Chapter Nineteen

Willa

M y stomach is fluttery and my palms are sweaty. I don't know why I'm like this. I've been around Blake more than I've been around anyone else the past few weeks, but this? It's different. I'm being driven by my team to his house.

This seems like a big step. I've never been to his house before.

We may both live in Nashville, but he lives in a completely different part of town than me. While I'm downtown, he's out in Franklin. From everything I've seen by scoping his social media, he's even got a bit of land. Out there, we don't have to worry about anyone trying to catch us together or people witnessing a private moment. It feels freeing.

My phone buzzes, so I reach down and unlock it. I smirk. It's Blake.

B: Hey, I just got home from practice, and I need to take a shower. You'll probably be here before I get out. Here's the code to get in. 7517

W: Seventeen, huh? That's my number. Did you use that number because of me?

B: Actually when I bought the house, they told me what the number was, but it kinda looks like it's kismet, huh?

There's little doubt he's got a point. Much of what's been happening between us feels as if we're being guided by a force that's bigger than the two of us. I hold my breath as I type the next question.

W: It sure does. Kevin will come in with me, if that's okay with you? Once he's okay with the house, he'll make himself scarce so we can watch TV.

B: Yeah, whatever you need to feel safe, Willa. I get it. Your life is way different than mine, but I understand why you need the security you do. That is never going to make me feel like less of a man.

W: Thank you. I appreciate you. You have no idea how much that means to me.

B: I don't live your life. I can't imagine the microscope you're under—the stress you feel, or the anxiety you get when you probably see your name mentioned by certain people. I've also never had a stalker like you have. For the most part, I can live my life normally, and babe, I understand you can't. But I want to give you a little bit of normalcy if I can. That includes coming to my house while I'm in the shower.

I laugh. I can't help it. Everything about this is so ridiculously simple when it's never been that way for me previously.

W: Gotcha! I won't overthink it too much. See you soon.

B: See ya!

"You're trying out my security skills, ya know?" Kevin says from where he sits up front.

"Oh, yeah? You're the best in the biz, and you know it. You also love a challenge. I figured you'd be extremely excited for this." I shield my eyes from the sun as we pull up to a red light.

He turns, mouth formed in a line, but amusement makes his eyes crinkle at the edges. "I do love a challenge, but this one is going to be the biggest you've ever given me."

A thought crosses my mind. "Kev, what if I wanna go to a game? Would that be possible?"

This time he turns his entire body toward me. His dark eyes meet mine. "You've sacrificed a lot to get to where you are. You're basically a fucking small country with the amount of people you employ, and the donations you make. You've taken all of that seriously, and you've felt immense pressure to perform. If this is what you want, and what you need at this point in your life, we will make it work."

I'm fighting back unexpected tears. "Thank you. I appreciate that, and you."

"I know." He turns back around, and I take the few minutes we have before getting to Blake's house to compose myself.

My eyes are glued to the scenery. It's different, because I'm used to the city and concrete. There's so much greenery and the houses are spread farther apart. It's quiet, much more quiet than I'm used to, but I like it.

We pull up to a gate, and the house in front of me is large—not as large as the ones I own in other states, but it's larger than I'd anticipated. The river-stone covering the outside makes it appear as if it blends into the countryside. There are three cars parked in the driveway and a five-car garage to the side. Time will tell how many cars Blake actually has.

"Did he give you the code?" Kevin asks. "I'll go inside and do a sweep real quick, and then you'll be good to go. He won't even know I'm there."

I nod, giving him the door code. Nerves make me tap my foot as I wait for Kevin to come back. It's still scary for me to go into new spaces. I've worked with a therapist, and as my heart rate increases, and I get shortness of breath, I close my eyes and center myself, focusing on deep breathing and remembering who is inside the house I'm sitting in front of.

Blake isn't going to let anything happen to me as long as he can help it.

"You're good to go."

My eyes pop open. Kevin is staring at me through the window that was lowered, and I didn't even realize it. "Thank you."

"Are you okay?"

"Nerves, but I'm good now."

He smiles slightly, opening the back door. I step out, and he walks me up to the front stoop. "I'm right out here if you need me. You know what to do."

I nod, licking my suddenly dry lips. I know because we practice more than we should have to. Contacting Keven in an emergency is almost as easy as performing a concert. It's second nature, and I do it without even thinking when I'm put into a dangerous situation. My fingers reach toward the doorknob, closing around it before opening. When I walk in, I'm not sure what to expect, but it definitely isn't what I see.

The house is clean. I wouldn't say it's immaculate as there are definite signs that someone lives here. A blanket on the couch. On the coffee table is a glass with condensation running down the sides. There are shoes by the door, and the TV is on, although very softly in the background. The couch is something I would expect to see in Blake's home—it's dark and masculine. There are dips and dents where he's obviously sat and laid, more than likely his friends too. Definitely not like my white one.

Walking farther in, I admire the big windows leading to the back yard, where a pool is, along with one of the most relaxing patio setups I've seen. I wanted big windows in my first apartment, and I had them for all of a couple months. Then I got my first stalker, and it wasn't safe. Kevin assured me it will be safter here because of the amount of land that Blake has. If someone tries to sneak up, they'll be seen; there's nowhere to hide in the vast fields. At one point, these windows, and fields would've given me anxiety, but now I'm looking forward to experiencing all of this with him.

In the past, I've always dated guys who were maybe a little taller than my own five-foot-nine, but they were lanky, and I knew they wouldn't be able to protect me if shit went down. Half the time I was afraid I'd be the one protecting them. I don't have to worry about that with Blake. He's strong, and tough—a mammoth of a man, and when he flexes, I can't even stretch my entire hand around his bicep.

I'm looking through the same window when I hear a noise to my left. My head swivels and I'm greeted with the best view. Blake. With no shirt on. Muscles and tattoos fully on display, the deep V of his hips visible above the low-slung edge of his sweatpants. My gaze travels up and down his body, landing on his face. The diamond studs in his ears shine brightly, matching the smile that's spread his lips apart.

My heart races as he approaches, and I hope it'll always feel exactly as it does in this moment.