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CHAPTER

TWENTY-EIGHT

JADEN

T onight is one of those milestones that makes me feel like Anna and I are a real couple. It sounds silly because, obviously, we are. But every day I wake up with her at my side, I still can’t believe it. It’s surreal. More than the attraction, fun dates, and intimate times—relationships are going through it all together. We’re celebrating an important day in her life together tonight, and I feel so privileged to do so.

We’ve become insanely close since her mother’s passing a few months ago. Late nights have been spent engrossed in deep conversations as we’ve shared and grown together. It’s crazy to think that after filming wrapped and we spent her last night together, she couldn’t commit to more and was so unsure. So much has changed.

Anna’s upbringing wasn’t easy, particularly her relationship with her parents. She’s had a lot to unpack over that situation, and I’ve been happy to be her sounding board. She’s made me address my abnormal relationship with my mother, too. It’s easier to pinpoint the problems with Anna’s parents because they have clear, diagnosable issues. I don’t know what’s wrong with my mother or our inability to connect to be honest. We’re simply not close. We love each other and want the best for one another, but we don’t have a tight bond. I feel like I’ve tried to get to know my mother over the years, and our relationship hasn’t improved. Honestly, I’ve accepted it. Maybe it will change. Perhaps it won’t. But I’m happy regardless. I have an amazing family and support system with the Crane organization. While my mother turned down an invitation to tonight’s festivities, all of my teammates and most of their parents accepted.

My relationship with Anna has further driven home my philosophy to love those who love me with an unmatched ferocity. And for everyone else—those who don’t want me in their lives, I wish them well, but I can’t allow them to make me feel less than because I have more than enough in this life.

The limo pulls up to the drop-off area at the end of the red carpet.

“You ready?” I ask Anna. She nods and gives me a reassuring smile. “You look incredible.”

“Thank you.” She leans in for a kiss. “So do you.”

I flick the lapels of my fancy tuxedo. “Yeah, I clean up pretty nice.” I slide my hand up the long slit in Anna’s tight black dress until I reach the clips of her garter belt.

“No.” She shakes her head with a chuckle. “Absolutely not.”

“What?” I feign innocence. “I just wanted to remind myself of their presence so I could imagine you wearing nothing but your undergarments.”

“You don’t have to imagine.” She squeezes my cheeks and plants a chaste kiss on my lips. “You got to see everything under this dress a couple of hours ago. I know your memory isn’t that bad.”

“I’m sorry. Can I help it that I find it really hard to keep my hands off you?” I curve my hand around her inner thigh.

She grabs my wrist and pulls it down. “That’s fine. I love your hands on me. Just keep it PG. There will be lots of cameras, and I don’t want an indecent photo taking away from the PR for the movie.”

I place a finger beneath her chin and tilt her head up. Her gaze meets mine. “I know, babe. I would never do anything to jeopardize your career. You know that. I am so proud of you. You look stunning. The movie is going to be incredible. Tonight is going to be fun. Enjoy it. I’m just grateful to be on your arm.” I kiss her softly, and she releases a sigh.

“Let’s do this,” she says.

The driver opens the door to the limo, and I step out onto the red carpet. I extend my hand to Anna and assist her out of the limo. She straightens her dress and fixes her hair.

“My lipstick is good?” she questions.

“Perfect. You are absolutely perfect.”

I take her hand, and we make our way onto the carpet. I’m instantaneously enveloped in a dazzling whirlwind of excitement. I love the movies, and to be here at a movie premiere with the love of my life feels incredibly surreal. Photographers stand in a line behind a velvet rope, calling Anna’s name. Flashes seem to come from every direction as cameras click. It all feels very glamorous, and I have to remind myself that we’re in Michigan.

Anna expressed concern about traveling back to LA for the premiere of her new movie. So I met with Penny, Iris, and Miranda to see if there was anything we could do. Penny and Iris are phenomenal event planners, and I quickly found out that Miranda can make anything happen because the three of them managed to get the premiere moved here. The cast of the movie enjoyed their time filming here and needed very little encouragement to return.

The setup is gorgeous. Fancy golden heaters line the carpet, so the walk across the carpet is pleasant despite the cold temperatures. Large golden vases set along the carpet hold hundreds of white lilies. It’s all very Hollywood and extremely beautiful.

Anna and I position ourselves in front of the movie backdrop and stand as a couple, posing for the cameras. Photographers call out instructions, but I’m honestly blinded by all the flashes to know where to look.

“Alright, baby. Just you now. This is your moment.” She squeezes my hand and smiles.

I retreat from the sea of flashes, stepping back as Anna poses for the cameras, a wide smile on my face. She truly is the most beautiful woman in the world, and she’s mine.

“She looks good.” Simon Blackwood steps up beside me.

“She looks fucking great,” I correct him. “You should step in and get some shots with her.”

“True.” Anna’s costar joins her, and the pair smile for the cameras.

Once we move past the crowd of photographers, we’re met with a line of entertainment reporters holding microphones with a video camera behind them. I stand beside Anna as she graciously answers one question after the next with complete sophistication. She talks about the movie and the true story behind it, how it was important to make, and the value she thinks it will bring. I’m literally in awe and so proud of her.

After the cast has made their way across the carpet, the guys from the team and their dates start to arrive. It’s our first movie premiere, and we’ve all gone all out.

Miles, our resident Mr. Hollywood, shows up in a golden polyester suit with his parents on his arms as his dates.

“Oh my God.” I chuckle. “You look straight out of Saturday Night Fever ,” I tell him.

“Right?” He does a flashy turn on his heel that ends with his hip cocked to the side and a finger pointing toward the red carpet. His mother claps at his side, her expression full of pride. “It’s a movie that takes place in the seventies. I know how to do a theme.”

“He looks good,” his father says proudly. Miles has told us stories of his father’s love of cinema and the times they’ve spent bonding over movies. It’s really cool that they’re here.

Tonight will be something every guy on the team is going to remember for a long time.

Cade and Iris and Gunner and Penny show up in the same limo, both pairs looking incredible. They stop briefly for photos and hurry over toward us. Anna squeals and extends her hands to squeeze Penny’s and Iris’s.

“This is all so pretty. I can’t even tell we’re not in Cali. It’s warm, and the flowers are all so tropical,” Anna gushes.

“Yeah, the flower arrangements turned out so pretty,” Penny says. “The tropical feel is a nice little preview of our week to come. There’s a cold front coming tomorrow, and it’s supposed to be fifteen degrees below zero.”

“Oh my gosh, Hawaii is coming at a perfect time. I don’t know if I could survive negative fifteen,” Anna says in all seriousness.

I know how much she hates the cold. Her comment makes me laugh. “You’ll get used to it.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think I will, but I’ll suffer through Michigan winters for you.” She wraps her hand around my arm.

“Hawaii is a welcome reprieve for us all,” Penny says. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’m still not used to the cold, so you’re not alone.”

The team’s yearly bye week starts today. It’s a league-prescribed week of rest from training and games halfway through the season. It’s something we look forward to every year. We usually rent a mansion in a warmer climate, and the guys and their guests party the entire week. Every year is different, unpredictable, and a blast. This year, our chosen location is Hawaii. It’s going to be the best one yet because I’ll have Anna there with me.

Anna looks at Iris and then Penny. “Well, seriously… thank you so much for doing all this for me. It’s truly incredible, and I’m so grateful.”

“It was a blast,” Iris exclaims. “This was more fun than any Crane party we’ve planned, no offense,” she says to her husband, Cade.

“None taken,” he replies with a grin. “We haven’t even made it inside, and it’s definitely more fun.”

“The whole theater is ours,” Penny states. “The lobby has been transformed into an elegant dining experience, so after the movie, we can eat and talk about how great it was.”

Anna steeples her hands together and presses them to her lips. “God, I hope it’s good.”

“It’s going to be great,” Iris says. “Hey, where is Miranda? I mean, Penny and I helped, but she’s the one who made this all happen. She’s amazing.”

“I know. Isn’t she?” Anna beams. “She’s inside making sure everything is perfect, of course. Speaking of, we should probably get inside.” She looks at me.

We exchange a soft-edged smile. “Let’s do this.” I extend my elbow, and Anna loops her arm through.

The interior of the theater has had a Hollywood makeover, feeling as glitzy and glamorous as the red carpet. We’re guided to our guest of honor seats as the rest of the cast, crew, film critics, and invited guests are led to their seats.

We chat with our friends seated around us as the servers deliver food and beverages. The director stands at the front of the theater with a few of the producers and talks for a few minutes about what it meant for him to make this movie. He gives a shout-out to the cast, Anna especially. When his speech is over, we take our seats, and the lights dim.

The movie is two hours and twenty minutes of greatness, and I don’t say that just because I’m sleeping with the star. It’s a fantastic movie. It’s one of those films that make you think, but unlike some artsy type films, it carries a message while telling a really enjoyable story. It’s incredible, and Anna’s performance was mesmerizing.

The premiere goes off without a hitch. Everyone in attendance loved the movie. We enjoy food and drinks afterward and have an amazing time.

“Do you want me to retrieve the gift?” Miranda pulls me aside as Anna chats with her costars.

“No.” My gaze stays locked on Anna. “I don’t want to pull focus from her night. Look at her.”

“Yeah.” Miranda smiles. “She’s so happy. She deserves this. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you would pull focus.”

“Nah, I’ll give it to her when we’re home. I thought this would be a great setting, but I think at home with just the two of us will be better. Do you mind putting it in our limo for me?”

“Sure.”

“Thank you so much, Miranda. I really appreciate it.” Anna’s best friend really is terrific at everything. I went to her with my idea, and she made everything happen.

“Of course. I’m a little bummed I won’t see her open it, but I’m sure she’ll tell me all about it,” she says.

“Oh, I have no doubt she will.”