29
The small café on the corner was already bustling when Erin arrived, the scent of fresh pastries and coffee filling the air as she stepped inside. She spotted Kim immediately, tucked into a booth near the window, scrolling through her phone with a mildly unimpressed expression.
"Hey," Erin greeted as she slid into the seat across from her.
Kim looked up and smirked. "Well, well, if it isn't Miss Red Carpet Debut." She gestured toward Erin's oversized sunglasses. "Hiding from the paparazzi, or just nursing a hangover?"
"A little of both," Erin admitted, reaching for the menu. "Though Jay is the one who's actually suffering."
Kim snorted. "Yeah, I saw some clips. Dude was gone by the end of the night." She paused, waggling her brows. "So… what happened after?"
Erin hesitated, then sighed, setting the menu down. "He, uh… said something."
Kim leaned in, intrigued. "Said something how?"
Erin hesitated again before lowering her voice. "He told me he loves me."
Kim's eyes widened. "No way."
"Yeah." Erin exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "But he doesn't remember. He was tipsy, rambling about random stuff, and then just… blurred it out like it was the most natural thing in the world. And now, this morning? Nothing. Not even a flicker of recognition."
Kim whistled lowly. "Damn. So, what are you gonna do?"
"I don't know," Erin admitted. "It's not like I'm mad about it. I mean, I like him, Kim. A lot. But now it feels like I'm holding onto something that only I know happened."
Kim tilted her head. "Look, drunk words are sober thoughts, right? Maybe he wasn't planning to say it yet, but it doesn't mean it's not true." She studied Erin's face. "You want to say it back?"
Erin swallowed, staring at the steam curling from her coffee. "I don't know," she repeated, but it didn't sound convincing even to herself.
Kim gave her a knowing look but let it slide. "Well, while we're on the topic of men being disasters, let's talk about the absolute train wreck of a date I had last week."
Erin gratefully took the change of subject, listening as Kim launched into the story of a guy who had not only shown up twenty minutes late but had spent half the evening talking about his ex's cat.
"Like, dude," Kim huffed, stabbing at her croissant. "Why are you telling me about your ex's cat on our first date?"
Erin laughed. "Maybe he thought you were auditioning to be the new cat mom."
Kim groaned. "Well, he won't have to worry about that, because I blocked him mid-date."
Erin grinned, sipping her coffee. For a little while, it was nice to just sit there, enjoying the easy rhythm of their friendship. But no matter how hard she tried to push it aside, Jay's words still lingered in the back of her mind.
Jay regretted everything.
The second he stepped onto the field, the sun glaring down like it personally wanted to punish him, he knew this was going to be hell. His head was pounding, his muscles felt like lead, and the only thing keeping him upright was sheer willpower.
"Halstead!" Atwater's voice boomed across the field. "You look like death, man."
Jay scowled, adjusting his helmet. "Feel like it too."
"You should. You were gone last night," Atwater laughed, shaking his head. "Better hope coach doesn't notice you moving like an old man out here."
"I'm fine," Jay grumbled, though the idea of sprinting across the field made him want to curl up and die.
Severide jogged up beside him, looking slightly better but still rough around the edges. "Man, last night was wild."
Jay groaned. "Please don't remind me."
"No, no, I have to," Severide smirked. "Because you were out there dancing like you just won the damn Super Bowl. And then you disappeared with Erin, so…" He shot Jay a look. "Good night?"
Jay rolled his eyes but couldn't fight the small smirk. "Yeah. It was a good night."
Even through the hangover haze, memories of holding Erin close, her laughter in his ear, and waking up beside her flashed through his mind. He wasn't sure he'd ever had a night quite like that.
Kevin nudged him with his shoulder. "Man, you've got it bad."
Jay scoffed, pushing him back. "Shut up."
"I'm serious," Kevin grinned. "You were all over her last night. And don't get me wrong, Erin looked damn good, so I don't blame you, but you…" He trailed off, tilting his head. "You don't even act like that when you're drunk. Usually, you're just an arrogant ass with better footwork. But last night? You were soft."
Jay frowned. "Soft?"
Rixton, listening from a few feet away, laughed. "Yeah, man. You were all smiles and looking at her like she hung the damn moon. Even I was feeling single."
Before Jay could fire back at them, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
"Halstead!"
Jay winced before turning toward the sound. Coach Williams stood near the sideline, arms crossed, a knowing look on his face.
"You planning on standing around gossiping all practice, or do you think you can actually throw a damn ball today?"
Jay straightened, quickly adjusting his helmet. "I got it, Coach."
Williams eyed him for a long moment, then smirked. "Yeah? You sure? Because you look like someone ran you over with a truck."
Jay exhaled sharply, jogging toward the rest of the team. "Just need to warm up."
The coach shook his head. "You better hope so. 'Cause if I see one sloppy throw, you're running suicides till you puke out whatever bad decisions you made last night."
Jay groaned under his breath, again regretting everything.
By the time Jay made it back to the practice facility after lunch, his headache had dulled to a faint throb, but the exhaustion was still there. Unfortunately, his coach wasn't in the mood for sympathy.
"Halstead!" Coach's voice cut across the field as they lined up for scrimmages. "You better get your head in the game because I'm not running a goddamn retirement home out here."
Jay exhaled sharply, rolling out his shoulders. "Yes, Coach."
"Good. Now show me why you're worth that contract."
The next two hours were hell. The kind of grueling, sweat-drenched, no-breath-breaks kind of practice that made even the rookies look like they were reconsidering their career choices. Jay pushed through it, ignoring the way his body protested. This wasn't his first time playing through pain, and it wouldn't be the last.
By the time they were finally dismissed, Jay collapsed onto a bench, gripping his water bottle like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
Atwater dropped down beside him, equally spent. "Man, I don't know what you did last night, but Coach is pissed."
Jay scoffed. "Maybe I should invite him out next time. See if he can keep up."
Adam, still catching his breath, smirked. "Something tells me he wouldn't be half as fun as you were last night."
Erin knew today was going to be bad the second she walked into the production office and saw him sitting at the table, smug as ever.
Steven Carmichael.
The same Steven Carmichael who had torn apart her last book adaptation, changed half the dialogue, and turned what should have been a deeply emotional story into a lukewarm action flick.
And now, apparently, he was here.
"What the hell is he doing here?" she asked Trudy, voice low as they stood outside the conference room.
Trudy sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Studio pulled him in last minute. Some bullshit about his 'experience in adaptations.'"
Erin clenched her jaw. "He butchered my adaptation."
Trudy smirked. "I know, honey. That's why I made sure you got a seat directly across from him."
Erin exhaled sharply before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The meeting was exactly as infuriating as she expected. Jack was condescending, dismissive, and seemed to take great joy in questioning every creative decision Erin had already made.
"See, I just don't think audiences will connect with a protagonist like yours," he said, leaning back in his chair like he was doing her a favor. "She's too… introspective. Not enough action."
Erin's hands curled into fists beneath the table. "The book is about her inner journey. It's not supposed to be an action movie."
Steven shrugged. "That's the thing, though. We need to make it marketable."
Erin felt her patience snapping, but Trudy shot her a warning look.
So she took a breath, forced a smile, and said, "Then maybe you should read the book before trying to rewrite it."
He blinked. The other producers glanced at each other.
Trudy, to her credit, hid her smirk behind her notebook.
After another hour of back-and-forth, the meeting finally ended, and Erin all but stormed out.
Trudy caught up to her, amused. "Well, you didn't throw a chair at him. I'd call that progress."
Erin groaned, rubbing her temples. "It's going to be a long production."
Trudy patted her shoulder. "That's Hollywood, sweetheart."
Erin wasn't sure if she wanted to scream or call Jay and vent about how badly she wanted to strangle someone.
Maybe both.
Erin barely noticed the time passing as she stormed out of the office. The meeting had drained every ounce of energy from her. Her mind was buzzing with frustration, and she needed a way to release it all.
She decided to head home, but not before making a quick detour to the park.
After shedding her blazer, Erin set off on a fast-paced run, each step pounding into the pavement as if she were trying to outrun the weight of the day. The rhythmic sound of her breath and the steady slap of her shoes against the ground helped clear her mind. The frustration, the anger, the tension—they all started to fade with every mile.
She ran faster, pushing herself harder, until she could no longer feel the ache in her muscles. It felt good—really good—to let go of everything. By the time she finished her route, the weight on her shoulders had lessened, and she felt calmer, more centered.
Heading home, Erin took a long shower, letting the hot water run over her, soothing the soreness that had built up during the run. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against the wall, grateful for the quiet moment before everything else came rushing back.
As she stepped out of the shower, she grabbed her phone from the bathroom counter. She hadn't heard the buzzing in the background while she ran, but now she noticed the missed texts and calls.
There was one from Jay, a couple of texts, and three missed calls.
She clicked on the first text:
Hey, babe. You good? Haven't heard from you. Miss you.
The second text was a bit more frantic.
Erin? Where are you? Call me, please.
Erin bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt. She hadn't meant to ignore him, but after the day she'd had, she just needed to escape everything for a little while.
She typed out a quick reply, still drying her hair.
I'm fine. Had a long day, needed to run. I'll call you in a bit. Miss you too.
She hit send and tossed the phone on the bed, finally feeling a sense of relief. But as much as she tried to push the thoughts from the meeting aside, they lingered. The idea of her creative vision being torn apart wasn't something she could just shake off easily.
Her phone buzzed again. Jay's name flashing on the screen.
Taking a deep breath, she answered. "Hey."
"Hey, babe," Jay's voice was warm but edged with concern. "You okay?"
Erin could hear the worry in his voice, and it made her smile despite everything. "Yeah, I'm fine," she reassured him. "Just had a tough meeting today. But I ran it off. Just needed some space to clear my head."
She could hear the tension in his voice ease. "Good. I was starting to worry."
"I know, I'm sorry I didn't pick up earlier." She paused, running a hand through her wet hair. "It's just been one of those days, you know?"
Jay chuckled softly, his voice softening. "I get it. You're allowed to have a bad day, babe. Just know I'm here if you need to talk."
"Thanks, Jay. I'm really glad you're here."
There was a long pause before he spoke again. "I meant it when I said I missed you."
The words hung in the air, and Erin felt a warmth spread through her chest. Despite everything that had happened in the last 24 hours, there was a piece of her that couldn't ignore how much she was starting to need him, too.
"I missed you, too," she whispered, her voice soft but sincere. "I'll be home soon, maybe you can come over?"
Jay's breath caught for a moment, and Erin could almost hear the smile in his voice. "I'd love that. I'll be there in a bit."
There was something about his tone, the way he didn't hesitate to say yes, that made Erin's heart flutter. It was a small, simple thing, but it meant so much in that moment.
"Alright, I'll see you soon," she said, her voice steadier now.
After hanging up, Erin couldn't help but smile to herself. The tension from earlier in the day seemed to melt away just a little. She changed into something comfortable but still felt a sense of anticipation as she moved through her apartment, gathering a few things together.
Jay's presence had a way of calming her, even when everything felt chaotic.
As she pulled her hair into a messy bun and slipped into her favorite sweatpants, Erin couldn't help but replay his words in her mind. I missed you.
It was simple, but it felt like more than just a passing phrase. It made everything else seem a little easier to handle, and for the first time in days, Erin let herself feel the pull of something beyond work, beyond the stress. She was looking forward to spending time with him.
The doorbell rang sooner than she expected. Erin opened it to find Jay standing there, looking slightly disheveled but very much like he had just walked out of her thoughts. He smiled the second he saw her, a smile that felt like it could melt any lingering stress away.
"Hey," he said, stepping inside, his voice softer now, more intimate.
"Hey," Erin replied, her smile matching his. "Come in. I can order some dinner."
"It'a still quite early,I can cook something in a while," Jay agreed, his eyes never leaving hers. "no need of calling takeout."
"Oh,okay chef," she said, already feeling the weight of the day slip away as she let herself sink into the moment with him.
"I'm glad you came over," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Me too," Jay replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
And for that moment, with the world outside fading away, Erin couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
"Practise was hard?"
Jay chuckled softly, tilting his head to the side. "Oh, you have no idea. My head's still pounding, but I powered through. Honestly, I think the guys were more concerned about me than I was about myself."
Erin raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "You're a tough guy, huh?"
He grinned, shrugging lightly. "Tough enough. But I think I'll be taking it easy for the rest of the day. Coach was ready to bench me just from the way I was moving around out there."
Erin laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Well, you did kind of look like you were being dragged across the field by a tractor."
Jay raised his hand in mock offense. "Hey, I was doing my best."
"I can tell," she teased, her eyes sparkling as she shifted slightly to get more comfortable. "But seriously, if you need to just relax, I'm happy to have you here and take care of you for a bit."
Jay's expression softened, the teasing melting away as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'm good now. Just needed a little bit of you to feel better."
Erin smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection. "You always know how to make me smile, you know that?"
He shrugged again, his voice playful. "Guess I just have that effect on you."
"Definitely," Erin agreed, her eyes flickering down to his hand resting on her side before she gently traced his fingers with hers.
Jay's gaze softened, his thumb brushing across the back of her hand. "You really do make everything better."
Erin's heart skipped at his words, and she held his hand tighter, feeling that warmth spread through her again. "I'm glad I do."
They sat there onto Erin's couch for a moment in comfortable silence, letting the world outside fade away as they settled into the quiet. The earlier tension from the day seemed so distant now, replaced with the simple joy of being together, of having this time to themselves.
"How about we just stay like this for a while?" Jay asked quietly, his voice low and content.
Erin smiled, leaning her head against his chest. "Sounds perfect."
After a while,Jay felt like something wasn't right.Erin was silent,something that with him she wasn't quite often.She was always so happy to talk to him about everything,despite maybe the things they were watching in tv.
"Did I say something stupid last night?If I did,I'm sorry.If I didn't,it's all good?"
Erin's heart skipped a beat at the question, her breath catching in her throat. She turned her head slowly to look at him, but Jay was staring at the TV, not meeting her gaze. His words were laced with uncertainty, his usual confidence replaced with a hint of vulnerability.
"Jay," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You didn't say anything stupid."
He finally glanced at her, his expression tense as if he was bracing himself for her response. "I just… I don't remember exactly what I said,especially after that last shot,I know I shouldn't have and I-" He ran a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture one of frustration.
Erin reached out, placing her hand gently on his. "You said you loved me," she said quietly, her eyes not leaving his face.
Jay froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly as he processed her words. "Oh," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "I… I-."
"I think I need to be honest with you too." Erin said softly, her voice filled with sincerity.
Jay turned fully to face her now, his posture stiff but his eyes searching hers. "What do you mean?"
She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within her. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said last night.I panicked when I heard those words,cause when I was younger a lot of people told me they loved me, then acted like the complete opposite."
Jay's expression softened at her words, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek. He could feel the weight of her emotions, the hesitation in her voice, and the vulnerability in her eyes. "Erin," he murmured, his voice steady but full of understanding, "I'm not like that. You don't have to worry about that with me."
Erin nodded,"I know that," she explained, "It was just..muscle memory,I guess.The three words panicked me a bit."
Jay's heart ached for her as she spoke, the vulnerability in her eyes pulling at something deep inside him. He gently stroked her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin softly. "I get it. I should have known better than to spring that on you so suddenly."
"No,it's not your fault." She explained reaching for his hand again. "It took me the whole day of overthinking, to finally find the strength to say out loud what I already knew." She explained before smiling, "I love you too."
Jay's breath caught in his chest at her words. The weight of what she had just said hit him all at once, and it felt like everything—the doubts, the fears, the uncertainty—had finally been swept away. His heart pounded in his chest, and before he even realized it, his hand was cupping the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.
"I love you," he whispered, the words deep and raw, like he'd been holding them in for far too long. "I love you, Erin. You have no idea how much."
She didn't need any more reassurance. She felt it in the intensity of his touch, the way his lips brushed against hers with a desperation that took her breath away. The kiss was deep, fierce, like they were both trying to make up for lost time, for all the moments they hadn't been able to share.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as she kissed him back with the same fire, the same need. There was no more hesitation, no more fear. Just the two of them, completely lost in the moment, in each other.
The world outside seemed to disappear. The tension that had built between them was gone, replaced by a surge of passion that neither of them could deny anymore. When they finally pulled away, breathless, Erin's eyes were wide, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She could see the same wild energy in Jay's eyes.
"You're everything," Jay muttered, his voice low and ragged as he leaned his forehead against hers, both of them trying to catch their breath. "I want you, Erin. All of you."
Erin didn't say anything for a moment. She just reached for him again, pulling him back to her, the intensity of their connection building with every second. This wasn't just about passion. It was about everything they had been too afraid to say, too afraid to admit. But now, with the weight of the world gone between them, all that was left was the undeniable truth.
She loved him, and he loved her.
Jay didn't waste a second before capturing her lips again, this time slower, deeper—like he wanted to memorize every single second of it. His hands roamed over her back, pulling her as close as possible, as if he was afraid she'd slip away. But Erin wasn't going anywhere.
She kissed him back just as fiercely, fingers gripping his shirt before she slipped them under, feeling the heat of his skin beneath her fingertips. Jay let out a quiet groan at the sensation, his breath hitching as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss even further.
It wasn't rushed—it was consuming. Every touch, every kiss felt like an unspoken promise, a vow neither of them had to say out loud. Erin felt it in the way his hands framed her face like she was something precious. Jay felt it in the way she held onto him like she never wanted to let go.
Somewhere between kisses, they shifted, Erin straddling his lap as Jay's hands settled on her hips, his grip strong but reverent. His lips trailed down her jaw, across her neck, sending a shiver through her, her head tilting to give him more access.
"Jay," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it sent a fire through him. He looked up at her then, his hands sliding up her sides, thumbs brushing over her ribs. His expression was raw, intense—full of something deeper than just desire.
"I mean it," he murmured against her skin, voice rough. "Every single word, Erin. I love you. I don't care how long it takes for you to believe it, I'll keep saying it until you do."
Something inside her cracked at that, her fingers gripping his face as she pulled him into another kiss, this one slow and deliberate, as if she was trying to etch the moment into her memory forever. Jay's arms wrapped around her tightly, holding her like she was the most important thing in the world.
And to him, she was.
Their breaths mingled as the urgency settled into something softer, something deeper. Jay's fingers traced slow, lazy patterns along Erin's back as he rested his forehead against hers, his heart still racing but in a different way now.
Erin let out a quiet sigh, her hands slipping into his hair, threading through the soft strands as she held him close. "I still can't believe you don't remember saying it the first time," she murmured, teasing just a little.
Jay groaned, tipping his head back against the couch. "Don't remind me. If I'd known I was saying something that important, I would've made it a little more… I don't know, romantic?"
She smiled, brushing her lips against his jaw. "It was you. That made it perfect."
Jay's arms tightened around her, his hold grounding, as if he was still coming to terms with the fact that this was real. That she was his, and he was hers. "You love me," he murmured, a slow, awed smile pulling at his lips. "You actually love me."
Erin huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. "Yeah, Halstead. I do."
Jay grinned like she'd just given him the best news of his life, then leaned in and kissed her again, slow and deep, savoring the way she melted against him.
After a long moment, Erin sighed, her head dropping to rest against his shoulder. "We should probably eat something before we get too distracted again," she mused.
Jay hummed, running a hand up and down her back. "I could live off just kissing you," he admitted, voice half-teasing, half-serious.
Erin laughed, pressing a lingering kiss to his shoulder before pulling away, albeit reluctantly. "Come on, star quarterback," she teased, tugging him up from the couch. "Feed me."
Jay groaned but let her drag him into the kitchen, still grinning like a lovesick fool.
And honestly? He was perfectly fine with that.
Jay rolled up his sleeves, a determined look settling on his face as he opened the fridge. "Alright, what are we working with here?" he muttered to himself, scanning the shelves.
Erin leaned against the counter, arms crossed, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You sound like you're about to perform surgery."
Jay grabbed a carton of eggs, some vegetables, and whatever else looked useful. "Cooking is serious business, Lindsay," he quipped, tossing her a wink. "You're about to witness a masterpiece."
Erin snorted. "You're making eggs."
"Yeah, but they're gonna be the best damn eggs you've ever had." He started cracking them into a bowl, moving around the kitchen with surprising ease.
"You cook the same things over and over " she stated matter of fact.
Jay shrugged as he whisked the eggs. "It's called having a routine."
Erin smirked, watching as he tossed some diced onions and peppers into a pan with butter. "I don't know, I feel like it's the only thing you actually can cook properly."
Jay shot her a look. "Okay, first of all, rude. Second of all, you're not entirely wrong."
She laughed, stepping closer to steal a piece of cheese he was grating. Jay swatted at her hand but let her have it, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."
"You love me," she teased.
He smirked, pulling her in by the waist. "Yeah, I do," he murmured before pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
Erin felt warmth spread through her chest, but before she could say anything, Jay turned back to the stove like he hadn't just made her stomach flip.
"Now sit down and let me impress you," he said, flipping the eggs with a flourish.
Erin rolled her eyes but took a seat at the kitchen island, watching as Jay worked. And maybe, just maybe, she was a little bit impressed.
As the eggs were placed on each other's plate with some bacon,Erin took a sip of her glass of water,watching him carefully.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"We are not a conventional couple."
Jay raised an eyebrow as he took a bite of his eggs, chewing thoughtfully. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"That we never had the talk."
"I think that's the one you have usually with your parents when you're in high school."
Erin rolled her eyes, nudging his foot under the table. "You know what I mean."
Jay smirked but leaned back in his chair, taking another bite before responding. "Actually,I don't have a clue."
"I mean," Erin answered, "We've been together for almost three months now and we haven't even mentioned past relationship."
Jay let out a low chuckle, setting his fork down. "Is that a requirement? Because I gotta say, I wasn't exactly dying to have that conversation."
Erin narrowed her eyes at him. "I just find it funny. Usually, people talk about their exes at some point."
"Yeah,maybe," Jay said rubbing the back of his neck, "you want to?"
Erin shrugged, pretending to contemplate it for a moment before smirking. "I mean, I guess it's a natural progression, right? You talk about your exes, laugh about the bad dates, and then move on."
Jay leaned in slightly, his gaze locking with hers. "I think I'm good with not knowing about your exes. I've seen enough of the guy who tried to mess with you during that charity gala to know I don't want to hear about anyone else." He paused for a beat, the playful glint in his eyes shifting slightly as his voice softened. "Besides, I'm more interested in the now. In us."
"That's a good damn answer babe." She said,leaning in to kissing him.
Jay's lips curled into a smile as Erin leaned in, kissing him with a softness that made his heart skip. He responded immediately, his hand cupping her cheek gently, deepening the kiss. The warmth between them spread quickly, filling the space around them with the quiet hum of something undeniable.
When they pulled back, a breathless laugh escaped Erin's lips. "That was definitely a good answer," she teased, her forehead resting against his.
"Longest relationship?" Jay asked,his hands caressing her hips.
"I thought you said no past stories."
Jay grinned, his hands still resting on her hips, his touch gentle but possessive. "Yeah, but I'm curious now. You've got me wondering, babe."
Erin rolled her eyes, but there was a soft smile playing on her lips. "Longest relationship? Two years,met him during college."
Jay nodded, his thumbs brushing over her hips absentmindedly as he processed her answer. "Two years, huh? That's not bad," he said, his voice teasing but with a hint of something more. "What happened?"
Erin tilted her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "I think we just… outgrew each other," she said, shrugging as if it didn't matter anymore. "We wanted different things, and we weren't on the same page anymore. It was hard, but it was the right thing."
Jay's expression softened as he looked at her, sensing the emotion that had flickered in her eyes. He didn't push further, sensing she didn't want to dive too deep into the past. Instead, he changed the subject, lifting his hands to rest on her waist. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda glad it didn't work out for you two."
Erin raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh? And why's that?"
"Because then you wouldn't be sitting here with me." Jay's grin was wide, teasing, but there was an underlying sincerity to his words. He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers. "I'm pretty damn glad it didn't work out, too."
Erin laughed softly, feeling the warmth of his words settle deep within her. "You're smooth, Halstead," she teased, tapping him lightly on the chest. "But I'm still curious about you."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? What do you wanna know?"
"Well, your longest relationship?" she asked, her voice playful. "I think it's your turn."
"You won't believe it but almost three years.High school sweetheart till I deployed,her name's Ally."
Erin blinked, surprised at the mention of a serious relationship from Jay's past. She hadn't expected that. "Almost three years? That's… a long time for you," she said with a teasing smile, though there was a curious edge to her voice. "What happened?"
Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting for a moment as if he was digging up a memory he hadn't revisited in a while. "I went off to the army, and she stayed behind. Long-distance wasn't really our thing. We tried, but… it just didn't work. And then, when I came back, things had changed. We'd changed."
Erin nodded slowly, sensing there was more to it but not wanting to push him too hard. "That sounds tough," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his. "But it seems like it taught you something."
Jay met her eyes again, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I guess it did. I learned that when you're not fully invested in something, it doesn't stand a chance. You gotta be all in. And I wasn't, not back then." He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "But now? I'm all in. With you."
Erin's heart skipped a beat at his words, and for a moment, everything else faded away. "I'm glad to hear that," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.
Jay smiled, his gaze warm as he leaned in, brushing a light kiss across her lips. "Yeah, me too."
"You ever saw her again?She lives in Chicago?"
"She moved in Philadelphia, we exchanged few messages some time ago."
Erin tilted her head slightly, considering his words. "That's…surprisingly mature," she admitted. "Most people don't keep in touch with their high school sweethearts."
Jay chuckled, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, we didn't exactly do the whole 'messy breakup, never speak again' thing. It was more of a slow fade. By the time I deployed, we both knew it wasn't going to last. Life just took us in different directions."
Erin nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. Sometimes things just run their course."
"Exactly," Jay agreed, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "No regrets, though. It was good while it lasted, but it wasn't meant to be."
Erin watched him for a beat, then smirked. "So, should I be worried that she'll show up one day and confess her undying love for you?"
Jay laughed, shaking his head. "Not a chance. Last I heard, she's married with kids. Pretty sure I'm just a distant memory at this point."
Erin leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she gave him a playful look. "Good. Because I don't really like sharing."
Jay grinned, reaching across the table to tug her closer by the hand. "That makes two of us, babe."
She let him pull her into another kiss, their conversation fading into the background as the warmth between them took over.
"Okay, now tell me about the guy."
Erin smirked against the rim of her glass before taking a sip of water. "Oh, so now you do want to know?"
Jay shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "I'm just saying, I gave you details. Feels a little one-sided if you ask me."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the teasing smile on her lips. "Fine. His name was Ryan. We met in college—he was pre-med, super ambitious, had his whole life mapped out."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Sounds… intense."
"Yeah, that was part of the problem." Erin sighed, twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers. "He was a planner. Everything had to be scheduled, structured. I think at first, I liked that about him. He had this stability that I didn't always have growing up."
Jay listened, his expression unreadable as he traced patterns on the table with his fingertips. "So what happened?"
Erin hesitated for a second before meeting his gaze. "We weren't right for each other. He wanted a perfect, predictable life, and I—" she exhaled, shaking her head. "I've never been that kind of person. He didn't get that my past, my family, all of it—it wasn't something I could just fit into a neat little box. And eventually, I got tired of trying."
Jay was quiet for a moment, then reached out, lacing his fingers through hers. "Sounds like you made the right call."
"Yeah," Erin murmured, giving his hand a small squeeze. "I think so, too."
Jay studied her, his thumb brushing idly over her knuckles. "You ever think about him?"
She gave him a look. "Jay."
He grinned. "What? Just making sure you're not secretly pining for some doctor with a five-year plan."
Erin laughed, shaking her head. "Not a chance. Trust me, I'm exactly where I want to be."
Jay's smirk softened. "Good." The he watched curiously,"did you ever see him again?"
Erin shook her head. "Not really. I mean, I ran into him once, maybe a year after we broke up. It was… weird."
Jay's grip on her hand tightened slightly. "Weird how?"
She smirked. "Relax, babe. It wasn't some dramatic reunion. He was just—exactly the same. Same polished look, same carefully chosen words. He asked how I was, what I was doing. When I told him about my writing, he just smiled and said, 'I always thought you'd grow out of that.'"
Jay scoffed, his jaw tightening. "Sounds like a real charmer."
"Oh, absolutely," Erin said dryly. "That's when I knew I made the right choice. He didn't see me—not really. He saw who he thought I should be."
Jay leaned in, his lips ghosting over hers before he murmured, "His loss."
She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Damn right it is."
Jay smirked, then pulled back slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You know, I wasn't expecting this conversation to turn into a competition, but I think I like my ex story better."
Erin rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Oh, shut up and eat your eggs."
Jay chuckled, picking up his fork but keeping his gaze on her. "Yes, ma'am."
As Erin took another sip of her water, she absently grabbed her phone from the table, unlocking it with a lazy swipe. The moment her screen lit up, her eyes widened slightly.
#Linstead was trending.
She blinked, scanning the top posts. Paparazzi shots from the charity gala, blurry but unmistakably them—her in that deep green dress, Jay's hand on her waist, their faces close. Another post had a video from last night, grainy yet clear enough to catch the way Jay had pulled her into his arms, how they had danced like no one else existed.
And then there were the captions.
"I don't know what's going on with Erin Lindsay and Jay Halstead, but I need more."
"NFL golden boy and best-selling author? This is the kind of romance novel material Erin would write."
"They're so high school and I love it."
Erin let out a small groan, running a hand over her face. "Jay…"
He looked up from his plate, fork halfway to his mouth. "What?"
She turned the phone toward him, watching as his eyebrows lifted. "Well, that didn't take long."
Erin sighed, shaking her head. "I knew people were going to talk, but trending? We weren't even trying to be obvious."
Jay smirked. "Babe, we were making out in the middle of a dance floor. Pretty sure subtlety wasn't our strong suit."
She shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "You're not helping."
Jay reached for his own phone, tapping through a few notifications before glancing up at her. "You freaking out?"
Erin hesitated. Was she? Maybe a little. But there was also something strangely amusing about it all.
She sighed dramatically, setting her phone down. "No. Just… mentally preparing for Trudy's texts."
Jay laughed. "Oh yeah. You're definitely getting a phone call."
As he looked at her screen,Jay furrowed his brows, reading the tweet again. "People think we're so high school coded? What does that even mean?"
Erin shrugged with a grin. "It's from a Taylor Swift song, I'm pretty sure."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "And we are…?"
Erin nodded, her smile widening. "Yep. Kind of matching the vibe. Football player and book writer? Hell yeah."
Jay was still watching her phone,when he saw a video of them with the song in the background.
Jay's eyebrows shot up as he saw the video on Erin's phone. His lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, they got us good," he muttered, watching the clip of them dancing at the gala, laughing and enjoying each other's company, with the Taylor Swift song playing in the background.
"You know how to ball I know Aristotle?Damn that could really be us."
Jay raised an eyebrow, watching the video for a moment before glancing over at Erin with a mischievous smile. "Wait a second, this kinda reminds me of that whole Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce thing."
Erin blinked, then laughed softly. "Oh no, don't even say that."
"What? You don't think we're giving off those vibes?" Jay teased, nudging her with his elbow. "Big-time football player, writer girl, a little bit of fame, a little bit of chaos…"
Erin rolled her eyes playfully. "You are not comparing us to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce."
"Why not?" Jay grinned. "I mean, if the shoe fits…"
"Jay!" Erin laughed, shoving him lightly. "You are not the next Travis Kelce."
Jay smirked, leaning back against the couch, his hand still holding hers. "Guess I'll have to start working on my touchdown dance."
"Only if you promise not to try singing."
"Deal," Jay agreed with a laugh. "But I'm not gonna lie, we've got a bit of that vibe going, don't you think?"
Erin grinned, shaking her head. "Maybe. But I'm still not letting you call us the next Taylor and Travis."
"Fine, fine," Jay said with a playful sigh, pulling her closer, his arm wrapping around her shoulders like he was anchoring her to him. His voice dropped into a teasing tone. "But you have to admit, we make a pretty damn good team."
Erin grinned, the warmth of his embrace calming any lingering tension from the day. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. "Oh, that we do," she murmured, her smile evident even in her voice.
A comfortable silence settled between them, but Erin couldn't shake a thought that had been swirling in her mind. She tilted her head back just enough to meet his gaze. "So…" she started, her voice curious but playful. "I don't really get why the internet paints you as a no-strings-attached kind of guy. I mean, a three-year-long relationship? That's quite the opposite."
Jay's expression shifted slightly, the playful light in his eyes dimming for just a moment. He looked away, almost as if the memories from that time were still lingering. He exhaled slowly, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Well, yeah," he started, the words coming out a little heavier now. "But that was ancient history. I mean, after I came back from deployment, and then got into professional football… I was just… sleeping around, you know?"
The words hung in the air between them, and Erin could feel the weight of his confession, the honesty in his voice that didn't come often. It wasn't so much the act of sleeping around but the way he said it, like he was trying to fill a void he hadn't quite understood.
"Did you ever wanted to settle down?" Erin said just to cover her mouth with one hand,"God,sorry.It's definitely too soon for this,we-"
Jay quickly reached for her hand, gently pulling it away from her mouth, his touch reassuring. "No," he said softly, his expression a mix of understanding and something deeper, almost protective. "It's not too soon. You're just being honest, and honestly, I appreciate that."
"We said I love you to each other,and I mean that,Jay.I do love you.And I want to settle down,but if you don't I get it-"
Before she could finish, Jay cut her off, his lips crashing against hers in a kiss that was urgent, raw with emotion. His hands cupped her face, pulling her closer as if to tell her without words that this—they—wasn't something he was willing to let slip away. The kiss was deep, passionate, filled with a thousand unspoken promises, and in that moment, everything else faded away.
The kiss lingered, slow and intense, as though Jay was trying to convey everything he felt through the connection of their lips. Erin melted into him, her body pressing closer, as if trying to match his intensity, her heart racing with every passing second. His hands gently held her face, guiding her as the kiss deepened, becoming more fervent, more desperate.
When they finally pulled back, both of them were breathless, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging in the air between them. Jay's forehead rested against hers, his chest rising and falling with his heavy breaths.
"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, his voice rough but steady, his hand gently caressing her cheek. "I want this. I want you."
Erin's heart swelled, the walls she had so carefully built around herself finally crumbling. "You mean it?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jay's eyes were filled with sincerity, the depth of his gaze telling her everything she needed to know. "More than anything," he replied, his thumb brushing over her lips. "I love you, Erin. I'm here for the long haul."
Erin felt a lump form in her throat, a mixture of overwhelming emotion and disbelief. The weight of his words, the depth of his sincerity, was everything she had hoped for but never allowed herself to fully believe. Her breath caught in her chest, and she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady herself.
"You don't have to say that just because you think I need to hear it," she whispered, her voice shaky but earnest.
Jay's expression softened even more, his hand moving to gently cradle the back of her neck, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles. "I'm not saying it because you need to hear it," he murmured, his voice low and firm. "I'm saying it because I need you to know it. I love you, Erin. And I don't just want you—I want all of you. Every part of you."
Erin opened her eyes, locking her gaze with his, searching for any trace of doubt, but there was none. Just pure honesty, just him. "I love you too," she breathed, the words finally flowing freely, the fear that had gripped her heart for so long slipping away.
Jay leaned in again, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was soft at first but quickly deepened, an affirmation of everything they had just said, of everything they both felt. The kiss was their promise to each other, a silent vow that they were in this together, that whatever the future held, they would face it side by side.
When they pulled away again, their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling. Erin smiled, a small, contented smile that spoke volumes. "You've got me," she whispered.
"And I'm never letting you go," Jay replied, his words quiet but resolute, as if he was staking a claim on her heart, and she was letting him.
The promises they made sounded a lot like a promise of a forever Erin sincerely couldn't wait to experience.
Jay's hands moved with deliberate slowness, tracing every inch of her like he was memorizing her by touch alone. The heat between them was undeniable, their bodies pressed together as they lost themselves in each other, in the quiet intimacy that neither of them had ever craved with anyone else before.
Erin's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him impossibly closer, her breath hitching as he murmured her name against her skin. It wasn't just passion—it was something deeper, something that left them both exposed in the best way. Every kiss, every touch, was a promise, a silent confession that words couldn't quite capture.
They moved together like they had done this a thousand times before, yet it still felt brand new, every moment charged with the kind of intensity that made the rest of the world fade away. When they finally collapsed against the sheets, breathless and spent, Jay tucked her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her in a way that told her exactly where she belonged.
Erin let out a soft, contented sigh, pressing her cheek against his heartbeat. "I could get used to this," she murmured sleepily, her fingers drawing lazy patterns against his skin.
Jay chuckled, his lips pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her head. "You better," he whispered. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
A comfortable silence settled between them, the warmth of their bodies melting into each other as exhaustion took over. Erin felt his breathing slow, steady and deep, and soon, she followed, falling asleep wrapped in the safest place she'd ever known—his arms.