Page 13 of Power Move
I set the berries beside the plates and mugs to the sound of his footsteps drawing closer. “I didn’t think I’d see you this afternoon.”
“Where else would I be?” He wanders into the room, wearing the purple hoodie he had on at practice this morning and orange joggers so bright they almost glow. “Smells like breakfast. But it’s lunchtime.”
“Sage likes breakfast foods.” I adjust the heat on the front burner. A week has passed since I returned to the Metros, andI haven’t seen him since we parted ways last Sunday morning, after the flight back from the games against Henderson in Nevada. Leaving him that day was hard enough to carve a hollow spot in my chest.
Jonas pours coffee into two mugs and passes one to me. “So what’s going on there?”
“I like him.”
“I figured that much out.” He steals a strawberry from the bowl. “Other than the handful of hookups you’ve had, this is the first time in over three years you’ve shown an interest in someone. You’ve never cooked for anyone besides us.”
I flip the bacon, nodding my thanks when he adds creamer and sugar to my mug. “He’s sweet. And fierce. And so genuinely nice.”
Perched on a kitchen stool, he sips his coffee. “You didn’t have that withthe last one.”
The last one, always said in such an ominous tone, although Jonas has never met my ex. Seeing Theodore on a short-lived TV series where he played a lifeguard and on a reality show where he was more cut-throat than kind was enough for my friend to form his opinion.
“I know.” I didn’t realize I’d been walking around feeling like I was teetering on a knife’s edge withthe last oneuntil the relationship was over. Relationships shouldn’t be emotionally and mentally exhausting. Hindsight and my friends helped me see that.
There’s a knock at the door. At Jonas’s raised brow, I lift my shoulder. “I gave Sage the code for the security door downstairs.”
“Or it could be Quinn or Maxim.”
“They’re coming too?”
He blinks at me and frowns. “Why wouldn’t they? You said you were making lunch.”
“No. I said Sage was coming over for lunch.”
“Yeah, with us.” He nods. Then his eyes widen. “Wait. Was this supposed to be a date for you two?”
“Yeah.”
“Oops.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Having you all here will be great.” I don’t want anyone feeling bad or guilty for something that was my error.
He springs to his feet. “Want me to open the door?”
“No, I got it. Can you keep an eye on the bacon?” I thrust the spatula at him, then hustle from the kitchen. When I open the front door, the sight of Sage makes my day a million times better. “You made it.”
“Thanks for the detailed directions.” Draped in that long, dark coat, he leans in, lifting his face to mine, and I fall into the kiss. He tastes like mint and smells like crisp winter air and faint traces of citrus.
When we part, the sound of Jonas whistling drifts from the kitchen. Shaking my head with a smile, I guide Sage through the entryway. “Jonas is here, obviously. And Quinn and Maxim are on their way. There was a miscommunication on my end. I’m sorry.”
He slips his coat off. His black Henley hugs his fit form and dark jeans mold to his legs. His boots are the same ones he wore to the bar the first time we met. They still have faint traces of rock salt swirled over the leather. “It’s fine. I like your friends.”
I hang his coat beside mine. “How was practice?”
“Yanni misses you.” Raking his hands through his hair, he grins. “He said to say hi. Practice was good. I took some hits in last night’s game, so today’s workout hurt more than usual.”
My hands settle on his shoulders, squeezing and flexing in a gentle massage. “I watched that game. You dished out some hits, too.”
“I did.” Leaning into me, he slips his arms around my waist, pushing under my sweater. He doesn’t slide beneath my thin tee, and I wish he would. I want to feel his hands on my skin. “I still can’t believe you bought the streaming package for my games.”
“Why not? I need to keep tabs on my former teammates.”
Grinning, he kisses my chin. “You playedtwogames with us.”
