“Are you telling me this so I don’t stifle my reaction when I pull out my favorite toy tonight?”

“Nope. Not thinking about your toys at all. And you won’t be either,” I said, pushing her towards the door and turning back briefly to say goodbye.

“Gumby!” I shouted across the bar, “Don’t you dare come pick up your kids until the morning!”

Mariana caught my meaning ahead of her husband, “Ok. Your mom said they were asleep in Crew’s room on his extra bed. Call us at any time if you need us.”

CALLIOPE

Patty had left the light on for us, but the house was silent except for the white noise machine that I could hear whirring through the door of Tom’s bedroom.

When I looked towards the door and shrugged to question the noise, Tom explained, “Her CPAP machine.”

I had watched as he pretended to set up a bed on the couch for the night but must have missed when he put away the bedding.

Tom saw my gaze hit the couch as I took in the lack of blankets and sheets.

“She told me not to bother pretending. I figured I could stay with you and get up before the kids woke in the morning.”

My eyes widened. We’d slept in his room ever since we’d started sleeping together, and between the toys hidden, I had a couple of fantasies that I was more than happy to let play out.

“My space, my rules?” I asked as I pulled Tom into my room.

“Callie, let me go on record: There is no space we will ever be in where we’re not following your rules. You fucking own me.”

I tried not to read too much into what Tom had just said because I might look like I was in control right now, but inside, I was reeling. This night, performing and having the support ofhis teammates and their significant others made me feel part of something.

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