Roughing

“Okay, fine. I guess to some extent I went back to being a jerk, but I am not like that when I’m with you. And even you can’t deny it.”

“I guess I will give you that, Prince.”

He bends down to plant a kiss on my forehead, still holding my tight against his chest as we walk toward the SAC. “You make me a better man, Tori, always have and always will. I even play better when we’re together.”

“At least I’m good for something,” I joke, laughing as I speak the last word.

“You’re good for more than sending me positive vibes on the field.” He nuzzles his face against my hair, as he opens the door to the SAC for us to enter. “That much I plan to show you after dinner tonight.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I counter, nervous about having sex with Bash. But I want it to happen. I need to feel connected to him in that way once more.

“Dinner is happening.” His voice is low enough that only I can hear him. “And so is what comes after it.”

The corners of my mouth curl up and into a wicked grin. For once, I don’t even care about all the people who stare at us when we enter the movie room. Girls can be jealous all they want. Bash is mine.

True to Bash form, he ignored my request to wear my clothes and had a dress sent over for our dinner. I hadn’t even been home for ten minutes before one of his teammates had knocked on the door and hand delivered a box from Nordstrom. Inside, I found the short, tight black dress that Bash paired with a diamond necklace.

Must be nice to be rich. I’m sure my wardrobe cost more than what my father makes at the steel mill in six months. But it’s Bash. He never spared any expense. All the lavish gifts had always made me feel somewhat uncomfortable when we were dating, especially in the beginning when I had least expected them. He knows how I feel about over-the-top presents, but since it’s our first date in years, I decided to honor his wishes and wear the dress and necklace.

“You look beautiful,” Jessica says, helping me clip the necklace. She slides it in place, the diamond pendant falling between my cleavage. “Bash is going to die when he sees you in this dress.” She tilts her head to the side to appraise my body, making me feel self-conscious.

“He picked it out, so I’m sure he will love it.”

“I’d be surprised if you make it to the restaurant in this. Girl, you look smoking hot.”

“Thanks, Jess.” I smile at her through the mirror in the bathroom and apply the red lipstick Bash had mentioned earlier. I’ve had the same shade since our freshman year, but I reserve it for special occasions. Tonight fits the bill.

“I’m just glad you’re not pissed at Clay and me for helping Bash out.” She shifts her stance, looking nervous.

“I can’t say I was thrilled when I found out that you had helped Bash, but now that we’re back together, I’m kind of happy that you got involved. I spent years hating his guts, only to find out that it was a complete misunderstanding.”

“I tried to tell you before, but you’re so stubborn you wouldn’t listen to me.”

“I guess I just didn’t want to believe that there was any good in him after what had happened, you know. I doubt that makes any sense to you, but that’s how I felt.”

She leans in to slide her arm across my back and into a hug. “It makes perfect sense. If I had found Clay in bed with another girl, I would’ve had a stroke. Trust me; we would not be together. Bash was telling you the truth. At least now you have closure on that part of yo

ur life, even if some of it is still painful for you.”

“I’m pretty much over it,” I confess because it’s the truth. “Now, we’re headed in the right direction.”

To move on with my life, I had to forgive Bash. My therapist said it was part of the healing process, and she was right. Once I had let Bash go, the wounds left open by him closed up over time until I’d gotten to the point that I didn’t even think about him anymore. That is until he stumbled back into my life, taking my world by storm.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Jessica says, jumping from the pounding on the front door. “That must be Bash. I’ll get it so that you can make your grand entrance.”

Jessica smiles at me once more before she leaves to answer the door. I stare into the mirror, blinking a few times as I apply another coat of mascara to my lashes. The last time I had worn makeup was at least six months ago when Jessica had asked me to attend some family function at her house. Staring at my reflection, I don’t look much like myself with all the shades of pink and gray, my skin tone almost flawless with all the concealer and blush Jessica had applied to my face.

Once I hear Bash’s deep voice, I fix my dress, tugging at the hem, before I come out from hiding in the bathroom. With such a small apartment, it only takes a few more steps, my heels clicking loudly on the tile, until I reach the kitchen area that connects to our living room. Jessica and Bash chat about Clay and the team on the couch, laughing and joking with one another. Not until I clear my throat do they snap out of their conversation and look up at me.

Bash comes to a standing at once, his eyes as wide as his mouth, as he takes in the sight of me. “Wow!” At first, he doesn’t utter another word, a beat passing between us.

I move into the room, stopping in front of the coffee table with my eyes trained on Bash. He looks handsome, so put together and dressed to the nines. Not like I had expected anything short of perfection.

He steps around the table and grips my hip to pull me closer. “You look beautiful, Tori.”

“Thanks,” I say. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Well, coming from you, I guess I will take that as a compliment.”