“You’re amazing.” I placed my palms on
either side of her face, kissing her forehead. “Let’s arrange the pics.”
She was much better at it than I was. I managed to crinkle two photos at the corner before Brooke declared she’d do it.
Since she insisted, I talked to her about the game. Surprisingly, it did help, probably because instead of dissecting everything from a technical point of view, I just laid out why I felt so shitty about it. We’d won, but no thanks to my performance.
“I don’t like disappointing the fans or my teammates. Generally, I just don’t like letting down the people who put their trust in me.”
“Jace,” she said softly. “I understand why you feel like this, but everything has ups and downs.”
“I know. I just can’t help feeling this way.”
“What do you think?” she asked once she’d filled the frame.
“I love it.”
“I think I’ll buy a second one, but smaller.”
I kissed her temple. “Sure, babe. Whatever you like. You’re doing a great job redecorating this place.”
“Redecorating? It’s just some frames and plants. Oh, and those comforters last week. And the paintings.”
I felt her suck in a breath, and I tilted her head back a notch so I could look her straight in the eyes.
“Brooke, I love that you do all that. You’re making this house feel like a home. I don’t think I’ve called a place home since I was a kid.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. Without my parents, the house we lived in just didn’t seem right anymore. Then I kept moving, and I think Val’s house was the closest that felt like home, until now. So, just buy whatever you like, okay?”
“You should know better than to say those words to a woman.”
“I have sisters who love to shop. I know exactly the risks involved.”
“Remember that sentence when you come in here one day and don’t recognize anything.”
“Hey, as long as you don’t try to buy me a butt-ugly ottoman like the one at your house, we’re good.”
Her eyes widened before she playfully shoved me away. “That’s it. You just lost your chance at sex for tonight.”
“It’ll be my pleasure to work my way back in your good graces.”
I laughed, pulling her into my arms.
“I love coming home to you, Brooke.”
She sighed happily, and I tightened my arms around her. I had no idea how something as simple as having her in my house could make me so happy.
“How do you want to celebrate your victory? And Carl’s decision?” she asked.
“We can celebrate however you want. And thank you for making that happen, babe.”
“Hey, it’s all you. I presented him all facts impartially.”
“Yeah, but he wouldn’t be interested in the foundation if you hadn’t talked to him about it.”
“True.”