Page 5

THE TYPE

BELLA

A year and two months ago

June

I push away another piece of paper and bite the inside of my cheek. My mind is elsewhere, and it aggravates me. I need to focus on the sketch I’m working on, but I can’t. It’s like nothing I do is enough.

A few days before we left for vacation, Xander finally convinced me to apply for in-person classes. He said it doesn’t matter where I go. He says he’ll follow me, that there’s nothing he won’t do for me. I felt good about my decision at first, but now, the creeping doubt is suffocating me.

What if I fail all my classes?

Milo barks, startling me from my thoughts, and a second later, the front door opens.

I stand and go to the foyer, where Xander stands with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

As soon as he meets my gaze, he smiles. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

He comes closer, his scent instantly filling my nostrils. On instinct, I inhale, and my muscles relax. He doesn’t even have to touch me to ground me. He is my home.

“How are you?” I ask.

He presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’m good. Drew says hi.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving,” he says, splaying a hand over his abdomen. “But I need a shower first.”

“Go. I’ll heat up dinner.”

He steps closer, his proximity making my heart beat fast. Its rhythm echoes in my ears. Sometimes, my chest aches from his presence.

“I was hoping you’d join me.” He catches my wrist and pulls me in so our bodies touch from chest to hip.

My stomach floods with a heat that spreads across my skin like a wildfire. It’s tempting, but I really want to finish these damned sketches for my aunt’s living room.

Before I can explain that to him, he smirks. “Message received.”

I sigh. “It’s not like that.”

“It’s all good. I’ll have you all to myself tonight…tomorrow…always.” His tone is husky, his promises sending tingles down my spine.

I want it to be true so badly.

Winking, he steps back. The loss of contact brings with it a heaviness that settles in my lungs.

Xander crouches to pet Milo. “What were you up to, buddy?”

The dog rolls over, eager for belly rubs. The sight makes my heart lift a fraction. These small, private moments, full of happiness and warmth, make me feel included. This is where I belong. By his side.

“Did you change your mind? Ready to take a shower with me?” Brow arched, he grins up at me.

I blink away my thoughts and focus on him.

“No. No, definitely not.” I back away, my hands held up dramatically, and head to the kitchen.

His infectious laughter follows me, bouncing off every surface.

He’ll be my undoing, I swear.

I heat up the risotto and roasted chicken and set plates on the table. Then I pour a glass of grape juice for Xander and an apple juice for me.

“What are those?” He stands beside the table, peeking down at my sketches. “Is this the project you were working on?”

I nod, shifting in my seat as nerves prickle up my spine. He has never seen my drawings before. I typically keep them to myself. I didn’t want him to see these either, not before I’m one hundred percent happy with them.

“What made you choose to use so much red?” He tilts his head to the side, inspecting my work more closely.

“I don’t know.” I shrug, keeping my gaze averted. “I sketched what came to mind, though it’s not even close to what I really want to do. I can’t quite figure that out, and it’s been driving me up the wall.”

“Did you talk to your aunt? What is she looking for?”

I huff. Then, in my best impression of Aunt Millie, I say, “‘Bella, baby, show me what you can do, and then we’ll talk.’”

I asked. I tried to fish for at least a little information. A color palette, a theme, anything. But she wants me to figure it out on my own.

“Okay, how about you take a break?” He kisses my temple and slides into the chair beside me. “Just for tonight?”

I put my head on his shoulder. “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.”

His scent wafts around me, and I bite my bottom lip to keep from breaking into laughter. He smells like me.

“If you like my shower gel that much, maybe I should get you your own bottle,” I taunt him.

That earns me a light jab to the ribs. It’s more like a tickle, but I glower at him in mock annoyance anyway.

“How come speaking the truth always gets me in trouble?”

“Making fun of me gets you in trouble.” He pulls my chair closer, the legs scraping across the tile.

The sound makes me cringe, but the act itself makes me feel lighter. He hates when there’s distance between us.

Eyes locked on mine, he says, “I missed you.” Then he leans in and gives me a tender kiss.

“I missed you too,” I whisper against his lips. “I think we should watch The Avengers tonight.”

He’s been trying to get me to watch it for weeks.

Brows lifted, he reels back a little. “What made you change your mind?”

“You always watch anime with me, even when you aren’t really interested.” I shrug. “So, tonight’s your pick. What will it be?”

He looks up at the ceiling and hums, his lips ticking up. “It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise, huh? Okay, I’m in.” I scoot away a little and dig into the risotto, my eyes falling closed. “Mmm, it’s delicious.”

“It is. Your food is always incredible.” His words are like a gentle caress.

“What are we going to do if I get into school?” I find myself asking. It’s been on my mind a lot since I applied.

“We’ll figure it out,” he says easily. “We can always fly to each other when we have time. Or I can negotiate a contract with another team, you know.”

My heart drops. Another team? This is the first time he’s even hinted at that.

“No,” I breathe, suddenly struggling to find my voice. “I don’t want you to change teams for me. It’ll only make me feel like a burden. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You and your twisted mind.” He sighs, his shoulders slumping.

“My twisted mind?” I frown. The warmth in my blood turns hot with anger, which is an unfamiliar sensation where he’s involved. “What does that mean?”

“All I’m saying is, if being apart is too hard for either of us, I can talk to my agent about signing with another team. I can follow you to New York if need be.” He clears his throat and forces a smile onto his face.

My anger fades, replaced by concern. “Is this about Jake?”

He nods gingerly.

My ex is out of rehab, it seems. He was photographed at a club last week, and apparently he’ll be at training camp in July. It’s hard to predict how things between Jake and Xander will go.

Knowing his stint in rehab was a ploy to avoid public scandal—thus putting the target on Xander and me—I can’t imagine he’s changed.

In hindsight, I wish I’d filed charges against Jake. I should’ve at least gotten a restraining order. He shouldn’t be on the team—he should be behind bars.

My insides churn, and bile climbs up my throat.

At the time, I was worried about what would happen to Xander’s career if word got out. I pitied Jake, thinking I could forgive him.

But the word did get out, and, by some miracle, we withstood all the scrutiny, all the hate. It turned out I was worried for nothing.

And I can’t forgive Jake.

I put my fork down and cover Xander’s hand with mine. “Do you like playing for the Warriors?”

“I do.”

“Do you have friends here?”

“Yeah.”

“Your parents are here. Your sister just moved back to town, and you’ll be an uncle soon.

This is your home, just like it’s Jake’s.

” I wet my lips, willing them not to tremble.

“Don’t even think about leaving the team because of him.

Or me. It’s my fault there weren’t any repercussions for him.

I should’ve listened to you that day. If I’d been honest, he wouldn’t be on the team.

He probably wouldn’t even be playing football. ”

“I didn’t like your decision,” he says with a shake of his head, “but I accepted it. I really thought he would stay away from you for the sake of his career. He fooled us both. Rehab? Then his grand gesture of wishing us well in a public statement while the media was dragging you and me through the mud? His PR people knew what they were doing, babe.” He sighs.

“Besides, as good as he is, and as much money as he’s making the team, no one will say a word. ”

“Unfortunately.” My chest tightens. “This world is fucked up.”

“Can’t argue with that.” He kisses my nose.

“But if you leave the Warriors because of him, he wins. He’ll believe he can do anything without having to face the consequences.”

“I understand.” He casts his gaze to the side, his expression thoughtful. “If things get really bad?—”

“We will figure it out,” I assure him. I’ve just begun to convince myself, to calm my nerves, when something wet and warm greets my foot, making me jump. With a gasp, I look down. The dog is licking me. “Milo.”

“Looks like somebody wants our attention.” Xander chuckles, sneaking a glance at the dog’s bowl. “We forgot to feed him.”

“Speak for yourself.” I zero in on the dog. “Milo, you already ate.”

“Did he?”

I keep eyeing the dog. His tricks won’t work on me, and Milo knows that perfectly well. After a moment, he huffs and leaves the kitchen, his nails clicking across the tile as he goes.

“Wow.” Xander whistles. “He understands you.”

“He’s getting bigger every day. I think we need to put him on a diet.” I pick up my fork and scoop a bite of risotto.

“Audrey would argue with you there, I think.” He laughs, not realizing how accurate his words are.

Uneasiness threads through me, the way it does every time her name comes up, but I shrug it off.

“She’d never say no to him.”

“Exactly. No one tells him no, and he’s gotten used to it.” I shove my fork into my mouth, relishing the flavor again. Once I swallow, I say, “Some habits die hard. It makes sense that he’ll try to guilt us into feeding him more, but it’s for his own good.”

“What made you change your mind?” I ask as the opening scene of Inception starts. I wiggle my way closer to Xander’s bare chest and soak in his warmth.

“You didn’t seem all that excited about The Avengers , and I love this movie. Figured it’s worth watching again.” He shrugs. “Are you a fan of Leo?”

“What?” I glance up at him. “Why?”

“A lot of women love him.” He arches a brow, peering down at me. “You?”

“He’s a great actor, but he was never my fave.”

“Then who are your crushes?” he asks. “Besides Charlie Hunnam, of course.” His eyes sparkle naughtily.

“You.” I press a kiss to his jaw.

He moves his palm north and cups my breast through my tee. “That I know.” He grazes my earlobe with his teeth. “But what about celebrities?”

“Why?”

“I’m curious, that’s all.” He rubs my nipple between his fingers, pulling a moan from me.

“Who do you like?” I ask, panting as he continues his assault on my body.

“Easy.” His hot breath on my neck lights a low fire in my abdomen. “Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift.”

The flame extinguishes instantly. I blink, doing my best not to tense up.

“Now it’s your turn.”

With a steadying breath, I come up with a list. I haven’t put a ton of thought into this, I guess, but I rattle off the celebrities who come to mind first. “I like Charlie Hunnam, Zayn, Tom Hardy, Michael B. Jordan, Ian Somerhalder. Oh…and I love Idris Elba.”

When Xander doesn’t immediately respond, I sit up and face him.

He’s looking at me, lips pursed, eyebrows pinched together.

My heart sinks. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

His lips tremble, and a second later, he bursts into laughter and pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.

“Babe, you crack me up,” he confesses. “Those guys are all so fucking different. Hair color, skin color, eye color. You’re full of surprises.”

He brings his mouth to mine, licking along the seam of my lips for entry, which I gladly allow. The movie is forgotten; we’ll watch it some other time. I let my hands wander over his body, needy for his undivided attention.

His comment plays on a loop in my head. I am an overthinker, after all.

I don’t have a type, that’s true.

Unlike him.