The Right Move (Windy City, #2)

by Liz Tomforde

“I know. And I’m stopping you before you do. You know I’m terrible at saying no to you, so I’m not going to let you even ask the question. She’s not moving in with me.”

A soft chuckle vibrates in his chest and at first, I enjoy the sound, thinking he might find me funny, but then I realize the laugh is condescending. “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you here. I didn’t ask for you to move in, and the only reason you’re here is because you’re my sister’s friend and I’m the reason she doesn’t have very many. I like my space, and if it were my choice, I’d be living alone. So, no, Indiana, we’re not going to be friends. We’re going to coexist in the same apartment until you can find yourself a different situation while I fulfill my brotherly duty.”

I’m not easily distracted, but if I could manifest my perfect distraction, it’d look a lot like her.

Say something nice, something comforting. “You’re emotional.”

When did I say that? I’m a romance reader. I have a thing for assholes.

“We aren’t into bras?” “We? I personally don’t love wearing one with my pajamas, but you do you.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Judgment free zone.”

“You’re pretty…bold for someone who just got here yesterday and still hasn’t signed a lease. And you ask a lot of questions.” “You think I’m pretty?” “You heard the first two words and tuned out the rest, huh?” He raises an eyebrow, unimpressed.

“You should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future,”

It’s decided. I’m going to bring some color into Ryan Shay’s life if it’s the last thing I do.

Maggie doesn’t know about my fertility concerns, none of these friends do, but her words unknowingly twist the knife in my chest.

She lightly squeezes my arm. “Can’t you forgive him? I want everything to go back to how it used to be. All of us spending time together.” “What?” I force out a laugh. “Maggie, he slept with someone else in our bed.” And he’s never once asked for forgiveness, let alone apologized. “He made a mistake.”

What the fuck??

Right there, on the wall opposite me is the most beautiful bed I’ve ever seen. Cloud-like pillows and a white comforter create a vortex I want to fall into and never get out. Luxurious and expensive with a bit of texture on the duvet. It’s stunning and it’s new with no taint of my previous life or relationship. It’s mine. And it’s from Ryan.

“Stop looking at her,” I warn. “Go hit the showers or get to the airport or just about anything other than look at her. She’s not available.” “So, you are hitting that.” Dom nods in approval. “No, I’m not hitting that. And neither are any of you. Stop looking at her or she’ll be the last thing you ever fucking see.” “Ooooh. Protective Shay is here, and his sister is nowhere to be found. Someone write this date down. History is being made, people. Ryan Shay gives a fuck about someone other than Stevie and something other than basketball.”

“Not so fast, honey bun.” She snaps out of her trance, stopping me as she wraps both arms around my waist. “How am I supposed to be without you for two days? We’ve never been apart, cupcake. I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Do you want me to get on my knees and beg or something?” “Now that you say it.” She cocks her head to the side, eyes roaming my length. “I wouldn’t mind knowing what you look like on your knees, Shay.” “Indy, please.”

“Go get me your key so I can go crash in my new expensive bed.” “What an amazing guy to buy you a bed. Probably makes you want to return a favor. He seems like a wonderful person.” Indy rolls her eyes. “He’s on my shit list at the moment.”

My cheek falls against hers, sliding against the column of her neck until blonde hair surrounds me like a curtain. A soft tropical scent, maybe coconut, invades me and as I inhale, my hands slide around her waist, pulling her body closer to mine.

“But we need some ground rules.” “Like?” “Like what we’re going to do once you inevitably fall for me. Do I let you down easy or do I exploit all the newfound emotions you’re going to feel once you realize you’re in love with me?” A laugh bubbles out from me. “You don’t have to worry about that. The emotional part or the falling-in-love part.” She sighs dramatically. “That’s what they all say.”

“Not so fast. If I’m going to even consider taking you to this wedding, I’m going to need to turn you into one of my book boyfriends first.” That earns a raised brow. “Oh, come on. If we’re going to be acting, we may as well go all in. Do you know how to flare your nostrils in anger?” My breakfast almost comes back up. “What?” “If you see me across the room, talking to another man, I need you to stare intently then flare your nostrils. Or grind your molars together and tic your jaw.” “Blue—” “Do you know how to growl?” “What?” “Yeah, I don’t really know what that’s supposed to sound like, but every one of my book boyfriends is big into growling. Oh! And can you darken your eyes?” “Darken my eyes?” “Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?” “No, I can’t fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?”

“Okay, okay.” Her hands go up in surrender. “But if you ever want to learn how to make a woman come three times in one chapter, I’ve got you covered.”

“Indy-pendent Woman 101.” She raises a questioning brow.

I tried! I really tried to keep them alive, but I think I watered them too much and drowned them. Then when I went down to the flower stand today to buy the same ones in hopes you wouldn’t notice, they didn’t have them. So I bought you some called Black-eyed Susan? Which is the weirdest fucking thing to call a flower.

Thats so cute ❤️❤️

The way she cried his name—the name that belonged to me.

“I guess if anyone asks how we met, we tell the truth,” I decide. “You came to my apartment crying then drooled over how amazing I looked as I stood shirtless in my kitchen. Then you threw up all over my shoes. Is that cute enough for you?”

“Well, what can I say? I’m not like other guys.” She catches onto the mocking tone of the cliché phrase as she rolls her eyes and releases a subtle laugh. “You’re funny sometimes, Shay.”

“Always been the best pitcher on the team. I’ve got good hands. The right touch. In case you were curious.” And those good hands are still holding on to my fake girlfriend’s. “Okay, that seems like enough of a handshake there, buddy.”

Jealous already??

“You don’t have a kid. You have a baby.” Indy’s tone switches to soft and sweet, her smile beaming as she looks through Kai’s phone. “Yeah,” he sighs. “And he’s looking for a mom.”

Seriously cant wait for his book

“Daily update for you, Vee.” “No thank you.” “Your brother is hot as hell, and I'd happily let him bend me over this bar top.” I pull my drink to my lips, keeping my attention on him.

“Ryan, it’s fine. I’ve done it for years.”

“Indy.” Both his large hands cup my face. “I don’t give a fuck where we are. You could cry all you want at this fundraiser. You could scream, laugh, throw a temper tantrum in front of these people for all I care. I don’t give a fuck, but you’re not crying over him, here or anywhere else.”

“ASL?” she asks. “I guess so. At home we’ve always signed. My dad was born deaf, and my mom learned the language when they met.” “How would…” I hesitate uncomfortably. “How would an adult learn the language?”

Oh my God. He's so cute. I love him.

“Where’s the regular bacon?” she asks. “I haven’t been ordering it. I’ve just been getting the vegetarian stuff.” She looks over her shoulder at me for an explanation. “I think it tastes pretty good. No need to order both.”

I want her here. I want her to want to be here. Fuck, when did that happen?

❤️❤️❤️

“No, she’s home already, and doesn’t know I’m here. I wasn’t sure if Indy was at your place, and I was hoping to talk to you alone.”

Hes gonna propose ❤️❤️

“I wasn’t at a sponsorship deal. I was in Nashville.” Stevie’s and my hometown. “To talk to your dad.” Oh. Oh shit. “Do you remember the night we met, and I told you I wasn’t going to ask for permission to date your sister?”

“Zee, you’re being sappy as fuck about this,” I laugh. “Spit it out.” “Ryan Taylor Shay.” Zanders gets on one knee in front of me. “Will you be my brother-in-law?” “You’re an idiot.” “I’m kidding.”

“But I would like to know how you’d feel my asking Stevie to marry me. You’re one of my best friends, but I also want both of you to be my family. Officially.”

“Hey, Zee.” He turns to face me, his hand lingering on the handle of his G-Wagon. “When you’re on the road, Indy…She’s good?”

“Oh, you mean is she good at getting hit on in every bar we walk into? Yeah, she’s fucking great at that too.” “Fuck you.”

I roll down my window to add one more thing. “And keep your teammates in check. If I hear that one of them tries anything with her again, I’m coming to you.” Zanders folds over his steering wheel in laughter. “Ryan, my guy, you’re so completely fucked, and you can’t even see it.”

“Why are you not concerned at all?” “Because she’s a grown woman who’s working. Will it make you feel better if I text her?” “Please.”

Can you please come home?

See you tomorrow? Is she out of her goddamn mind? In what world does she think I’m going to bed and will just see her tomorrow?

It’s 2:57 when the front door quietly opens, and I’m sitting in the living room like someone’s father, disappointed by a missed curfew.

This is my version of her. The one where she’s comfortable and casual at home and I don’t want to share her.

“I’m…worried about you, Ind. I was worrying about you the whole game.” Her lips lift mischievously, her tone teasing. “Ryan Shay, do you care about me?” “No.” “You care about me.” “No, I don’t, but I’d rather you not get kidnapped while I’m playing a fucking basketball game.” She moves her shoulders, dancing around the island. “Ryan Shay cares about me!” “You’re annoying.” Her hands go to her knees, and she sticks her ass out, twerking in my kitchen. “Yeah, but you still care about me.”

“Congratulations.” I motion to Britney Spears on my twenty-seven-year-old roommate’s chest. “Cute shirt by the way.” “You know it’d be a whole lot cheaper to just tell me you care about me.”

“Do you think you’ll ever be able to love someone the way you loved him?” “I don’t know,” she says with honesty for no one else to hear but her and me. “Right now, it feels like he took everything. Like I don’t have anything left to give someone else.”

“Do you think I’m a trainwreck, Ryan?” I huff a laugh. “You’re more like a cute little fender bender.”

“I don’t know. He loved me loudly. I think the romantic in me thought that was the right way. The grand gestures. The big love confessions. He wasn’t afraid to touch me in public but being away from him for the first time in my life, I’m realizing there are a lot of ways in which I thought he was showing me love, but really he was just showing me off.”