Page 10

“No worries, Mrs. K. I’ll order you one,” Lam chimes in, completely unbothered, as he whips out his phone and starts tapping. “Mr. K will love it.”

“Don’t,” I groan.

Mom laughs out loud. “I’m joking! I don’t think he can even stay erect long enough these days to make the mold.”

Oh, fuck me.

She waves to Lamar. “Go put on that cream and take some painkillers, honey. It’ll help.” With a shove, she nudges him toward the guest bathroom, still cackling as she turns and heads back down the hallway to do whatever it is she’s up to.

“Heavens help me,” I mutter once I’m alone, just as my brand-new phone rings. Yes… brand-new. My old one had a crack running straight through the middle of the screen after I threw it at the wall. It was an oldie, but it still worked—until my impromptu hissy fit made sure it didn’t.

Mom went to the mall yesterday for some last-minute shopping for the wedding and asked if I wanted to come along since her sister couldn’t make it. I was planning to just get my screen repaired while we were there, but she surprised me with a brand-new phone for my birthday instead.

The higher resolution and bigger screen is definitely a perk. I may or may not have spent way too much time in bed last night scrolling through all the kinky stuff Jace has sent me over the last few months.

But did that also mean I saw that damn duet in high resolution as well? Definitely yes, but even though I don’t like how Mick was all over him, how he keeps trying even though my man already told him no, I still trust Jace. And I always will.

It hurts my heart to see it, but I know it’s for show. The pictures, the duet, the attention. I keep holding on to the fact that it’s temporary. He only needs to keep the truce for this tour, for these ten weeks, and I can give him that. I won’t get in between him and his goals, I never will.

So I grin when I see his name flashing on the screen.

I answer, and just when I go to say hi, he beats me to it, launching straight into “Happy Birthday to You” in that familiar, raspy voice of his.

Like always, it hits me like a charge—goosebumps, spine shivers, the whole damn thing. I love hearing him sing.

It’s magnetic.

Captivating.

I’m biting back a giddy grin as he finishes on an over-the-top high note, and I give him a slow clap in response. Mom and Lamar, who both wandered back in, chime in with their own applause.

“Ten out of ten,” I say. “Truly Grammy-worthy.”

“You’re most welcome. I reserve all my private shows solely for you.

Nice shirt, by the way.” He winks, the corner of his mouth pulled into that trademark smirk I love so much.

He’s outside somewhere, bright daylight behind him.

The wind ruffles the hair on top of his head and—fuck—I want to touch it. Twirl it between my fingers.

I know I’m probably giving him a dopey smile, too happy to see him to even bother with a response, because he just chuckles and goes on: “I just wrapped the first interview, and we’re about to start the second, so I’m glad you picked up. Did my present arrive?”

I blink out of my Jace-induced stupor. “What? You sent me a present?” I glance at Lam’s Clone-a-Willys, now neatly tucked back into the box. “I think nothing can beat what Lamar gave me. Or gave us , really.”

“Hmm, you sure? I think my present might outshine all the others. Let’s wait until you open it and compare. And yeah, it’s your birthday—I had to send you something.”

“Ugh, now I feel like shit. I never sent yours last month.”

Yeah, I bought his gift the minute he left after exams, planned to give it to him for his twenty-third, but it’s still sitting on my nightstand.

I wanted to hand it over in person. Their schedule changes so much, and I was afraid it’d get lost in the mail.

Then came the back-to-back interviews and shows, and… ugh.

His low chuckle fills my ears. “Oh, I remember something different. I believe you sent me an amazing video with birthday wishes.” That smirk of his turns downright filthy. “And I don’t need stuff. You’re the present.”

“I am, huh?”

“Yeah… You are. You stuck by me, Ty. That’s all I need.”

Yeah, I’m swooning hard over here.

“But the video was good, too. You can send those anytime ,” he adds—loudly.

My cheeks instantly heat as I shush him, painfully aware my mom can probably hear everything.

Yup. I sent him a video of myself in bed jerking off and fingering my ass—coming to the memory of him inside me.

To the memory of how he owns me, body and soul, and how he makes me his every single time we make love.

It was the first time I ever filmed myself. Sure, I’ve sent him the occasional sexy pic, and yeah, we love our filthy FaceTime sessions when he manages to find some privacy, but a video? That felt like more .

More intimate. More raw. More personal.

Of course, I was nervous as fuck and kinda awkward at first, but the thought of him watching me and getting hot and bothered by it—of him getting off because of me— got me going real fast. It didn’t take long before I was fully into it, showing him just how much my body misses him.

And honestly? I think I’m going to make another one soon. Because the video he sent back? Let’s just say… I’ve been using it for my goodnight tug every night since.

He’s always the most forward one, having no issues with sending me nudes and sexy material all the damn time.

The first time he did, I got hit in the head by a football, and I’m never opening my messages when I’m playing catch with my brothers ever again. Thank fuck I’m quicker than them, cause they chased me around the yard trying to grab my phone to see what distracted me.

Those pics and videos are now safely locked away in a separate, password protected folder and I only open them when I’m in my bed. Alone. Naked.

But even though I really, really , like those, I love the sexy calls. Too bad we don’t nearly have them often enough.

I can feel my smile falter again at that unwelcome thought. I claw at my chest, digging my fingers in my ducky-shirt, over my bruised heart.

“Babe? You good?” Jace asks just as Lam nudges me. I refocus on my boyfriend and my pain is reflected on my other half. His gorgeous face shows concern, his eyes searching mine for signs of distress.

I swallow and nod.

“Good.” A soft smile grazes his features again, but I wish I could wipe the lingering sadness away. But I can’t, since there are miles between us. “Now open your present.”

I glance at my mom, puzzled. “Did we get any mail today?”

She gives me a soft smile and sets a flowery envelope on the table, topped with a bright pink bow. I raise my brows.

“Hey, if he asks me to gift wrap it, I get to choose how to gift wrap it,” she says with a shrug. “I don’t get to use my cute prints nearly enough.”

I love her to bits, and she’s fierce as hell, but my mom is very girly.

She’s never played favorites, we’re all the lights of her life, but I do know she’s especially happy to hang out and do girly stuff with Charity, my oldest brother Mason’s girlfriend.

Somehow, he’s still dating her. Never thought we’d see the day Mason would settle down.

My train of thought screeches to a halt when a plane ticket falls out of the envelope.

“What?” I pick it up, frowning.

It’s in my name.

Departure time: today. In just a few hours, flying from Santa Barbara—the closest airport—to Providence.

Where Jace is.

Where I’m apparently going.

Today.

I’m going to see my Jace.

Today.

“Happy birthday, baby.”

I meet his gaze, my heart pounding, mouth parted in stunned silence.

“You were right,” he continues. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you said you wanted to fly over today, so I called your mom to see if we could fix something.

I couldn’t wait any longer to wrap you in my arms and never let you go.

” The words come out in a whisper, laced with longing and love and regret.

My heart swells to the point of bursting, eyes following suit, and I blink back the stupid tears because I’m not going to fucking cry. Lamar would have way too much fun with that.

“I’m really going to see you?” I ask, voice barely more than a whisper.

“Yes,” he says, smiling softly. “You’re flying out in a bit.”

Before I can say anything else, Mom wraps her arms around me from behind, resting her chin lightly on my shoulder.

“I cleared it with Coach,” she says. “You’re starting a few days later at training camp.”

I blink, stunned. “Wait— Coach agreed to that?” I glance over my shoulder at her. “ Our Coach? Mr. ‘Pain is Progress’?”

“Of course he did. You’re the star. He needs you to be happy and focused. And you’re not happy right now. I reminded him that even though you’re in your best physical state, your mental state is important too. And Tyler, honey? Your mental state sucks right now. Pardon my French.”

My eyes well up even more, and I blink the emotions away. They’re happy emotions, sure, but shit , this is a lot.

“But what about our trip to the petting zoo?”

Lam, who’s currently cutting the birthday cake Mom brought when she got home, smirks without looking up. “I’m going with J and Mase,” he says, naming my brothers. “They’re picking me up in a few. Their manager’s covering the gym for the afternoon.”

“What? You knew what I got you?” I knew I shouldn’t have told those shitheads anything.

“They might’ve disclosed the information while planning this whole thing for you,” he says with zero shame. “I think I acted pretty convincingly, though. Hey, don’t scowl at me—I get the zoo, you’re going to see your boo . It all works out. It rhymes, there’s no denying rhyme.”

I squint at him. “Fine. You’re forgiven, because this gift is amazing.” Then I glance at Mom. “But who’s gonna help you out at the wedding tomorrow?”

She shifts her eyes to Lamar, who’s now shoving a chunk of cake straight into his mouth, no plate in sight.

“Oh no. Mom , you can’t be serious. Do you want the place to burn down?”

“What?” Lamar asks, licking frosting off his fingers. “I can flip a burger just fine. I love burgers.”

“You’re not getting anywhere near the stove,” Mom says, poking a finger against the side of his face.

“Like we agreed, you’re bussing tables and doing the dishes.

One of my usual busboys can handle serving, and Manuel and Bob offered to run the bar.

Assuming they’re recovered from your little endeavor yesterday.

” She narrows her eyes. “Don’t make them drink that much next time.

They can’t keep up with you young ones. And don’t tell them I said that. ”

“But Mrs. K! Bussing tables is boring .”

“Bussing tables is exactly what you’re going to do. If you behave, you can make your own burger in the kitchen when the party ends.”

“ Booya! ” He pumps his fist. “Can I put whatever I want on it? Don’t be surprised when I make a better burger than you.”

“You know what? If you come up with something amazing, I’ll put it on the regular menu.”

I tune out whatever the hell they’re bickering about next and just stare at my phone—at Jace. The excitement is written all over his face, clear as day. And I can’t help but mirror it, giddy as hell.

“Is this real?” I ask, my voice hoarser than intended.

“Yeah, babe. It is.” His eyes shine in emotion as well. “In a couple of hours, you’re in my arms.”

I close my eyes and exhale. “How did you make this happen?”

“Like I said, I called your mom. We made a plan. She’s my second favorite person, you know.

” The left corner of his mouth pulls up.

“You really were right. She doesn’t mind that you’ll miss your shift.

I’m not sure if Lam is the best back-up, though, but it’s the best we could come up with on short notice. ”

“I could kiss you right now.”

“You better. I’m expecting to be lip-locked for the next five days. Prepare to carry me around as an extension of yourself.”

I grin. Five whole days. I check the boarding time again—and pause when I see the seat class. Business. My stomach dips.

“This is way too expensive.”

“It’s not,” he says firmly. “I’d pay a hell of a lot more just to have you with me. I can pay a hell of a lot more now. Please—let me do this.”

“I can pay you back,” I offer. It’d put a serious dent in my savings for the next two semesters, but with my meal plan, I could make it work.

“Shut up. Don’t even try,” he says, smiling. “It’s your birthday present. And I knew you’d say that, so if you really want to pay me back, you’re only allowed to after you get your signing bonus.”

“Okay, okay. I will. Thank you.” I hold the holy ticket to my chest. “But don’t jinx it, fucker. Who says I’ll even get picked in the draft?”

“Well,” he drawls, “since I plan to kidnap you and stuff you into an empty bunk for the rest of the tour… yeah, odds are slim. You might miss your first few games this season.”

I chuckle softly, shaking my head. “Deal. I’m up for that.”

“Oh, I’m up for something too.” His eyes darken with unmistakable lust. “And Ty?”

“Yeah?”

“Tell me something new.”

I smile. “I’m going to see the man I love today.”

“Damn right you are.” His smile is unreal. “Now go pack your bag. I’ll be waiting at the gate.”