Page 77 of Power Play
"We know you can obviously afford everything yourself, and Martha doesn't need our help." Emily looks at me and shrugs. "But this is how the Titans do family."
Garrett slides up behind me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me back against his chest. "I know they're a lot, but they mean well. Let them love you?"
A sob wracks my chest, and I feel the first of what I'm sure are many tears.
Martha comes forward, wiping her hands on a towel. "Ben said you'd need a moment. And that you probably wouldn’t want to be the center of attention while opening presents." She takes my hand in hers. "Go to the bedroom and feel all your feels. When you're ready, we'll be here for you." She tugs me towards Scott's bedroom, and I've never been more grateful for an escape plan. She's absolutely right. I'm overwhelmed with emotions and don't want to make a scene.
I sit on Scott's bed, our bed, and ugly-cry into my hands. I've never felt so loved, so appreciated, so taken care of. Especially by women who don't owe me anything. These women decided I'm one of them and picked me up and loved me just because. I'm shaking as I try to calm myself down. I can't believe these women, but God am I grateful for them and the sense of belonging they've given me.
And I know in a heartbeat I'd do anything for each of the women out there.
This is family. This is what family was always supposed to be. You decide you love someone and then you do it. It's really that simple.
When my chest has stopped shaking and I wipe my eyes, I find the bravery to head back into the kitchen. The women are happily chatting amongst themselves. Martha's directing everyone on what to do and there are printed recipes on the counters she's using as guides.
They all kind of pause when I reappear, though, trying to gauge where I'm at.
I wring my hands.
"I'm just really grateful for each and every one of you. I... I’ve never had a group of girlfriends and I'm so...so grateful." I start to get choked up again.
Lauren steps forward and throws her arm around my shoulder. "Trust me, girl, you're going to need a group of girlfriends to deal with being withhockey players." She says the last two words as if they're the most obnoxious things in the world.
Emily smiles at me. "Ben’s with Carter and the kids. Apparently, he asked for Dad lessons, so I apologize in advance."
I can't help but laugh.
I know Garrett's here somewhere, but I wonder about Scott. Before I can shoot him a text, though, Lauren pipes up. "Jonesy and Scott are under strict instructions not to bother us, so they're downstairs with Novy and Kyle."
I smile, already grateful for everyone in this house.
"I... I really can't thank you guys enough."
Now it's Martha's turn to admonish me. "Enough with the thanks... let's get to cooking!"
And so we do.
Chapter forty-three
Ben
I'm on a boat, gently rocking with the waves. Lacey's wrapped up in my arms, her back to my front, as we simply rock together. The sun is shining bright, and the water is lapping gently against the side of the boat.
But something's wrong.
I don't own a boat.
And the water slapping against the side of it... sounds almost pornographic. Like the slapping of wet flesh, not water.
I open my eyes, blinking away the sleep, but the slapping sounds and rocking continue. I turn my head, taking in wide, green eyes. Lacey's eyes. But they're wide, almost panicked. And there's a large hand gripped hard over her mouth. I start to panic, before I take in the rest of the scene.
"Uh oh, darling,"grunt"it looks like your boyfriend caught us..."grunt. Lacey's eyes roll back in her head and her eyes flutter closed. Scott's taking her from behind, just inches from me. The sheet is tented where he's lifted her leg up for easier access. They were playing to see if they could fuck without waking me. Now they're playing like they got caught cheating.
I close my eyes and groan, my cock instantly hardening against my thigh. I reach into my boxer briefs and grip my shaft and balls in my hand, each heartbeat causing me to thicken more.
I love that about Scott. How he plays with her. How he invents scenes and new ways to let Lacey explore her sexuality. Somethingshe had never really had a chance to before. He admitted to Garrett and me once at an away game that after his marriage fell apart, he joined a sex club, which allowed him to explore sexually, without strings and with anonymity. I love that he's bringing that experience to the bedroom with Lacey. She deserves it.
"Oh, baby," Scott coos in her ear. "It looks like he liked finding another man fucking you in his bed. Right next to his sleeping body."
