“It’s as simple as cooking for you? I’m a lucky guy, then.”
While we ate, I asked him about the upcoming games.
“I’d love it if you could join me on some of my away games.”
“You want me there?” My heart seemed to double in size.
“Yeah.”
I deflated as I considered all implications.
“It wouldn’t be smart, though,” I murmured.
“Right, wouldn’t want everyone to know.”
“Jace....”
“I got it.” His jaw tightened, but he nodded. I realized now what his reaction at the gym had been about, and my stomach bottomed out.
“Jace, I’m sorry this is complicated. I’m not.... It’s not that I don’t want people to know, I just think they might not value my work as much.”
“I understand.”
It was clearly bothering him, and I didn’t want to make Jace unhappy.
“It’s just for a little while,” I said in a low voice.
“I know. I told you I’ll wait.”
Yet part of me couldn’t help fearing that he’d get tired of that. Jace was used to having whomever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Women were falling over each other trying to land him. His Twitter account was proof of how many were clamoring for a chance to get in his bed. What if he eventually decided he’d had enough of this hassle?
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away. Just because Noah hadn’t wanted to work on our relationship, instead turning to Cami, didn’t mean Jace would choose the easier way.
Jace was a real man in a way that Noah had never been.
But the fear lingered at the back of my mind, uninvited and unwelcome.
While we cleaned up, I brought the conversation back to his cooking.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“Val. I’ve stolen a few of her tricks, though I’m only able to replicate easy recipes. Good to know you like it. I’ve only ever cooked for my family. Never knew if they really meant it when they said they liked it, or just took pity on me.”
My stomach flipped, then flipped again. Damn, he was making me feel special.
“Well... I’ve met some of your family. I seriously doubt Hailey wouldn’t tell you straight to your face if you were feeding her crap.”
He barked out a laugh. “True, though I can’t be sure. She’s always choosing her battles. But yeah, Will is always the ultimate test. He doesn’t mince words. Val says I was the only one of the boys who stuck around the kitchen, testing everything Mom was cooking. I don’t remember that. I miss it somehow, though.”
I stopped drying the plate, focusing my full attention on Jace. He rarely spoke about his parents, and when he did, the sadness in his eyes was unmistakable, so I didn’t bring them up.
“I know it’s weird. How can I miss something I don’t even remember, right?” His voice caught a little, and he shook his head, as if he were trying to push away the thoughts. I moved to hug him from one side.
“You just miss your parents, Jace.”
He kissed my forehead, murmuring, “I do. Sometimes I get mad at myself for remembering so little about them. I had nine years with them. I have sporadic memories, like Mom tending to a scraped knee, Dad teaching me how to fish. Why don’t I remember more?”
My heart ached for him. I wasn’t sure how to comfort him, but I wanted to try. “Nine is a young age, Jace. I don’t remember much from when I was a kid either.”