Page 99 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“What can I get for you?”

I do a quick, cursory glance around the store. “I need some new bras and underwear. Something nice.”

She smiles. “This way.”

I follow her with more confidence than I necessarily feel. With Luke coming home next week, I want to feel my best and look my best, especially if I’m going to convince him I’m ready for sex again.

CHAPTER 35

LUKE

Exhaustion is heavy on my shoulders when I roll out of Tanner’s SUV.

“See you later,” he says, shouldering his bag.

“Mhm,” I hum, heading out through the still open garage door.

He just chuckles behind me at my barely-there response. I can’t bring myself to care. Not only am I exhausted, but I’m peopled out. Except for when it comes to the two I’m desperate to see. It’s late, so I’m sure they’re both asleep, but it doesn’t matter because at least I’ll get to lay my eyes on both.

I unlock the door and open it as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb them if they’re sleeping. There’s a small light left on in the kitchenette and I can’t help but smile at the small gesture. I set my bag down by the door. I can deal with it tomorrow … well, today but later. Much later. I want to shower the plane off of me and get in bed.

Sure enough, both of them are sleeping peacefully. I don’t want to wake Rory, but I can’t resist bending over and kissing the top of his head before I do the same to his mom. Bertie stirs slightly but doesn’t wake.

I grab some pajama pants out of the dresser and shut myself in the bathroom before I turn the light on. Hopefully too much light doesn’t leak out of the door.

I turn the shower on, cringing when it screeches a bit. I hold my breath, listening for any sort of sound from Rory, but he must be in a deep sleep. Tossing my clothes in the hamper, I slip into the shower, trying not to groan at how good the hot water feels on my muscles. I took a brutal hit in my last game and despite the team’s athletic trainer doing what she could to help, it’s still not enough.

I jerk in surprise when the bathroom door opens and I glance over my shoulder to see Bertie stepping inside and easing the door shut behind her.

“Hey.” My grin is probably downright pathetic with happiness over seeing her.

“Hi.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” She pulls an elastic off her wrist and ties her hair up. “I missed you.”

I rub away the fog from the glass so I can see her better. “I missed you, too.”

She grabs the bottom of her shirt and pulls it over her head, revealing her bare breasts. My mouth pops open in surprise. I didn’t expect that at all.

She drops her shirt on the ground and then wiggles out of her pants.

“What are you⁠—”

She joins me in the shower.

Oh, that’s what she’s doing.

I can’t help the way my eyes start at her toes and track up her body. She wraps her arms protectively around herself when my gaze gets to her stomach and tits.

“I look different now.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re beautiful. You’re always beautiful.”

“I have stretch marks now,” she says softly. “And loose skin and my boobs are huge and saggy already and⁠—”

I shut her up with a kiss that she instantly melts into. “Every part of you is perfect, baby. I promise you that. You have nothing to feel insecure about. Your body made our baby and that’s so fucking amazing.”