Deck His Balls (Spice and Seduction)

Chapter Nine

Joel

The last two weeks have been fucking heavenly. Tricia and I have spent almost every minute that I’m not at work together, making love or helping out in the community—donating gifts or helping at her Christmas camp. Life is going great. Today is my office Christmas party back in Atlanta, and I can think of no better way to spend it than taking my baby along with me so Dylan can finally meet her properly.

The office has been transformed into a winter wonderland, all crystal lights and silver decorations. I smile, watching Tricia work the room. She fits in perfectly, charming board members and interns alike with that magnetic personality that first drew me in.

“Earth to Joel.” Dylan waves a hand in front of my face. “You’re staring again, man.”

“Can you blame me?” I take a sip of scotch, unable to tear my eyes away from where Tricia stands with Caress by the refreshments. “Look at her.”

“Come on.” Dylan tugs my arm. “Let’s catch up. I’ve barely seen you these past two weeks with all our alternating charity runs.”

I follow him to a quiet corner, though my eyes keep drifting to Tricia. She’s laughing at something Caress said, and the sound carries across the room, making my heart skip.

“So?” Dylan leans against the wall. “How are you? Like, really?”

A genuine smile spreads across my face. “I’m happy, man. For the first time in my life, I’m actually truly happy.”

“Yeah?” Dylan’s expression softens. “It shows. I haven’t seen you like this… well, ever.”

“She’s incredible, D. The way she is with the kids at her camp, how passionate she is about giving back.” I shake my head, still amazed. “And somehow she puts up with my workaholic ass.”

“Sounds like someone’s headed for family man bliss.” Dylan waggles his eyebrows.

I laugh, but there’s truth in his words. I can see the whole future I never thought I wanted before with Tricia.

“Speaking of,” I drain my glass, “I better go find my girl.”

As I approach the refreshment table, snippets of conversation reach me, stopping me cold.

“—just don’t know if we’re strong enough for long distance,” Tricia’s saying, her voice tight with worry. “Training starts soon, and I’ll be back in the city most of the time. The away games alone are brutal on relationships, and that’s not even counting—”

I clear my throat, and both women spin around. Tricia’s eyes go wide, her mouth falling open slightly.

“Joel, let me explain—”

“It’s cool.” The words come out flat, empty. All the joy from earlier evaporates, leaving a hollow ache in my chest. “I get it.”

I turn and walk away, ignoring the calls of my name. The party sounds fade as I head for the elevator. Behind me, I hear the click of heels on marble.

“Joel, wait!”

Tricia’s voice stops me, but I can’t turn around. Can’t look at her and see the end of everything we’ve built.

“Please,” she says, closer now. “You didn’t hear the whole conversation.”

“I heard enough.” My voice sounds strange to my own ears. “You don’t think we can make it work.”

“That’s not—” She grabs my arm, forcing me to face her. “I’m scared, okay? This thing between us? It matters. It matters so much it terrifies me.”

“And your solution is to end it before it gets too real?”

“No!” Frustration colors her tone. “I was telling Caress I’m scared because I don’t want to lose this. Lose you.”

I finally meet her eyes, seeing the fear there—and something else. Something that looks a lot like love.

“Then don’t,” I say simply.

“It’s not that easy. Training camp starts in three months. I’ll be gone for months at a time.”

“So we’ll figure it out.” I step closer, cupping her face. “I have a private jet, Trish. I run a marketing company—ever heard of video calls?”

A watery laugh escapes her. “Jo…”

“I’m not letting you go without a fight.” I brush away a tear with my thumb. “Unless… unless that’s what you want?”

She shakes her head fiercely. “No. God, no. I just… I’ve never had something worth fighting for like this before.”

“Neither have I.” I rest my forehead against hers. “But I’m all in if you are.”

Instead of answering, Tricia pulls me down into a desperate kiss. Her fingers curl into my suit jacket as my arms wrap around her waist, holding her close.

When we break apart, both breathing hard, I see the determination in her eyes.

“We’ll make it work,” she says firmly. “Together.”

“Together,” I agree, pressing another soft kiss to her lips. “Now, can we please go back to the party? I think you were about to convince Johnson to double his donation to the camp.”

Tricia laughs, linking her fingers with mine. “Only if you promise to help me practice my shot tomorrow morning. Five AM, your usual court time?”

My heart swells. “You noticed that, huh?”

“Baby, I notice everything about you.” She squeezes my hand. “Even the things you think you’re hiding.”

As we walk back to the party, I realize something. Maybe the distance will be hard, but what Tricia and I have? It’s worth every mile.