A Lie for a Lie (All In 1)

Lainey cringes. “Well, that was super awkward.”

“I think more for Ursula than anyone else. I’m guessing, based on the family resemblance, she’s not really his girlfriend.” I tap my nose to signal what I mean, then wrap my arms around Lainey’s waist and pull her against me. “Did you two watch Jeopardy! together?”

“Why? Does it make you jealous?”

I shrug. Truthfully, maybe a little, but mostly because I know that show is on when Lainey gives Kody his before-bed booby snacks. “Smart is sexy, Lainey—even Walter knows that.”

“Do you know what I think is sexy?”

“What’s that?”

“You. Especially when you’re showing me how much you love our son.”

I dip down and kiss her until the elevator dings.

We end up being late for our dinner reservations, but Lainey is the best appetizer—and later, when we get home, we steal quietly up to my bedroom so I can make her dessert too.CHAPTER 26

ANXIOUS NEW BEGINNINGS

Lainey

My parents’ visit is both a good and a bad thing. Good in that they see exactly how hard RJ is trying and how sincere he is in wanting to prove that he’s really in this with me. But the bad comes with my parents leaving, because as much as they drive me crazy with their overprotectiveness, I miss them.

I don’t miss living under their roof or having them fuss over me like I’m a helpless infant, but I miss having them close. There really isn’t an easy solution either. Not when RJ plays for Chicago. He’ll be on the road a lot very soon, but this is still his home base.

My dad might have asked, more than once, what I plan to do when my contract expires with the aquarium. It’s only supposed to be a temporary research position, and in all honesty, I should be able to complete the research in the allotted time. Even if I take reduced hours like RJ has suggested and manage to negotiate a slightly longer contract, once it’s complete, I’ll need to start looking for a new job. Unless they happen to need more research on aquatic animals’ mating habits that specifically relate to dolphins and whales. Which is unlikely.

Finding a new job shouldn’t be difficult in a city like Chicago, especially with three master’s degrees. But I don’t interview all that well, since I get so nervous, and I can’t be guaranteed that any other place of employment is going to be quite as accommodating as they continue to be at the aquarium. For the time being, I try not to worry too much about the things I can’t control. Instead, I focus on research when I’m at work, loving Kody when I’m not, and falling in love all over again with RJ whenever we’re together—which, for the time being, is often.

In the week since my parents went home, I’ve slept at RJ’s house three times. In his bed, with him. We’ve had sex all three of those times.

We’re currently cuddled up in his bed, Kody’s asleep in the room next door, and RJ is reading hockey-related articles while I brush up on dolphin seduction techniques. Like humans, a male dolphin will present the female with a gift—but substitute a sea sponge for flowers or chocolate—in order to gain her sexual favor.

So far, when RJ tries to explain hockey to me, I feel very much like I’m being taught a foreign language. I’ve never really understood sports, so it’s all a little over my head.

“How far are your parents from Seattle?”

I look up from the article I’m reading. “About two and a half hours, depending on weather conditions. Why?”

“Just wondering.” He sets down his phone and props himself up on an elbow. “I think we need to talk about the start of the season.”

“You mean the hockey season?”

RJ nods. “Yeah. Exhibition games start soon. I’d really like you to bring Kody to a practice game. A lot of the other wives and girlfriends come, and they’ll bring their kids.”

“Will there be a lot of people there?” My fingers are already at my lips. I’ve come a long way in the past year, learned how to cope with the anxiousness that results from being in places with a significant crowd.

But an arena crammed with thousands of people is not the same as the aquarium, or a full bus, or even the inside of a shopping mall—the latter of which I generally avoid if at all possible. Actually, I’d still rather avoid two out of the three most days.

“Practices are pretty chill, which is why I want you to come. I know the idea of the arena freaks you out, but it won’t be crazy like it is during the regular season. Even exhibition games aren’t as heavily attended. I just . . . I want you to see what it’s like, so you can get used to it. And I promise it’ll be fun.” He looks so nervous and hopeful.