I showered and shaved and smelled one hundred percent better by the time I got out of the shower and into some clean clothes. I tried to remember how I ended up with a bottle of Rum in my hands and nothing substantial in my stomach whatsoever. I had been talking to John and Jane. They figured out my situation and—what the fuck happened after that?
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t come up with what happened last night. I know I didn’t go anywhere but what had I done at John’s house? I groaned and slid my feet into my running shoes to go hit the pavement before I needed to be at the arena.
I went downstairs and saw my mom making herself a cup of coffee. I didn’t want to interact, but I knew I had to. “Morning Ma.”
“Nixy. I didn’t think you would be up.” She said taking a sip from her favorite coffee mug that looks like an owl.
Before I decide to do this back and forth thing with her, I need to make a decision on how long I can spend avoiding her intrusive questioning. I sighed, “why do you say that?”
“Oh, just because you came in late last night and by the sounds you made moaning and groaning either you were drunk off your booty or a moose was being tied down to your bed.” She laughed at her own joke.
“No moose, Ma.”
I only called her Ma when I knew she was in one of her moods and wanted to get information out of me. I did it, so she knew I was just playing along with her and I would only give her what I wanted to. She would poke and prod and try to get every detail of my life, but I figured her out before I was fourteen. However, at fourteen I couldn’t call her Ma and get away with it. I was an asshole at fourteen and fifteen and sixteen. It wasn’t until I was nearly twenty-two when I woke up and realized that I was being a jerk to her and she only wanted to be close and be involved in my life. I had apologized for my attitude, and she pulled me into a hug and kissed my temple. Then she told me to stop fucking around and settle down with a good girl. I stopped fucking bunnies and tried to find a good girl. Beth was definitely not a good girl. But she stayed, and I thought she could give the appearance of a good girl. Now I know exactly what she meant. She wanted to see me with someone that was a good girl in public and behind closed doors. Chloe was that girl. A good girl.
“That’s what I figured. Don’t go down that road again. Those girls aren’t worth it.”
“There’s no girl.”
“Phoenix Austin Drayden, I’ve known your mood swings since before you were out of diapers. There’s a girl, and you’ve either messed up what you’ve got started, or she’s pregnant. And Lord knows your father went over the wrap-it-up talk. So I know you know better.”
“Thanks.” I murmured.
“Tell me Nixy, how’d you mess up?”
“I hurt her.”
“How’d you hurt her?”
“Ma, I really don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“Stop Ma-ing me and talk to me.”
“Ugh.”
“Oh! So we can speak in caveman? Grunt. Ugh. Ugh.”
I laughed. She broke the tension. I shook my head at her crazy antics and ran my hands over my face. “Caveman aside, I rushed the start of our relationship, and I think I scared her. Or maybe…” I ran my hands through my hair. “Mom, I just don’t know.”
“All right, here’s what I got. You met a girl. Both of you were interested. You got physical. Didn’t talk. And now she’s running from… whatever you want from her. Which is what?”
“I wanted the label.”
“The label?”
“Yeah, Ma.”
“And you don’t think she wants that? What girl wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with you?” She said it as any loving mother would about her only boy. No matter the crap I’ve done my mom would back me up.
A girl that isn’t legal. A fantastic girl. The only girl that has walked into my life that I can’t stop thinking about. The girl you think of as a daughter. Chloe. My Chloe. But none of that would be okay to blurt out. I can’t just lay it out there. My mom would be happy for us, but the first thing that will pop into everyone’s mind is that she’s a child. Even though she’s not. She’s more of a woman than most thirty-year-olds I have to deal with on a daily basis. Our public relations lady is almost forty, and she acts like a twelve-year-old. I wish age weren’t but a number but in this case, it’s a legal number. And her’s happens to be not legal. At least for another could of months.
“She’s the perfect girl for me. There’s nothing wrong with her.”
“Well, there must be if she doesn’t want to put a label on your relationship. Was she just wanting sex from you?”
“Ma!”
“What? Nixy, I knew when you lost your virginity. You having sex at twenty-four doesn’t surprise me one bit.” She paused for dramatic effect, “did she just want sex from you?”
“No,” I stated in a flat low tone. That got me thinking though. Chloe said she didn’t want to be a virgin. Could she have just used me? Was that all she wanted from me? If she thought that was all she would get by fucking me and then trying to walk away, then she’s in for a rude awakening. I know her first time wasn’t amazing, or fireworks going off, but it was great for me. She was tight and wanting. I could feel her body move with mine under me. Her hips rose to meet mine and her back arched just when I found her sweet spot. She was amazing just an amateur. She’ll be mind-blowing with more practice and confidence. A strange feeling of—jealousy—something flushed over me. I didn’t want her to get more practice with anyone else. I needed to prove to her that she wasn’t getting away that easily.
“Good. Then talk to her. Take the leap and make that grand gesture.” She leaned over and ran her fingers through my hair to straighten it and then kissed my temple. “Make sure she knows that you want a relationship. If she knows the old you then she might just be scared that you don’t want the same thing and she’s just trying to keep her guard up.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. Now, you better get to practice before you’re late.”
I looked at my phone and stood, “shoot. Um…”
“Yeah?”
“Is Chloe going to be back today?”
“She should. She was feeling much better when B and I left her last night. I can’t say much for the hospital food options, but she seemed to be feeling better.”
“Okay. Good.” I cleared my throat, “do you need me to drive you to get her? I can call out from practice.”
“No, you won’t. We will be fine. I’ve been driving for nearly thirty years longer than you. I think I can handle it.” She said with a bit of sarcasm.
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll see you later. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Sure will. Love you baby.”
“Love you too Ma.”
She laughed and went back to her coffee, looking at her phone. I went out to my truck and hurried to make it to practice. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing John. Mainly because his wife was pissed at me, but I just needed to make sure that I did more than my best and focused hard.
What can I say about practice? I’m sore. I’m tired. And I feel like I went four rounds with Mike Tyson. I should have known better when I walked into the locker room, and it went silent. I prayed that John didn’t tell them I fucked an underage girl. But the extended practice went on the more I felt like something was out in the open. Then as I got slammed from both directions; one by Novak and the other by Hinkle, it was Hinkle that said, “Don’t piss off a WAG.”
I got the message. There was no need for more. I was paying for my actions, and that little twerp didn’t even know that his big sister was fighting his battle for him. Privileged tool. I wanted a hot shower and my bed. One I was able to solve at that moment; the other would have to wait until I got home.
I got into the shower stall and let the hot water run over my head and neck. I tried to let the hot water soothe my soreness away as much as I could.
“You know you deserved it,” John said co
ming up beside me and starting the shower next to mine.
“Did I?” I snapped. “Is what I did any different than seeing a girl that’s already taken and still going after her?” I shook the excess water from my hair and stared at him. “She’s not even dating him. They’ve gone out on two dates. They both said it wasn’t serious.”
I had to go there. He met Jane in Savannah, and she was dating another guy. Had been for almost a year. John made sure that he got into her way enough for her to take notice and then he pulled them apart. That other guy never stood a chance once John decided he wanted her. Jane’s boyfriend at the time had no way of stopping John’s advances and no one to help him head John off. We weren’t going to help him. We all knew that John was hooked on Jane. We had never seen him like that before. I would hope John could see that now with Chloe and me.
“Low blow.”
“How?”
“Because I married her.”
“Who said I hadn’t planned on that with Chloe? She’s different. She’s special.”
John stared at me with a slacked jaw for nearly a minute before he closed his mouth. “You plan on proposing to her because you fucked her?”
“No. I plan on dating her. Getting to know her. And trying to make it work. I think she could be the one.”
“Well fuck me. I didn’t think it was that serious.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“No. I didn’t. I sent the team after you for my wife.”
“Yep,” I said and put my head back under the water.
“I’m sorry man.”
“I’d expect it if her brother came after Chloe.”
“Deal.”
“Then there’s nothing to forgive.”
I toweled off and made my way back to my locker to get a clean change of clothes. Everybody had started to file out before I had gotten back and it was almost silent. Which was never good for my mind. I wasn’t going to just go home and stew about what to do. I needed to do something to show her I wasn’t wanting to walk away. I took out my phone and texted my mom.
Me: Did you find out what time is Chloe coming home from the hospital?
Mom: We just got back.
Me: Oh. Does she want me to pick anything up for her?
I sat in front of the arena while I waited for my mom to text me back about what the girl I wanted, needed from me. I sounded pathetic. Seriously pathetic. If I worked this just perfect, I could show her how much I cared and wanted her to be with me.
Mom: She said she was good. Are you on the way home?
Me: Yep.
Mom: I was thinking about ordering something for dinner. What did you want? You know Brooklyn will want IHOP.
Me: It should be Chloe’s decision. She had to put up with hospital food.
Mom: Good point. Do you know what would be great?
Me: What?
Mom: Will you stop at the store and pick up those red velvet cupcakes Chloe loves? Do you know which ones I’m talking about?
Me: Yes.
That I could do. She loved those little cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting. I remember a couple of years ago I asked the bakery to drizzle chocolate and cherry syrup over the top of them and Chloe went crazy for them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get the same kind of service this time around. Can hurt to ask, right?
I made my way to the grocery store right around the corner to my house. I put on a hat to cover my face as much as I could and went inside. I found the cupcakes that Chloe loved and walked up to the bakery counter where one of the employees was taking a birthday cake order for a baby’s first birthday. Not like the kid would even understand what was happening. And what one year old needed a three-tier cake? The dad looked like he was two seconds from running as the mom picked out icing colors and then asked for samples. Seriously? This isn’t that kind of bakery. Go sit down for an over-priced cake tasting where you make an appointment. Don’t piss on some poor employees day by asking for everything they can’t give you.
I had to butt in. “Excuse me.” I took a step toward the employee. “I have a quick favor.” The employee looked like I just backed her into a corner. She would either have to be rude to me or to the couple she was currently helping.
“Yes, sir?” She said.
“Holy shit! Are you Phoenix Drayden?” The dad called out for the entire bakery department to stop what they were doing and turn around to me.
“Uh—yeah,” I said so eloquently. “I’m kind of trying to lay low.”
“Of course man! Just make sure we make it to the finals.”
“I’ll do my best.” I smiled and flashed my fan-friendly-smile.
“Honey, do you know who this is?” He was about to jump out of his skin with excitement.
“Phoenix something.”
“Drayden. Number forty-four for the Knights.”
That’s when I got the most perfect idea of how to bypass this couple in line without making the employee nervous. “How about this—my girl is having a bad day, and I was going to bring her these. The thing is that she loved it the last time I had chocolate and cherry syrup drizzled over them. I’ll sign something for you if you let this young lady go do that favor for me real quick while your wife looks over some of the icing colors on the cakes in the case.”
“Hell yeah! Ma’am, can I borrow a Sharpie?” Yes! I win! The woman went to go get a Sharpie. “Will you sign my shirt?”
“Yeah. Sounds good.” I looked at the gray, and lime Under Armour and the woman handed me a Sharpie then took my cupcakes. “Here on the shoulder?”
“Yeah. Perfect.” I pulled his shirt tight at the left shoulder and scribbled out my name plus my number. That’s something I’ve learned from the old-timers. They get traded, and their numbers change, so it gives us a time frame when we sighed something if we see it up on eBay or something like that. “I can’t believe this. Thank you so much.”
“No problem man. You’re helping me out. My girl will totally freak when I show up with these.” The woman came back and set the just drizzled red velvet cupcakes on the counter beside us. “Thank you, Patty.” I read her name off her name tag. “This means the world to me.” I handed her back the Sharpie and picked up the cupcakes. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime,” Patty said.
I shook the man's hand and then went to the checkout to get out of the store with hopefully no more sightings. All I can say is at least I’m glad I wasn’t sent to pick up cupcakes and tampons or something like that. I’m not saying that a man can’t walk into the store for his woman and pick up anything she needs, but sometimes the combinations are embarrassing. I’ll still do it but don’t be embarrassed when a photo of me shows up in a gossip magazine talking about sex change or being pussy whipped. Then, of course, the nation will know when you’re on your menstrual cycle. I was able to get out without any more issues, and I got home so I could present my girl with her favorite cupcakes.
Chapter 9
Pucking Together
Chloe
“Nix should be back any minute now.” Mama Drayden shuffled through the mail from today she had brought in after we got home. She wouldn’t have known how I would react to bringing up the one person that makes my knees weak, and goose bumps cover my body. I wish I could go back and never let what happened between us transpire. I fidgeted with my fingers and sat down on the couch.
“Yeah? He doesn’t have practice today?” I figure I’d throw that out there, but I knew when he had practice. He would have been there early today. Even before he moved back into his parents' house. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve stocked him, but I did know his schedule all four years of high school and where he spent most of his waking hours. With that being said I knew where his sleeping hours were also spent. I know he lost his virginity to a girl named Sara when he was seventeen. Everybody claims that he was fourteen, but I did know the truth. They had gone out on a date for dinner, and a movie and I heard through the grapevines that they parked in the back of the movi
e theater parking lot and did it in the back seat. I know this because he bragged to his friend when he came over the next day. I didn’t quite understand what had happened, but I knew it was a momentous event in someone’s life. It was a few years later when I actually understood what that meant.
“Today should be an off day but you know Nixy—he’ll still do a little something later downstairs, I’m sure.” We both knew he would figure out a way to work out even if there wasn’t a scheduled workout. Knox had set up a home gym in the basement with all the same equipment the Knights have. It’s a plus to living here, but I still enjoy my runs outside. Gives me a chance to soak up the sun without stripping down to my swimsuit.
“Yeah.” I gave a little laugh.
She went to the refrigerator and pulled out some orange juice. “Would you like a glass?”
Anything would be better than the fake stuff they offered in the hospital. I’m not sure how their OJ could be both pulpy and thin at the same time. “Yes.”
I stood to walk over to get my own glass, and she quickly tutted at me and said, “I don’t think so. You’re going to plant that little booty on the couch for the next couple of hours and let me take care of you.” I sat back down and gave her a thoughtful smile. I love me some Mama Drayden. She was more of a mother to me than my own mother. A mother that hasn’t even called to check up on me. Not like they would even care. “Is something bothering you Chloe?” She filled a glass halfway and came and sat down next to me. “You’ve seemed preoccupied lately. I just wanted to check in with you. Are you still dating that one boy… oh, goodness, what was his name?”
I was confused for a moment because all my thoughts hadn’t veered beyond Nix. It finally came to me that she was talking about Bryon. “He’s nice. We’ve gone out a couple of times. I just don’t think there are any sparks there. Besides, his parents just split, and I think he needs time to let things settle.” Which is the honest truth. If I had a chance to actually be with Nix, I know it would be amazing. While we were having sex, there were so many feelings rushing to the surface. It hurt for that brief moment, but in the end it had started to feel better. It’s just that it felt dry and the rubbing caused irritation. No wonder I ended up in the hospital. The condom basically rubbed me raw. I just don’t think it should have been like that. It had to have been me. There’s something wrong with me.
Rising Summers (Pucking Unbelievable Book 1) Page 7
