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“All jokes aside,” said Rob, “we really are happy for you. Glad you finally got your girl, Quinn.”

Quinn was only able to give a half-hearted smile and ran his hands through his damp hair anxiously. What were these guys gonna say when they realized he’d only lasted a little over a month in a real relationship?

He caught up with the guys for a while longer until they all turned their attention to the door where the coach was now entering, followed by the athletic training staff and the health director.

The manager addressed the room of men, some sitting, some standing.

Quinn was leaning back against a table near the front.

“This meeting was called so that we could introduce you all to the newest member of our health staff. As you all know, our former physical therapist got a job with another team, and though we wish him the best, that’s left us without our own traveling PT for the rest of the season.

But after interviewing several qualified candidates, we have finally landed on a decision. ”

The door below the large, blue clubhouse sign swung open, and the man Quinn recognized as the Head Athletic Trainer walked in, followed by-

“Everyone, meet our new team physical therapist, Raelyn DeRose,” the athletic trainer next to Rae announced, gesturing toward her with a Vanna White flourish.

Quinn’s heart jolted at the sight of her. She was here. In Los Angeles. Showing him she was every bit as invested in their future together as he was.

Her hair was down, her long, blonde locks falling over one shoulder. While the rest of the health staff wore the signature navy blue polo with the team logo and a pair of khakis, Rae boasted a royal blue shirt with the logo, and a black athletic skort.

Well, motherfuck. If that’s not cheating, I don’t know what is.

Quinn straightened and pushed away from the table, having to hold himself back from completely consuming her.

He slowly took in her presence from head to toe.

His eyes took their time drinking in her long, tanned legs, stopping at the low-rise Converse All-Stars and sliding their way back up to her face.

She was looking at him knowingly. Yeah, there was no hiding how hard he’d just eye-fucked her in that skort.

Trying to bite back the grin that had involuntarily plastered itself to his face, Quinn sucked in his bottom lip and shook his head in disbelief as he looked back at Rae.

He wondered how long she’d been planning this.

When had she contacted the manager and all the health staff?

When had she set up her interview? That had all taken a lot of planning.

Far more than she could’ve done in just the past few days.

He knew now she’d have every intention to come to California with him.

To be with him. This argument, this conflict between them was temporary.

They’d had fights before. And they would probably have more.

But she had absolutely no plans to give him up .

He was dying to wrap her in his arms and feel her against his body.

It had only been a few days, but he fucking missed her.

How could he have thought things might actually be over between them?

He wanted to be alone with her and be able to kiss her and hold her, and fuck, can she leave that damn skort on during our make-up sex?

Instead he kept his hands safely in the pockets of his athletic pants and tried to remain calm and collected.

“Dr. DeRose already has experience working with one member of our team,” the health director’s voice yanked Quinn out of his fantasy, “and she has an impressive history with athlete recovery. We feel she’s the best fit to our team and will keep you all in good shape so we can keep winning those championships. ”

Rae stepped forward to address the team, “As I’m sure you all know, I’ve been working with Quinn on his recovery over the past seven weeks, and we’ve been making some serious progress-”

One of the guys in the back interjected, “Yeah you have. You’ve tamed a damn wild animal!”

Blushing slightly, Rae laughed. “Yeah, well, I promise to do my best with all of you, but don’t expect the same level of special treatment.”

Her eyes met his and her smile hit him right in the chest. He couldn’t take it. Without a word, he briskly closed the gap between them and slid one arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him, and his other hand cupped her cheek.

“Quinn!” she gasped, surprised by his sudden move.

“I’m sorry, Rae, I know this is unprofessional, but I am just so fucking glad you’re here,” he whispered. He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers, reveling in their softness and the small little sigh that escaped her as she relaxed against him.

The locker room erupted in shouts and exclamations and whistles of excitement. Quinn couldn’t help smiling at his team’s response and felt when Rae began to laugh against his kiss.

“Why do I feel like that was really for their benefit?” she asked, nodding her head toward the team .

A slow grin dragged across his face, and he puffed up his chest. “Gotta let them know you’re my girl.” He turned toward his team. “And no one messes with my girl! Got it?”

There was a chorus of hearty laughter and more shouts and caveman-like noises from the guys. Facing Rae again, he wiped the pad of his thumb over the perfect arch of her cheekbone. “And you’ll always be my girl.”

A small part of him wanted to remember why he’d been so mad for the past few days so that the planned speech in his head didn’t go forgotten.

But with Rae here , in Los Angeles, in his arms inside the clubhouse, having made the huge, life-altering decision to bring her life on the road with him and spend her days working where she could see him and be with him…

.it was nearly impossible to remember why he’d been so upset in the first place.

After the meeting concluded, Rae had to go back with the health staff, and Quinn gave her another quick kiss before sneaking back out to the ball field by himself to let everything sink in.

The game wasn’t until later that evening, but the concessions in the stadium were bustling with people cleaning and prepping, setting up their food stands, and various merchandise carts.

Quinn stood on home base, listening to the faint sounds of everyone getting ready for a big game, while going over and trying to process everything that had happened in the past half hour.

He pulled his blue L.A. hat low as he closed his eyes and remembered what he’d planned to say to Rae when he went back to Michigan.

He knew he’d go back. He knew he’d see her again.

He knew, on some level, that his departure wasn’t permanent.

He'd just needed time and space to think and process.

To be mad and sad and whatever else he needed to be until he could figure out his next move.

“I know you didn’t come out and say it,” Rae’s voice made a warmth spread through his body like nothing else could, “but is it safe to assume you forgive me? ”

Quinn turned around to see Rae entering the field, with her trusty, fuzzy companion, Harry, at her side.

Harry took off at a run when he saw Quinn and nearly knocked him over with his enthusiastic greeting.

Crouching down to pet Harry as the giant dog licked his face, Quinn couldn’t help laughing.

He looked up at Rae who was still walking toward him, a smile on her face.

“He’s been moping around the house looking for his running buddy,” Rae said, squatting down next to them, scratching behind Harry’s ears.

“This really isn’t fair, you know,” said Quinn, peering at Rae. “Using your dog to guilt trip me on top of wearing a skort...you’re playing dirty.”

“But I thought you already forgave me. Or, was that really just some macho move to let all your teammates know I’m off limits?”

Quinn shrugged. “I thought I’d be able to keep it together, but I might’ve lost control.”

“Am I preventing you from acting mad so that I have to beg for your forgiveness?” she asked, grinning slyly.

“Yes,” Quinn replied, concealing his own smile. “I was looking forward to it. I had it all planned out in my head.”

“Well, we’ve acted out your fantasies before,” Rae shrugged. “Let’s hear it.”

His eyebrow arched mischievously as he looked around. Attention back on her, he finally said, “Not here.”

The familiar gleam in Rae’s bright blue eyes lit up her face and made the possessive monster in Quinn’s chest want to break free and go wild, but he kept his calm demeanor. He’d let it loose soon enough. But first he wanted to address what was bothering him the most.

“Rae,” he began, and the tightening in his chest that he’d felt the previous night after she hadn’t called or texted on time returned, “why did you stay there with him? Why wouldn’t you have left right away?”

“I didn’t know he was there until morning,” she replied.

“I had gone straight upstairs to one of the guest rooms, and I guess he was already sleeping in the basement. I didn’t see him until maybe forty-five minutes before you showed up.

He was in the kitchen, and I needed caffeine.

So I endured his interrogation for some kick-ass iced coffee. ”

“Interrogation?” Quinn snorted, unable to help himself.

“I know he’s a bank lawyer, but he should really consider criminal law. That guy could make a mime talk.”

The corner of Quinn’s mouth pulled up slightly.

She wasn’t wrong. Quinn had always been known for being somewhat mysterious when it came to his past but remembered how easily he had given away some of his deepest secrets within an hour of meeting Emerson.

He’d thought it was strange at the time, and still couldn’t quite put his finger on what had made him so easy to talk to.

He nodded, understanding. “And when he saw you there without me, he obviously wanted to know everything. I wouldn’t expect him to let up.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions,” Rae said, looking at Quinn, the big dog still between them.

“My brain just immediately went to what I walked in on a little over a year ago, and I didn’t think I could handle it if…

” she trailed off and let her gaze drop to where she was still petting Harry.

Studying her, he found himself caught between wanting to be completely understanding, and being offended that she’d even think for a second that he could hurt her like that.

He tried not to think too hard about how she must have felt that whole night, imagining he’d been with someone else, and feeling like she had reasonable suspicion to back it up.

Then he remembered the other part of that night that had upset him.

“Promise me, Rae,” Quinn said, placing his hand on top of hers, “you won’t ever take off without letting at least someone know where you are or that you’re okay.

You have no idea the kinds of scenarios I was running through my head.

Seriously, baby, even if you tell me that you’re mad and don’t want anyone bugging you, just let me know you’re safe. Promise me.”

“I promise. ”

“I was terrified something had happened...someone who’d seen you in the tabloids could’ve developed an obsession or something, and…” Quinn shook his head. “I know it seems far-fetched, but there are some whack-jobs out there. You can’t do that to me again.”

“I’m sorry, Quinn,” Rae said, letting her fingertips brush against the scruff on his jaw that had grown over the past few days.

Taking her hands, Quinn stood up and brought Rae to her feet with him, gazing deep into her eyes that twinkled turquoise in the California sun.

He pulled her so that her body was pressed against his, and brushed her hair back, curling his fingers in the sun-gold strands and holding firmly as he tilted her face up to his.

He quirked an eyebrow and let a smirk cross his lips. “You can make it up to me later.”