The Right Move (Windy City, #2)

by Liz Tomforde

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

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.”

“Ever hear the phrase ‘she’s not like other girls’?” He gives a small nod of his head. “Yeah, that’s not me. I’m just like every other chick. As basic as they come. I had an Uggs phase. I had a skinny jeans phase. I like my books with romance, my coffee with more creamer than caffeine, and I even take aesthetic pictures of my food anytime I’m at a restaurant.”

He doesn’t deserve shit from you, including your tears.”

“Rio, you really are in love with my future brother-in-law, aren’t you?” “Undoubtedly.”

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

I’m not one of those people who is going to fake complain about this being too expensive and extravagant or act shocked when a multi-millionaire spends some money on me. But I am grateful, that’s for sure.

“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.”

“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.” “This is ridiculous. We can talk about it when you get home.” “Perfect. Great. All I’m asking for is one night.” “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.”

“Deal. Although, you could learn a thing or two from my book boyfriends. You do have that broody, mysterious thing going for you already though.”

I’ll be the best fake boyfriend you’ve ever had.” “My one and only.”

“I hope you do,” she says softly. “You’d be good to someone. You’d make someone happy. I can tell.”

But there’s something about the kind smile Indy is wearing as she watches me do the dishes that makes me want to believe my gut. That she means I, as a man, as a normal everyday person would make someone happy, and I haven’t let that thought invade my mind in a long time.

“You did a good job on your makeup.” Her head snaps up, brows creased in confusion. I motion towards my own face. “Your makeup. It looks pretty on you.”

“Do you like your makeup? Did you spend time on it?” She keeps her stare on my tie and not on me. “Yes.” “Exactly. So, I think you should know you did a good job on it.”

“And who is this?” Kai’s eyes linger on the woman at my side. Not in a creepy way, but in a respectful you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the pleasure to lay eyes on way. I said I liked him, but if he doesn’t take his eyes off her soon, I have no issue retracting my statement.

“Indy.” Rio stops moving completely. “I might be inexperienced when it comes to women, but I’m still a man. That right there is jealousy.”

When you’re with me, I want you exactly as you are. That includes letting people know just how fucking smart you are. You’re not going to cater to anyone’s toxic masculinity bullshit. You’re not going to be quiet and appeasing when you’re with me. If Ron, or anyone else for that matter, has an issue with you being smarter than him, then we’re going to have a far bigger problem than him thinking I’m not a good leader.”

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.”

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

“Ryan, my guy, you’re so completely fucked, and you can’t even see it.”

“You’re chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else.”

“Yes, I worry about you and that stresses me out. And you’ve practically shit a rainbow all over my apartment which almost gave me an ulcer, but when you’re home I don’t feel like I have to put on a show. I have a hard time with new people. I’m sure you know that by now. But with you, I can be myself, and that might seem like nothing to anyone else, but to me, it’s everything.”

I’m disorganized. He’s a clean freak. I’m a romantic. He’s a cynic. I’m an extrovert. He’s the dictionary definition of a recluse.

“Good God.” I throw my head back. “Book boyfriend material.” “I have no idea what that means.” “Just agree with me.”

I don’t miss the proud little smile that slides across her lips from being praised for her brilliant mind instead of being warned to hold herself back. It makes me want to spend every day of the rest of my life reminding her just how incredibly bright she is until I get to watch those insecurities wash away.

“Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest,”

“I want you, Indy. I want us. I want our little life we’ve built even when we thought we were pretending. I want you in our house because you’ve made it a home. I want your mess and your chaos. I want your genuine smiles, the ones you wear when you’re around my sister, the hockey team, and me. I want you happy, and I want to be the reason you are. I want you to choose me.”

“You deserve the grand gestures, the big moments. I’m not great at making a show. I don’t like the attention, but if that’s what you need to understand how much I want you in my life, I’ll do it. Fuck, I should’ve done this in front of a crowd or standing in the rain or something romantic instead of hiding away and saying it. God…” I chuckle without humor. “I’m telling you you’re the best thing to ever come into my life while hiding in a random room with terrible carpet and shitty wallpaper—”

My home, my heart, all of it, is with you. There was never a moment of doubt for me, Ryan. The only reason you heard me crying on the phone after that conversation is because I finally felt free, and more than that, I felt clarity. I don’t want you to change. I don’t need you to shout from rooftops or show me off. I just need your quiet love because those moments are the loudest declarations I’ve ever heard. I want you for exactly who you are. I’m in love with you, Ryan Shay, and I don’t need the entire world to know that for it to be true.”

“I’m sorry someone let you believe you were hard to love, because, Blue, it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” I shake my head. “God, I love you. I think in a way, I’ve loved you since our first breakfast together. You brought me back to life, Ind, and I will love you as long as you’ll let me.” “Promise?” Pulling her in, I take her lips with mine. “I’ll even add it to the fridge.”

“You know that jersey you’ve got with my last name on it? When you see it hanging there in your closet, let it serve as a reminder to you, that soon enough, it’ll be her last name too.”

“So only you’re allowed to hand out nicknames?” “Well, yeah, mine are good.” Blue. Ind. Baby when we’re in bed. Mrs. Shay is another I’d like to add to the list in the future.

“What do you want me to call you then?” she asks, halting us in our tracks. Cupping her cheeks, I kiss her for everyone who wants to see. “You can call me yours.”

Daily update—I’m in love with your brother.

I didn’t know the bar was on the floor until Ryan Shay walked into my life and quietly raised it to the fucking moon.

“And because I love you and when I tell your dad that, I’ll be the one to say it.”

When I’m in my uniform, I never lose focus. I don’t look into the crowd. I don’t pay attention to anyone outside of the game. But if the last four weeks taught me anything, it’s that this game doesn’t matter much without the three people sitting courtside for me.

“Read with me?” “God.” My head falls back. “Talk dirty to me, why don’t you.”

“Why do you like reading fiction so much?” he asks without a hint of judgment. “How else would you get to live a thousand lives in the span of only one? The beauty of fiction is that it makes you feel things on a visceral level. You can cry with those characters, laugh with them. It teaches you to look at another’s perspective, to have empathy. In nonfiction, you simply learn about something instead of feeling it.”

“This is practically a how-to manual on how to please a woman. How are more men not reading these?”

“Please go tell Zee Daddy Zanders that he’s going to be an actual daddy.”

“Daily update, Vee—we’re doing this forever, but first I need your help with something.”

“What do you say, Shay? Want to be my roomie? Hide away with me in this big, beautiful house?” “I think that sounds like the right move.”

“I love her. She’s my whole world. My best friend.”

“I’m excited to be home with you all summer, neither of us traveling for work.” “I’m excited to be home with you forever, Blue.” She smiles, soft brown eyes filled with so much love. “Forever sounds perfect.”