Mile High (Windy City Series Book 1)

“You guys look so hot. I mean so...beautiful. Pretty? What do girls like to hear?”

A light laugh is shared between Indy and me.

“We like to hear that our tab is covered from you buying all our drinks. Let’s go, Rico Suave.” Indy pulls him to follow her to the bar.

Rio turns back my way. “Oh. My. God!” he silently mouths, green eyes wide and way too happy.

Are you related to Ryan Shay?” another guy questions in shock, mouth gaped.

“No,” Zanders pipes up once again, casually sipping on his water. “He’s related to her. Can you guys stop acting like a bunch of little fanboys and leave them the fuck alone?”

You didn’t text back, and I needed to see you,” he whispers, his head on a swivel as he glances from the front of the plane to the back, making sure we’re in the clear. “You look so pretty.”

Maddison snickers in the seat next to him. “Sorry.” He shakes his head, laughing. “Stevie, you do look great, but I can’t get over how much this guy sounds like me.”

“Shh,” Zanders hushes over his shoulder. “I’m busy being a couple.”

There’s no time clock on healing heartbreak, regardless of how things ended

I shoot Stevie a hundred dollars via Venmo with the caption “Red, please,” but she denies it, sending it right back.

Stevie Girl: You’re not paying to pick my nail color.

I send the Venmo payment again.

Stevie Girl: How much do you think it costs to get your nails painted?

Me: I don’t know. $100? Red, please.

Stevie Girl: Fine, this will cover Ella’s too.

Me: Make sure she knows her favorite uncle paid.

Stevie Girl: Don’t worry, I already told her it was from me.

Me: When you get here, I’m gonna have to take care of that attitude you have today.

Me: What color are you painting your nails?

Stevie Girl: Go hang out with your best friend.

Me: What color?

Stevie Girl: Why does it matter?

Me: Because I’m going to be seeing them wrapped around my dick later. I feel like I should have a say.

Stevie Girl: You’re ridiculous

I have the rules down for the most part. And as far as our team goes, your husband scores the goals, and the guy I’m dating sits his ass in the penalty box for being a dick.”

Thank you for my new jewelry,” she quietly mutters.

I stroke her curls away from her face, absentmindedly playing with her hair as I scratch Rosie’s belly with my other hand. “You’re welcome, Vee. Thanks for being my girlfriend.”

She softly laughs, turning to sleep on her side. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s the best decision I ever made.” I stroke her cheekbone with my thumb as she starts to fade back to sleep. “Thank you for choosing me,” she adds in her sedated state.

Her lashes flutter from my touch, hiding her blue-green eyes. Her full lips are slightly parted, and her freckled cheeks could not be more adorable.

“It’s the best decision I ever made.”

She keeps going to Calgary. “Stevie. Snuck her into my hotel room to watch movies with me all night.”

San Jose. “Stevie. Insane blowjob in the shower. Wore my T-shirt to bed.”

Next, she finds Vancouver. “Stevie. Came to my game. My favorite person to hang out with.”

Finally, she looks up at me. “What is this?”

“I told you. It’s the list of girls I see in those cities. It’s a little different now, but the concept is still the same.”

She focuses back on my phone, opening Los Angeles and then Seattle, finding them both blank. “There’s nothing in these.”

“That’s because we haven’t been there yet.”

She drops my phone on her stomach before crossing her arms over her face to hide. “Jesus. How are you real? Even when you’re caught being a fuckboy, you’re caught in the cutest way possible.”

She looks up at me, her eyes a little glossy.

“You’re my first choice, Vee. My only choice.” I brush her curls away from her freckled face. “Whether that’s in Chicago or any other city. It’s just you.”

Oh, Nashville. This one is going to be a long list.” She stops on her hometown and clicks on it.

I watch as Stevie’s blue-green eyes narrow in confusion, her mouth slightly parting and her amusement shifting to sentiment.

“You can even read them out loud, Vee.”

She swallows. “Stevie. Curly hair and amazing ass. Won’t sleep with me, but I hope she changes her mind.”