Chapter 17

The evening air was cool when Erin heard the soft chime of the doorbell. Her pulse quickened as she wiped her hands on her jeans, checking herself one last time in the hallway mirror. It was a simple dinner, yet the weight of it all seemed bigger somehow. She wanted to be close to Jay—wanted to feel like they were moving forward, together. And tonight felt like the right moment.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by Jay, standing there in a black hoodie, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. Without a word, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them in an instant.

Erin barely had time to blink before Jay was cupping her face in his hands, his lips crashing against hers. It wasn't a soft, tentative kiss. No, this kiss was full of hunger, of the undeniable chemistry between them that neither could ignore. Jay's lips were warm, urgent, and as she melted into him, she could feel the passion that had been building between them, waiting for a moment like this. His fingers slid into her hair, deepening the kiss, and Erin responded, lifting herself on her tiptoes to meet him halfway, letting everything else fade away.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Jay rested his forehead against hers, his hands still gripping her waist like he never wanted to let her go.

"Sorry, I couldn't wait," he murmured, his voice low and rough with desire.

Erin smiled, her heart racing. "You're good," she whispered back, her hands trailing over his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "I kind of liked it."

Jay chuckled, pressing another kiss to her forehead, then brushing his lips against hers again, slower this time, a soft promise lingering in the kiss.

"You look incredible," Jay said, his voice still thick with emotion as he finally pulled away. "This is incredible."

Erin's cheeks flushed under the compliment. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected how much it would feel like they were already a couple, even with the newness between them. But standing there in her doorway, her hands still resting on his chest, she couldn't deny it: it felt natural, easy, right.

She grinned, trying to focus, trying to hold onto some semblance of calm. "I'm glad you like it," she said, stepping back to let him in. "Dinner's almost ready.I hope it's actually eatable cause-"

Jay followed her inside, his gaze never leaving her. "It's not just the dinner," he said, his tone a little more serious now. "It's you. You're the one I'm excited about. You're the one who makes all of this feel real."

Erin's heart skipped a beat at his words. She wasn't used to hearing that kind of raw honesty, not from anyone—least of all from someone as guarded as Jay. But as he stood in her kitchen, watching her with those eyes, she realized something: maybe she wasn't as afraid as she thought.

As Jay set his bag down, his hand brushed against hers once more, sending a shiver down her spine. He seemed to know just how to touch her to make everything feel more intense, more meaningful. She wasn't sure if it was the energy between them or the way he looked at her, but she couldn't stop the smile that tugged at her lips.

Erin leaned against the counter, trying to act casual, even though her heart was thudding in her chest. "So, I was thinking about something," she said, her voice steady but with a slight edge of nervousness.

Jay looked up from the takeout containers on the counter, his gaze immediately snapping to hers. "What's on your mind?"

"I was wondering if you'd want me to come to your first game of the season," she said, her voice soft but full of intent. "I'd love to be there with you, Jay. To support you."

Jay froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her words. Then, his face broke into a grin. "You want to come?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise, though his smile showed he was clearly pleased by the idea.

"Yeah," she said, crossing the room to stand closer to him. "I want to be there for you, in the stands, cheering you on."

He stepped closer, his fingers grazing her arm as he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, his lips lingering there for a moment before pulling away. "I'd like that," he murmured, his eyes soft with affection. "It means a lot to me that you want to be a part of that."

Erin smiled, her heart fluttering at how genuine his response was. "Good," she said, her voice playful now. "And, um, I was also thinking maybe it's time you meet my friends. You know, Kim and Annie and the rest of them. I want you to see my world too."

Jay tilted his head, his eyes locking onto hers with a thoughtful expression. "You want me to meet your friends?" he asked, the question almost sounding like disbelief. But Erin could see the excitement flickering in his eyes.

"Yeah," she replied, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I think it would be good,as I would really like to meet yours. Don't you?"

Jay nodded slowly, the smile never leaving his face. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

The air between them was thick with anticipation, their chemistry undeniable as they shared this quiet moment of understanding. There was no rush, no pressure, just the two of them, taking their time to figure things out.

For the first time in a while, Erin felt like she was exactly where she needed to be. And she had a feeling Jay felt the same way.

The night had settled into a familiar rhythm as they found themselves sprawled out on Erin's couch,the soft glow of the TV lighting the room. Jay, leaning back with a relaxed smile, picked up the game controller, glancing at her.

"You sure you want to do this?" he asked, a teasing edge to his voice. "You know I'm kind of a pro."

Erin rolled her eyes playfully, grabbing the other controller. "Please, I'll have you begging for mercy by the end of this."

Jay chuckled, a low sound that made Erin's heart skip just a little. She wasn't sure what it was about him—the way he could switch from joking to serious in a split second, but tonight felt different. The air between them was warm, easy.

"Alright, let's see what you've got, superstar," Jay said, tossing a glance her way as he set up the game."I'm still shocked you've got this in your house."

"I'm full of surprises."

She got comfortable, adjusting the pillows around her, and before she could even focus on the screen, Jay was beside her, guiding her hands onto the controller. He was close, but not in a way that made her feel crowded—just close enough for her to feel the heat from his body.

"Hold it like this," he said, showing her how to grip the controller, his fingers brushing over hers in the process. His touch was gentle, confident, like he was used to being this close to people—and for some reason, that made her feel less self-conscious about her lack of skill.

Erin shook her head, glancing at him. "You're definitely going easy on me."

Jay smirked, leaning in a little too close for comfort, his breath warm against her ear. "Maybe I am. But only because I'm a gentleman."

"Right," she muttered, smirking as she tried to move her player.

But before she could, Jay's character took the ball away, running circles around her. "Oh, no, you don't," Erin grumbled, trying to catch up, but her thumbs were clearly not fast enough.

Jay laughed, a rich, genuine sound that echoed in her chest. "You're getting there."

"Uh-huh," she muttered, faking frustration. "Just you wait, I'm about to pull out some pro moves."

With a playful grin, Jay leaned back slightly, allowing Erin to take the lead for once, her thumbs finally catching up as she got the hang of it.

The game was starting to feel more fun than competitive now. The two of them were in their own little bubble of lighthearted banter, a mix of her teasing him for being too cocky and him laughing as she surprisingly got a goal in.

"I didn't think you had it in you," Jay teased, nudging her shoulder with his.

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," Erin replied, half-smiling as she focused on the screen. "Next round, I'm coming for you."

She felt a little buzz of energy in her chest—something about the playfulness of it all, the way he didn't take himself too seriously but still made her feel like she was worth his time, felt… good.

After a few rounds of laughter and a couple of fake dramatic defeats on Erin's part, she leaned back into the couch, the controller resting loosely in her hand. Jay was still on edge, practically vibrating with energy.

"Okay, okay. I admit it," she said, lifting her hands in mock surrender. "You're good."

Jay shot her a smirk. "Of course I am."

She turned her head to look at him, genuinely curious. "So, you play this all the time?"

"Yeah, mostly when I need a break from the usual chaos. Helps clear my head," Jay said, his tone light, but there was a hint of something else there, something softer. "I used to play with my brother growing up, too. Keeps things… normal."

Erin smiled to herself. There was something about hearing him talk about his family like that—it made him feel more real, more grounded. It was a side of him she didn't always see, and she appreciated it.

"Well, you've definitely got me hooked," she said, setting the controller down. "I might need some more lessons though."

"You're a quick learner. I'll make a pro out of you yet," he teased, nudging her lightly.

Erin shifted a little closer, feeling the familiar, comfortable silence settle between them. She hadn't expected this—her living room, just the two of them, and an impromptu game night that had somehow turned into something else entirely.

"You know," Erin said after a moment, "This… this is actually nice. I didn't realize how much I needed something so… easy."

Jay smiled, his eyes softening. "Yeah, me neither. But it's good. This is good."

Erin took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slowly. It felt right, being here, sitting beside him. No expectations. No rush. Just them, in the middle of the chaos of their lives, finding a quiet space to exist.

"So, about that pro thing…" Erin began, her voice playful again. "How about a rematch?"

Jay raised an eyebrow. "You're sure you can handle it?"

"Absolutely," Erin said, rolling her sleeves up. "Bring it on, Halstead."

And as they picked up their controllers again, laughing and teasing each other, it felt like maybe they didn't need anything more complicated than this. Just two people, having fun, and figuring each other out, one goal at a time.

"You're staying?" Erin asks as she drops her head to his chest,listening to the sounds of his steady heartbeat.

Jay looked at the clock one more time, the time ticking away faster than he would've liked. He really should leave. He had a practice early in the morning, a brutal one by the looks of it, but something about the way Erin was looking at him made it harder to walk away. Her eyes, soft but inviting, her smile—the way she pulled him closer, the space between them shrinking.

"Jay…" Erin's voice broke through his thoughts, a whisper against his skin as she reached up to touch his face, trailing her fingers down his jaw. Her touch lingered, and he found himself getting lost in it, in her.

"I should go," he said, but the words didn't sound convincing even to him. He didn't want to leave—not yet, not when the pull between them was stronger than ever.

She gave him that look again, the one that said she understood, so she nodded but her own control was almost entirely gone.

She shifted, inching closer until her lips were just a breath away from his, and in that moment, he knew exactly what he wanted. He wasn't ready to walk away.

Jay slid his hands down her back, guiding her gently back toward the couch. "Forget early practice," he muttered under his breath, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Erin's breath caught, the smile on her lips growing as she shifted, moving back into his arms. "You sure?" she asked, teasing but with a hint of warmth that made his heart skip.

"I'm sure," he whispered. "I want to be here, with you. Besides, I can nap here."

And just like that, the moment they had shared was amplified, becoming something deeper. He stayed, his hand resting against her back as they kissed again, slow and gentle at first, before it deepened—passion swirling between them, the space between them completely gone.

For the next few hours, they lost track of time. Jay forgot about practice. He forgot about the early morning. All he could think about was Erin. She was warm in his arms, her presence filling every inch of his thoughts, and that was all he needed in that moment.

At some point, Erin pulled back slightly, her breath ragged, her bare body pressed against his. "You're going to regret this tomorrow morning," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room.

Jay grinned, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll survive," he replied. "Besides, it's not that late right now and you know," He smirked looking at her hazel eyes he was growing so affectionate about, "I'm kinda where I want to be right now."

And as the hours slipped by, Jay didn't think about the 4 AM wake-up call, the grueling practice that awaited him.

All that mattered was the way Erin's smile made his heart beat faster, the way her touch made him feel like maybe, just maybe, things didn't have to be as complicated as they'd always seemed before.

When the time came for him to leave, he was surprised by the fact that he was more rested then a lot of nights he spent alone in his cold yet beautiful penthouse.

Jay's eyes fluttered open as the alarm blared through the stillness of the room. His arm was still draped over Erin, her soft form pressed against him, her breath steady and warm. For a moment, he didn't want to move—didn't want to leave this peaceful, quiet space. He was used to mornings where he felt the weight of everything—practice, expectations, the constant drive for more. But here, with Erin, the world felt softer. He wasn't sure what time it was, but it didn't matter.

He glanced at the clock. 5 AM. His heart sank a little. He had barely slept five hours, but it had felt different this time. Not like the restless nights in his penthouse where sleep never seemed to come easy.

Erin shifted beside him, groaning as she woke up, her face creased from sleep but still beautiful. She blinked slowly, looking up at him with that sleepy, affectionate look she always gave him.

"You're leaving already?" she murmured, her voice thick with drowsiness, her hand reaching for him as if trying to pull him back into the warmth of the bed.

Jay rubbed his face, trying to shake off the fogginess in his head. "Yeah, I've got practice in a couple hours. Coach won't be happy if I'm late." He smiled at her, brushing her hair out of her face. "But honestly, I'd stay if I could."

Erin let out a little groan, rolling over to face him. Her hand found its way to his chest, fingers tracing the muscles there absentmindedly. "You're a mess," she said softly, though her tone was warm. "You're going to be so tired."

"I'll survive," he said, echoing the words he'd said earlier. His thumb gently caressed her cheek as he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was slow and tender, like he didn't want to pull away, not just yet.

Erin kissed him back, her lips lingering on his for a moment longer before she pulled back, her smile soft. "I'll make sure you get some rest later tonight," she promised, though it was clear she was still half asleep.

Jay chuckled, shaking his head. "You always say that, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep after last night."

She laughed lightly, her eyes still heavy with sleep but warm with affection. "You're such a troublemaker," she teased, but there was no edge to it—only fondness.

He smiled, feeling a little lighter than usual. It wasn't just the fun they'd had the night before. It wasn't even just about the moments they shared in bed or the way they'd connected. It was something deeper—a feeling of being seen, of being accepted, of not needing to chase after something else, something more.

Erin's eyes fluttered closed again as she stretched, clearly not ready to fully face the day. "Go and be great like you always are," she murmured, her voice muffled against the pillow.

"I will," he smiled, kissing her forehead before slowly sliding out of bed. As he grabbed his clothes, he glanced back one more time at her petite frame,that was now hugging the pillow he was just laying his head on few seconds later. She was curled up under the linen beige sheets, a soft, peaceful smile on her face.

As he headed out of the room, Jay couldn't help but feel a little torn. He'd be leaving soon, and the reality of practice, of the grind, loomed large in his mind. But right now, with her—this moment—felt like it might just be enough to get him through anything.

And the fact that they were dating for what, a month?

It scared him how much power Erin Lindsay already had over him.How much joy she brought into his days just by being there for him, talking about her work, her story or just smiling to light up his day.

Erin had already carved a place in his life in ways he didn't expect. Her laughter, the way she got excited talking about her books, her quiet moments when she'd just look at him with that soft smile, all of it wrapped around him like a blanket. She wasn't just someone he'd see when it was convenient anymore. She was starting to feel like…home.

He finished the practice, barely noticing how tired he was, the soreness in his muscles almost nonexistent. There was a warmth in his chest, a smile on his face that couldn't be wiped off. It had been a while since he'd been this present, this engaged in something outside of football. And for the first time, he found himself not dreading the end of practice.

He found himself happy to do his work,the one he loves so much and then to come back home.

And home didn't kinda mean anymore his lonely and aloof apartment.

Home was starting to look like two hazel eyes, a beautiful dimpled smile.

And that thought alone made him start and also finish the whole strenuous training with a warm feeling in his chest and a smile that made everyone wonder what was up with him.

As he walked off the field, the guys were giving him curious looks, some of them even asking if he'd gotten lucky or what had him so damn happy.

Jay just shrugged it off, not caring to explain.

There was no need to.

They wouldn't understand, not unless they saw it for themselves—how much of a difference Erin was already making in his life.

So when he walked to his car,heading home before a meet up with Antonio, his smile grew even wider as he saw his screen lighten up with Erin's name on it.

Working right now.Hope you had a good practice,plus kinda felling like you should have this.

Attached to the message there was a selfie that Erin probably took last night without him even realising that she had.Erin's had her joystick in one hand, and her smile was the first thing he noticed. He was looking at her flatscreen, joystick in his hand as he was playing with a noticeable smile on his lips.

That photo alone radiates comfort,safeness and incredible comfort with each other.

Things both of them never felt with other people.

Cause it wasn't like this with them,it never was.

And when he posts on his instagram stories that selfie,tagging her along with a red heart, he doesn't expect that much love from people that seemed to have caught so perfectly their essence.

He liked a few of them, as Erin liked the story and messaged him an "Are you crazy?" text.

He could help but answer, even if it sounded like the cheesiest he could ever write.

Crazy about you.