by Violet Blaze
Rhoden brushes a curl away from my face and derails LD from jumping on us with a single hand command, all at the same time. The fucker. I'm honestly considering just giving him the dog. And then simultaneously hoping that I get the dog back when we … if we move in together at some point.
“Don't be so nervous, Della.” He turns me around, gripping both shoulders with his big hands and kneading away the knots until I'm jelly. “You're ripe,” he says and then pauses for a long time before adding, “with tension.”
“Haha,” I say as I turn back around and push him into the hall with a hand on his chest. “Hilarious.” I close and lock the door before glancing over my shoulder. “I hope you brought your fangirl riot gear with you, and maybe your fangirl husband riot gear, because you're going to need it.”
“Oh, I'm looking forward to it,” he says, tucking his hands in the front pockets of his pants, looking young and sexy in a green zip-up hoodie and black jeans. Big Dick sure cuts a pretty picture standing in my hallway like that. “Let's do this.”
He takes my arm and leads us to the elevator, and then out to his car, holding the door open for me like a true gentleman. Or maybe he's holding it open for the dogs because they steamroller past me for the opportunity to crowd into the backseat.
On our drive over, Rhoden and I take turns picking songs, listening to this god-awful band that his friend is in and then admitting that we both do, in fact, hate every single song that's loaded on his iPod. It's like a death metal/ska/Christian gospel combo. Yeah. I think there's a reason those things usually don't go together.
When we pull up at Ariana's, I notice Hal's car about two spots over. She's on her phone texting, but when she hears my door close, she looks up and grins. Without skipping a beat, she's out the door and on Rhoden's ass in less than a second.
Figures.
“Do you intend to take responsibility for this child?” she asks, and I groan, putting my face in my hands.
“You're twenty years old, Hal. Like several decades too young to talk like that.”
Rhoden doesn't miss a beat.
“That's my kid in there,” he says, leaning over her with a smile. “I intend to do more than just take responsibility. I intend to revel in it.”
“Good, because my dad just parked riiiight over there and he's coming this way.”
Hal gives Rhoden a kiss on the cheek.
“It's nice to see you again. Thanks for letting me overpay for you at the auction. I'll see you guys inside.” Hal disappears in a whirl of her teensy-weensy little red dress, disappearing up the steps before the shit hits the fan and my dad gets across the parking lot. He has my stepmom in tow, and I just know this is going to go to hell.
“Della.” My father pauses behind Rhoden's car, his blue eyes taking in the man like he's the worst thing that ever happened to him. “You don't answer my phone calls. You instructed your security guard not to let me up to your floor. Do you understand how humiliating that is?”
“I didn't exactly feel like talking to you, after the things you've said and done. How did you even know I'd be here? Did you follow Hal? That's a little creepy, Dad.”
“Mr. Garland,” Rhoden says as he studies the former owner of his team. “It's nice to officially meet you, one-on-one.” He moves forward and holds his hand out, but my dad doesn't take it. Instead both he and my stepmom turn their attention back to me.
“Walter and I had a long talk this morning, Della, and neither of us is happy.”
“So?” I ask as I come down the sidewalk to stand next to Rhoden. “Is that supposed to faze me? Look, all I want is to be left alone. If you're so desperate to marry into the man's family, why don't you spend the rest of your life with him? You two seem to be close.”
“If you do this, then we're done. I'm cutting ties with you.” I gape at the man who used to be my best friend. Whatever happened in the years since mom died, he's become a completely different person, a person who apparently doesn't give a crap about his own daughter. “Do you understand me? You're choosing this … this man over your own family.”
“No,” I say as I start walking backwards. “You're choosing your own wants and needs over mine.” I step up onto the sidewalk and pause with a sad half-smile on my face. “If you change your mind, I'll be around to accept your apology.”
I turn away and listen as Rhoden's footsteps follow after mine up to Ariana's apartment. The walk is all of twenty feet, but it feels like a million miles as I struggle to catch my breath. I haven't stood up to my dad much in my life, but right now, when it's most important, I'm holding my ground.
“Is there anything I can do to make it better?” Rhoden asks, and I love him for that.
“Just survive tonight,” I say, holding open the door to the apartment with a grim expression. “You make it through Scottie's interrogation, and I'll be a happy camper.”
“Have you ever thought about your prominent position in the public's eye as a platform for social change? People will listen if you talk, Mr. Richards. Now, from the research I've done, I see you're often involved in animal rescue. That's an admirable path, but have you ever thought of taking an active role in politics?”
“Scottie,” Ariana says as she snuggles into Rhoden's right side. I'm on his left, glaring around the man's muscular chest at my friend as she strokes her finger's over the tattoos on my baby's father's arm. Her baby's father sits across the table and pushes his glasses up his nose, looking at Rhoden like he expects the man to stand up and declare himself a warrior for social justice. “Leave the poor guy alone, okay? This is Rhoden Richards here.”
“Yes,” Scottie says as he stands up and grabs the leftover tofu roast, taking it into the kitchen to wrap it up. “I know who he is. And so do you. And so do Hal and Della.”
“I'd hope so considering she's having his baby,” Hal says dramatically, rolling her eyes and reaching up to run her fingers through the smooth silk of her blond hair.
“What I mean to say is, we all know who he is, so if he were to stand up and speak out, people would feel compelled to listen. That's what I mean.”
“I understand what you're saying,” Rhoden tells him, standing up and carefully extracting Ariana from his arm, so he can help with the dishes. YES! A dude that helps with dishes. Talk about a huge plus. “I guess I've never thought of it like that, but you're right.”
Scottie beams and gives me a really obvious thumbs-up that Rhoden definitely sees.
“From what I understand, NFL players retire fairly early?”
Rhoden laughs, letting his head fall back with the motion. Watching him gives me butterflies in my tummy. He's completely relaxed and open with my friends, a stark contrast to that horrible Thanksgiving dinner at Walter's. I shiver just thinking about it.
“You understand correctly, Scottie,” Rhoden says as he slips the dishes into the dishwasher after pre-rinsing them in the sink. Damn. His mom must've taught him well. “It's a hard job, and the NFL is a money making machine. The second you stop performing your best, you're done. Though I suppose I can't complain. I never thought I'd make a fraction of what I do now.”
“After your career's over, have you considered what you're going to do with your life? Because I'm actively involved in a grassroots group that needs people on the board. It's going to take time to grow this thing, but once it gets going, we'll need full-time staff who've been involved from the beginning. Honestly, since I found out I was losing my job at the hospital, I've been spending every waking moment getting together some extra manpower.”
“I don't have a lot of free time,” Rhoden admits as he looks back at me. “And what little I do have, I'd like to spend with Della and the baby.” Oh shit. He did not just say that! Ariana scoots into Rhoden's chair and elbows me in the side dramatically. While Rhoden is looking right at us. WHY DO MY FRIENDS KEEP DOING THAT?!
I cough into my hand and ignore her.
“But sign me up, and I'll do what I can. A lot of the guys have wives who don't w
ork. Maybe I could pass the information along?” Scottie gazes at Rhoden like he's a god. I mean, he kind of looks like one, but that's a little overboard. I smile anyway as Hal leans back in her chair and puts her feet on the table. I hate that, but it's Ariana's house and she lets it slide.
“Are you guys getting married?” Hal asks loudly and quite irritatingly.
“Jesus Christ, Halcy,” I say as I whip a look at my sister that could kill with its intensity. “Can we maybe not grill the guy on his first visit?”
“Don't you want to marry my sister?” Hal continues, yanking a vegan lollipop from the decorative jar on the table. I'm not sure they're actually meant to be eaten since they're part of a rainbow bouquet, but whatever.
“Halcy.” I'm about two seconds from murdering my own sister. “Please don't answer that, Rhoden,” I add quickly, standing up before he can say anything. There's an intriguing look on his face, but I'm kind of freaked out to see what he might say. “We should get going anyway. We have a long drive ahead of us.”
“Oh, I wish you didn't have to go,” Ariana says, but she's not looking at me. Instead she's staring at Rhoden like she's considering kidnapping the poor guy. But then she turns to me and pulls me into a hug, putting a kiss on my tummy that makes me blush. “This is my future son/daughter's future husband/wife, so take good care of him/her for me, you got it?”
“Yes, ma'am,” Rhoden says as I roll my eyes. Ariana's convinced that not only are we going to have our babies on the same exact day, but that they'll become childhood friends and fall into romantic bliss as teenagers/adults. It's a cute story at least. “I promise I'll bring them both back safely.”
“Can you please let go? You're choking the life out of me.” Ariana lets go reluctantly as I step away from the table and give my little family a wave before I go. All three of them are weirdos, but I really do love them.
“Thanks for letting me molest you,” Ariana says as she stands up and leans into Rhoden for a selfie. He's a good sport, posing with his arm around her while she takes the perfect shot. And then another. And then another
“Ooooookay, we're done now,” I say as I grab Rhoden's deliciously muscular arm and drag him away. “You're making us late. If we hit a deer and die on the way out there, it'll be your fault.”
“I guess there's one positive to driving that god-awful gas guzzling tank. I think you'll be safe in an accident,” Scottie mumbles, eyes twinkling as he pours bleach onto the counter and lets his OCD cleaning disorder get the best of him. “You know, Rhoden, if you were thinking about a more economical vehicle—”
I clasp Rhoden's hand and pull him towards the door and onto the porch.
“Love you guys!” I shout as the dogs sweep out and down the steps. “Good night!”
I slam the door closed and breathe a huge sigh of relief, leaning my back against the wood for a moment. When Rhoden looks back at me, hands tucked into his pockets, he's got an amused expression curling his lips.
“You didn't tell me that you and Ariana were both pregnant.”
“I know it sounds creepy, but we didn't plan it. It just … I think we're mentally synced to each other or something. And I'm sorry she talked in excruciating detail about her ovaries. She does that sometimes.”
“As disturbing as that particular topic of conversation was,” Rhoden begins, stepping close to me. “It made me think. When's your next doctor's appointment? For the baby, I mean.”
“Um, I have an ultrasound scheduled for the fourteen week mark. Why?”
“Because,” he says as he reaches down slides his thumb across my lower lip. “I want to be there.”
A window slides open around the corner and I hear Hal's voice echo into the parking lot.
“We can hear everything you're saying!” she shouts as I roll my eyes and Rhoden chuckles, reaching down to take my arm. “Just in case you guys were planning to do it right there, I thought I would warn you. You two have a knack for screwing in weird places. Masquerade party, the beach, against the wall of glass in Rhoden's apartment.”
I flush bright red and realize that when we get back, I'm going to have to kill Ariana. Clearly, she's spilled all of my beans to Hal. Fantastic.
Rhoden just keeps laughing, opening the door to his truck and helping me up and into it.
“There must be some serious locker room talk amongst you guys, huh?”
“You have no idea,” I tell him as he ushers the dogs into the back and then climbs up into the driver's seat. “Men are under the impression that they talk about sex a lot. Well, that's because they don't spend enough time around any lady friends. Women don't just talk shop, we list details.”
“All kinds of details?” Rhoden asks slyly as I narrow my eyes at him. “I mean, like the whole Big Dick rumor and all?”
“Dude, I was getting texts about your big dick before I even went to the masquerade party, all right. If you're worried about a rep, you've got one.”
“Do I now? Well, then, that's a relief. Just don't tell my mom. Like I said, she thinks my nickname's entirely innocent.”
There's a moment of silence as we pull out of the driveway, headlights sweeping across the parked cars along the street.
“Do you think she'll like me? Your mom, I mean? Do you think we'll get along?”
Rhoden smiles, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching out for me. I curl my fingers around his and he pulls me into the center of the seat, so I can press myself up against him while he drives. The connection of our bodies feels so good, I can't help but sigh with pleasure. I could so get used to this.
“I have a good feeling about it,” Rhoden tells me with all of his usual confidence. I twist the fingers of my right hand into the soft green fabric of his hoodie and let his smell take over me, that rich male scent that stirs my hormones into a frenzy. “I gave her the link to your blog before it was taken down. She read quite a bit after she made that pumpkin bread.”
“Great. The dry pumpkin bread is your mother's first impression of me. That bodes well.” He just laughs at me and cracks the back windows for the dogs, letting in the fresh sharp scent of winter as we take the exit for the highway and start our journey out of town.
Just three hours until I meet the most important person in Rhoden's life for the first time.
Am I nervous?
Nah.
Am I lying about that?
Maybe.
Rhoden and I spend most of the drive talking, but at about the three-quarter mark, I give into my heavy eyelids and fall asleep with my body pressed against his. It's … basically heaven. Rhoden's warm and solid and comforting, one arm curled around my waist protectively, the sound of his heartbeat thumping softly against my ear.
By the time we start up his mother's long gravel drive, I'm basically in love with the man.
When I sit up and stretch my arms over my head, a giant embarrassing yawn escapes that makes my eyes water. I rub at them with fists as I struggle to wake my ass up. The last thing I want to do is meet Rhoden's mom in a half-sleep with drool pooling on the corner on my mouth.
“Whoa,” I say as I realize exactly how remote this is. I don't see any houses on either side of the driveway, just the dark beauty of trees in the weak moonlight, the foliage thick and dense even with winter on its way. Pine needles drift into the beam of white from our headlights, obscured by the faint fall of mist. “It's like a postcard out here.”
“This house belonged to my grandfather,” Rhoden says as the smallest glimmer of lights comes into view at the end of the long drive. “My father walked out on my mother when she was pregnant, so she moved in with her dad. I lived here my entire life, all the way until college.” He smiles faintly at the memory, and I like what it does to his face, lights it up from the inside like that. “She wasn't about to give that asshole any privilege to her son, so I got her last name. You can blame her for the whole Richards fiasco.”
“I see. So it's her fault that everyone calls you Big Dick. I'll make sure to mention i
t.”
“If you do, you'll ruin her world. She has an entire wall in the spare bedroom painted with the words Big Dick. She uses it to hang football memorabilia. I keep all my favorite stuff out here, like my college jerseys and my first little league uniform. I figure it's safer in her care than in mine.”
“Is this where you're going to plant that Super Bowl ring you win? Because I'm definitely going to need tickets to come and gawk at it.”
“I'm considering it,” Rhoden says, casting me a sly smile across the cab. “But I also have another idea. We'll see. Let's just find out if the team can take it all the way first. I'm a little nervous because the only thing Deshaun talks about now is your sister. And then well, I have you.”
I laugh as I sit up fully and cross my arms over my chest, trying to ward off the slight chill I get from separating myself from Rhoden's warmth. I also pretend really hard that I'm not blushing. If I put enough stock in it, that'll make it true, right?
“Poor guy. I hope you're not actually serious about that. Hal isn't exactly … relationship material.” I run my tongue over my lower lip and glance sidelong at Rhoden from under my lashes. Hal might not be into relationships, but I am. I mean, I could be. With you.
Yeah right. Like I'm going to say that aloud. Fat chance.
Rhoden pulls the truck up in front of the house, right next to a gleaming silver and black motorcycle.
“Holy crap. Your mom rides?” I ask, pointing out the window at the gorgeous hunk of machinery by the porch steps. Rhoden grins and raises his brows at me.
“You bet. Just don't ask her to take you for a ride. She's a crazy ass driver.”
He hops out and the dogs follow him. When Rhoden holds a hand out for me, I scoot toward him and let him pull me out of the cab, his hands on my hips as he sets me down on the gravel of the driveway. Each place that he touches me feels marked, making it impossible to forget where his hands were for several minutes after. It's a lingering effect, a bright tingle dancing across my skin.
