Page 236 of Cross Check

“Finish your food and stop being mean to me,” he says. “We won’t have dinners like this next year, and you’ll be sorry you spent your time loving my wife more than you love me.”

“Nah.” I grin. “That will still be true then, Cap. We’ll pick Emmy any day.”

My apartment is quiet when I get home. I take off my hoodie and sneakers, dropping them in the foyer. The light is on in the living room, and I follow the soft glow of the lamp down the hall.

Amelia is on the couch with a book in her hand, but her attention is on the television. I dig my notebook out of my shorts pocket and scribble a quick note while her back is turned to me.

Loves watching reruns of the same shows—comedy, always

Loves to snack on popcorn (extra butter, no salt)

“Hey,” I call out, tucking the notebook out of sight. “I’m home.”

“Hi.” Amelia puts her arm over the back of the couch and turns to look at me. Her eyes roam from my shoulders to my bare midriff, her lips curling in a coy smile. “A crop top and glasses? Are you trying to kill me, Everett?”

“Getting ready for summer.” I walk her way, stopping to drop a kiss on the top of her head. “As for the glasses, I ran out of contacts. My new prescription doesn’t get in until tomorrow, so you’re stuck with nerdy Grant tonight.”

“I won’t complain.” She reaches for me, fingers dancing over the sliver of exposed skin below the hem of my shirt. “I like this look.”

“It’s a fair trade-off.” I touch the diamond studs in her ears then move my hand to her throat, resting it over her silver necklace. Her sharp inhale makes my cock throb. “You’re wearing jewelry.”

“You didn’t know I’d be wearing jewelry when you put on your crop top.” Her touch drops to the waistband of my shorts. “Why the trade-off?”

“I know you. You wear jewelry around the people you’re comfortable with.” I sit on the couch and hold out my arms. She moves toward me, her back against my chest and her head on my shoulder. “I like to think you’re comfortable with me.”

“I’m very comfortable with you, and I’m pretty sure the people who work security for your building are onto me,” she says, drumming her nails on the back of my hand. “The guy in the lobby gave me a second glance today, and it made me uncomfortable.”

“Did he say anything?”

“No, but I’m afraid he will next time.” She turns her head, kissing my jaw. “I still wish we had a place to go where no one knew our names. A house outside the city would be nice.”

“You don’t like your apartment?” I ask.

“I love my apartment, but the sneaking around is exhausting. It would be nice to act like an actual couple. We could have a fenced yard instead of your balcony.” Amelia bites her bottom lip. “Wishful thinking, I guess.”

“I’d like a house too.” I smile at the thought of us making pancakes on Christmas morning. An office for her and a home gym for me. “It’s good to have dreams, baby.”

“I’m also dreaming about the offseason. This is the last time I’m going to see you for almost two weeks thanks to our conflicting schedules.”

“I’m still working with the league to accommodate us so we don’t have to be apart for that long.”

“Work harder, Everett. Hey.” Amelia squeals when I dig my fingers into her ribs and tickle her. “Not fair!”

“Very fair. You’re sitting here in one of my T-shirts with all your pretty jewelry.” I lift her out of my lap and spin her so we’re facing each other. I stroke up the line of her throat, the slightest pressure at her windpipe. “Fuck, Lia. I missed you.”

“I saw you this morning before practice.” Her head lolls to the side, a needy hum escaping her. “But I missed you too.”

“Wanna try something fun?” I ask, pinching her nipple through the thin material of her shirt. “I’ll leave my crop top on while I fuck you if you’ll strip down to nothing but your jewelry and let me dress you up in a new necklace.” When her eyebrow lifts, I wrap my fingers around her throat. “My hand looks good with silver.”

“You’re infuriating.” Her shirt is already halfway over her head, and she tosses it toward the television. “It’s not fair that you’re sweet and sexy.”

“Guess it’s time to show you that I can also be the guy who isn’t sweet.” I stand and lift her with ease. “Where do you want me to finish tonight, Lia? In your pussy? Or on your ass?”

SEVENTY-FOUR

AMELIA

My favorite thing about Grant is that he’s not afraid to try something new.