Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

Luke

I only catch Amelia’s eyes once during our practice, when they pause in filming. But just seeing her annoyed blush when I wink is enough to get me through.

And tomorrow, I get to spend the day with her.

“I heard you went out with Easton yesterday,” Reed says when we’re back in the locker room. “How’d that go?”

I huff out a laugh and peer over at Easton, finding him with his usual gruff persona. “You make it sound like that’s a big deal. We just had a few drinks.”

Reed raises an eyebrow as he stares at me, waiting for me to change my response.

“Okay.” I laugh. “It’s a big deal. And it wasn’t my doing. He kind of forced me when he found me mid-breakdown.”

Reed frowns until my smile widens, and he laughs. “I always knew there was a nice guy buried deep within that muscle. Deep, deep within.”

“Reed, you see the good in everyone.”

“Not everyone. The jury is still out on Zane.”

We both glance at Zane as he talks to Emery. “He’s a dick and thinks with one, but so was I in my first season. Remember?”

“Luke, you were still a dick last season. And this season…”

“Alright, I get it and I guess I can’t argue.”

“Nope. How are things with—”

“I’m not talking about that here, Reed.” I throw my bag over my shoulder when I’m done and smile his way. “I’m off; enjoy your Saturday. I’ll see you Sunday to watch the games.”

Reed does nothing to hide his confusion as I slap him on the back. “You’re not coming out?”

“Nope, I’ve got plans.”

“Plans, hey?” He smirks, his eyes flashing toward the film crew as if that will clue me in on what he’s alluding to, and turns out, it does. But it’s annoying.

“Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you never miss a night out yet you’ve missed a few.”

I lift a shoulder as I walk away, but not before calling out. “People change.”

A melia arrives a few minutes early for our date, and I tell Shadow to sit before opening the door. After a quick hello, she steps inside, and it’s nice having her in my space again. This time, under very different circumstances.

“Sorry, I’m a bit early. All the lights were gre— Hello.” She spots Shadow and her voice trails off. “My God, she’s even more beautiful up close.”

“This is Shadow, my firstborn.” I bite back my smile until she laughs.

“Hi, Shadow.” She takes a tentative step closer. “Can I pet her?”

“She’d be pissed if you didn’t. She loves people. Especially those that exude warmth.”

“I do that?” She stares at me confused until I laugh.

“You don’t normally, but you are right now. It’s obvious you’re a dog person.”

“I am. But you already knew that. Remember we found that lost puppy when we were…seven, I think?”

“I do. You begged your parents to let you keep it, and they finally relented an hour before the owner came forward.” She bends down to pet Shadow, and I keep my fingers crossed that she doesn’t get too excited. I don’t usually have her inside when people are over.

Amelia sighs longingly as Shadow licks her cheek. “It broke my heart.”

“So much so that you made me sneak into their yard to check up on it and make sure it was being treated properly.”

“Oh my God. That’s right. And there were two of them, so I gave in knowing it was better to keep them together.”

“Yep. Maybe Shadow can sense your love of dogs.”

“Maybe.” She smiles up at me. “She’s amazing, Luke. I can tell she’s loved.”

“Yeah, well, I had love to give and needed it to go somewhere. But don’t worry, I have plenty to share.”

“What?” She panics like I’m moving too quickly, and I hold back my smile at how adorable she is.

“For Jelly Bean. It’s our first date, Amelia. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Of course. How silly of me.”

Amelia pets Shadow for a little while longer until I drag her away, leading her through the house until we get to my theater room. “Since I can’t take you out to a movie without being seen, I thought we could try this.” I guide her into the room to show her the mini movie theater I’d set up, complete with popcorn machine and snack bar. Amelia gasps before covering her mouth with her hand and turning my way.

“This…I…I’m speechless. I want to say something about how I didn’t think you had it in you, but I’d be lying. Because I’ve come to realize you can be a sweet guy when you want to be.”

“I know when to pull him out of hiding. I’m clever like that,” I joke so things don’t get too mushy.

“Thank you. I love it. What movie are we watching?”

“I have options. From old favorites to new releases, the choice is yours.”

Without picking a movie, Amelia beelines for the snack bar and starts filling a bowl while I get set up with Labyrinth , almost certain it will be her choice. Especially after I admitted to being freaked-out by the red fiery things.

“Would it be okay if we watch Lab —” She cuts herself off when I press play and an image of David Bowie takes over the big screen.

“What were you saying?” I tease, getting a light slap on my arm in return.

“I wanted to see your reaction with the fire things.”

“Really?” I say, holding back my sarcasm. “That thought never crossed my mind.”

After grabbing a small bag of popcorn, I make myself comfortable on the couch but groan when Amelia sits down on the opposite end. “This is a date, Amelia. Do you know what people do on movie dates?”

“Watch a movie?”

“They snuggle and make out.”

“Are we fifteen?”

“Nope. But I’m still going to need you over here.”

She doesn’t budge, but when she senses me glaring her way, she lets out the cutest little laugh. “Okay, fine. I’m coming.”

“Good girl. That can be your first for the day.”

“My wh—” She rolls her eyes when my meaning hits, and then sits beside me. “Very funny.”

“I thought so. Now come here.” I slide her closer and wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into me until she wriggles around to get comfortable.

“Happy?” she asks as the opening title music begins.

“Very. Thank you. Are you?”

She glances up at me, her body snuggled into mine, her eyes full of the warmth I mentioned earlier. “I am. Thank you.”

We talk and laugh throughout the entire movie, with Amelia reciting random lines and trying to scare me in the moments she thinks might make me jump. To no one's surprise, I’m no longer freaked-out when we get to the fiery part. In fact, I actually find it comical. And when the movie ends, I’ve got to admit, after all these years, I still enjoyed it. But maybe I enjoyed the live commentary more than anything.

“Good choice for your all-time favorite. And even better that it’s one you can show your kids.”

“Exactly.” Amelia sits up excitedly. “What’s your favorite? You used to love Remember the Titans when we were young.”

“Still do. That will always be one of my favorites. But I also really love biopics like A Beautiful Mind . Oh, and Moneyball was great too.”

“I love both of those movies. Do you ever go to the movies or do you tend to stay away?”

“I avoid them. I could go, but it’s easier to watch in the comfort of my own home or with friends at their places.”

“That’s sad.” She frowns. “We’ll have to organize a private screening of the first episode of your series. Maybe we can hire out one of the smaller theaters.”

“You mean we don’t get a big fancy premiere?”

“Do you want one?”

“Fuck, yeah. But I might be the only one. And Zane.”

“I guess we can ask.”

Our conversation moves away from movies, and I suddenly remember what I should have shown her when she first arrived.

“I forgot to tell you, I started clearing out one of my spare rooms for the nursery,” I say proudly as her eyes light up. It’s been two days since she mentioned it, but I couldn’t help myself last night. I wanted to show her I was taking this all seriously. That I was moving forward and helping.

“Can I see it?” She stands as if not taking no for an answer.

“Of course.” I take her hand and walk toward the front of the house, past the staircase leading her away from the bedrooms she knows about. When I glance back at her, her brows are furrowed, making me hold back my laugh.

“Where are we going?”

I don’t answer until we’re standing in front of what used to be the home office, but it’s now almost bare, ready for a crib. “I wanted the nursery to be on the ground floor so I was never too far away.”

“But isn’t your bedroom upstairs?”

“It was. But there’s a spare room with an en suite next to this room, so I figured I’d swap to sleep there.”

I wave my hand around the space, and when I glance back at her, there’s awe in her expression. “Who the hell are you?”

I bark out a laugh as she turns to face the nursery again, and I wrap my arms around her from behind, pressing a kiss to her head. The situation doesn’t necessarily warrant it considering it’s a first date, but I can’t stop myself. “I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately, and I’m yet to figure it out.”

“Well, I like you. This version of you. Much nicer than the asshole playboy.”

“Hey, I take offense to that. I was never an asshole to anyone else. I reserved that all for you.”

“I’m honored.” She grins before shaking her head and weaving herself out of my hold. “It’s a good idea. To have everything down here. You’ll have your own space, but Bean won’t be too far away. It’s going to be great.” I sense a sadness to her tone, but by the time I check, she has a smile in place.

“It would be even better if I knew what colors to make it.” I lighten the mood.

“And you will. When the baby’s born.” Amelia smiles while I roll my eyes. In truth, I’m happy either way. It would be nice to know, but I can see the appeal of a surprise too.

“So what’s next?” she asks, her brows raised. “There was a mention of dinner?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle. “I made dinner. Hope you still like chicken tacos. I remember a time when they were your favorite meal.”

“When I was ten,” she exclaims, but before I can respond she adds, “but yes, I still love them.”

I knew it. I smirk, but hold back my gloating.

After taking her back to the kitchen, I offer for her to wait at the table while I finish preparing dinner, but she insists on hovering around me and I don’t mind the company at all. We talk about life, football, her music videos—even though that brings the conversation dangerously close to the topic of her ex-husband—and our friends. Amelia tells me about the film role Hayley’s waiting to hear about, and I tell her about my sister's upcoming wedding to Thomas, joking about how they went behind my back when they first got together.

Our conversation is effortless…easy.

It’s perfect, and I hope like hell Amelia feels the way I do.