“It’s show time then,” he says while opening the doors. The sunlight blinds me for a moment before my eyes adjust. The space is cavernous. The commencement is being held outdoors, so “auditorium” isn’t the right word to describe the structure. It was more like a gladiator’s arena, with an open roof, and circular rings of concentric seating. It was more like a football arena.
“Wait here,” the dean whispers. “I’ll let them know you’re here.”
I wait quietly in the shadows, even though a few passerby stop to look and point. Then suddenly, I hear my name being called. That’s my cue.
Lifting my hand up I moved towards the stage. A thunderous round of applause filled my ears as I bounded up onto the stage.
“And now let me introduce Hunter Brody,” the dean announced as the crowd erupted. “Many of you may know him as a former student who now plays professional football with the New York Jets. Please give him a warm welcome!”
I took to the podium and scanned the audience. The faces blurred together and the sunlight was too bright. I couldn’t see anyone really, and pulled my notes from my pocket. I’d just have to try and find Catherine afterwards.
I spoke slowly and clearly, and after I was done, the crowd applauded rapturously.
“Thank you, Hunter,” the dean said, coming back on-stage to take the microphone from me. “Now, graduates, please form a line and file on stage one by one to receive your diplomas.”
I wondered if I was supposed to leave, but instead, the dean placed a diploma in my hand. I guess I’m supposed to give these out.
Slowly, the kids came on-stage, and I gave them their diplomas as the dean shook their hands. The graduates were cute, actually. They were only a year or two younger than me, yet they still had baby faces filled with hope. My heart ached, and suddenly, I wished I was one of them, with a four-year degree under my belt.
Suddenly, an unmistakable name was announced over the mic.
“Catherine Lauder.”
Her name seemed to linger in the air longer than necessary. My eyes flew to the graduating line, and my heart leapt. Catherine was here. She met my eyes and the tension in the air was electric. My hand literally trembled as I took hold of her diploma.
As she moved across the stage, my heart skipped. She hadn’t changed too much. She still had that cute round face and tender eyes that pulled me to her like a magnet. But was her figure curvier? I couldn’t tell under the flowing graduation gown, but it seemed as if her breasts had gotten bigger, and her hips wider.
Within a few seconds, she was standing in front of me. I looked into those chocolate-brown eyes and almost drowned in their warmth.
“Congratulations,” I managed in a strangled tone.
She merely said “thank you” in a soft voice, took the diploma, and then moved on.
But my heart leapt as my eyes watched her.
I can’t let her go, not again.
Deep within my core, I felt my body responding to her. I wanted her. Not just for a quick round in the sack, but because I want her to be mine. A pang of jealousy struck me as I spied her talking with the boy seated next to her among the folding chairs.
He isn’t good for you. Just leave her be and no one will get hurt.
My hands balled into fists as I tried to control my innate possessiveness. The situation forced me to remain on stage, but I knew there was nothing that would stop me from talking with her again.
Finally, the ceremony ended and I made my way off-stage.
“Come and celebrate with us,” the dean invited, escorting me to a lawn where people milled around. “There are snacks and lemonade. I’m sure the graduates would love to talk with you.”
I nod.
“Sure thing.”
Suddenly, Avery rushed in out of nowhere.
“Hey buddy,” he said, looking a little flushed. “I’m glad I caught you. A few of us are going to grab drinks a little later. Do you want to come? Just like old times,” he said.
I stared at him.
“Did you just run over to the commencement ceremony in order to invite me to drinks this evening?”
He shrugged, but at least he had the grace to look a bit embarrassed.
“Yeah. It’s not everyday that your friend becomes an NFL player. You should come,” he urges.
“I’ll think about it,” I say. “Just text me the details.”
His face falls a little.
“Okay, sure.” But then he perks up. “Angela will be there,” Avery adds in a sing-song voice.
I stare at him.
“Will Catherine be there too?”
He looks at me with confusion.
“Catherine who? I don’t know any Catherines.”
I snort impatiently.
“Catherine Lauder, Angela sister.”
Avery looks thoughtful for a moment.
“I don’t know. Last I heard, Angela and Catherine had a falling out. They didn’t really hang out together, though, so I’m not sure.” Then, Avery’s eyes widen as he looked at me suspiciously. “Did you have something to do with the sisterly spat?” he asks.
I shook my head.
“Doubt it. I broke up with Angela before I left,” I said as I felt my body temperature rise. My heart thumped as I stared at him. Avery looks thoughtful.
“Well, that is about the time Angela kicked Catherine out.”
My jaw drops before snapping shut quickly.
“Angela kicked Catherine out of their apartment? Why?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I don’t really know them. Probably something to do with Angela’s budding career as a porn star. Or that new guy, Duane,” he says making a face. “That guy takes the cake.”
“Tell me more about this Duane guy,” I command.
Avery gets a sly smile on his face.
“Well, actually he’ll be at drinks too,” Avery said with a smile. “Why don’t you come and meet him in person? He’s a colorful character, to say the least.”
I nod shortly.
“I’ll think about it. But right now, I need to get to this graduation celebration,” I say, indicating the lawn around us. Students mill about with their families happily, sipping punch and snacking on hors d’oeuvres. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
Avery winks and nods.
“Sure thing, buddy.”
Then, I scan the lawn again. Where is Catherine? She’s probably here with her family. They must be celebrating her graduation from Mesa, but really, only one thing matters. I need to talk to her, and tell her how much I’ve missed her.
10
Hunter
Sure enough, I spot Catherine on the far side of the lawn. There’s no mistaking her for anyone else. Catherine’s figure is distinctively curvy, with luscious hips and full breasts. Her hair hangs in long, loose curls down her back, framing her face perfectly, and she’s shed her graduation gown. Instead, she’s wearing a blue floral dress that highlights her curves with its modest cut.
Slipping through the crowd, I managed to stand in back of her as she chatted with a few friends. What should I do? Should I tap her on the shoulder? Should I clear my throat?
“Hey,” I say. Her friends recognize me and immediately back off. She turns, her eyes widen, but then she steps back.
“Hunter,” says in a civil voice. “Nice to see you. I wasn’t expecting you to stick around for this.”
I try to think of the right thing to say.
“Well, who can turn down free food right?” I joke. Damn, that came out badly. I’m a professional football player who makes millions of dollars a year, and yet I’m trying to sneak away with free food at a commencement ceremony? Even I think I sound pathetic. “So how have you been?” I ask lamely.
“Fine,” she answers, setting her full cup of punch down on a nearby table. “It’s good seeing you again Hunter, but I need to go.”
“Wait,” I say, reaching a hand out. But she slips like quicksilver through my grasp to go stand by her friends onc
e more.
Maybe she just isn’t into you anymore. Or maybe she’s just not ready to talk quite yet, the voice in my head reasons.
“Cocktail?” a waiter asks while standing at my elbow. I watch discreetly as Catherine talks with that boy from the ceremony again. Who is he? He’s tall, with carroty red hair and a big grin. His frame is gangly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I were double his weight. My blood boils.
“Yes,” I said grabbing a mimosa off the tray. “Thank you.”
Swallowing hard, I gulp the cocktail. I have to talk to her, but what should I say?
Catherine, it’s so good to see you again. How have you been? Congratulations on graduating. What have I been up to? Nothing much. I’ve been thinking about you every day, and was wondering if you think about me as well?
No. That’s stupid, not to mention pathetic.
My thoughts run in circles as I try to figure out a way to approach her. It’s so sad. I used to be smooth with the opposite sex, but somehow, I’ve forgotten how to walk up to a woman and make conversation.
Just do it, the voice in my head urges. It’s not that hard. You’re Hunter Brody, for crying out loud.
Before I can think twice, I grab a second mimosa and stride swiftly to her side. Then, I touch her elbow.
“Catherine.”
She glances over her shoulder as the people around her gasp with recognition. It’s a common reaction now that I play professionally. But even that doesn’t seem to shake her resolve not to talk to me.
“What are you doing, Hunter?” she asks in a quiet voice. She’s so close that I can smell her intoxicating perfume.
“Trying to get you to have a drink with me,” I say. “Here,” I add, pushing the second mimosa into her hand. She shakes her head.
“No thanks.”
“I’ll take it,” a blonde woman standing by Catherine sings. She grins and nods to Catherine. “You’re Hunter, right? I’m Corrie, Catherine’s best friend. I’m sorry we’ve never met before.”
Something tells me that Corrie’s heard plenty about me already. I smile politely.
“Nice to meet you, Corrie.”
“You too,” the woman trills. “Come on, Mark. Let’s give them their privacy.” She grabs the redheaded man by his tie and leads him off. He follows willingly, obviously in love by this woman. That’s good. He’s not dating Catherine, he’s dating Corrie. But now, I’m left with the woman of my dreams.
“So,” I say, trying to find my voice. “I’m sure you have a ton of questions for me.”
Catherine steps back from me, still looking like she might run at any second.
“Not really.”
“Look, I get it. You’re pissed I left.”
She throws me a long look.
“Actually Hunter, I’m not mad at all. You did what you thought was the right thing to do. And by the looks of things, you’ve come a long ways,” she says, indicating my expensive suit and thousand dollar watch.
“Catherine, you don’t have to be like this with me. You know that physical ‘things’ don’t matter. We both know it was unfair of me to leave like that,” I say, leaning in a bit. She leans back. This conversation is flopping, and I feel like a failure.
“So, what’s been going on with you this past year?” I try again. “I thought about you a lot.”
Catherine glances away, as if avoiding eye contact. She’s so beautiful without even trying. Her cheeks are flushed, and her breasts heave a bit. It takes all of my restraint not to pull her against me.
“Not a whole lot,” she says in a vague tone. “But I’m sure you’ve had a lot of things going on, and I’m sure you want to get back to them.”
That’s a hint if I’ve ever heard one, but I don’t take it.
“Actually, I wanted to spend time with you. I know the last time we saw each other was kind of crazy, but I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”
She meets my eye for a quick second.
“It’s okay. I get it. I was a rebound. You and Angela had just broken up, and you were looking for a quick fix to get over her. It wasn’t anything serious, and I haven’t taken it seriously either.”
Something tells me that that’s not the truth at all, and I barrel forward.
“No, it wasn’t like that for me. Yes, I’d just broken up with your sister and I came to pick up my things, but that doesn’t mean that what we shared together was nothing. It meant something to me.”
“I’m glad,” she says. “It meant something to me too,” she continues before taking a deep breath. “But you see, my life has changed. I’m not the same girl that you met, and I’m pretty sure you aren’t the same man either. All I’m saying is that you don’t have to apologize to me for any of it. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
I hold up my hand.
“No, I mean …”
But Catherine cuts me off.
“If you insist on apologizing, then consider yourself forgiven okay? I’m sorry, but I really have to go.”
My heart races as I reach for her hand, but she’s much too quick. She slips from my fingers and turns away when suddenly, my eyes catch a glimpse of a stain on the front of her dress. Or two stains, actually. There are dark wet patches forming on each of her breasts, and I stare at them curiously.
Catherine’s eyes widen in horror as she cups her hands to her breasts.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “What is that?”
Her face turns a bright crimson.
“Nothing,” she mumbles, turning her back to me while clutching her arms over her chest.
“Are you hurt?”
“Don’t worry about it,” she says in a muffled voice as she begins to speed-walk away. My eyes stay on her as the wheels in my head whirl in confusion.
What could possibly make something like that happen? And in such a strange location too. What could it be?
Suddenly, realization strikes. My eyes widen as my mouth drops. I chase after her, and this time, I grab her elbow, forcing her to swing around to look at me.
“Have you had a baby?” I ask bluntly. The words are rushed, but I have to know.
“Not now, Hunter,” she says, clearly embarrassed. She’s still cupping her breasts so that no one can see the wet spots, although people are starting to look regardless.
“Catherine.” Her name is sharp coming off my tongue. “When I was with you, you were a virgin. Did you have a baby?”
She turns and refuses to meet my eyes. But finally, she looks up.
“Yes,” she admits. “I’ve had a baby, and I’m breastfeeding at the moment. I have a lot of milk, and sometimes it seeps through my bra. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my child.”
But my expression is grim.
“How old is the baby?” I ask, feeling every thud of my heart in my veins. The wheels in my mind spin as I count in my head, furiously doing calculations.
“Does it matter?” she asks fiercely.
“It does to me,” I answer, holding onto her arm.
She shoots me an unreadable look.
“Lily is nine months old.”
Every fiber in my body goes numb. The timing is perfect. I must have gotten her pregnant the one and only time we were together. I’m a father!
I feel my fingers lose their grip around her arm as her words sink in. Suddenly, her voice penetrates my fog.
“Hunter, are you okay?” she asks worriedly. “You look faint.”
I stagger a bit, but then right myself before shooting her a grim look.
“Is Lily mine?”
I can see the indecision on Catherine’s face. She’s not sure whether she wants to tell me the truth. But then she nods, and meets my eyes.
“Yes. Lily is your daughter, Hunter. But that doesn’t mean anything has to change,” she says. “She was an accident, and I don’t blame you for it. You have your life in New York, and we have our life here, in Arizona. I don’t hold you responsible, and again, nothing has to change.”
I exhale deeply before fixing her with an angry stare.
“Nothing has to change? Are you kidding me? This changes everything.”
“It doesn’t have to,” she says quickly. “I’ve done just fine all by myself with just me and Lily. We’re fine.”
But I could tell that it wasn’t true. Catherine’s lower lips quivered as she spoke, and suddenly, a pall of exhaustion came over her face. I noticed that she was pale, and suddenly, my heart broke. This woman had my baby on her own, and has been shouldering the care of a newborn by herself. My child. My daughter. A rush of possession and love came over me.
“I want to see her. I want to see my daughter.”
Catherine shakes her head.
“That isn’t a good idea. It will just confuse her when you leave again.”
A growl erupts from my throat.
“You have no right to keep her from me,” I say, stepping closer to her. “I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
For the first time, I see Catherine look afraid. Fear seeps into her eyes, and she steps away, shivering a bit. But then she straightens her shoulders and looks me in the eye.
“You are Lily’s father, and I will grant you that. But I want you to know, Hunter, that I won’t let you ruin her life. I won’t let you sweep in here and change everything just because you feel like it. Lily and I have made a life for ourselves, and we like it the way it is.”
I nod, although my eyes glint dangerously. After all, what Catherine doesn’t realize is that she already belongs to me. I’m going to take what’s mine, which includes her and the baby.
11
Catherine
Why did he have to come back now? Everything was under control. I’d gotten things working according to my system. I wake up early, breastfeed Lily, before dropping her off at the childcare on campus. Then I attend classes until lunchtime, when it’s time to breastfeed her again. I rush to the daycare, feed my baby, and then attend one more class before picking Lily up. Then, we have playtime, before it’s time for dinner and a bath. At the end of the day, I breastfeed her one more time before she drops off to sleep.
My Sister’s Boyfriend: A Forbidden Romance Page 7
