All Chapters of Lover: Chapter 71 - Chapter 76

76 Chapters

71

“I already showered. I have to go.”He runs his palms over my nipples, and I wince. They ache, too.“I’m sorry, baby. I was too rough with you.”“I like it rough,” I tell him. “Now, go sleep for the both of us. I have to get going.”But West never gets back in bed. Once I’m out, he’s not getting back in until I do. He follows me to the kitchen, hands me a breakfast shake, and walks me to the lobby. I don’t know what I did to deserve this kind of attention, but I love it. Something as simple as walking me to my car makes me feel lucky.I unlock my car door and climb in, and when I turn the key, nothing. My car hates the hot weather. It never wants to start, and when it does, there’s no guarantee it’ll get me to where I’m going. It’s not even that old, but it’s given up on me. Thankfully, I won’t need a car in Boston.West stands next to me with his keys dangling from a finger, like he knew this was going to happen. Smiling, he opens my door and places the keys in my hand. “Don’t dent h

72

Lover/Mann

WestIt’s game one in the first round of the playoffs. Philly has a wild card, and they’re playing Boston at home. Eddy has been blowing up my phone all day, talking so much shit about tonight’s game. He’s sure his team is going to win. I’m positive mine will.I watched my guys skate this morning, and I talked to them in the locker room after practice. Their heads are in the right space. This is a more intense competition, and they’re ready for it. They’ve found their rhythm on the ice. They’re working together as a team. As long as there aren’t any distractions, they’ll have this series beat.With the puck scheduled to drop in thirty minutes, the broadcasting crew is just wrapping up our quick pregame meeting. Four of us will be commentating—two giving the on-air play-by-play of the game and the other two speaking from the desk in the press box, going live on ESPN during commercial breaks and the postgame wrap-up. I’m part of the latter group, which means I’ll be giving direct feedba

73

Lover/Mann

“I do. This is a huge moment for you, West, and it won’t look cute if you have sparkly nude lips.”She has a point. But I still want to kiss her.I always want to kiss those fucking lips.“Come here.” She points at her forehead. “Put yours right there.”I kiss the top of her hair first, but then I rest my forehead where her finger was. She’s never asked me to do this before, and it takes me a second before I realize why she wants it.Then, it makes perfect sense.In this position, I can smell her. I can feel the heat of her skin against mine. I can glance down and see her closeness.I don’t need a kiss.I have her, and that’s enough.“I love you,” I whisper.Her hand finds mine, and she clings to my fingers. “I’m so proud of you, West. I know how hard you fought to be here and how much you had to overcome. You could have given up. You could have stopped trying. You could have spent the rest of your life on the couch. But you worked through your demons, and now, look at you.” She moves

74

Lover/Mann

“Thank you,” I tell him.My head’s been all over the place since we got here. I’ve scoured every inch of the sand and water, looking for them—Tilly and Cannon. The house I lived in with Cannon is in walking distance, and we’re not far from the water sports business Tilly’s family owned. But, since she sold it, I don’t expect to cross paths with her today.I ended up coming clean with my parents about why things didn’t work out with Cannon. They were surprised, even a little shocked, at the drastic measures we took to repair our relationship. But they know all about how I met West and that he was married to Tilly.They’re the ones who told us the business was only in her possession for a month before she handed the reins over to the highest bidder. It shouldn’t have surprised me. Tilly isn’t the working-girl type. She has expensive taste and would rather spend money than earn it. Last we heard, she found herself a new sugar daddy and was still living nearby.“Stop worrying,” West tells

75

Lover/Mann

“You’re watching sports these days?”He laughs and shakes his head. “Zakk likes to watch. I just absorb some of the stuff they’re talking about.”“His name’s Zakk?” I glance at the blanket and stare at the lawyer whom I briefly met in my living room.“That’s Hayes,” he says. “Zakk’s the one on the left.”Of course, I have so many things to say, but it’s none of my business whom he’s sleeping with anymore. When we split, I lost the right to ask questions.But Cannon can tell my mind is overflowing and throws me a bone. “Zakk’s a friend. I’m seeing Hayes, and I spend a lot of time with Zakk and Sage, too.”“Does Zakk know you’re seeing Hayes?” I question.Zakk and Hayes look way too friendly to just be friends.Cannon looks at me, like really stares into my eyes, and he can tell I’m not buying what he said. “Piper, my life isn’t cut and dry. Not like your relationship is with West. But what I have with Hayes isn’t a joke. And what I have with Sage isn’t either. I’m just living my life t

76

Lover/Mann

“You know it’s hard for me to sleep when you’re not here.”She’s been saying that for years, and every time, it fills me with guilt. Guilt for leaving so often, guilt for keeping her awake. Especially now. But, whenever I bring up the subject of retirement, even if it wouldn’t be happening for quite a few years, she won’t discuss it. She loves my job as much as I do, which is a relief.I watch our building come into view, and the driver pulls up alongside the curb.“You need your sleep, Piper.”“Just hurry home. I’ll be asleep the second your arms are around me.”“See you soon,” I say, opening my own door and grabbing the suitcase the driver hands to me.I wave to the doorman on my way through the lobby as he sits behind the desk. “Did you catch the game, Ralph?”“Jesus,” he groans. “I almost forgot to bring Mrs. Salamander her dry cleaning and Mr. Rolland his Chinese takeout because I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. The team is looking so sharp.”“As long as we stay healthy, I

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