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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CONFRONTATIONS AND REVELATIONS

ADELINE

I’ve felt more relaxed than I expected to…after marrying Penn. Wow. That’s going to be weird for a while. I’m Penn Hudson’s wife. Crazy.

I’d say the wedding went without a hitch.

Met Penn’s parents and that went well.

Sam goes to bed and the house is suddenly quiet. I glance at Penn, more than a little tense for the first time all night.

“How about we go tell my parents tomorrow morning?”

He exhales and nods. “That sounds good to me. I’m nervous about that one.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Do you need anything from your condo tonight?”

“No, I brought a little suitcase.”

He nods and glances at me, making a face. “Does it make it weird for me to admit I’ve never had a woman spend the night here?”

“What? You’re kidding.”

He puts his hand on the back of his head and laughs. “Yeah…no. I…when I’m home, it’s my sacred space. I’ve never wanted anyone coming in and disrupting that.”

“This must be so weird for you, having me here.”

“It’s actually not. And that is what’s weird for me…how happy I am to have you here, in my space.”

“Well, I can totally give you more space.” My hand flies out. “You’ve got a zillion bedrooms and I can even go to my condo if you’re needing a break from me altogether.”

His head tilts and he shakes his head slightly. “I won’t want you to go to your condo. Except just say when you need to go get your things.”

“I’ll need to get my car and a few boxes while we’re out tomorrow.”

“Okay. You know…you don’t have to keep the condo unless you just want to.

” He puts his hand on my waist and I go still.

“I’ll respect whatever you need to do to be comfortable, but like you said, there are a zillion rooms. I thought you’d stay in my room with me…

you know, so no one suspects anything.” His hand drops like he’s suddenly realized he was touching me.

“Right,” I say, sounding winded. “Yeah, that would probably make it most convincing.”

“I promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman,” he says.

My teeth scrape over my bottom lip and his gaze drops there.

I’m not sure I want him to be a perfect gentleman. Pretty sure I don’t.

I clear my throat. “Okay. Lead the way.”

He shows me around some of the rooms upstairs and then opens his door with a flourish.

“Welcome home,” he says.

“Your house is really pretty, Penn. I know I told you the other night, but…I love it.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you do. I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”

We sound a little stilted, but when he sets my suitcase down and motions for me to look at the huge his and hers closets, a massive bathroom in the middle, I’m blown away.

There’s a gorgeous chandelier in my closet, with a big island in the middle with drawers, and all the shelves lining the walls are empty.

“All yours,” he says simply.

I peek into the bathroom again. The huge tub is big enough for three or four people, and the exquisite glass shower…the lap of luxury. My parents’ house is stunning, but it’s not anything close to this. There’s a separate small room for the toilet, which I’m happy about.

“You think you can make do with this?” he asks.

“Um, yeah.” I laugh.

I get my toiletry bag out of the suitcase, and when I walk into the bathroom, Penn is brushing his teeth, his electric toothbrush buzzing in his hand. I decide to brush mine too, and we stand side by side, brushing away.

I try not to laugh, but it bubbles up anyway. “I can’t believe we got married,” I mutter.

Penn looks at me in the mirror, a little toothpaste on his lips as he keeps brushing. “This is feeling very domestic.”

I laugh harder. “Definitely a first for me too.”

“You’ve never lived with a boyfriend or anything?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

“It’s like we’re virgins or something,” he says, snorting before he’s gotten it all the way out.

“Not exactly.”

“No, not at all.” He chuckles and moves toward his closet.

I wash my face, then change into a cute short pajama set.

When I walk into the bedroom, Penn is walking out of his closet and he’s in pajama pants, no shirt.

My mouth goes dry and I try not to look at him, but it’s impossible.

He is a perfect, ripped, beautiful specimen of a man.

He has a sleeve of tattoos and a few on his chest and torso.

I drink him in. It’d be a crime not to enjoy the view.

He turns off the main light, so the only light comes from one of the lamps on the bedside table. The house is quiet, much quieter than my condo.

“Do you have a side?” I ask.

“I start out on this one…but I don’t always wake up here,” he admits sheepishly.

I go to the opposite side and pull back the covers. “Ah, so you’re saying you’re a restless sleeper?”

“I don’t really know. I guess you’ll have to tell me. I apologize in advance if I snore. No clue whether I do or not.”

“Same,” I tell him.

He pulls the covers back on his side and looks at me. I’ve climbed in and am trying not to drool as I look up at him. My heart gallops so hard, I’m certain he can probably hear it.

When he slides in beside me, his body warm next to mine, I forget to breathe. We lie there for a few moments, silent.

“Well,” he says, finally breaking the silence. “This has gotta be the strangest night of my life.”

I laugh softly. “One hundred percent. Didn’t see myself getting married so soon. Didn’t expect just pillow talk on my wedding night. But it’s actually pretty nice.”

His husky laugh skitters over my skin and I shiver.

“You cold?”

“No, I’m good. You? Is it hitting you yet that we’ve done this?”

“I think it’s starting to. I’m really grateful, you know? Seeing how happy Sam is…that…it means everything, Addy. Thank you.”

“Him picking out that song.” I giggle. “He told me later that he asked one of his girlfriends at school what the most romantic song is and she said that one.”

He swipes his hand down his face, his laugh shaking the bed. “He’s the best, isn’t he?”

“He really is.”

We talk for a while, just random things, nothing too serious.

But there’s something comforting about the way we talk now, so easy, like we’ve always done it.

I can’t imagine falling asleep tonight, my mind buzzing with what we’ve done, but before I know it, I’m drifting off, lulled by the sound of his deep voice.

And then we’re both quiet, and it’s so peaceful.

For all the warm fuzzies, the lust that takes over my body every time I’m around him, and the way I feel when he looks at me, and how hard he makes my heart pound, the last thought I have before I fall asleep is that maybe Penn and I can do this.

Maybe we can be friends and raise this little boy together.

Maybe putting Sam first will be the best thing we ever do.

“I’m honored to be part of this,” I whisper.

He reaches out and touches his pinkie to mine, linking them together.

When I wake up, the sunlight is streaming through the blinds, and for a moment, everything is fuzzy. Then I realize why I’m so hot. Penn’s body is pressed against mine, his chest firm against my back, his arm wrapped around me, hand splayed over my stomach, skin on skin.

I freeze, trying not to move or breathe so I don’t wake him up, but then I feel it—how hard he is. My breath catches in my throat. I resist the strong urge to arch into him, but I can’t deny the heat spreading through me.

Penn stirs, and I feel him tense against me. Then he grumbles softly, his voice thick with sleep. “I’m making this awkward, huh?”

I can’t help it. A little laugh escapes me, too breathy…probably totally confirming how turned on I am. “A little.”

“I will slowly back away,” he says playfully. He backs away slightly and I miss his warmth, but his hand stays in place, and I’m glad for it. Too glad.

I clear my throat, but my voice comes out a little shaky. “I slept better than I have in a long, long time.”

“Honestly, so did I.”

“You sound really surprised.”

“I am,” he says, laughing. “For how much I want you, I can’t believe I ever fell asleep with you in my bed.” His fingers linger and then gradually slide off of me. “I should probably keep my hands to myself.”

I want to say, don’t you dare go anywhere , but instead, I say, “Are you relieved that we slept?”

“Well, I think maybe it’s going to work out after all…but fuck me, it’s going to be hard.”

It’s quiet for a beat, and then I say, “In more ways than one.”

We both laugh a little too loudly at that. I glance at him over my shoulder and his eyes drink me in.

“It’s hard for me too,” I whisper.

His lips lift. “It helps to hear that.”

I nod and then turn away from him. It’s too tempting to look at him and not climb him. “We should make a fun breakfast for Sam and then go tell my parents.”

He groans. “I was hoping you’d forget about telling them just yet.”

“Ha. Not possible. Once we tell them, I think I can relax a little more. And telling the team…I’m nervous about that.”

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “The team will be fine. They’re gonna freak out that I’ve settled down, but they’ll be happy for us. It’s your dad I’m worried about.”

Now I groan. “Let’s go get it over with.”

Driving up to my parents’ house, I feel queasy. This is ridiculous. I’m reverting to my childhood, that feeling I’d get before knowing I’d be grounded.

My mom answers the door and quickly covers her surprise over seeing Penn, pulling me in for a hug.

“I was so happy when you said you were coming over. It’s fun to see you here, Penn,” she says, smiling warmly as she hugs him too. “Hello.”

“Hello, Mrs. Evans.”

“Please, call me Danielle.” She laughs.

He nods, his dimple popping out with his smile. My heart does that little flutter.

“Dad’s here, right? We were hoping to talk to both of you.”

My mom’s eyebrows lift. “Yes, he is.” She turns and yells, “Rex! Adeline’s here.” She motions for us to follow her and we go to the living room. Usually our big hangout is in the oversized kitchen, so my nerves amp up a little more.

I sit stiffly on the couch, my fingers laced so tightly that my knuckles ache.

Penn is next to me, his posture tense. He puts his hand on my back and rubs it slightly, until the sound of my dad jogging down the stairs.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

My dad walks in, all smiles…until he sees Penn.

“Hey, baby girl. Penn. What’s this about?” he asks.

My parents sit across from us, my dad’s face unreadable, and even my mom looks nervous now. I’ve rehearsed what I would say on the way over here, but now that it’s time, my throat feels tight.

“I wanted to tell you in person,” I begin, my voice shaky. “Penn and I…we got married.”

My mom gasps, bringing a hand to her chest. But it’s my dad’s reaction that I fear the most. His expression hardens instantly, his eyes snapping to Penn’s like a laser.

He leans forward and points at Penn. “You married my daughter,” he says, his tone cold. “And you didn’t think to ask me first?”

Penn exhales slowly. “You’re right. I should’ve. I know this isn’t what you expected, sir. But Addy and I?—”

“Dad, it’s a whirlwind, we know, but?—”

“He is the last person you should’ve married!” Dad yells, standing up and walking behind the couch.

“Coach, with respect—what is it that you dislike about me so much?” Penn asks. I’m proud of how respectful yet firm he sounds. “I’ve wondered this for a while now.”

My dad’s eyes narrow. “You’re a player. And I’m not talking football. You’re never seen with the same woman twice. You don’t take anything seriously. I see what’s written about you on social media. And now you think you’re ready to settle down with my daughter?”

Penn stiffens next to me. He turns back and looks at me, swallowing hard. I can see the pain in his eyes. He looks at a loss for words. I take his hand, threading our fingers together.

I turn to my mom, hoping she’ll understand. “Mom, remember that guy I told you I met in the Bahamas?” My voice is soft and vulnerable. “It was Penn.”

Her eyes widen slightly, and she glances at my dad before looking back at me. “You told me he made you laugh,” she murmurs. “And that something magical happened in those hours together…”

“We care about each other,” I say.

“But is that love, Addy?” Concern laces her words. “Why move so fast? Marriage is a big deal. You hardly know one another.”

Before I can answer, Penn speaks up. His voice sounds steadier now, but there’s something raw beneath it. “I fell hard for her the night we met. I haven’t gone out with another person since then.”

I whip my head toward him, blinking in shock. I had no idea.

He turns back to my dad, and his jaw is tight, but his eyes are open and honest. “I love and respect your daughter, and I promise I won’t let her down. I’ll take care of her and do all I can to make her happy.”

My mom swallows hard, emotions flickering across her face.

“I’m not sure you’re capable of any of that,” Dad says.

“I’m definitely on a learning curve, but I’m quick.” Penn smiles at me. “It feels like we’re learning as we go, but I believe we’ve got what it takes.”

“I don’t love that you’re practicing on my daughter,” Dad grumbles.

“Dad,” I sigh.

“You can straighten me out if I mess up,” Penn says earnestly. “Haven’t I listened to you out on the field? I’ll listen now too.”

My dad stares at him. I can see his shoulders relaxing slightly. It’s small, but I see him softening the tiniest bit.

“Okay,” he says finally. “I’ll be watching.” His lips twitch like he might be joking, but we all know he’s not.

“We love each other,” I add, feeling more hopeful now.

“And we love Sam, the little boy Penn has mentored for years. He’s quickly gotten into my heart too, and you’ll love him.

” I look between them, searching for something—anything that tells me they hear me.

“Give Penn a chance, please. You taught me to make smart choices. Trust that I’ve done the same here. Be happy for us. Please.”

The silence that follows is suffocating. My dad’s gaze is still sharp, still skeptical. But my mom…she’s warming up to the idea. I see it in the way her lips press together, and her eyes shine just a little.

“We’re having a party tonight, where we’ll tell our friends and the team,” I say.

“They don’t know yet?” Dad asks.

I shake my head. “No, we wanted to let you know before that.”

My dad takes that in and it disarms him somewhat.

“We’d love to have you there,” Penn adds.

“You’re not pregnant, right?” Dad asks.

“Dad! No,” I say, my cheeks flaming.

He scowls. “Well, that’s one plus. You can’t blame me for wondering, though.”

I sigh. “I guess you’re right. But I’m not. Please come tonight. It wouldn’t be the same without you there.”