Page 75 of Play of Love
“Look what happened to you last night.” He smiled and gave my hand a squeeze. “Just take it and get whatever you need. It’s the least I can do.”
I didn’t care about my loose camisole that probably showed off too much or the matching shorts, I had to hug him.
“Thank you so much,” I told him and snuggled into his embrace.
He held me close to him, filling me with that feeling of safety, I’d felt last night.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Anything for you, beautiful Amy.”
* * *
Josh
* * *
I had the pleasure of watching her on a daily basis. Night and day.
I didn’t know that I could be so fascinated with one woman as I had been with her. Everything she did amazed me and it was nice to have her around all the time. It got to a point where I couldn’t remember not having her in my life. I was serious when I told her I didn’t know what we had, but wanted it. Since then every minute spent with her strengthened that desire.
The first week she spent at my house was the very best week I’d ever lived there. She brought so much life into the house and seemed appreciative of everything. She liked waking up to watch the sunrise on the beach. She liked sitting by the fireplace with a fire in the back while she drank cinnamon hot chocolate. She liked my not-that-great cooking, and she liked listening to classical music and reading poems with me.
My sessions with my therapist helped a great deal, but what worked for me was Amy. Her. Plain and simple. It was her. She made me want to be a better person.
She made my house feel like a home and extended her presence to accompanying me to the stadium when she could to offer her support. I was grateful for it. Particularly on days like today when I was exhausted from the intense week we’d had.
I’d finished about fifteen minutes ago but Coach Simpson wanted to go through some strategies with me. I was particularly good at this and would have been able to give more insightful commentary if I hadn’t noticed Amy talking with Corey by the water stand. I knew Corey and couldn’t believe my asshole of a best friend was flirting with her.
Amy wore denim shorts and a white shirt over an olive-green tank top. Her golden hair sparkled against the bright stadium lights. The whole image of her was sexy as hell without trying, and she carried herself in that sassy-but-girlie way I liked.
When Corey rested his hand on her shoulder I glowered at him, but I was too far to see.
“Josh, what do you think of that?” Coach asked.
I continued to glower at Corey, thinking that if he wanted to keep his hand then he needed to remove it from my girl. And stop talking to her too.
“Josh.”
“What?” I looked back to Coach Simpson quickly. “Um yes.” I didn’t know what I was saying yes to, but that was usually the correct answer, except wherenowas required.
To my horror Amy started to laugh at whatever lame joke Corey was telling her and brushed her hand across his chest. She didn’t do that to me , and my jokes were always funny. More than Corey’s, which would be about some stupid horse or his family’s farm. But, maybe Amy liked horses and farms.
“Josh,” Coach Simpson bellowed, nudging me in my side really hard. I looked at the older man and saw the annoyance on his face. His gray brows were lowered and nostrils flared.
“Yes coach?”
“Look son, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, and if your assistant’s going to be that much of a distraction tell her not to come.”
“Okay.” I rushed across the field before he could say another word. When I got up to Corey and Amy, I nudged into him so hard Corey fell over. I then took Amy’s hand and pulled her away from the scene of startled onlookers on the side lines who were now laughing at Corey.
I didn’t care, I just wanted to get her away from them,allof them. Coach was right, I should keep her safe from these evil man creatures. By right I should let her stay at home, but that would mean I wouldn’t see her all day, and if it was late like this she’d be asleep by the time I got in.
“Josh.” Amy winced. I was pulling her too fast. I slowed down but I didn’t let go of her hand.
“Josh, where are you taking me? This is the locker room.” She winced as we got to the doors. I didn’t care, I needed to keep her with me.
“I need to keep you safe.”
