THAT RING

by Dodd, Jillian

  “I’ve been counting down the days, too. Does that mean once it’s official, you’ll consider moving in?”

  “Let’s just say after that, I’m definitely open to discussing it. Play good for me tomorrow, and, Danny, I’d love to see another one of your sweet signs on television.”

  “I think I can do that.”

  I hang up, feeling incredibly happy about our future together.

  November 23rd

  Jennifer

  Danny gets home late. The kids and grandparents are all asleep, but I had to wait up for him. He took a big hit in the second half of the game today. They were up by two touchdowns at the time, so their new rookie quarterback was able to finish up for him and still come out of it with a win.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask him when he comes through the garage door.

  “I’ll be fine,” he responds, seemingly on autopilot. And it makes me wonder if that’s what he said to Lori after games like this.

  I stand up, take his bag, and gently press my lips against his.

  “I’m going to ask you again,” I say. “How are you feeling?”

  He studies my face. “You really want to know, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do. The announcers speculated you would undergo concussion protocol and had a possible shoulder injury.”

  “I am fine,” he says with a little smirk. “I don’t have a concussion, but I am exhausted and do have an acromioclavicular joint injury. Nothing a good, long soak in my new bathtub won’t cure. Especially if it’s with you.”

  “The tub is big enough for two,” I say, pretending to need convincing.

  He nods his head toward his room, and I eagerly follow.

  When we get in his bathroom, he locks his door and then says, “Would you mind starting the water while I unpack?”

  I drop his bag on the closet floor. “We can unpack tomorrow. And you should know that I didn’t come in here with you, looking for sex. I’m really concerned. Please, talk to me. I have no idea what a acro-whatever is.”

  “I’ll explain in the tub,” he says. “But I might need you to help me take my shirt off first.”

  “That I can do,” I reply with a grin.

  Once his clothes are off and he is situated in the warm water, I perch on the edge of the tub. “Okay, tell me.”

  He shakes his head. “Not until you get in.”

  “I don’t know what hurts, Danny!” I say, frustrated.

  “As the announcers suggested, I have a shoulder injury. Everything else on me is working just fine.”

  I let out a little huff, strip, and get in the tub, but I sit on the opposite side, facing him.

  He slides a hand up my leg and smiles. “I feel a thousand times better already. To answer your question, an acromioclavicular, or AC, joint injury is the medical way to say I have a shoulder separation.”

  “Is that like when you dislocate it?”

  “No. The AC joint sits on top of your shoulder between your collarbone and your shoulder blade,” he says, pointing to his own. “The AC joint allows the arm to make both overhead and cross-body movements.”

  “Like throwing the ball?”

  “Exactly. There are a bunch of ligaments that stabilize the joint. When I fell on my outstretched arm, the force caused the ligaments to overstretch, and they were damaged in the process.”

  “Does that mean you need, like, surgery to fix them?”

  “Have you ever sprained your ankle?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know how they can vary from a mild sprain to a bad one?”

  “Yes. I’ve had them before. Once, they told me the sprain was so bad that it would have healed faster had it been broken. I was in a boot for months.”

  “Same thing. The ligament damage can vary from a mild strain to a complete tear.”

  I lean closer to him, inspecting his shoulder. “It is bruised and looks swollen.”

  He responds by kissing my neck. “I had it X-rayed in the locker room. No bone fractures. There’s swelling but no bump at the tip of my shoulder, which would mean a grade three or more severe injury. It’s probably between a one and a two. And, like a sprained ankle, it will start to feel better within a few days. They will reassess it tomorrow, so when I come home with it taped or in a sling, don’t freak out. I’m fine, I promise. And I’ll be fine to play next Sunday.”

  “Okay, but—” I manage to get out before he uses his good arm to pull me onto his lap and back to his lips.

  “No more talking,” he says. “We need to focus on healing. And that starts with me inside you.”

  “I didn’t realize that,” I say jokingly as I nip at his neck. “But I’m all for doing anything that might help you win another ring.”

  “Stay with me tonight,” he says.

  We’ve moved from the tub to the bed, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed helping make him feel better.

  “I suppose I could set the alarm and sneak home early.” I love lying here in his arms. “Plus, I’m dying to tell you about my day.”

  “Oh boy.” He laughs. “Did my parents horribly embarrass me?”

  “Not at all. When I was a kid, Thanksgiving was just another reason for my father to drink. He hated having to go to my grandparents’ house for dinner because he thought it was too formal. I used to love the pomp and circumstance of it, though. Grandma always used her pretty china and let me help her light the candles on the table. I remember sitting up straight, using my best manners, and feeling so very grown-up. When she passed away, all the family traditions seemed to fall apart. My holidays in LA were often spent with friends, trying to create new ones that never quite felt the same to me. When I was with Troy, we didn’t even bother trying, usually choosing to vacation instead. But, today, it was all about tradition and family, and I know the weekend will hold more of the same. I got to know your parents and truly enjoy their company. Your mom taught me to make her French toast, which will get baked tomorrow morning.”

  “It’s a holiday tradition at my house,” he says. “She’s made it every Thanksgiving and Christmas morning since I can remember. She’s tried a few times to change it, but Dad and I revolt. It’s too good.”

  “She told me that, too. And you should know, Danny, I’ve fallen in love with your family just like I fell in love with you. Your parents, your kids, your friends, your adorable puppy. I’m completely smitten.”

  He snuggles me into his chest, wraps an arm around me, kisses the top of my head, and is quickly asleep.

  I let out a content sigh, close my eyes, and dream of our future together.

  November 26th

  Jennifer

  It’s Sunday night, and I’m cleaning up the kitchen with the kids one last time while thinking about what an amazing holiday weekend it’s been.

  It started on Friday morning with the French toast casserole with Danny’s family. After that, we all headed over to the Mackenzies’ to share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with them. While Danny was at his game, his mother and I cooked. We made the French toast as well as three vegetable casseroles, a cranberry Jell-O salad, five pies, and three kinds of brownies. We ate to our hearts’ content and happily celebrated family.

  Danny’s parents left, and then Saturday was all about friends. They have a tradition of bringing all the leftovers to the Mackenzie house for a free-for-all while watching more football and letting the kids play together. It was fun to see Marcus and Madison again as well as everyone who was at the Halloween party.

  But today was the most fun in many ways. Because, today, I think we maybe started a tradition of our own.

  Danny, the kids, and I got bundled up and drove out to a tree farm in the country. We drank hot chocolate, strolled through rows, chose the perfect tree, and then all took turns with the ax to chop it down—Danny doing so unsuccessfully with his left arm.

  After getting it in the house and set up, we got ready for the ornament-making party for Damon, Devaney, and their friends. There were about thirty ki
ds here, who made and took home ornaments for their own trees.

  “Dad, I’m pooped. How about we order in dinner, eat it in front of the fire, and decorate the tree?” Damon asks.

  “That’s a great idea!” Devaney agrees. “I vote for Mexican.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Danny says as he empties the trash.

  “I’ll get that,” I say to him. “You’re not supposed to be lifting anything.”

  “Damon, why don’t you take this out to the garage?” he says.

  “Sure thing, Dad. I vote for Mexican, too.” He turns to me. “And, Jennifer, if you like Mexican, you are in for a treat. Their sour cream sauce is to die for. Seriously, send me a vat, and I’d bathe in it.”

  Danny laughs.

  Devaney says, “He probably would. And it is really good.”

  “I think it sounds like a wonderful evening,” I say, tears threatening. “Are you sure you don’t want to decorate the tree, just the three of you? Really, I don’t want to, I don’t know, make it awkward. It’s your first Christmas without your mom living here and maybe …”

  “Don’t be silly,” Devaney says, coming over and giving me a hug. “Of course we want you to be a part of it. You’re practically part of the family now.”

  I look over at Danny, who looks equally touched and scared. Our eyes meet, his gaze conveying both how much it means that his children approve at the same time he fears the attachment.

  “Why don’t you team up with Damon and order the food while your dad and I chat for a moment?” I suggest since he has neither confirmed nor denied his feelings on the subject.

  “Is there anything you don’t like?” Devaney asks. “I thought I might get a bunch of our favorites, and we can all share.”

  “Raw onions,” I reply. “Not of fan of those or beans. But I love rice and anything with a whole lot of cheese.”

  “Perfect,” she says as I hang my kitchen towel on the dishwasher handle to dry and then make my way to Danny’s study.

  “You won’t hurt my feelings if you want this to be about just you and your kids,” I offer even though I know I will be crushed if he accepts.

  “I don’t know,” he says, pulling me close with his good arm. “Not liking raw onions might be a deal-breaker. I love them. Which means I’ll have onion breath and you won’t want to kiss me.”

  “This is serious, Danny.”

  “Yes, it is. Please stay and decorate the tree with us. It would mean a lot to all of us. Remember the night when you watched film with me and how different it was from what I was used to? This weekend was the same. You spent time with my parents and seemed to enjoy it. You took a bath with me after the game. Cared about me—as a man, not a football player. And handled a house full of teenagers with ease.” He chuckles. “Of course, now, anytime Damon spends the night somewhere, Angel thinks she’s supposed to sleep in my bed. But I can’t really fault you for spoiling her because—”

  “Oh, I already heard it’s not the first time. Damon ratted you out when you were gone.”

  “Yet you didn’t say anything.”

  “I was saving it to use against you,” I tease. “The answer is yes, by the way.”

  “To what question?” he asks, looking confused.

  “As soon as your divorce is final, if you still want, I would love to move in with you.”

  Danny’s grin widens, going full wattage. “Oh, I still very much want.”

  “You mentioned telling the team this weekend. You never said if you actually did. And I haven’t seen any kind of an announcement or even gossip about it.”

  “I thought there would be, but I heard from one of the player’s wives that Lori had regretfully canceled the party because she had suddenly taken ill. She must have decided not to tell them the truth.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I told the team I have been separated since May, that my divorce would be final in a couple of weeks, and that out of respect for my children that I wouldn’t be discussing the dissolution of my marriage. After that happens, I really want you to come to one of my games. In fact, on December tenth, we play LA. I was thinking maybe you could show me your house then, too. And I was wondering what your schedule looks like for the month.”

  “I plan to take off most of December, but I did get an email from my agent about a couple of opportunities that he’d like to discuss with me, and I have another photo shoot coming up. I know Jadyn has meetings all this week; I was thinking I’d go with her, get that all done, and then be back to help you celebrate the divorce being final.”

  “That sounds like a plan. Now, let’s go decorate the Christmas tree.”

  Tears fill my eyes. “I’d love that.”

  November 29th

  Jennifer

  I flew to LA with Jadyn on Monday, and it’s been a whirlwind of meetings and appointments. This morning, I had my hair cut and colored with honey highlights and feel like a new woman. And since I need to explore the area around my new house, I plan to spend the rest of the day driving around, checking out shops, grocery stores, and restaurants.

  I’m just coming out of an adorable home decor store, where I purchased a bunch of blue-and-white-patterned mix-and-match dishes for everyday use and some brightly colored outdoor pillows when I get a call from Devaney.

  “Dani, hey,” I say, happy to hear from her.

  “Guess what,” she says dramatically. And I know that’s what I’m about to hear—drama.

  “What?”

  “Mom and Richard are getting married on New Year’s Eve.”

  “That sounds like a fun time to get married.”

  She lets out an audible sigh. “If you want to party with a bunch of old people.”

  “I take it, you aren’t thrilled?”

  “No! Us kids always have our own New Year’s Eve party. It’s one big slumber party. All the candy and snacks we can eat. We play the board games we loved when we were little. Like Candy Land and Yahtzee. Stay up all night. I can’t miss it.”

  “It’s your mother’s wedding, Dani. You probably need to go to that.”

  “She got me out of school today. We got our hair and makeup done, had brunch, and went shopping. She bought me a ton of new clothes and two really expensive handbags that I didn’t know I needed until I saw them. She said that she assumed my father hadn’t taken me shopping for a new winter wardrobe and totally spoiled me. I should have known she was buttering me up.”

  “Is that what she does?”

  “Yeah, but I mean, I get a lot of cool stuff, so it’s not like it’s a bad thing. And we found this gorgeous—I mean, killer—sexy gold dress that Dad will freak out over for me to wear to the wedding. She’s not having bridesmaids, but I guess I’m sort of an honorary one. Which means I’ll be looking amazing, and no one I care about will be there to see me. I haven’t told Damon yet. He will be upset. He loves our New Year’s Eve tradition even more than I do.”

  “Well, maybe you should ask your mom to let you each bring a friend or two.”

  “Hmm. I never thought of that. I suppose it would at least make it more fun. Anyway, then after shopping, she showed me her new house. It’s not technically hers yet. She doesn’t close on it until after the divorce is final next week, but it’s really something. It’s close to the Plaza, so there’s a lot of great restaurants and shops nearby. And it’s this old, historic house. Crazy big. Something like fifteen thousand square feet. Like more than double the size of our house. Seven bedrooms. Nine baths. It is really cool though. And it has an honest-to-goodness actual ballroom, like for dancing, and a dining room that seats twenty. The biggest chandeliers I’ve ever seen. The grounds are really pretty, too. I don’t like Richard’s penthouse because it’s small, and there’s nothing to see or do when we are there, but this is nice. I’ll have my own bedroom and not have to share with Damon. And it’s really pretty. Has a window seat overlooking the backyard. She said I could have my friends over whenever I wanted and that it was big enough for part
ies. In fact, they are going to have the wedding at the house. Mom says it’s going to be a very exclusive affair.”

  “I can only imagine,” I say, trying not to roll my eyes. “It sounds incredible.”

  “It’s weird though. Seeing your mom with someone else. Having her marry someone else. My mom always acts like everything is perfect, but today, for the first time, I noticed that not everything really is.”

  “No one’s life is perfect, Dani.”

  “I know, but she sort of got choked up when she was in the house. I think it’s her dream house. She said something about it being the kind of house she always wanted my dad to buy. But she couldn’t convince him to move.”

  “And how do you feel about that?” I ask, sensing the need to tread lightly in this dangerous, emotional territory.

  “I was mad at her for leaving us. Now, I understand that maybe it was the right thing for her. I don’t like that she had an affair with Richard while she was married to my dad. I think that’s wrong, but I maybe sort of get it now. And I’m going to try not to be so hard on her. I’ve been hard on her since she moved out. We’ll probably never be close like Haley and Auntie Jay are, but I hope it will be better, if that makes sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense.”

  “So, are you coming home on Friday with Auntie Jay?”

  “I am. Anything exciting going on?”

  “I’m having a sleepover.”

  “Does that mean having your friends to the ornament-making party helped?”

  “Yes. They aren’t mad at me anymore and have all apologized. They said that they were just jealous.”

  “It sounds like life is going well then.”

  “I think maybe it finally is. It helps now that they know what I’ve been going through with the divorce and all. I’m glad I could finally tell them. Oh, shoot, Chase is calling me. We’re going for a walk. It’s warm here today but supposed to get cold this weekend. We might get our first snow! Bye!” she says, hanging up.