Page 32 of Goalie Secrets
“Are you seeing someone tonight?”
“No. I mean yes.” Her temples are damp, and her brows furrowed. The vulnerability of her uncertainty calls to me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her between my thighs. We fit perfectly.
“Cancel it.”
She shakes her head. “The sooner we get past this…whatever this is…the better.” With a vague glance down, she indicates the two inches of air between us. I pull her closer.
“You think dating a random guy is going to get you past this?” My hard cock throbs against her hot cradle. She doesn’t answer, so I keep going. “C’mon, Vanya. I’ve been so good, dreaming of my doctor’s sweet cunt instead of grabbing it in front of everyone. What’s my reward for being such a good boy, huh?”
Her fingers squeeze my biceps roughly. Those nails digging into my muscles are surprisingly erotic. Her desperation to resist the very thing she’s clinging to is an aphrodisiac.
“Why are you making this so difficult for me?” she mumbles.
“Fuck, Vanya, it’s difficult no matter what I do. Can’t have you and can’t stay away.” Those are the facts as clearly as I can state them. “Cancel your date. I’ll make you dinner and we can talk.”
“I don’t have a date tonight. Not exactly. I’m picking up my best friend from the airport. She’s staying for a few days.” She presses her lips tightly as if she’s stopping herself from saying more.
“Hmm, that’s interesting. You made me think you had a date before admitting it’s your friend. You did that on purpose, didn’t you? You’re trying to make me jealous,” I state with amusement.
“No! You’re the one who jumped to conclusions,” she argues with a huff. She isn’t mad, though. Her dimples dig even deeper when she’s trying to stop herself from smiling.
“Come over tonight. Both of you. I haven’t cooked for my friends for a while. It’ll be casual. Sabrina and Dex, maybe. A couple of guys from the team will probably invite themselves if I promise to make my mom’s chicken empanadas. And remember Rose and Ken from the theater?”
She tilts her head as if she’s trying to remember. I kiss a dimple because I can’t help it. Before she can complain, I continue. “Anyway, they’re old friends of my mom and love Guatemalan food. Doesn’t your friend want to meet the people you hang out with?”
She groans. “Yes, she does. In fact, I’m pretty sure she would introduce herself to you the first chance she gets.”
“Why? Do you guys talk about me?”
“No!” she objects defensively. “She has EDS, too. Ashley knows I’m working with you.”
“Even more reason to meet up. I don’t talk to a lot of people with my condition.”
“Neither does she,” Vanya sighs. “Are you sure you want to throw a dinner party tonight? Seems like short notice.”
“I can make Pepián de Pollo with my eyes closed.”
“What can I bring?”
“Your friend.”
“Please tell me what goes well with Guatemalan food. I can’t show up empty-handed. How about a salad?”
I resist the urge to pump my fist in the air. Knowing she’s coming over tonight feels like a victory.
“Bring whatever you want, Vanya. Just make sure you show up by eight or a whole lot of people will be crashing intoyourhouse for a dinner party.”
“I noticed you haven’t cashed in on the boudoir photos,” Ashley says accusingly when we finally park in my driveway.
“No time,” I say with a shrug. “I’ll do it during the holidays.”
“You took the next few days off to show me around, right?”
“Yes, of course.” I reach over and squeeze her shoulder. I don’t let myself dwell on how much I’ve missed her these last few months, but I can now admit how excited I am to spend time with my best friend.
We went to the same school from the first day of third grade until we both graduated from the University of Toronto. Two years after I moved to Boston for medical school, Ashley followed. Not only for me.
During one of her visits, Paul made his move. Within months, they were ready to shack up. Within two years, wedding bells were ringing.