“I hope so,” she whispered. “Thank you for listening, I actually feel so much better telling someone.”
Tate nodded, his eyes drifting shut as he said, “I’ll always be here to listen.”
He moved his lips against hers, then deepened the kiss, holding her face in his hands. He didn’t want her to feel she was less of a woman because she couldn’t have a baby. He wanted her to feel good about herself. He didn’t understand it all, but planned to do research and find out if there was a way to help her, because if he could give her the world, he would.
When they moved apart, Audrey looked up at him through heavy-lidded eyes. “Do I get kisses like that all the time when I’m your woman?”
“All the time, even when you don’t want them.”
She smiled. “Then hell, where do I sign up?”
Chapter 18
A week later Tate sat outside the office of Eleanor Adler, his palms were sweating, his heart was racing. He thought he might be about to have an anxiety attack.
His agent, Koey Lefeber, sat beside him. Koey had been with him for the last nine months. He was a good guy, honest, to the point, and knew how to get his players what they needed or wanted. He had short blond hair, blue eyes, and was on the small side, only coming up to Tate’s elbow. With his killer suit and good looks, it was no surprise to him that his agent knew how to work the ladies, as well as the guys.
“You’re nervous, I see,” Koey observed as Tate checked his phone for what seemed the hundredth time. For what, he didn’t know.
Tate nodded. “Yup.”
“It’s going to be fine. They aren’t going to let you go. They need you. So stop worrying.”
It wasn’t that easy, though. The dream team goalies from last year, Jordan Ryan and Matthew Haksson, were back. Both were healthy and ready to play. Jordan Ryan had been backing Tate up—not that he needed him, but he was there—and Matthew was right behind Jordan. It was true that he’d been playing very well recently, among the best goalies in the league, if not the best. Nine shutout games; over 270 shots on goal and not one puck got past him. They were great numbers, but Tate knew that a goalie could lose his form overnight, and he was young, less experienced than Ryan and Jordan. He couldn’t help but feel like a kid from Sweden who for the moment could keep the puck out of the net.
Taking a deep breath and holding it, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall of Elli’s office. He was on a streak and that was great, but was it enough to impress Elli?
When his phone signaled a text message, he let out the breath he was holding and looked down at the display.
Elli isn’t dumb, you’re the best, and she only wants the best for her team. So stop freaking out and be the confident guy I know. The one who I can’t wait to see and celebrate with. I’m not going to tell you what flavor the cupcakes are, but there’s a platter of them waiting for you. Good luck, not that I think you need it.
Tate’s face broke into a huge grin as he reread the message from Audrey.
His Audrey.
He couldn’t believe how happy she made him. He couldn’t describe the feeling that she gave him. It was intense, as if nothing in the world could touch him or bring him down. When she went back home to Nashville from California, he’d felt like she was taking a part of him with her. For the past year he had felt so empty, like he was going through the motions of life without really living, but since meeting Audrey, it seemed he’d lived more than he had his whole life.
Thank you, he texted back. I can’t wait to see you, and your cupcakes.
He couldn’t help but laugh out loud when her text came back.
Are we talking about my cupcakes, or my CUPCAKES? Are we getting dirty, Mr. Odder?
Tate bit his lip, his body becoming hotter as he typed back quickly. It would have been dirty if I asked to eat them off you. Jeez, get your mind out of the gutter.
After reading her next text, he was left hiding a hard on.