“Love you too, Mom.” I freed his hand and sat up.
“Love you,” Grey said, his gaze following me.
“Bye now.” She ended the call.
“What are you doing now?” He rolled to his side, his gaze trailing over me.
“I was about to go to bed.” I shifted backward over the covers on my ass, lifting my legs onto the mattress.
Wrapping an arm around me, he shoved me onto my back and crawled on top of me, his chest against mine with his hips resting to the side. “Oh yeah? No more video games tonight?” His blond hair fell around his sparkling blue eyes as he propped on his elbows. “Tex wanted to play some more.”
“Dude, do you guys want to stay up all night playing video games?” The edge of my lips quirked as his body heat shivered across my chest. I loved it when he was playful like this. I didn’t think anyone else ever saw him this way. It was only for me.
“What in the hell?” Tex’s voice swept across the room.
My gaze cut to Tex, standing in my doorway with one hand high on the doorjamb, a brow arched. He said, “You two sure are cozy with each other.”
Grey crawled off me and out of the bed. As he stood, he tugged his T-shirt down, hiding the exposed V above his shorts, his cheeks flushing red. “Yeah, we’re comfortable with each other.” As he chewed his lower lip, his gaze swung to mine. “Right, Thompson?”
“Right.” I hopped out of my bed. “Video games? How about we play something besides Madden? Like one of those shoot ‘em-up games?” We’d be living and breathing football soon, and having a break from it would be nice.
“Sure, whatever you want.” With a tsk, Tex shook his head and walked away.
“Come on.” As I jogged toward the doorway, I snatched Grey’s hand and pulled him along.
FOUR
GREY (GREYSON)
It was Friday already, and I still hadn’t called Julie, my childhood nanny. I strolled past my en-suite bathroom, peeking at my damp hair and the sheen of sweat on my skin from our intense morning workout. I could fit in a quick call before I showered.
Slipping my phone from the pocket of my athletic shorts, I paced toward the sliding glass doors leading to the covered patio and beyond, to our sunny backyard. When would it be cool enough to sit out there? As I stood by the glass, I called her.
The phone rang a few times and clicked. “Hello? Greyson?”
“Yes, it’s me. How are you?” As warmth flooded my chest, I strolled to my bed and sat at the end, facing the patio.
“I’m doing well, and you? Have you moved into the house with Malik yet?” she asked.
“Yes, I moved in on Monday, and I’m pretty well settled.” I skimmed my hand over the tan linen of my duvet.
“That’s great, honey. How’s Malik doing?”
“He’s great…” The warmth in my chest grew, and my heart fluttered. God, I loved living with him. I should have done this sooner. “He’s the same vivacious guy he’s always been.” I freed a soft chuckle.
“That’s good. Have you spoken to your parents?”
“Uh, no….” Of course she’d ask. She knew I was closer to her than them, but she always tried to close the gap between me and my parents. “But I will when I have an opportunity.” I gritted my teeth.
“I have to say, I’m still surprised your father let you transfer to ASU.”
“Well, it wasn’t easy. He thinks coming here will prove I’m not fit for the NFL, and then he thinks I’ll break enough to do his bidding.” My chest squeezed. He wanted me to fail. But I wouldn’t. Dad underestimated the support I had here with Malik by my side.
“Honey, would it be so bad to work in your family business? It’s a legacy you should be proud of.”
I chewed on the side of my lower lip. Not her, too. “You know how much I love football.”
“Yes, and I believe in you. But if it doesn’t work, don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”