Page 22 of Everything In Between

EIGHTEEN

hayes

Returning home to Milwaukee after spending a few days with Jersey takes more willpower than I want to admit.

When I left Tuesday evening, Jersey still hasn’t heard for sure if she’ll be able to make it out to Milwaukee the following week or not.

I do my best to return to my regular routine once I’m home, though I miss her terribly.

I let the focus of the game help drown out the ache that leaving her left deep inside me, giving my all at workouts and team practices leading up to our next game.

Bethany could not, in fact, get it done. Cal pulled out all the stops and made Jersey’s life difficult after I left. But she worked her magic—by promising the moon, no doubt—and she’s here now. Finally.

As soon as I see her step out of the car, I can’t fight off the grin that takes over my face.

There she is.

Fuck, I’ve missed her.

Jersey peruses her surroundings, scanning my house and front yard, taking it all in until she finally lands on me. She pauses only a second, then smiles broadly at me as she hurries over to me, launching herself into my arms when she’s close enough.

I bury my face in her neck, catching the scent of her shampoo and breathing her in deeply. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“It truly is a miracle,” Jersey agrees, her arms tightening around my neck. Over the last few weeks, Cal had been yanking her back and forth with scheduling. She wasn’t certain until a few days ago, and I’ve been counting down the minutes since.

“Did anything change with Cal’s conditions since we last talked?” I ask her, letting her down so I can see her. Her breath comes out in a frustrated puff, swirling between us.

“I had to make a compromise with him. He’s big on compromises that work in his favor.

I’ll have to do a few double sessions, and then he gets to put a few more songs on the album that I had originally vetoed.

” When I frown at her having to make a concession like that, she adds, “It was worth it. I couldn’t stand to be in LA for another day. ”

Her cheeks are flushed the prettiest pink, making the freckles on her nose stand out more.

Her eyes twinkle as she stares up at me.

She’s average height, but I’m still a good half foot taller than her.

I tilt my head down, staring into her eyes and studying every inch of her face for when she’s halfway across the country again and all I have is the memory of her here with me.

I trace my hand over her cheek and cup the curve of her neck, my thumb toying with her gold hoop earrings. “I’m sure glad to see you. I hardly slept last night.”

“Me either. I was way too excited to see you again and see your place.” She shivers as she glances around my broad frame to my house. Her nose is now tipped with a hint of rosy red from the chilly northern air.

“I’m glad you came in today before the snow starts tomorrow,” I say, bending down to kiss the tip of her nose.

When I pull away, she’s radiating happiness, an excited twinkle gleaming in her brown eyes. “It’s going to snow?”

“Tonight into tomorrow. November is normally a little early for heavy snow, but I suppose Wisconsin wanted to pull out all the stops for you while you’re here.” Reaching for her suitcase, I say, “Let’s get you inside.”

She wraps her arms around herself, and rubs up and down, warming her skin. “Thanks, I’m not used to this cold weather.”

“Me either.” I shoot her a wink when she laughs. I love the sound of her laugh.

I open the front door, letting her walk in before following after her with her luggage. She steps into the foyer, taking it all in. “Wow, Hayes. Your home is beautiful.”

“Thank you. Here, let me show you around.”

Jersey bounds after me as I lead her through the house.

We tour the living room and the kitchen, stopping for a moment so Jersey can express her love of the size of the counter space and my stainless-steel appliances.

I shake my head in amusement, knowing she has an equally luxurious kitchen at her home, but I let her do her thing, accepting the praise.

We head upstairs to the bedrooms where I show her the guest room and then point down the hall to the closed door.

“This is the guest room, and my room is down the hall,” I tell her.

Jersey glances at my bedroom door and then at the guest room, her expression growing thoughtful.

She catches herself before I can ask her what’s going through her mind and she plasters on a bright smile, taking her suitcase from me and rolling it down the hallway before opening my bedroom door.

I follow after her, rolling my lips together to fight off the grin.

Of course, I hoped she’d want to sleep with me in my room, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.

I stayed with her in her room while I was in LA, but with this being her first time here, I left the decision up to her.

I wouldn’t have been offended if she wanted her own space, but watching her waltz right into my bedroom like she’s meant to be there means more than I could ever put into words.

She spins in a circle as she looks the room over, then she nods in approval. “This is acceptable.”

I fight off a grin and lean against the door frame, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m glad you think so.”

“You have the whole week off?” I confirm, hoping nothing’s changed since I last talked to her last night.

“Yup. I’m all yours for the whole week,” she says with a wink that sends a tingle of desire through me. I’m seconds away from pulling her into my arms and showing her how comfortable my bed is. “Do you have anywhere I can unpack my clothes?”

I nod and walk to the dresser, pulling open an empty drawer which I haven’t claimed yet.

She wheels her suitcase over to the bench by the foot of the bed and hoists it up.

I watch her for a moment, letting the fact that she’s really here settle around me.

Jersey seems unfazed that I’m lingering, rather going about her business of unpacking while letting me watch her.

She removes her clothes, stuffing them in the drawer, and then grabs a bag, which I assume are her toiletries, and takes it into my en suite bathroom, disappearing from my line of sight.

While she’s shuffling around in the bathroom, I turn my attention to the floor, taking a moment to check in with myself. There’s something comforting about having Jersey here in my home, in my space. Like she was always meant to be here.

And that thought alone is enough to send my head reeling. I excuse myself downstairs to the living room while she finishes up.

Not too long later, Jersey bounds down the stairs and joins me on the couch, folding her legs under her and tilting her head as she looks at me with doe eyes.

I notice she’s freshened up her makeup and straightened her hair.

She’s still wearing the same clothes, cozy in her cream long sleeve sweater and black leggings.

Which is fine by me. I have a feeling she’d be sexy as fuck in anything.

“So, what’s on the agenda today?”

“Whatever you want, I don’t have a whole lot planned. I figured you’d want to get settled and relax after traveling.”

She waves her hand through the air. “Oh, traveling is nothing. You know how it is. I’m on a plane so often jetting across the country, or the world, it’s just another thing. And LA to Wisconsin isn’t too far. I’m ready for anything.”

“Well, all right then.” I grin, racking my brain to come up with something for us to do this evening. “Are you hungry?”

“Ravenous,” she says, placing one of her small hands on her belly.

I waggle my eyebrows and take her hand, leading her into the kitchen. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” she asks enthusiastically.

Inside the pantry, I pull out the package of Oreos and family sized jar of peanut butter, placing them on the counter in front of her. Jersey’s face takes on an expression of awe and she wastes no time pulling open the cookies and unscrewing the cap off the peanut butter.

“Oh, how do you know me so well?” she gushes, reaching for a cookie and dipping it into the jar of peanut butter.

I follow her lead and give her a wink. “I pay attention.”

Jersey makes a satisfying moan, which makes my breath hitch. I glance at her, only to see her eyes closed in delight as she eats her favorite snack. “This is the best thing in the whole wide world.”

“It is pretty dang good,” I agree, wiping my hands off on the kitchen towel and then wrapping them around her. I bend down to press a kiss to her cheek and then settle back into my place at the counter.

“This is exactly the pick-me-up I needed after traveling today.” She nods and peruses the spread. “Good call, MVP.”

I chuckle and slide my hands into my pockets, perfectly content to watch her be so happy and carefree here in my kitchen.

My ears sharpen when I hear Jersey humming as she eats her snack. It’s not a melody I’m familiar with and I wonder if it’s a new song she’s working on.

I hate that anyone would be inclined to take advantage of her.

A sense of protectiveness floods over me and before I can stop myself, I’m stepping up to her, placing myself at her back and settling my hand over her hip protectively. I don’t know what’s come over me, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

I clock the exact moment she leans back into my touch, resting against my chest as if it’s the most comfortable place in the world. Bending my head down so our cheeks are level, I ask, “What are you humming?”

Her breath hitches, and again she seems to lean into my touch, tilting her head so hers is resting against mine. “Just some melody that’s been stuck in my head. There are no words to it yet.”

“Yet?”

She nods. “Sometimes the melody hits me before the words. I’ll probably figure out the main chorus and the verses before I start in on the lyrics for this one.”

“You’ve never told me much about your own songs.”