Page 72 of Wanting the Winger

“He’s actually not a big fan of having his bunghole penetrated.It took us time to build up the trust for it.And he hates it when I brush his teeth and make him take his vitamins.”

I sigh heavily.“Just don’t get my dog off, okay?Please?”

“No worries, brother.I’m just here to holistically help his body and spirit.”

I don’t even know how to respond to that.Thankfully, Lainey saves me from having to.

“Hey, we need to go,” she says.

We both pet Bruce before leaving, and he still wags his tail and licks my face, so he must still love me.This must be what it feels like for parents to leave their kids with a nanny.

I glance over at Lainey’s beat-up old Camry as I back my truck out of the garage, thinking about the Christmas gift I just ordered for her.

It’s a brand-new BMW X5, and I ordered it early because it’s getting a custom dark-purple paint job.It’s so dark it’s almost black, and the interior is black leather.I know she’s going to flip.

If I’d asked her if I could buy her a new car, she would have refused.This way, it’ll already be here and she can’t say no.

Lainey deserves every luxury.Once we hadthe talk, and I asked her to stay with me after this semester if at all possible, she decided to start working on her doctorate.She found a program through Cleveland Clinic where she could work on her doctorate part-time while also researching.Helping Professor Carr with his classes has sparked a love of teaching in her.

For the first time, I’m hoping I don’t make the all-star team.I’m not expecting to because Isaac and Carter are having once-in-a-lifetime seasons this year.If I don’t, Lainey and I are taking a six-day trip to Fiji.Six days and nights of nothing but the two of us would be paradise no matter where we were, but we’ll still make the most of our time in a little hut built over sparkling turquoise water.

I’m planning to propose on the trip.It’s soon, but also not soon enough.Being with Lainey feels like an unlocking of sorts.All the clicks and slides fell into place and something inside me opened for the first time.I never knew what people meant when they said, “When you know, you know.”Until I knew.Then I got it.

This is what it means to feel complete.I don’t have any doubts.Lainey is my one and only.

When we arrive at Carter and Suki’s house, the front yard has been decorated with lights, smoke machines and animatronic monsters.There’s even Halloween music playing in the front yard.

Inside, the lights are dimmed and every room on the main level is decorated.There are fake spiderwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling and fake skeletons wearing hockey gear in corners.

A coffin in the dining room is open, the inside filled with an assortment of snacks.There’s a fake head in the center of the dining table, its eyes following me wherever I move.

A guy dressed as a vampire comes up to us with a tray of drinks.It takes us a few seconds to figure out that it’s Aden, Harry’s boyfriend.

“Hey, man.Good to see you again,” I say.

“Would you like some fresh blood?”he offers, gesturing to his tray.

“Yum.”Lainey grabs a glass and takes a sip, looking at me.“Red wine.”

“Love your costumes,” Aden says.

“Yours, too,” Lainey says.“Is Harry here?”

“He got called to the restaurant for an emergency.He wasn’t happy.There was a water main break, though.Pretty big deal.”

“Oh, damn,” I say.“They’ll have to close.”

“Do I look horny, baby?”A huge man approaches us from behind, putting an arm around Bash’s shoulders and the other around mine.

His British accent is terrible, but Leo’s costume is on point.He’s Austin Powers, complete with a dark wig, glasses and bell-bottom pants.

Bash laughs heartily as he takes in Leo’s outfit.

“’Bout time you bought a costume,” Leo says, nodding at Bash’s Batsuit.“Anddamn, Lainey.”

“That’s enough looking at her,” I gripe.

“You better keep her happy, or someone else will.”Leo winks at her.

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