In Her Own League — 34 Emmett

34

EMMETT

“Well, this was a nice surprise.” I push my empty plate away, unable to take another bite if I tried.

“We just wanted to pop in,” Miller says. “Say hi. See how you’re doing.”

“Oh, is that so?”

I know exactly why my entire family showed up to my apartment on the morning of a game day to have breakfast with me. And it’s not to simply say hi. I see these five almost every day, and they’re way too obvious this morning.

Kai, Miller, and Max showed up with a bag full of groceries to make breakfast. Then, minutes later, Isaiah and Kennedy just happened to be on my side of town and wanted to stop by.

“Yep,” my daughter continues. “You know, give us some time together in case there’s been anything on your mind that you wanted to tell us. In case there was anything new or interesting in your life that you wanted to share.”

“Geez, Mills.” Kai laughs. “Give the man a break.”

On the opposite side of the dining room table, Isaiah sits forward.

“Absolutely do not give him a break. I want to know what’s going on too. I mean, I think we all know what’s going on, but I’d like to hear that I’m right.”

“I have no idea what you all are talking about.” I look down at Max in my lap. “Do you have any idea of what they’re talking about, Bug?”

He just smiles up at me, causing me to smile back at him.

“That’s exactly what we’re talking about!” Isaiah points in my direction.

“That freaking smile that’s been plastered on your face for weeks. That’s not normal, Monty.”

“Maybe I’m just happy to see my family.”

“You see us every day!”

“Exactly. Which is why I’m wondering why you’re all here.”

“We want to hear some news about you and the team owner, okay? That’s why we’re here. So, freaking spill already.”

Kennedy’s brows furrow, looking at her husband. “You’re awfully invested.”

“The entire team is invested in these two! That’s all anybody talks about

these days.”

That earns my attention. “Wait. What?”

My eyes bounce between Kai and Isaiah.

“Yeah.” Kai rubs the back of his neck. “The whole team kind of already

knows.”

“They know what, exactly?”

“That you two have been fu—” Kennedy smacks her husband’s arm to stop him, nodding toward Max in my lap. “Fff-riendly,” Isaiah corrects.

“That you two have been friendly with each other.”

That’s one way to put it. Reese and I have been awfully friendly with each other. We’ve been friendly every night since Arthur’s retirement party.

I’ve stayed over at her place, woken up with her there, showered with her there, all except the past two days because she had to attend an owners’

meeting in New York.

And I miss her.

I miss her so badly I can feel the ache down to my bones. I’ve gone so many years without her, and suddenly, two days apart feels more like a lifetime. I didn’t know that, at my age, you could miss someone like this. I thought this was a phase you grew out of. But apparently, with the right person, you don’t.

I don’t know how to define it. It feels juvenile to call Reese my girlfriend.

We haven’t put a label on us, but that particular one also doesn’t seem to fully encompass the way I feel about having her in my life.

She seems bigger than that. We seem bigger than that.

My days are better, simply because she’s included in them. My nights are better too, that’s for damn sure. But having someone for me, I don’t know how to explain it. After so many years of being alone in that regard, I just feel . . . really grateful to have met her.

She’ll be home today, and I’ll get to see her at the field before our game.

Which has me eager to get there already.

“You’re not denying it, I see,” my daughter says, bringing me back to the conversation.

“I’m not here to confirm or deny anything.” I pop a kiss on Max’s dark hair before getting him to his feet. I stand as well, gathering the dirty dishes from the table. “I need to get ready to head to the field and so do all of you.”

Isaiah groans. “You’re killing me, Monty.”

As I load the dishwasher, Miller joins me in the kitchen.

“So, now that everyone who works for her is in the dining room, let’s hear it. Are you two together or what?”

“You were way too obvious with this family breakfast, by the way.”

“Dad. Please just tell me. You seem happy.”

I pause on the dishes, setting them in the sink and leaning back on the counter to face her. “I am happy.”

“Good. You deserve to be happy. But as your favorite daughter, you’ve got to tell me. Is this happiness thanks to a certain curvy blonde that used to drive you insane?”

I chuckle, because again, I’m just so damn happy apparently. “I’ve always been happy, Miller.” I toss my head from side to side. “But yeah.

You could assume that, lately, that’s been a contributing factor.”

A smile slowly creeps up on her.

We’re on the edge of a conversation that is completely foreign to the two of us. We’ve never broached the topic of me seeing someone who isn’t Miller’s mom. I haven’t dated anyone since Claire passed, so it hasn’t been needed until now.

I can assume how Miller will feel about Reese and me, but I don’t know for certain.

I decide to test the waters and find out. “This isn’t something we’ve ever talked about before.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever needed to, right? As far as I’m aware, you haven’t dated anyone in an awfully long time.”

“I haven’t.”

There’s a beat of silence between us.

“So, she’s got to be pretty special then.”

“She is.”

Miller watches me observantly. “You deserve all the good, Dad. If you’re hesitant to talk about it because of my mom, don’t be. I know you loved her.

Look what you did for her. Look what you did for me. But you’re allowed to move on.”

I didn’t expect to have this kind of conversation this early in the day. And I sure as hell didn’t prepare myself for it.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into me for a quick hug.

“Thanks for saying that, Millie. It’s not that I’m hesitant for you to know. I just wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it. Me meeting someone new. Me and Reese.”

She pulls back to look at me. “You and Reese, huh?”

“Yeah.” I try to bite back my grin and fail miserably. “Me and Reese.”

She chuckles, leaning back on the counter to face me. “Look, Dad. It was always just the two of us, and I loved growing up that way. But our family is growing now.” She gestures to the dining room. “You sacrificed your entire life for me, but I’m not a kid anymore. You’re done raising me.

Regardless of my opinion, and I’m freaking stoked about this by the way, you deserve to have someone care for you the way you’ve always cared for all of us.”

I can’t seem to find the right words for her, but I find myself grateful for her permission. Of course, it wasn’t going to stop me from living my life, but at the same time, it feels like a breath of fresh air to hear her say she’s happy about Reese. It’s a comfort, knowing that my most important person wants me to add another important person into my life.

“And I think you should invite her to the wedding.”

I rear back. “Miller. No. I couldn’t do that. That’s your big day. It’s not about me.”

“It’s about you too. I would literally not be here if it wasn’t for you. It’s your day too, Dad. And you deserve, for once, to have someone there to celebrate with you. I’m going to have my person there. You should have

your person there too.”

My person.

Maybe that’s exactly what Reese is. Maybe that’s the word I’ve been searching for.

I try it on for size, and the weight feels right.

“You’d really be okay with that?” I ask.

“I’d be more than okay with that. You’ve watched us all find our person over the years and have supported us along the way. It’s time we do that for you. And I like how happy she makes you.”

“I like how happy she makes me too.”

A knock sounds at my door, interrupting our conversation.

Groaning, I push off the counter. “Who else did you invite to this ambush?”

I open the door, expecting to find Cody or Travis. Maybe even the entire team.

But instead, Reese is the one standing in the hall. Two coffees in hand. A nervous smile on her lips.

“Hi,” she says uneasily as she looks up at me.

I’m stunned. I’m thrilled.

“What are you doing here?”

She swallows, so clearly anxious about putting herself out there in this way. “I missed you. I hope that’s okay?”

Oh, fuck me. I’m so done for.

I’m a bit speechless, seeing her here, so I’m hoping my excitement is overtaking the shock on my face.

“He missed you too, Reese!” Isaiah calls out from behind me.

Isaiah. Goofy little fucker that I, for some reason, call family.

Reese’s blues go wide at the realization that not only are we not alone, but members from the team are here. “Oh my God.”

I close my eyes for a moment, collecting myself. Then I quietly whisper, “I’m so sorry for this,” before I fully open the door.

Moving out of the way, I let her see who’s behind me at the table.

Cheshire-level grins on all of them, I swear.

“Oh.” Her eyes bounce over my family members. Three of whom she signs paychecks for. “I’m just here . . . I’m here to discuss work. This is a work-related visit.”

“Yeah?” Isaiah asks. “I heard you two have been discussing work a lot lately. Heard you’ve also been fu—”

Kennedy slams a hand over his mouth to stop him. “Reese, if I give one massive apology for my husband, will that cover a lifetime, or is this something I’ll need to do daily?”

I lean a shoulder on the door, propping it open. “So, everyone knows apparently.”

The panic is evident in the way Reese is holding herself stiffly on alert. “I should go.”

“No. You should stay.” Slipping a hand to her lower back, I usher her into my apartment then return my attention to my family. “But you all need to go. Now.”

Kai is the first to stand from the table and Kennedy follows him, but Isaiah and Miller are more hesitant to leave.

“Millie.”

Miller scoffs. “I’m your only child.”

“Exactly. I’m trying not to traumatize you. Please leave.”

My attention moves to my favorite little guy as he makes his way toward me. “Sorry, Maxie.” I bend down on my haunches to give him a hug. “I wish you could stay but your aunt, uncle, and parents are being weirdos.”

He giggles, hugging me in return. “Weirdos.”

“Right? I know.”

Eventually, the five of them make their way out of my apartment, Kai bringing up the rear to usher the group ahead of him.

He halts in the doorway, turning back to Reese. “If it makes you feel any better, the entire team is absolutely stoked for you two. And so am I.”

I catch the small crack of a smile on Reese’s lips as Kai closes the door behind himself.

But that smile drops as soon as they’re gone, and the realization sinks in.

“Emmett. The team knows?”

“Don’t freak out. They won’t say a word.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. You might not believe me, but they want to protect you as much as I do.”

I watch as that statement settles onto her shoulders. They’ve proven just how loyal they are to her in the media lately. They’ll continue to prove it by keeping this secret for us.

I don’t hesitate any longer, taking the coffees from her hand and placing them on my table so they’re out of my way. Both hands sliding into her hair, I bring my lips to hers in a desperate kiss.

She sighs into me. I sigh into her.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“I’m so sorry. I should’ve called first.”

“No. I’m glad you didn’t. This is the best surprise.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, leaning up to kiss me again. “I need to get to the field, but I wanted to see you.”

I check my watch. I need to get out of here too if I’m going to make it to work on time. But I also don’t want to miss out on time alone with her when we won’t get it again all night.

“Wait for me?” I ask. “I need five minutes to shave quickly then we can walk down together.” I drop a kiss on her mouth before grabbing my coffee from the table and taking a sip. “Thank you for this, by the way.”

“You’re welcome.”

Slipping into the bathroom, I project my voice so she can hear me still.

“So how was your meeting?”

I pull my shirt off, toss it in the hamper, and turn on the faucet.

“It was good.” Instead of staying out in the main room, she follows me to the bathroom, leaning on the doorway with her coffee in hand. “I think some of the other team owners actually felt bad for me about the heat I took in the press.”

“So, they didn’t treat you like an outsider this time?”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”

I lather up my shaving cream, spreading it under my jaw so I can clean up my beard. I feel Reese’s attention the entire time. In the mirror, I watch as she moves fully into the bathroom and sits on the counter at my side, facing me.

I love how comfortable she is here. How she moves around my apartment the same way I move around hers. Like she belongs wherever I am.

“Can I do it?” she asks, setting her coffee on the counter next to mine.

I hold up my razor in surprise. “You want to do this?”

She nods in confirmation.

It’s a shockingly intimate request that I give into immediately, handing the blade to her. “I just need the line cleaned up.”

I grab her hips, shifting her closer to me, then stand between her spread legs. I keep my palms on her thighs as I tilt my head back, giving her better access.

Her eyes are locked on my jaw in concentration, figuring out exactly what I need taken care of.

Running the razor under the faucet, Reese returns her focus to my neck.

She bites her lip as she runs it in a slow, cautious line up my throat to my beard. It’s gentle and methodical. Careful not to hurt me.

She smiles a bit, proud of herself when the first swipe comes up clean.

“Easy.”

Reese runs the razor under the faucet again before going in for the next swipe.

“So,” I begin, speaking cautiously so as to not move my throat too much, “who all was at this meeting?”

Her blue eyes are lasered in on her task at hand, her other palm cradling

the back of my neck to keep me steady.

“The commissioner. The owners.”

I knew that. I knew that’s why it was hosted in New York, where the

commissioner’s main office is.

“Anyone else?”

She breaks her concentration for only a moment when a knowing smirk lifts on one side of her mouth. “Are you asking if my ex-husband was there?”

Yes. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking.

There’s no part of me that thinks Reese would ever go back to him. I just don’t like the guy and don’t want him around her. Sure, I don’t know him, but I do know what he tried to pull when he was married to her, and that’s enough information for me.

I don’t like that he’s in our line of work. I don’t like that he works for the commissioner’s office. And I don’t like that she will most likely have to see him multiple times a year.

Part of me hates that he got to know her before I did. But part of me is glad because it taught her what she deserves in a relationship.

And all of me is fucking thrilled that I’m the one she’s allowing to give that to her.

“He wasn’t there,” she answers her own question, resuming her careful strokes.

Over the bridge of my nose, I keep my eyes locked on her while all her focus is lasered in on her task. She takes her time. She’s gentle with me.

Tender with me.

It seems so simple. But she’s attentive in the way she takes care of me.

It’s foreign. It’s unexpected. And it’s really nice.

I don’t know if I’ve ever been taken care of. Not like this. That’s usually my role.

“I missed you too, Reese,” I say into the quiet bathroom. “I didn’t get to say it earlier, but I missed you too.”

Smiling to herself, she takes her careful last swipe, running the razor under the water to clean it off. Then she looks over her handywork, checking the line of my beard.

I would check for myself in the mirror, but I already know it looks perfect. She gave way too much effort, cares about me too much, for it not to be.

I stroke my thumbs over her inner thighs, keeping my hold on her.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“You’re welcome, Em.” She punctuates her statement with a soft kiss to my freshly shaven jawline. “So handsome.”

Slipping my hand into her hair, I hold her against me for a moment before we’ll have to break away for the rest of the day. She wraps her arms around my waist. I breathe her in. She does the same.

My person.

My daughter’s words play on a loop again, but this time there’s no asking myself if that’s the correct label or not.

Because there’s not a doubt in my mind that Reese is my person.