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Declan stands next to him, frozen. The hands cupped around my ass twitch, and he grits his teeth. Fighting off a rut, I realize.
My heart pangs. I reach for his face, stroking over his jaw. “It’s okay,” I murmur. “You won’t hurt me, Declan.”
He nods. “I—I don’t want to leave you, but I’m scared to stay…”
Ronan grabs Declan’s nape, his touch commanding. And, I think, reassuring. “We’re all here. You’re not alone. Try to focus on that.”
Theo only has eyes for me. Glowing green irises trace my face, looking for any hint of discomfort. When I give him a tight smile, he nuzzles his lips into my hair and starts his raspy purr.
I fall against his chest, meeting Archer’s worried gaze. “It’s just pre-heat. I’ve been more—” Images of all four of them pleasuring me constantly flit through my head. “—needy the last few days. And I had some cramps earlier. It’s fine though. I have another couple of days.”
At least, that’s my hope. The Ospreys have a bye week after tomorrow’s game. If my heat cooperates, the guys won’t miss much more than practices.
Ronan keeps one hand on Dec and uses the other to softly cup my face. “Are you sure, little one? We can rearrange things for the game tomorrow. Get the second-string in there, call the back-up physician. And you don’t have to go at all if you don’t feel up for it.”
A stab of disappoint hits my gut. “I want to,” I whine. “It’s a big game! And have you seen the passing routes the new offensive coordinator put together? It’s going to be epic.”
That’s one of the best things about reconciling with Declan—he likes to cuddle with me while he reviews the playbook every night. After a few evenings of watching him, I started asking questions.
Now I feel like I’ll actually know what’s happening. Plus, he eventually confided that he doesn’t get along with their coach, but the new offensive coordinator seems to have his back. It’s his first game using the guy’s plays. I don’t want to miss that.
Theo reacts to my protest by groaning and wrapping me in bear hug from behind. “Oh my God. Do you guys hear this girl? Could she be any sexier?”
I laugh, patting his face. “Thanks, big guy. I have a good tutor.”
Declan’s drawn expression softens a bit at my praise. He still looks serious, though. “We can bail on the game, princess. I don’t want to play one fucking minute if it means you’re in pain.”
It’s been a while since I had to force a smile. I’m out of practice, but I manage to paste one on, laying false confidence into my words. “I’ll be fine! Seriously. How bad could it be?”
chapter
sixty-two
I never understood the phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same” until Declan and I made up.
Because, yeah, he’s incredible and I’m just as obsessed with him as he is with me.
But oh my God, is he an ass.
I think I love it.
“You’re being impossible,” I snort as we step out of the car. “I’m fine. And you’re late.”
He shrugs, slinging his solid, suit-clad arm over my shoulders with an indolent shrug. “Not as late as Theo.”
“Fuck off,” Theo laughs, climbing out behind me.
Ronan tosses the keys to the stadium garage’s valet attendant. Just like last time, I’m grateful we don’t have to wade through the fans and press gathered outside.
One day, we’ll have to do the photo-op. Let them snap the money shot—the Most Valuable Pack, all rolling up to gameday as a unit. To be honest… I want the pictures as much as they do.
But today is not the day.
Despite the smile slapped on my face and my repeated reassurances that I’m completely fine… I actually do feel like crap.
Thankfully, I look okay. The outfit Declan picked is somehow badass and comfortable—a pair of shiny silver leggings with a distressed Ospreys’ T-shirt and the thick-soled booties I had on at the last game.
When I nearly had a meltdown over my hair, he even stepped up to take care of that for me too. It’s just a high ponytail, but still. The guy really tried. As a result of his hard work, I’m passable.
