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“Relax,” I tell her, holding her gaze. As if I’d burden her with my affairs. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. But Elliot being Elliot, my older and closest sister, she still has that need to protect me.
“I’m not kidding. I’ll take him out like I did Coleson.”
I snort. “Man, I wish I had been there for that.”
She grins. “Eliza was so pissed.”
“Right? So funny. But really, sis, it’s unnecessary. Nothing will happen.”
Though, let Coach Riggs McCoy come on to me. Let me get even an inkling he wants me.
And I’ll be fine with the fact that I just lied to my sister.
CHAPTER 5
Riggs
I left the office right away to head home and clean. I’m in no way messy; I was raised by my ma to keep my space clean, and that hasn’t changed over the years. Still, I wanted to make sure my place was tip-top for Clara. Since she’ll be staying here most nights, I want her to feel safe and at ease. I’m already nervous she won’t like it because it’s so secluded. I chose my cabin primarily because it’s hidden in the deep woods. I’m not saying I don’t like people, but I’d rather they not be in my backyard or bringing me shit every day. If I lived in town, that’s how it would be. This way, no one knows where I am.
The cabin gives me everything I need. It’s only one bedroom with an open floor plan for the kitchen and living room. While it’s small, it suits me and my needs. The boys can run through the woods whenever they want, and there are no neighbors to bother me. I had the choice of living in town in an apartment that would be paid for by the Bears, but I wanted to have my space. Since I don’t plan on leaving the organization, I wanted a place to call home.
Though, I don’t know that it is.
Yes, I live here. Yes, my things are here and my boys love it here, but I still feel as if it’s just walls. I don’t know what it is. I’ve decorated with woodsy decor, even hung up a lot of my memorabilia. Photos of Ma and Da from when I was growing up. Even their urns are on the mantel by photos of Gretzky and Gordie. In all senses of the word, the cabin should be my home. But even after two years, it feels like a place I just sleep in. It doesn’t make sense to me, and I try to make myself love being here, but I don’t.
And I don’t understand it.
I move into the kitchen, collecting things from the fridge to make a little charcuterie board. I throw it together before grabbing a bottle of wine. I’ve just set out two glasses and opened the wine to let it breathe when I notice Gretzky and Gordie watching me. Their little tails are wagging as their eyes beg for a pepperoni. I glare, and both their ears go back. “Are you supposed to beg?”
Gordie lies down in a submissive way, while Gretzky continues to look up at me with little heart-eyes. I roll my eyes and throw them each a pepperoni. “Rotten dogs.” After inhaling the wee piece, Gretzky comes to lay his head against my thigh. I rub his ears, and I look down at him, loving his sweet hazel eyes. I got the boys together—they’re brothers from the same litter—but there is something about Gretzky that has my heart. He’s a strong boy, smart as a whip, and I feel as if he just knows when I need him to touch me. It’s not often, but he’s so in tune with me, while Gordie keeps more to himself. Not that I fault him for it. I still love him just as much as I love Gretzky.
My boys.
When Gordie starts to bark, I know Clara is here. I run my hands down my Bears shirt and head toward the door just as the knock comes. At the sound, my heart jumps into my throat. I’m confused by that. Am I nervous? Why would I be nervous?I shake my head free of those thoughts and try to control my breathing as I pull the door open, and my gaze falls on her. If I thought maybe I wouldn’t be attracted to her now that I’ve hired her, I’m nothing but a real fucking fool.
This girl is an angel. A bright smile pulls at her lips, soft dimples appearing on her cheeks as she gazes up at me. Her hair is up in a messy bun with a little yellow ribbon tied into it. Her navy eyes are shining, full of excitement, and her thick, dark lashes make them seem bigger than they are. She wears a tight yellow tank top that hugs her full breasts and shows a bit of skin above her navel. Her belly button is pierced, a little butterfly dangling over her stomach. She’s wearing flowy shorts and some Converse, making her look every bit her age.
Which is way too fucking young for me.
But fuck, if I don’t want her.
“Clara.” I don’t even recognize my voice. It’s rough, deep, and yeah, this was a very bad idea.
She beams. “Hey, Riggs.” Her attention moves to the boys as they wiggle beside me, wanting her to notice them. “Boys! How are you?” she gushes as she holds out her hand for them. They look at me, and all I have to do is nod before they’re on her the way I wish I could be. Gretzky kisses her face as Gordie rolls his massive body into her lap. Meanwhile, Darcy does circles around us, barking and growling.
Damn idiot.
It’s pure chaos as the dogs wiggle, bark, and try to attack her.
“Enough, boys. Beds.”
My boys stop immediately and go to their beds. Darcy trots after them, and then he’s sniffing around their space as Clara looks up at me with doe eyes.
I groan inwardly. Fuck me.
“We were just loving on each other,” she pouts.
I shake my head. “Which is fine, but it got a bit out of hand.”
