Page 97 of Heal For Me

He will move back now that the season is over, and I know he’s excited, but I also know he is dreading having to say goodbye to me.

After the medal ceremony and so many pictures, we are released to go. Uncle Jet wanders up, unsure what to do, so I throw my arms around him and squeeze. After I came home from England, he “grounded” me, but it didn’t last long because volleyball started and he couldn’t keep me from that. He’s a hard-ass, but I’ve gotten used to him.

“Good job.”

A man of few words.

“Thanks.”

A silent moment passes between us, then he sighs. “I’m going to miss having you as a roommate, you know?”

“I’ll come visit.”

“Still.”

I am sad to be leaving Uncle Jet. I enjoyed my time with him. Getting to know him has been challenging, as he’s a private man, but he’s nice to hang out with once you get past the intensity. Some of my favorite nights are when I throw a movie on and he finishes work and joins me. He says he’s just there to keep me company, but over the last few weeks, we have been making popcorn and setting it right next to me and getting into the movies equally as much as I do. Even putting on sweats and a tee instead of a suit. I could have moved with Ash after my eighteenth birthday, and I think Uncle Jet expected it, I know Ash did btu I decided to stick around with Uncle Jet a bit longer. He was quiet leading up to my birthday and when I said I would be staying, he bought me a car. Well, him and Ash. Ash refused not to be a part of that purchase; something about not letting another man buy me things. I don’t know, all I know is I love having two grumpy men love me in such different ways yet still find the time to fight over who loves me more—that’s how it feels anyway.

“If he ever mistreats you—”

“He won’t.”

He nods because he knows I’m right. “Still, if he does, you know my number.”

“Yes.” A laugh-sigh mixture spills from me. Him and Ash are . . . okay, especially now that I’m legal, but I think Uncle Jet is waiting for a reason to punch him. Again.

Speak of the devil. Ash wanders up, shooting me a heated look before snapping his eyes to Uncle Jet. “I get her for the night. Do not even think about challenging me about it.”

He doesn’t touch me, but I can still feel the weight of his claim, it warms my insides. We eventually agreed that when it came to volleyball stuff, we needed to be professional for the team. It wasn’t easy. Especially when he would remove his shirt at practice because he’s a dick and likes to taunt me. But then I would bend over right in front of him, arch my back a little, and taunt him back.

It created some very heated arguments that quickly turned into the hottest sex. His whole, ‘no sex in my office’ was dropped after the third practice. And by the sixth he was waiting until all the girls went home to sneak into the girls locker room and fuck me because I guess I was taking to long. I was, I hung out in there as long as I could on purpose to wind him up.

“Actually.” I interrupt whatever they are saying. “I think I want to hang out with Uncle Jet tonight, if that’s okay.” I try and attempt my best puppy-dog eyes, but Ash locks his jaw.

“No.”

“Hear me out.”

“No,” he says again. He steps towards me, grips the back of my neck, and angles my head back. “I get one more night with you, so, no. You are mine tonight. You can hang out with him tomorrow.”

“What if this wasn’t our last night together?” I wanted to do this in a more fun way, but leave it to Ash to get me to blurt it out.

His bushy eyebrows drop, and he releases my neck. He doesn’t care that the entire team and their families are around anymore, I guess the season is officially over and he’s no longer my coach. “What are you saying?”

I lick my lips quickly. Here goes nothing. “I’m saying that I’m coming with you.”

“Where?” His voice is sharp, as if not believing me.

“To Engla—”

Ash smashes his lips against me. I hear a few gasps but ignore them all and enjoy kissing my fiancé. Until Uncle Jet shoves him off and mutters something about wanting to kill him, but Ash pays no attention.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, at least until I start school. I can do all my high school work online, and college doesn’t start until the fall.” I was lucky enough to get accepted into the same school as Janelle, so I will bunk with her and my roommate from Blue Gate, Abby. I’m beyond excited. When I first got accepted, I was nervous to tell Ash because I know he hates being apart, but I blurted it out a few weeks back that I got the call they wanted me to be their libero, did my research, and he was more supportive than I could have ever asked. I wanted to go to Colorado for so long that I didn’t think much about this place, but being with Janelle will be nice, and their volleyball program, while brand new, is the fastest growing in the country.

I think Ash had something to do with them reaching out to me in the first place, but he won’t admit it.

Ash pulls me against his body and drops his mouth to my ear. “If you say sike right now, I’m going to tan your arse.”

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