All the Way (Hot Jocks #2)(61)

Across the table, Teddy leans in close to Sara and whispers something near her ear. She looks like she wants to smack him. Their relationship is confusing as all get-out. Sometimes I can’t tell if they hate each other, or if they want to fuck.

“You two okay down there?” I ask, chuckling at Sara’s visibly rattled expression. I have no idea what TK could have just whispered to her.

“Peachy,” she grumbles, shooting Teddy a look that screams behave, asshole.

I chuckle and take another sip of my beer. Then I feel Becca’s lips at my neck, and my body gets a brand-new idea about how we can celebrate tonight’s victory.

Turning toward her, I bring my mouth close to hers. She smiles.

I give her a slow kiss, our lips brushing softly, gently, before she opens and slips her tongue in to touch mine.

Hello, inappropriate public erection.

“You want to get out of here?” I murmur, my voice husky.

“Thought you’d never ask.” She smiles shyly.

We say our good-byes against a chorus of complaints about how we’re starting to behave like an old married couple. If old married couples have a lot of amazing sex, then sign me up. I’ll get down on one knee and propose right now.

On the short cab ride back to my place, I gather Becca close, and she rests her head on my chest as we watch the streetlights pass.

“What do you think was up with Teddy and Sara?” she asks.

“You noticed that too, huh?” I chuckle, shaking my head.

She nods. “Sometimes I can’t tell if they have chemistry or if she wants to kill him.”

I laugh again, because she’s summed up my exact thoughts from a few moments ago. “Probably the latter, but something tells me if they did hook up, she’d eat him alive.”

Sara is a tough-as-nails attorney with confidence galore, and if anyone was going to put the playboy Teddy in his place, it would be a woman like her.

“That’d be fun to watch,” Becca says, grinning.

Would it ever.

The cab slows to a stop, and I pay the fare while Becca climbs out.

While I unlock the front door, her hand dips into my back pocket and gives my ass a firm squeeze as she asks, “Are you sure you didn’t mind ducking out early tonight?”

“Yeah, because having you naked in my bed is such a hardship.” I fight off a grin, holding open the door for her to walk in past me.

She slips off her shoes on the way to my bedroom. “I just meant we could have stayed out if you weren’t ready to come home.”

Pulling her into my arms, I press my face against her neck and inhale. She smells like sunshine and lavender and Becca. “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”





Epilogue




* * *





Owen



Two months later


“Don’t worry, guys, she loves hockey,” I say as soon as my parents open the front door.

Becca fidgets beside me, giving me a strange look.

“Oh, thank God,” Mom says, bursting into easy laughter and opening her arms to embrace Becca in a warm hug. After she’s released her, I get the same treatment, while Mom whispers in my ear, “She’s stunning, Owe. Don’t mess this up.”

I didn’t plan on it. I give her a nod and a wink that I hope is reassuring.

“Great to meet you,” Dad says, giving Becca one of the awkward one-armed hugs he’s known for.

“It’s so nice to meet you both. Thank you for having us,” Becca says, her face lighting up in a genuine smile.

Mom takes a step back, ushering us inside, and we follow her through the formal entryway.

“Are you sure I couldn’t have brought something?” Becca asks.

Mom waves her off. “Nonsense. You’re a guest. I have pie for later, in case you guys get hungry.”

Becca looks pointedly at me as Mom says this. In case I get hungry is an oxymoron. I’m always hungry.

We’re led into the family room and all sit down—Becca beside me on the couch, and my parents seated across from us in wingback chairs. It’s a wonder they haven’t met before now, but it seemed like the few games my parents attended, Becca wasn’t at. We only made it in the postseason for one round before getting knocked out by Denver, which sucked—but it also meant I get a longer summer to enjoy with Becca.

“The place looks great, Mom.” I take a look around. I bought my parents this house three years ago once I started earning some serious money.

“Thank you, sweetheart. We love it,” Mom says as both she and my dad give me a grateful look, then she leans forward and smiles at Becca. “So, Becca, tell us a little more about yourself.”

“Well . . .” Becca considers this. They already know about her job with the team, because I filled them in on that, and they know she lives in the city not too far from me. “I like to run,” she settles on. “I signed up for my first half marathon next month.”

“Wow. That’s wonderful,” Mom says, grinning.

I reach over and give Becca’s knee an encouraging squeeze.

I know she’s been ready for a long time, at least physically, to run that distance. But I also know that her confidence has grown since we began dating, and that she now feels confident enough to tackle that challenge mentally. It’s been incredible to watch her bloom with a little time and affection.