Page 39 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)

Harper

Grade A Manfriend

"Wes, what the hell am I going to do?" I feel tears pushing against my eyes as I survey the damage. I forgot to turn off the external water spigots at my house and with the freezing temperatures last night a pipe burst.

I called Wes even though my first instinct was to call Aiden. Dating him has been a dream.

We talk every night he’s on the road. And when he’s home we spend the nights together.

If he’s not playing he’ll stay at my place.

He finds ways to make little moments special.

He brought me a fancy hand cream that his hotel had in the bathroom.

He records Heartmark shows for me to watch at his place.

He’s always sending me coffee or lunch or is sneaking little trail mix bags into my purse.

He brought me home with him last night and I rode him until my legs couldn’t handle it anymore. As he held me in the early break of dawn this morning, he shared how busy today would be.

He's got a full day of meetings, practice and conditioning. At the gala he asked Coach Bradford if he could contribute to the strategy talks. Danielle smiled knowingly at me while they talked through it and in the six weeks since that event, Aiden has been almost a different man.

He’s had more than his usual boyish confidence. He’s been more energetic when he leaves for practice or games. And he certainly celebrates wins harder.

The re is near frozen water sloshing on my basement floor but my body warms as I remember a few of our post-win nights lately. He pours everything into our sex life and it’s as draining as it is exhilarating.

And even though he’s added responsibility at work he’s been an attentive boyfriend. He asks about my day. He remembers important meetings I’ve had. Which is why I know he'd drop everything and come over here to help but I can't ask that of him.

So instead, Wes is here surveying the damage with me. Luckily, it was a basement pipe so most of my stuff is fine but this is going to be a big fix I hadn’t planned on doing. At least not yet.

"Here me out," Wes says and he turns me to him by grabbing my shoulders. "Why don't you start the renovations? Maybe this was your sign to get going."

"But where am I going to live while they work? I haven't figured out those details yet."

"How about with the sexy hockey player you're dating?"

"I can't move in with Aiden." I say and shake my head, turning away from Wes and crossing my arms. I know Aiden said I should live with him while my house gets redone but that was like three minutes into dating me. He wasn’t serious. He was being overly generous.

"Why not?"

"Because, it’s too soon. Like, yes we seem to have a pretty good relationship going but he’s still new on the team and we’ve only been together for a few months. I don't want to be a distraction or a hindrance to his success. And I don’t want to force a relationship on him."

"Well, you can always stay with me but I'm going to charge you rent."

"Thanks, pal." I give him a closed lip smile.

"Just ask him," Wes says as he turns to walk back upstairs.

Maybe I will.

Eve rything about my relationship with Aiden has felt different. The passion, the companionship. And, he does seem genuinely interested in me and my life.

“You’re going to ask him aren’t you?” Wes asks as he zips up his coat.

“Yeah, I think I will. Things are just different with him than they were with other boyfriends.”

“I think it’s because he’s a man.”

“Making him my 'manfriend'?” I laugh.

Wes laughs too and then sobers. “Yeah, you’ve got yourself a Grade A Manfriend.”

***

I'm stirring the sweet chili peanut butter sauce into the quinoa when Aiden walks in.

He sets his things down by the door before he wraps me up in a hug from behind.

I love the way he sniffs my hair and moves down to kiss the crook of my neck.

It's intimate and playful and just, him. My body floods with warmth.

"Hello Harper, this smells amazing."

"Thank you! I'm pretty excited about it."

Aiden pulls a sparkling water out of the fridge and leans against the counter next to me. "So, tell me about your day."

I can't help it, I sigh. "Well, when I went back to my place, I started a load of laundry and fifteen minutes later, a pipe burst in my basement."

"Harper! Are you serious? Why didn't you call me?"

"Because you were doing your strategy stuff, and, that's not the point, Wes came over and helped me move some things out of the way after I got the water turned off." I busy myself adding the peas and cashews to the pan. "And, well, here's the thing. I was wondering if, well, if I could..."

"Ou t with it Harper." He says and I turn to him. His blue eyes are fixed on me and there is concern in his features.

"Well, what if I started the renovations now. It would give me a head start on the busy construction season." I say instead of asking him if I can move in.

"That sounds like a great idea. You've got the financing all lined up and Sean seemed ready to start whenever."

"Yeah, and I called him today to make sure. He can start as early as Monday."

"That's great!" Aiden cheers. "I'll help you move in tomorrow!"

"What?"

"Well, you can't live there while they gut the place. I figured you'd move in here with me. I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while anyways."

How did I just get out of asking him?

I feel like I got away with murder.

But, wait.

"You have?"

He gives me a kiss on the forehead before whispering “yeah,” and we finish making dinner together. I’m still in a daze as we sit down to eat.

“How was the showing you had today? Was it just the one or did you have more?”

“Huh?”

Aiden gives me a warm smile as he sets down his fork.

“I asked about work, but I can see you’re still stuck on me asking you to move in.

Get used to it babe. To this. We’re going to have dinner together every night we can and I’m going to ask you about your day.

You’re going to ask about mine. And then we’re going to do the dishes, hang out, and go to bed together. ”

Aid en bounces his eyebrows at me and I giggle. This is like a dream come true. Aiden makes me feel treasured. He makes me feel important. Being with him is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

It’s because he’s my manfriend, not boyfriend.

I swallow my laugh at the silly name Wes and I came up with and then tell Aiden how I had to go to my first showing with wet hair because I didn't have time to dry it after getting rained down on in my own home.

He told me about meeting with the special teams players and coaching staff.

He clears the table and I put away the leftovers while he does the dishes, insisting I didn't have to do them because I was the one who cooked.

I move over to the sofa and read a few work emails on my phone before he joins me.

"Want to watch something?" He asks and I nod.

And together we snuggle on the sofa to a college hockey game.

I fall asleep on his lap again tonight and when he helps move me to bed he makes me stop and take out my contacts and brush my teeth before tucking me in.

When he climbs into bed a few minutes later he snuggles up behind me and kisses my shoulder.

"I'm so happy you're here," he whispers and I sink into his embrace a little more.

"Me too, Aiden," I whisper back. He kisses my shoulder again and then pulls the cover up to my chin.