Chapter 31 Dom

Chapter 31

Dom

“Marry, Kiss, Kill. D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Stephanie Tanner, or Kimmy Gibbler,” I ask, playing with a wayward dark curl. Ronnie snores at our feet, her favorite pastime followed closely by a game of catch. My favorite pastime is quickly becoming these peaceful moments alone with my girl. The ones where she’s not busy busting her ass to get her work done and I’m not rushing off to the next practice or game. Where all our worries about the future seem to slip away for a while and we can just be.

“We’re talking about the Fuller House era, right?” She eyes me over her shoulder. I’ve got her tucked under my arm on her couch. The Bandits played an afternoon game, and I came straight here. Other than Ronnie, who Indie’s been spending more time with when I’m at the stadium, she’s still brushing off everyone else. Somehow, the girls talked her into a girl’s night tomorrow while the team travels for a road trip. Knowing they’ll be around, even if they don’t know what’s going on with her, is a relief.

“Of course. What kind of person do you think I am?” I tug on that same stray curl, teasingly .

“Just checking. Don’t get your panties in a twist. Kiss Stephanie. Kill Kimmy. Marry D.J. What about you?”

“I prefer undies, but whatever.” She rolls her eyes, tempting me to put her on all fours and spank the attitude out of her. But I choose to soak up these simple moments, the same kind that made me want more that first night. We might poke at each other, but no matter what we are talking about, it just flows. From that first night, it felt like I’d found my best friend in Indie. “Kiss Kimmy. Marry Stephanie. Kill D.J.,” I answer, not needing to think about it.

“Poor D.J., what did she ever do to you?”

“D.J.’s too tidy for me. I like someone that keeps me on my toes. She’s predictable.” Leaning forward I grab the remote from the coffee table, switching off the sports highlights and pulling up a streaming service. “Want to watch a few episodes of Is it Cake? ”

“Sure, just let me call my dad real quick. He should be done with his village meeting. You get it ready.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Not yet.” She stops in her tracks, her head tilting to the side slightly and scans my face for a reaction carefully, like she’s expecting me to be disappointed. Her shoulders sag with relief when she doesn’t find anything but genuine concern.

I wish she would tell him. I’ve encouraged her to do so, but only because I want her to feel supported by more than just me, especially when I’m gone as often as I am.

Her soft lips brush my cheek. It’s an innocent kiss, but it makes me want to pull her back for more. Before I have the chance, she grabs her phone and disappears through the sliding door to the balcony. While she’s catching up with her dad, I scrounge for snacks. You can’t watch a baking competition without sustenance of your own.

“Ooh cookie dough. I could fuck with that,” I say to Ronnie, who followed me out here and is currently stationed at my feet looking adorably spoiled as she waits for a snack. “None for you, little lady.” I pop a few bite-sized pieces in my mouth and move on to making popcorn, pouring some M&M’s into the bowl.

I’m halfway back to the couch, chewing on another piece of cookie dough, when Indie slips back inside.

“What are you eating?” Something ominous creeps down my spine in the cool way she asks. Like she knows exactly what I’m eating and there is no right answer to this question.

“Cookie dough,” I say wearily, dropping to the couch and shaking the container for her to take a piece.

“My emergency cookie dough that I got from the food truck downtown for when I start my period tomorrow and want to murder you instead of Kimmy?” Her arms cross under her chest, drawing my attention to her breasts.

Nope. Not the time.

“Oh, shit.” Trying to hide the nearly empty container, I pull my hand back, but it’s too late. She leans over, peering in. “I’m sorry. I’ll get you more. The exact same kind and then some.”

“And when do you plan to do that? Your flight leaves at the crack of dawn,” she challenges, taking the container from me and returning it to the fridge.

“I don’t want to die. I’ll figure it out.” It might not be wise, but I’ve always been dumb for this girl, so, I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her. If nothing else, maybe it will distract her.

A short, sharp snort comes out of her nose, then she relaxes against me. “You’re too pretty to murder. Plus, I’m not sure my ankle is ready for running from the law yet.”

“See, you say those things and I hear, ‘Dom is boyfriend goals.’”

Her back vibrates against my chest as she gives into a full-bodied laugh this time. “That’s weird. I don’t remember agreeing to be your girlfriend. And now that you’ve eaten half of my snacks for my stay at the Red Roof Inn, I’m not sure I ever can.”

“Fuck, Baby. You drive a hard bargain, but if it’s an orgasm you want to convince you, it’s an orgasm you’ll get.”

“That’s not what—nope, actually, you know what, I’ll allow it. ”

“Wait, really?” I ask, stunned that she’s just going with this.

“You’re kinda cute, and I have no doubt you’ll replace that cookie dough in that over the top manner that only you are capable of. Besides, I told my dad about you, so now you’re stuck with me for a while.”

“You told your dad about me?” The bright smile she grants me when I turn her in my arms nearly knocks me off balance. Such an adorable pain in my ass.

“Well, he already knew you from when you hijacked my phone after I hurt my ankle, but yes.”

“So I’m your boyfriend,” I draw out, booping her nose.

“Only if you stop singing it like that . . . and I still want that orgasm.”

Spinning us, my hands go to her waist and she lands on the counter with a squeal. “Now is probably when I should tell you that my dad knows all about you too. We have a whole text chain dedicated to me updating him on my progress towards winning you over. He’s your biggest fan.”

“You do not.”

“We very much do. He loves that you made me work for a chance..” My hands drop to her hips teasing the waistband of her shorts.

“What are you doing?”

“You took away my snack and I’m still hungry.”

“Oh my god. I can’t. You’re ridiculous. I take it all back.” Even as she says it, her hands thread through my hair. “You’re just trying to distract me from the fact that you and your dad have been plotting against me. I never stood a chance, did I?”

That’s it, Baby, hold on.

“Nope,” I say, dragging her shorts and undies down her hips and getting to work.