Page 67 of Wanting the Winger

How do we make a relationship work when her career will be like that, too?I don’t like thinking about it.We’re still in that brand-new honeymoon phase, where everything is amazing and arguments don’t exist.I want to stay there, but Lainey’s only scheduled to be in Cleveland for two more months.

Two fucking months.Is that long enough to convince her to stay?I already know I want that.I want her Pop-Tart crumbs on my counter and her satin underwear on my bathroom floor.I want her in my bed.At my kitchen table.In the stands at my games.With me and my friends.

She has to want that, too, though.It’s too soon to buy a ring but damn if a big part of me isn’t ready.

When we get to our hotel, we all wait in the lobby with our bags as an assistant coach checks us in.It’s taking forever.Leo is already asleep on a lobby couch.

“Guys, I’ve got bad news,” Coach Turner says.

We all gather around to hear what he’s saying.

“There’s a problem.Firefighters have been fighting a massive fire here, and some of them needed to rest, so the hotel apparently left a message on someone’s voicemail in the front office that we’re getting seventeen rooms instead of thirty-five.”

Someone sighs heavily.

“No problem, Coach,” Carter says.“Tell ’em we’ll give up more rooms if the firefighters need them.We can double up in the beds.”

Everyone nods and murmurs their agreement.We’re tired, but it’s nothing compared to what firefighters do.

“Let’s buy them a meal,” Isaac says.“All the firefighters.Can someone from the team set that up?”

Our general manager, Marie Mathias, who’s traveling with us on this trip, answers.

“Absolutely.The team will take care of the arrangements and we’ll cover the cost.”

“What else can we do?”I ask.

“I’ll look into it,” Marie says.“Our game tomorrow night is still on as of now, but that could change depending on this fire.”

“For now, sleep,” Coach says.“Andy is working on room assignments.If you complain about your roommate, you’ll be sleeping on the bus.”

I’m paired with Andrei.We have to share a king bed, but he’s curled up on one side with his back to me, snoring before I even get my shoes off.

I’m tired, too.I had to watch video of my shifts from our last game on the flight, and I was only able to sleep for about the last twenty minutes of it.

And we’ll do it all again in a few hours—if the game doesn’t get canceled.

I plug my phone charger in and lie down, rereading the text Lainey sent me last night.There’s a photo of her and Bruce snuggling in my bed.

Lainey: We miss you!Good luck!Text me when you land.xoxo

She’s makeup-free in the photo, her hair damp from a shower.Her pajamas are covered in bananas wearing glasses and reading books.

I wish it was her beside me instead of Andrei.

I text her.

Bash: I miss you too.More than you know.We’re in Tampa and I’m about to get some sleep.Can’t wait to see you.

Turning my phone face down on the nightstand, I close my eyes, hoping I can sleep.My mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Lainey and the future.

Sleep doesn’t come easily.Now that I know what it’s like to be with her, I don’t know how I could ever go back to the way it was before.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Lainey

“Where’s Uncle Bashie?”

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