Beneath the Surface

Bonus chapter: From High School Friends to Lifelong Family

Chapter 53 - From High School Friends to Lifelong Family

Jake's Point of View

The city streets are bustling with life, the noise of people, cars, and distant chatter creating a lively backdrop to our little outing. We're here because the girls wanted to shop, a ritual that's become a weekly tradition. Yeah, I've become the kind of guy who willingly shops with his wife—and I don't hate it. Mason and Connor have joined me in that commitment too, a surprising but welcome change since high school. It's strange but comforting to know that my best friends and I have stuck together through everything, both on and off the field.

Valerie widens her eyes when I casually mention something about our sex life in front of Mason, Connor, Viktoria, Paige, and, most importantly, Noah. My heart leaps a little whenever I see her blush. She's my everything, the psychologist who somehow manages to see right into my soul, the woman who grounds me even on the craziest days.

"Jake!" she huffs, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

Mason shoots me a look that combines horror and disgust. "Seriously, man? Keep me out of your sex life."

"Yeah, man." Connor chimes in, his face contorting in mock revulsion. "Valerie's like a little sister to me."

"She's my best friend, and she hasn't even told me that," Viktoria adds, her curiosity peeking through her expression.

I can't help but steal a quick glance at Valerie. Her cheeks flush a delicate pink, and I'm tempted to kiss her right there. I casually slide my arm around her shoulders, a protective gesture that feels natural. "Relax, guys. It's not like I'm the one who spilled it."

Mason groans dramatically. "But it is when you're standing right next to me."

"I was whispering, man. How is that even fair?" I start to protest but Valerie interrupts me with a sharp shake of her head.

"Just stop, Jake. Please."

I flash her a grin, unable to resist. I lean in closer and whisper in her ear, a playful spark in my voice. "If you say so, Butterfly. I stop every time you say stop. Good thing you haven't said it before."

Silence settles over our group, but the city noise continues around us—the rhythmic sound of footsteps, snippets of conversation from pedestrians, and distant traffic.

Mason scoops Noah out of his stroller, his usual overprotective self, and holds Noah's ears as if shielding him from our ongoing conversation. "Blah, blah, blah, blah."

I shoot Mason an annoyed look. "Why are you doing that to my son?"

"Because I just heard one more thing about my sister's sex life, and I don't want him to hear it. That would definitely cause trauma. I swear, Graham, if you don't shut up, I'm gonna punch you."

"Okay, Prescott," I retort, my patience wearing thin. "But this time, I was whispering. So clearly, you were trying to listen in."

"I heard that too," Connor chimes in, his expression a mix of disgust and disbelief.

"So did I," Viktoria and Paige say in unison, their faces contorting with shared discomfort.

Noah lets out a little laugh, his tiny hand covering his ear. The sight of his innocent smile never fails to lift my spirits. I love the little guy more than words can say. Being his dad is hands-down the best part of my life. He's so damn cute, always full of energy, always laughing, even in the middle of our chaotic group interactions.

Before I can say anything else, Valerie speaks up, her voice cutting through the awkwardness. "Okay, now you guys are being ridiculous. He whispered it to me, and as far as I know, he's not bad at whispering, so you," she points at each of them dramatically, "apparently listened to our conversation."

I shrug with a sly grin. She's got a point, and I love that she always manages to stand up for me, even when things get awkward.

Mason hands Noah back to me, and I press a quick kiss on Noah's cheek. Holding him in my arms never gets old. I don't put him back in the stroller right away. I just like having him close. My heart swells every time I think about how lucky I am—playing professional football, having Mason and Connor by my side since high school, and now having Valerie and Noah to make everything feel complete.

We wander into a shop while the girls start browsing through racks of clothes. Mason, Connor, and I gather near a shelf full of jerseys. The conversation shifts to football, the one topic that can keep us going for hours. Winning championships, pushing each other in training sessions, and celebrating victories—it never gets boring.

"We're on one of the best teams in the world now," I say, my chest swelling with pride. "It feels right, you know? Like everything we've worked for since high school is finally paying off."

"Yeah, man," Mason nods, his expression softening. "It's crazy that we've come this far."

Suddenly, Valerie appears out of nowhere, a playful glint in her eyes. "Jake, would you mind helping me with something?" she asks, her voice so casually innocent it makes my heart race.

"Yeah, of course." I follow her toward the changing rooms, giving her a quick once-over. She's wearing a pair of blue jean shorts and a fitted blue T-shirt that shows just a hint of skin. My eyes linger on her for a moment before I shake myself back to reality.

She walks into a stall but then turns around when she sees me hesitating. "Come on," she beckons with a mischievous smile.

I step inside the stall, and as expected, she kisses me as soon as the curtain falls. Her lips against mine send a jolt of affection through my chest. I place my hands on her hips, sliding them down to her lower back, a touch that feels entirely natural, intimate in a way that makes everything else fade away.

She moans softly, resting her forehead against mine. "I needed that," she breathes out.

"What's wrong?" I ask, a sudden wave of concern brushing through me.

She looks at me, her eyes sparkling with that light she always brings into my life. "Nothing, Jake. I just... I got a little turned on when you whispered in my ear."

I grin, a crooked smile spreading across my face. "You can't resist me."

She rolls her eyes, the playful side of her taking over. "You are so annoying."

"Yeah, but you love it," I reply, pressing a quick kiss on her nose.

"I do," she admits, her smile settling into something softer. "Let's just stay like this a little longer."

Outside, the world continues spinning, but in this moment with Valerie, everything feels perfect. No football games, no training sessions, no crowded streets—just us, together, a family.

1112 Words.