Blue 42 (Hail Mary Duet Book 1)

by C. A. Rene

  “Thank you very much.” I smile and Danielle tugs on my arm.

  “Do you mind if I steal him away?” she bats her lashes and a few of them chuckle, “I’ve been eyeing those fancy drinks.”

  “It was great to meet you all.” I give another nod as Danielle steers me away.

  “Impressive, Mr. North,” she teases, “I believe they liked you.”

  “I’m a likeable person, Danielle.” I smile at her and she sucks in a breath.

  “Dani.” She looks up at me through her lashes, “call me Dani.”

  “I guess that means we’re friends now, huh?”

  She laughs as I grab us two glasses from a passing server. “Dixon, I have no interest in being your friend.” Again, her eyes heat up and my cock twitches in response.

  I give her a slow once over. She’s wearing fuck-me stilettos, in her form-fitting dress with a slit running up the side to the top of her thigh. Her brown hair is down her back hitting her waist.

  “Like what you see?” she asks quietly as she sips her drink.

  “Yeah, I do.” I really do. “Green is my favorite color.”

  She giggles again and our moment is interrupted when Dex calls out to me from a nearby table.

  “North! Get over here, you’re sitting with me and Zeal.” I turn to look at him over my shoulder and my eyes land on the table behind him.

  Sitting there are Sebastian, Jameson, and Ortiz, of course and each of them has a woman sitting next to them. I knew they would bring dates, it’s expected that we do, and I brought someone, too. But seeing Sebastian sitting beside an attractive woman with dark curly hair, piled high on her head, has me feeling some sort of way; she has the most illuminating bronzed skin. She looks regal and poised, her face looking young but her dark brown eyes are filled with wisdom. Seeing her leaning into him, and then the annoyance in his eyes when he looks at Dani and me, pisses me off. Except, I feel it too, the annoyance of seeing him sitting with her, whoever the fuck she is. Maybe she's a hot stripper he pulled in and stuffed into a dress last minute. Whatever.

  I pull my eyes away and wrap my arm around Dani’s waist, giving it a slight squeeze as we walk to our table. I feel the intensity of his glare but I ignore it as I sit in my seat, thankful that my back is to him. Dinner is seven courses of pea-sized portions and by dessert, I’m still hungry. There must be a way I can get the bus driver to stop at a burger joint on the way to Cincinnati. The heat on the back of my head hasn’t let up and I can’t understand how I can feel him. How is that even possible?

  “Sebastian is looking grumpy tonight.” Dani says into my ear, her mouth grazing the lobe.

  “He has a beautiful woman next to him, I can’t imagine why.” I lean on my hand and turn to stare at her.

  “Did he tell you what happened with us?” her cheeks grow pink and this time it’s from embarrassment.

  “A little.”

  “I thought I was in love with him,” she scoffs and I’m surprised by the shot of jealousy that courses through me. “I would’ve done anything for him and I did.”

  “You did what?”

  “Unimaginable things, anything he asked me to do, and then one day I was shocked to learn he has a wife.”

  I hear her words, they sink inside my brain, and I understand what they mean, but I’m frozen still. She must be mistaken, there’s no way, and I’m sure someone would’ve mentioned it by now, right?

  “Married?” I feel my mouth moving and I can hear my voice, but I can’t seem to focus.

  “Yeah, with a daughter, too.”

  My body feels as though it’s doused in frigid water and I abruptly stand, “sorry I need to use the restroom.”

  She gives me a confused look but I don’t stick around to find out why. I have no idea where the damn bathrooms are and I don’t care who’s watching as I rush out of the room. I head back down the stairs and shove my way outside, sucking in the cold air.

  Married?!

  Daughter?!

  I fall against the brick wall behind me and bend over as I try to catch my breath. This must be wrong, there’s no way he’s married, and has a daughter? It can’t be. I try to take in deep breaths but the little food I just ate is working itself up my throat and burning my esophagus.

  “She told you.” His voice hits me and I lose my battle with the food, spewing it all at my feet. “Fuck, North. What’s wrong with you?”

  I look up at him, anger threatening to boil over, and bare my teeth, “the things you did with me, the things you did to me, all the while you had a wife?”

  “And?” he smirks like this is all a joke to him, “what did you think this was?” he swings his finger between us, “did you think we would run off together into the sunset? I’m not fucking gay.”

  “Fuck you,” I shove him out of my way, “don’t ever come near me again. You’re a fucking cheater.”

  “A cheater?” he throws his head back with a laugh, “there has to be feelings for it to be cheating, you were just something warm until I saw her again, easiest pussy I’ve had yet.”

  I leave him at my back as I stumble inside, I grab the first person I see, and ask them to direct me to the bathrooms. This is what I get for getting involved in shit I have no idea about. How did I ever become attached to Sebastian? I get inside the bathroom and splash my face with cold water. After toweling off, I see a small box of toiletries, and relief washes over me when I see mouthwash. Once I pull myself together, I stare at my reflection, and make myself a promise.

  Sebastian Avando will be forever wiped from my memory.

  Sebastian

  I turn to chase after him but my phone rings in my pocket and I can’t ignore it. I pull it out and see Delano’s name, knowing he would only call me if it were important, and swipe the screen to pick it up.

  “Sup?”

  “Hey man, I got some info on that kid.”

  I can feel the corners of my mouth lifting because this is some good news. Just when Dixon thinks he’ll get rid of me, this will be what brings him back, and this time I'll have my way with him before he tries to escape again.

  “What is it?”

  “He’s a low-level drug runner and likes to boost a few cars, just had his first run in with the law. Got kicked out of school a few days ago and word on the street is his initiation is coming up.” He grunts.

  “Interesting,” I scratch at my chin, “little North is a wannabe gangster.”

  “Soon to be an actual gangster,” he chuckles, “from what I heard, he’s tough, and he doesn’t mind doing the dirty work.”

  Dirty work, I know what that means. There was a time when I didn’t mind it either and clean ups meant I was working my way in. Not too long after that, I was fed daily, clothed, and had a warm bed to sleep in without strange men trying to touch me after fucking my mother. But why would Dixon’s brother need to be in a gang? Why was he choosing that life?

  “I need another favor.”

  “Sure bro.” Delano is quick to appease me.

  “I need info on his family, specifically his home life.”

  “You got it.” He hangs up and I stand there staring out into the parking lot.

  I knew tonight would happen the way it did, Dani can’t keep her mouth shut, and she’s still hurting from me breaking shit off with her. It was just about when not if she would tell him I’m married. What shocks me, though, is Dixon’s reaction to it, and how upset he was. But why? I shake it off and head back inside, the hall still buzzing with chatter. I enter the room and walk back to my table, Paola’s eyes firmly on me.

  I will say one thing about my wife, she doesn't play when it comes to me, and she won’t hesitate to gut someone. I sit back in my seat and stretch my arm out, placing it on the back of her chair.

  “Everything good?” Her thick Ecuadorian accent makes me smile.

  “Si Mami,” I run my fingers along her shoulder, “all good.”

  She goes back to scrolling through her phone and I watch Dani, her eyes f
licking back to me every so often. Thirsty ass hoe. Dixon comes back in the room, he probably looks normal to everyone else, but I see the truth. His eyes are red rimmed, the corners of his mouth are turned down, and his shoulders are tipped downward.

  “Is that the new one?” Paola asks.

  “Yeah.”

  “He’s handsome.” I look at her with a smirk and she tosses one back.

  “Watch it.” I tease her.

  “I know,” she chuckles, “same area code.”

  I laugh heartily at that and Dixon’s shoulders tense at the sound. He can try to let me go but I won’t let that happen. I’m not done with him yet and just like my wife said, soon we’ll be in different area codes.

  It’s hard for regular relationship people to understand the dynamic I have with her. I grew up with Paola because her older brother Alejandro was the one to take me in. Jandro died a few years later and made me promise to take care of Paola, I don’t go back on my word. I love her but there’s always been something missing and she feels it too, so we’re discreet. At least she is, I get photographed at strip joints and shit, but if I’m not flaunting a mistress, she’s good about it. Plus, I know she’s fucked every pool boy in New York.

  “I am tired, Seb.” She curls her fingers around my bicep, “I think I will head back to the hotel now.”

  “Let me get the driver,” I stand and help her up from her seat, “did you call and check on Carla?”

  “Si,” she nods. “She is behaving.”

  We have a beautiful daughter named Carla and, in a few months, she will be three years old. I married Paola when she was eight months pregnant and the child was not mine. We don’t fuck, like I said, it’s not like that; but that little girl is mine. My blood may not flow in her veins but I’m the only papi she will ever know. She’s my number one.

  I walk her downstairs after texting the driver and she looks up at me with a smile.

  “You look like you need a friend,” her hand cups my cheek. “Call me when things get tough, okay?”

  I respect her and I love her but I would never dump my problems on her. For years she has been trying to get me to open up more and talk to her more, but I’m not that type of guy. Sometimes her nagging gets annoying but I deal with it, she’s the mother of my child, and no matter what, she’s my family.

  “Buenas noches.” I lean in and kiss her softly on the lips. Then I watch as she sashays to the waiting limo, only the best for my wife. She waves and tucks herself into the back, her scent lingering beside me.

  It’s not too long after when people start to leave and head home. Thank god, if I had to talk to one more sponsor about his charity to us, I was going to break a nose. Ortiz and Jameson have been doing shot for shot at the bar while their dates have been huddled together at the table, giggling over wine. It’s a good thing they know each other because they’ve been ignored by the guys for most of the night. Coach keeps looking at them like he would like to break their noses. Dixon has remained in his seat for the whole night with Dani by his side, and even though she’s been shooting me looks over her shoulder, she’s been attentive to him. He’s been stiff and quiet since we had our conversation outside, giving Dani one-word answers.

  I watch as Dex starts bringing the rounds of shots to their table and Dixon slams each one back, the glasses adding up in front of him. He’s an emotional person and works hard to hide that, but I can see beyond his hardened outside layer. He’s a mess right now and he is drowning himself in alcohol to feel better, I like that he feels that way over me. I mean something to him and the moment I saw him spill his guts outside, I knew for sure. Dixon wants me and there’s no amount of convincing himself otherwise that will change that. He’s so fun to toy with.

  As Jameson and Ortiz begin to get louder at the bar, Coach begins to wrap shit up. He’s strict about our lives outside of football and he won’t stand for those two to fuck up the game tomorrow. Not for free booze anyway. He approaches them first and asks them to make their way to the bus, they listen but grumble as they head away. Next, I notice as Dani tugs on Dixon’s arm, motioning for him to follow her outside. You better believe I’m following as well. I want to watch her make her move and then I want to watch as he shuts her down.

  They walk out of the room, Dixon slightly stumbling, and Dani giggling at him. I wait a few minutes and then rise from my seat, walking slowly out of the room. I can still hear Coach behind me, winding down all the conversations, and starting with the ‘we better get on the road’ lines. We’ll be out of here in about a half hour and I’m hoping to sit next to Dixon. I want him overwhelmed with me and on the verge of snapping, that’s when shit is the hottest.

  I step outside and look around, I don’t see anyone but I do hear Jameson and Ortiz being rowdy in the bus. I round the corner and startle when I see Dixon leaning against Dani’s car with her standing in front of him. He’s looking at her with a goofy grin on his face and she laughs at him, slapping his chest playfully. What the fuck is going on here?

  My feet won’t budge from their spot on the asphalt and my eyes can’t look away from them. They look happy and it’s really pissing me off. She reaches her hand up to touch his cheek and he grabs her wrist, okay this is it, he’ll push her away now. Instead, he hauls her in close to his body, wrapping his other arm around her waist. He guides her hand up behind his neck and smiles down at her, his eyes glazed. His tongue slips out and runs along his bottom lip, looking like he wants to ravish her. He’s never looked at me like that and I know he fucking wants me more than that slut.

  His hand slips down her back and over her plump ass, his fingers digging in. He hauls her in even closer, grinding her into his dick, and then he swoops down, kissing her with a hunger that makes me both hard and infuriated. Her left leg comes up and presses into his hip, the slit curtaining open, revealing her smooth skin. I want to rip her off him and show her just who he really wants, but I can’t move. My eyes stay trained on them even though my heart is about to break through my ribs and my stomach threatens to empty itself. His hand moves along the skin of her thigh as his other hand snares into her hair, tipping her head to a better angle, and deepening the kiss. Movement at her thigh draws my sight downward and I watch his fingers skim up and under her skirt, pushing it aside. Half her ass is on display and I want to choke the whore for not having any decency.

  His hand moves down her ass crack, slowly dipping under her thong, and disappearing between her legs. Her groan has my eyes snapping back up and I come face to face with Dixon as he stares me down, his finger moving in and out of her pussy. Then with his eyes still on me, he devours her mouth once more, and picks up the pace of his thrusting fingers. I know what he’s doing and it’s reminiscent of the night at the club with the waitress, but doesn’t he realize how far we’ve come since then. This is ridiculous.

  He pulls away from her mouth and removes his fingers from between her legs, bending to whisper something in her ear. She nods up at him and moves around to the driver side of her car. He stands there with his arms crossed against his chest, watching me with a mocking smirk on his mouth, and then he turns, opening the car door. What the fuck is he doing? We have a game tomorrow, he needs to get on this bus, and I need to watch him.

  The door slams shut and Dani pulls out of the parking lot, the taillights teasing me as they fly down the street. He really has no clue how much he just pissed me off.

  Chapter nineteen

  Dixon

  Dani lets me sleep the six hours it takes to get there and I can see the exhaustion in her face. I started to feel guilty but then remember she practically begged me to ride with her and told me she didn’t want to go alone. We park in front of the hotel and I groan when I realize my bag is on the bus, which doesn’t look like it has arrived yet.

  “Don’t worry,” she says, reading my groan, “I texted my dad and told him to grab your bag.”

  “Thanks.” I’m not sure how much I like Coach knowing I’m with his daughter.

/>   “Can I stay with you?” her voice is small and her eyes pleading.

  “I have a game later, I really need to rest.”

  “I know,” she chuckles, “just to sleep. I don’t want to sleep alone right now.”

  I should refuse her but as I stare down into her eyes and I can feel myself giving in, even though we’re not dating. Why aren’t we dating though? If shit hadn’t started up with Sebastian, I would’ve been down to date her, and I’m attracted to her. Fuck it, I’m wiping my mind of him, right?

  “Yeah,” I nod and smile at her, “I would like that.”

  We get inside and I get the keys for the room booked under my name, both of us still so exhausted. We ride the elevator up and it dings on my floor, sliding open to reveal a long corridor.

  “Dad usually books out the whole floor for the team.” She says as we walk to my door.

  “Is this going to be a problem?” I ask her, referring to us being together.

  “I spoke to him and he knows how I feel about you,” she answers as she follows me into the room.

  “How you feel about me huh?” I grin, “and how do you feel?”

  Her eyes slowly blink and her small smile is so damn cute, “right now? I could sleepwalk and get in that bed.” She unzips her dress, the zipper running down the side. She shimmies it down her hips and steps out of it, the fabric pooling at her feet like glistening emeralds. She's wearing a black lace bra and thong and my mouth waters at the sight, I need to sleep. I scrub my hand down my face and chuckle when I hear her laugh.

  “You’re gorgeous,” I haul her into my body and kiss her softly. “I want to do so many things to this body right now, but Coach will kill me if I’m not in top form later.”

  “I couldn’t anyways,” she smiles and rests her head on my chest, “I am exhausted.”

  I nudge her towards the bed and remove my suit, leaving my boxers. I crawl into bed beside her. As soon as her head hits the pillow she’s out and I pull her in closer, resting my head on top of hers. Feeling content as I drift off to sleep.