Tackling Life: A Sports Romance (Tackling Romance Series Book 2)

by Kathleen Kelly

  “My stomach still hasn’t settled.”

  Tyson looks at the server. “Find me some saltines or dry crackers for the lady, please.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I wait until the server is gone before I hiss at him, “You didn’t need to do that.”

  “No, I didn’t, but your face is a little pale, and I want you to have a good time.”

  Crossing my legs, I get more comfortable in the chair. “This must have cost a fortune.”

  “I’ve signed some of the hottest rising stars in the league. They should get spoiled before the fun starts.”

  “The fun?”

  “Oh, I expect them to bring me the Super Bowl Championship trophy. Not this year, but within the next three years.” He sips his champagne. “I expect them to train hard.”

  “It’s all Gray wants too,” I reply sadly.

  Tyson frowns. “It’s a good thing, is it not? He impressed me with his goals. So far, he has achieved everything he’s set out to do.”

  “Yeah.”

  Tyson reaches across the table and touches my hand briefly. “What’s wrong?”

  I uncross my legs, sit a little straighter in the chair, and shake my head. “Nothing.”

  “Tsk, tsk.” Tyson stares into my eyes. “I promise not to tell anyone. Your secrets are safe with me.”

  I open and close my mouth twice, then blurt out, “I’m pregnant.”

  As those words seem to hang in the air, I wrap my arms around myself. My throat burns as I hold back tears, not knowing how I’m going to tell Gray or his mother or if I ever will. Tyson stands and once again, grabs me by my upper arm, leading me further into the VIP section. We come to a door, and he opens it, taking us out onto a balcony and into the frosty night air. Immediately, he takes off his coat and drapes it around me.

  “How far along are you? What are you going to do?”

  “I’m eleven weeks, and I don’t know. Gray has all these plans, and this will ruin everything he’s worked for.” Tears fall down my face as I stare out over the lights of the city.

  “Wait here,” orders Tyson as he goes back into the club.

  He comes back a few moments later with napkins and hands them to me. “We don’t want to ruin your makeup.”

  Tyson is quiet for a while, letting me cry without bombarding me with questions.

  “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have told you that,” I whisper.

  “Don’t be sorry, I asked.” Tyson looks down at me, then away at the city. “You could get rid of it.”

  It’s not something I haven’t thought of, but the very idea is appalling to me. “No, I can’t.”

  “Gray doesn’t know?”

  I shake my head.

  “When I was in your boss’s office, he shared he wanted you to move to New York to work in their office. Is this something you’ve considered?”

  “Yes and no. Gray was hoping you’d sign him, and if you did, I was going to get a job here to be close to him, but a baby will ruin everything for him. Gray will want to do the right thing, and he’ll want to marry me.” I look up into Tyson’s eyes. “I want to marry him, but not like this. Gray has it all planned out, and this isn’t part of his plan.”

  “Plans can change.”

  I look back out over the city and shake my head. “No, it’s not fair to Gray.”

  “What about you?”

  Looking down at my feet, I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  Tyson is quiet, then he paces back and forth in front of me. “I have an idea.” He stops pacing and grips me by the shoulders. “I could help. You could take the job in New York. Gray will never know you were pregnant. You could have the baby there, and when the time is right for you and Gray, then you can tell him everything.”

  “How would you help?”

  “I have an apartment in New York. You could live there for free. Gray need never know about the baby.”

  “Why would you help a complete stranger?”

  Tyson rubs my arms, then lets his arms fall to his sides. “I’m able to do it, and I’m looking after my investment in Gray. If you think about it, I’m being a selfish bastard.”

  “You won’t tell him?”

  “Not unless you want me to.”

  Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out and nod at Tyson. “I’ll pay you back.”

  Tyson smiles and shakes his head. “Not necessary.”

  “How much money do you have?”

  Tyson shrugs, a smile spreads across his face. “Enough to waste it on a football team.”

  I laugh. “That much, huh?”

  “When do you want to do this?”

  The reality of the situation comes crashing down on me, and I shiver at the thought of leaving Gray. “I’m not sure I can leave him.”

  “It will only be temporary, just until you both are settled into your careers. I’ve seen the way Gray looks at you, everything will work out for the best in the end.”

  It all seems so simple.

  But how do I leave the man I love?

  How do I do all of this on my own?

  “This is crazy. And I don’t need your help, Tyson. My dad lives in New York. I could stay with him.”

  “How big is your dad’s place?”

  Sighing, I frown. “It’s two bedrooms, one bathroom.”

  Tyson nods. “I have a five-bedroom apartment that I never use. It overlooks Central Park, perfect for taking a baby on strolls. I think I’ve been there twice this year. And if I wanted to stay, I could be in the other wing, and you’d never even know I was there.”

  “Wing?”

  Tyson smiles. “It’s big.”

  He’s gazing at me, and I’m confused as to why this complete stranger would help me.

  “You know it’s getting cold out here, and Gray is going to wonder where you are. You don’t have to decide now. We can talk about it some more.”

  Swaying from side to side, I nod once and then say, “No strings. This is strictly a business arrangement. I will pay you back. And I’d appreciate it if you said nothing to Gray or his mother.”

  “It’s none of my business.” Tyson turns me around and opens the door. “Maybe you could do some accounting for me as payment?”

  “I can do that.”

  Tyson smiles. “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind. When do you want to leave?”

  “Soon. I’m already starting to show.”

  Tyson looks me up and down and shakes his head. “No, you’re not. I can arrange for someone to come to your apartment and pack it up for you. All you need to do is pack a bag when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Tears well in my eyes, and he shuts the door.

  “No more tears. It’s one of the happiest nights of Grayson’s life. Let’s not spoil it for him.”

  I nod, suck in a deep breath, and open the door.

  As we make our way back into the club, I spot Gray instantly and give him a little wave. He comes bounding over and then frowns at me.

  “Nice coat?”

  I shrug it off and hand it to Tyson. “I wasn’t feeling well, and Tyson took me out to the balcony for some fresh air, but it was cold out there.”

  Gray puts his hands on my shoulder and dips his head to stare into my eyes. “Are you okay?”

  I nod.

  “She’s fine. I think that stomach bug is still hanging around.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Reed, for looking after her.”

  I find it odd that I call him Tyson, but Gray calls him Mr. Reed.

  “It’s no problem, Grayson. You’ve got a good woman there.” He pats me on the shoulder as he goes back into the throng of people.

  “I think he likes you,” teases Gray.

  “He knows I’m your girl.”

  “He better.”

  DIANDRA

  Six Months Later

  My lower back is killing me. My little man is kicking up a storm today. I’m in my office, it’s the smallest office in Mr. Brookes’ ag
ency, more like a cupboard, but it has a window. Not that I have a great view unless you call looking at the adjacent building a view. My boss, Mr. Brookes, wasn’t happy when he found out I was pregnant, but Tyson fixed things for me. He’s been a godsend. Not only has he let me live in his apartment, but he keeps me up to date on Gray. Tyson visits at least once a week with gifts for my little man and sometimes me. I’m not stupid, I know Tyson likes me. Many times, I’ve explained to him that I love Gray, and he nods, but know he’s hoping I’ll one day look at him and change my mind.

  That’s never going to happen.

  There’s a knock at my door and one of the interns, Sally, pokes her head in. “How you doing?”

  “My back is killing me,” I groan.

  “Want a heat pack?”

  “Oh, yes, please.”

  Sally winks at me and disappears. Leaning forward, I rub my lower back as best I can. One of the worst things about pregnancy, apart from the nausea that never went away, is the back pain. Well, that and the fact everyone assumes they can touch my ever-growing belly. Complete strangers come up and touch it—it’s like it has become public property. I don’t like it.

  Sally opens my door and comes in with a wheat pack. I stand, and as I do, I feel a pop, and then water gushes down my legs. “Oh, my God!” I gasp.

  “What?” exclaims Sally.

  “I think my water just broke!”

  Sally drops the wheat bag onto my desk. “What do you want me to do?”

  “I don’t know!”

  Sally takes my hands. “Okay, we’ve got this. Who do we call?”

  “Tyson.” I pick up my cell phone and call him.

  “Diandra?”

  “My water broke.”

  “Where are you?”

  “At work.”

  “Go to the hospital. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  He hangs up, and I look at Sally. “He said to go to the hospital.”

  “Sounds like a good plan. I’ll come with you.”

  I nod and pick up my handbag, which Sally takes off me.

  “Do you have a go-bag?”

  “It’s at home.” Tears well in my eyes.

  “Don’t do that, Diandra. Everything is going to be fine. Deep breaths. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

  I nod and let her guide me out of the office, into the elevator, and out onto the sidewalk. Sally hails a cab and puts me in it, then runs to the other side to get in.

  “Is she having a baby?” asks the cabbie aggressively.

  “Yes, she is. So step on it!”

  The cabbie harrumphs and pulls out into traffic. “Which hospital? If she makes a mess back there, I’m charging you for the cleaning.”

  “That’s fine. Montlake Hospital on thirtieth and thirty-third streets.” Pain far worse than any cramps I’ve ever had rip through me, and I gasp. “Jesus Christ!”

  “Remember to breathe,” says Sally.

  I’ve done all the classes, but nothing prepared me for this. I’m panting, making all the stupid noises, and Sally is rubbing my lower back. The contraction eases, and I look at the cabbie in his rearview mirror.

  “I’ll give you my card. If you need to have the car cleaned, please bill me.”

  “Damn straight, I will.”

  “Thank you for being so nice,” replies Sally with attitude.

  The cabbie pulls into the emergency room entrance, and Sally gets out and runs around the car to help me. She tosses money at the cabbie along with my business card. “You have a nice day,” she mutters as she helps me into the hospital.

  It’s a private hospital, so there aren’t many people in the emergency room.

  Sally leaves me to run up to a nurse. “She’s having a baby!” Sally points at me as I walk toward the receptionist counter.

  The older nurse smiles at Sally. “Calm down. Women have babies every day.” She comes over, and I smile at her. “How you doing, honey?”

  “My water broke, and I think I just had my first contraction.”

  “You think?” she laughs. “I’m Judy. I am a nurse here. Are you booked in?”

  “My doctor is Tremaine Lock. I don’t have my bag and…” bursting into tears, I say, “… I’m all alone.”

  Judy’s face softens. “You’re not alone, honey. I’m here, your girlfriend is here. Everything is going to be all right.” Judy looks at Sally. “Can you get her bag?”

  Sally looks at me. “Do you want me to?”

  I nod. “Yes, please. Take my handbag, I’ve got money in my purse, and my house keys are in there too.”

  “I don’t know where you live.”

  “The Beresford, Central Park West, the doorman’s name is Fred. Apartment nine D, E.”

  “Fancy,” says Judy.

  I nod repeatedly. “It’s not mine. When you get out of the elevator, take the first door on your right and go to the end of the hallway… that’s my room. The bag is on a chair near the window. It’s black.”

  The apartment is huge. It’s five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and more living areas than I could or would ever need. Tyson offered to redecorate it for me, but I only use half of the apartment. Not even all of the half. It’s seventy-five five hundred square feet of luxury—far too much space for one person. Tyson said he got it for a steal, but it would’ve cost millions.

  “Okay! I’m on it.” Sally is fluttering her hands all over the place and not moving.

  Smiling at her, I reach out and touch her arm. “Tell Fred I’m fine.”

  “Fred?”

  “My doorman. Ask him to go with you. He’s helped me more than once with groceries.”

  “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

  “Sally, I’m in the best place to have a baby. Trust me, Tyson looked into everything.”

  Sally lets out a breath, kisses my cheek, and runs for the door.

  “She’s a nervous little thing, ain’t she?” asks Judy.

  “She’s young, and it’s her first baby.”

  “You two aren’t a couple, though, are you?”

  Laughing, I shake my head. “No. She’s an intern where I work.”

  “Is Tyson your baby daddy?”

  “No, ma’am, he’s a friend. He is on his way.”

  Judy smiles at me. I smile back, but then another contraction hits, and I’m sure my smile looks more like a grimace as I groan in pain.

  “Come on, honey, let’s get you into a chair and to your room.”

  An hour later, I’m in my private room as another contraction tears through my body. I’m tired. I’ve had enough, and my little man isn’t here yet.

  A worried Tyson comes flying into the room. He immediately puts an arm around me and starts to breathe deeply. “In and out, like we practiced.”

  “I don’t think I can do this.”

  Tyson chuckles. “Too late now, Diandra.”

  The contraction fades, and I relax back into the bed. “It hurts.”

  “No one said it was going to be easy.”

  Scowling at him, I close my eyes.

  “Do you want me to call Gray?”

  Opening my eyes, tears form, and I shake my head. “No. You said he’s only just settling down. He needs to find his feet with the New England Warriors before I tell him he’s got a son.”

  At first, Tyson was all for not telling Gray about my pregnancy, but as the months wore on and he could see how unhappy I am, he changed his mind. Tyson doesn’t like to see me upset or sad, which is sweet. He’s going to make a wonderful godfather.

  “If you change your mind, let me know.”

  Judy comes into the room with my black bag and handbag. “Sally left this at the desk for you. She said to say she had to go back to work.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have your bag? I could’ve gotten it for you.”

  “You weren’t here, and Sally was.”

  Judy puts my bags down and walks over to me. “How are you feeling, honey?”

  “The pain is horrib
le.”

  Judy smiles and nods. “Has your doctor been to see you yet?”

  I shake my head.

  “Dr. Lock hasn’t been to see you?” asks Tyson as he pulls his cell phone out of his pocket.

  “Not yet. I’ve only been here for an hour.”

  “And I’m not paying him a small fortune not to be here.”

  Reaching out to Tyson, I put my hand on his arm. “I’m okay.”

  “You just said you were in horrible pain. That’s not okay.”

  Judy pats my arm. “If you need anything, you buzz the nurses’ station. I’m finished for the day. Good luck.”

  Judy leaves the room, and Tyson has his phone against his ear, talking quietly to whoever is on the other end. My gasp of pain causes him to drop his cell phone and grab my hand.

  “What can I do?” His face is a mask of concern.

  Tyson was also my Lamaze partner, so when I begin to pant, he does the same. His hand goes to my lower back, and he rubs up and down soothingly. Slowly, the contraction fades, and I lock eyes with him.

  “What did Dr. Lock say?”

  Tyson looks down at the floor where his cell phone is lying. “He said he’d be here shortly.”

  “Good.”

  “I’m here for you. If you need anything, you need only ask.”

  “Tyson, you’ve done so much for me already. I don’t know how I’d have made it these past few months without you.”

  Tyson smiles. “You have no idea how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of this. And like I told you in the beginning, I’m a selfish bastard who simply wanted to keep his star linebacker from losing concentration, or worse yet, backing out of the contract.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, but I know better.”

  “Pfft,” replies Tyson.

  I don’t respond to his flippant reply as another contraction hits me.

  My labor lasted seven hours. Dawson Tyson Evergrow entered this world at three seventeen in the morning, weighing eight pounds twelve ounces, and he looks just like his daddy.

  Tyson was with me through all of it. He even cut the cord. Tyson is a good man and will be a wonderful role model for my son. Right now, he’s standing beside my bed, rocking Dawson. He is swaying from side to side, cooing at my small bundle of life. Seeing him with Dawson, I finally understand that Gray can never know he has a son. He’ll never forgive me for not sharing this with him. A single tear runs down my cheek, and Tyson stops moving.