by Lea Coll
“I can’t even imagine. Were you the only ones there?” Avery took a bite of her food.
“There must have been someone there to turn on the lights and Callie delivered dinner. It felt like we were alone. He showed me how to throw a football, we ate on the benches where the players sit during a game, laid midfield staring at the stars.” It was impressive to be on a professional football field. That wasn’t the reason I loved that evening. It was the simple things, him showing me how to throw a ball, eating a meal together, staring at the stars, that kiss.
Avery sighed. “I’m so jealous. That sounds unbelievable.”
Hadley gave her a pointed look. “You don’t even watch football.”
I listened to them banter for a few minutes, discussing their most romantic dates. Nothing topped what I’d described. When they quieted, my nerves kicked up.
I wish I didn’t have to worry about meeting Reid’s family so soon, but it was important to him. I needed to talk to them about it.
“The problem is Reid’s inviting his family to the Thanksgiving Day game.”
“Oh. Don’t you usually spend Thanksgiving with your family?” Avery’s forehead wrinkled.
“Yes. The game is scheduled when we normally eat. That’s not even the problem. He wants my family to go to the game to meet his mom and sisters.”
Hadley’s eyes widened. “He wants your families to meet? That is serious.”
“It’s too soon, right?” I looked from Avery to Hadley, trying to figure out where they stood.
When they remained quiet, panic filled me. “I’m not ready for this. My parents aren’t ready for this.”
“Have you ever brought a man home to meet them?” Hadley twirled her noodles on her fork.
“No.” I shifted in my chair.
“Never?” Avery asked. “My parents don’t care who I’m dating. You’re so close with your family. I would think they would like that.”
“I told you they’re intensely private.”
“Even if you’re serious about someone?” Hadley’s brow furrowed.
“Yes.” Dad always told me to keep quiet about the family. Since my mother’s illness in high school, I stopped inviting friends to the house too. It wasn’t something that we’d discussed. I just hadn’t felt comfortable having people over.
I was invited on dates. I’d accept, always meeting the guy out. It was never an issue. High school guys weren’t eager to meet the parents. No one in college had been interested. Most were from other states, so they flew home to see their families on the holidays.
“The one guy I was serious about—”
“Pierce?” Hadley asked.
“Right. He broke up with me because I was always running to help my parents. He wanted to know why. He felt like they were more important to me than him. Eventually, he demanded an introduction. That was the end of that relationship. Looking back, maybe he was more serious about it than I was.”
The difference was I wanted to make this work with Reid. I dreaded the moment I had to tell him my parents needed me but I couldn’t give him details.
Last night Reid bared his soul to me. I needed to do the same. “I need to tell him that my parents are different. That he might not be included in family events.”
“How do you think he’ll take it?” Hadley asked carefully.
Knowing how close he was to his family, how private he was, he would have a problem with it. I just hoped it wouldn’t be the end of us. “Not well.”
“I think you need to talk to your parents first. Maybe they would open up if it was someone you were serious about?” Hadley pressed.
Avery nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. Don’t you always see them on Sundays at brunch?”
At my nod, she continued, “Perfect. Do it then.”
They didn’t take it well when I mentioned we were dating. My phone buzzed.
Reid: Still at the office?
I smiled. Yes.
Reid: Can we play football this weekend like we talked about? Maybe a park out your way?
“Ooh I see that smile. It must be Reid,” Avery said.
I looked up from my phone. “He wants to get together tomorrow. Maybe play football at a park.”
Avery’s eyes widened as she exchanged a look with Hadley.
“We were planning on having a cookout at the park with the guys. You should come,” Hadley said.
“I don’t know if he’s ready to meet friends yet.” I chewed my lip, wondering if he’d be okay with meeting their boyfriends.
“He’s already met us,” Hadley said pointedly.
Avery nodded. “He wants your families to meet, so I think it will be fine. Ask him.”
Maybe meeting my friends will be a good first step. Then I could figure out if my parents would be amenable to meeting him.
Dylan: Avery and Hadley have plans to cookout at a park with their boyfriends. They invited us to go.
Finally, the bubbles popped up.
Reid: Okay.
I shrugged, a little surprised he’d been so quick to say yes. “He said it was okay.”
Avery clapped her hands. “Yeah, this will be so fun. Griffin will love meeting a professional football player.”
Griffin sold his successful start-up company in California to return home to spend more time with his brother, Julian, and his nephew, Declan. Soon after, Julian died in a boating accident, naming Griffin as Declan’s guardian. Griffin stepped in to care for him, making Annapolis his home.
I pointed my finger at them. “Tell the guys to treat him like anyone else. Reid doesn’t like the attention. When we’re together it’s just us. He’s not a famous football player.”
Hadley’s eyes widened. “Really? He’s not cocky at all?”
“No. He’s very down-to-earth.”
“This will be fun. Let me tell Cade.” Hadley picked up her phone, texting him.
The game sounded fun but it meant less time with him when our time together was precious during the season. My mind wandered as they talked about their weekend plans. What would happen after the season? Would he still go back home to Louisiana even though we were dating? I took the opportunity to text Reid. Will you stay overnight?
Reid: I’ll have to get up early the next day but I want to spend some time alone with you.
The warmth that flowed through my veins continued to pump harder, reminding me that I loved him. I couldn’t share it with the girls when I hadn’t said it to him yet. But I would this weekend, maybe, after I got a feel for where his head was.
Chapter Twenty-Five
DYLAN
“Are you ready to play some football?” Reid asked with a boyish smile when I opened the door on Saturday. He wore a gray Baltimore shirt, the emblem stretched tight over his chest, his cap backward.
He threw the ball in the air, catching it without looking away from me.
“Absolutely. Are you ready to get your butt kicked?” I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe. I loved that he wasn’t watching what he was saying around me anymore. He’d slipped up before but now he spoke freely. He was more relaxed. I wanted him to be himself. I wondered if he would be more careful around the others.
“I wasn’t aware this was going to be competitive?” He kissed me lightly before moving passed me into the house.
I licked my lips. “Isn’t it?”
I closed the door, turning to find him standing so close I tilted my head to see him.
The smirk slid off his face, replaced with wonder then desire, need. “I love when you wear these leggings.”
He moved closer, cupping my ass, lifting me so that my legs wrapped around his waist. His lips met mine, his tongue dueling with mine for control.
With one last squeeze, he eased me down to the floor, tugging my ponytail. “I want you, but we have a game to play. We’re going to have fun.”
I grabbed my things. “You don’t mind that my friends are coming?”
“No. I�
�d love to spend time with your friends.”
“Right.” I searched his face, seeing nothing but sincerity. His stance was relaxed. Maybe he was trying to show me that our parents meeting wasn’t a big deal.
“Ready to go?” He gestured toward his SUV.
“Of course.” I preceded him out the door, locking it before heading down the steps. He’d gotten a prime spot in front of my house.
The sun was warm on my face, yet there was a slight chill to the air. It was the perfect fall day. I wanted to enjoy the day, not thinking about the holidays coming up or what else I needed to do
“Where to?” he asked, opening the passenger side door for me.
“Quiet Waters Park.”
I settled in my seat so that I could admire his profile as he drove, one hand on the wheel the other resting on my thigh, solid and warm. I wanted to thank him for coming into my life when I didn’t expect it, for opening my eyes to something I almost never allowed myself to have, a relationship, but I didn’t. It was too soon for those kinds of declarations. Instead, we’d have a nice easy day at the park playing football with friends.
“Having deep thoughts over there?”
I shivered at the way he’d relaxed with me, letting me in. I wished I could do the same. “Not really. I’m happy.”
Content. That was this feeling wrapping around me like warm mist on a hot summer day, settling me, relaxing me.
“I am too.” His voice rough, squeezing my thigh as if emphasizing his words.
We turned at the sign for the park. “Where to?”
I pointed to the area I’d mentioned to Hadley last night. Near the water yet further away from the parking lot in case people recognized him. I wanted him to be able to relax today. Nothing we were doing was meant for cameras or fans.
We parked, meeting at the hood of the car to walk to the field. “It looks like they’re already here.”
“Are you nervous?” He reached for my hand, interlacing our fingers.
My shoulders tensed. “What? No. Why would you think that?”
“There was a tremor in your words.”
“You’re very observant.” I tried to smile as if it wasn’t a big deal. He read me so easily. This seemed like an important moment, a test for meeting my parents.
“I pay attention to people speaking.”
“That makes sense.” He was so hyper-focused on himself, he did the same with others.
“I can’t help it. So, why are you nervous?” He paused, turning to face me, holding my hand in his.
“It’s a big deal to meet each other’s friends.” It came out more like a question then a statement. I wasn’t exactly sure of the reason.
He smiled as if I was cute. “I met them at the yacht club, remember?”
I gestured over at the group where Cade playfully tackled Hadley who held the ball. “Yeah, but this is their boyfriends too.”
“It’s important to you that we get along.”
“Yes. They’re all friends.” I paused, trying to pinpoint the cause of the butterflies in my stomach. “Maybe it’s because I’ve never brought a guy around.”
He raised a brow. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m honored to be the first.” He smiled, his shoulders relaxed, his face soft.
I shot him an irritated look.
He held up his free hand as if to ward me off. “No worries. I won’t screw it up.”
“Hey.” I stopped him with a hand on his forearm before he continued walking. “You can be yourself with them.”
He tensed. “Did you tell them—”
I shook my head. “No. I would never do that.”
“Okay. I’m not really comfortable revealing that side of myself.”
“It’s not a side of you. It’s who you are.”
“I’m glad that you don’t think less of me. But some do.” A shadow passed over his face, a mixture of anger and disgust.
My eyes narrowed on him. “Who thought less of you?”
His expression, the depths he went to cover up his impediment, never seeking help told me it was someone significant in his life. Someone I’d like to confront. Who would ridicule a child for something they couldn’t control?
“Are you guys coming?” Hadley called.
I smiled, waving at her, before turning my attention to Reid. “Who would do that Reid?”
“I’m not talking about it here.”
“Okay. Will you tell me later?”
He finally nodded. I went up on tiptoe not caring who was watching, kissing him, my way of telling him I loved him.
I dropped down on my feet, hiding my face in his chest, hugging him tightly. I knew if I looked at him, he’d see every emotion on my face, love, desire, hope.
“Let’s go play some football, okay?” His words drifted over my hair, tickling my scalp.
“Yeah.” I pulled away from him, continuing to hold his hand as we approached my friends, who were watching us with smiles on their faces.
Cade held out his hand first. “Cade Morrison. Hadley’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you.”
“Cade, this is Reid Everson. My boyfriend.” We hadn’t discussed it officially, but we were having sex. The boyfriend label served the benefit of taking their attention off of him.
“Boyfriend, huh?” Hadley bumped her shoulder into mine.
“Yup.” I smiled at her, proud to be next to Reid, happy to be with my friends on this gorgeous fall day.
“Griffin Locke. I don’t believe we’ve met before. You won the blind date with this one, huh?”
Reid shook his hand, then winked at me. “I was the lucky one.”
“Aw. That’s so sweet,” Avery said as my face grew hot.
Cade rubbed his hands together. “Alright who’s ready for some ball?”
Reid’s face turned serious. “We have to set some rules—” he paused looking at me, “tackling is allowed.”
“How’s that fair?” I placed my hands on my hips. They were huge compared to us. I wondered how it would feel to be tackled by him.
“Trust me, you won’t get hurt. It will make things more fun.” Reid was completely relaxed.
“We’ll see.” I loved seeing this side of him. He looked boyish, somehow younger.
“We’ll split up three on three.”
“Girls versus boys?” Hadley asked.
“That’s not fair,” Cade said.
“Are you scared?” Hadley asked him.
Cade wrapped an arm around her neck, pulling her close to whisper something in her ear that made her blush.
“We could do couples, Hadley and Cade on one team, Avery and Griffin on the other, split us up, so I get a chance to tackle you,” Reid suggested.
Reid said Avery’s name a little slower. I don’t think anyone noticed it wasn’t quite right.
“Is that what this is about?” My whole body flushed at the thought of Reid chasing me down field, tackling me. I trusted him not to hurt me despite his size.
“It’s a competition, baby.” He winked again. “We can switch it up too.”
I secretly loved that he called me baby whether it was only because of the game or not. “Okay. Game on.”
We huddled with our respective teams. I was on Cade and Hadley’s team. I listened to Cade’s strategy which was essentially to keep the ball from the professional football player at all costs. The odds were definitely stacked against us. Cade slapped us on the shoulder before lining up across from the others.
Of course, I was across from Reid who looked larger when he was in his football stance even without all of his gear.
“Are you worried?” His lips tilted up in a smile, his eyes held a challenge.
I was worried that we’d lose, not that he would hurt me. Adrenaline coursed through me as I tried to remember what Callie told me about his position on the team. How speed was the one thing tight ends didn’t possess. It was more important for them to be imposing with good hands. “Tight ends aren’t fast
.”
I smirked when his eyes widened. “Who told you that?”
“Callie.”
He scowled. “Callie’s clearly a traitor.”
“You’re so big, laden down with—” I gestured at him “—all of those muscles. You’re no match for someone smaller. I led in bases stolen my senior year of softball.”
He looked at me with newfound respect. “Huh. I had no idea.”
“Well, now you know.” I slapped his chest, enjoying myself.
“Are you two going to stop trash talking so we can start?” Cade asked.
“Oh, we’re done,” I said.
Reid nodded in agreement.
Cade called hike, stepping back with the ball, I pivoted first right then left trying to get past Reid which was harder than I thought. I really did think I’d have an advantage because he was so big, he’d be slow. He wasn’t. I growled in frustration.
“Not so easy is it?” His breath felt like it was on my neck.
I couldn’t shake him.
I pivoted again, taking off at full speed when Cade threw the ball down the field. Reid was on me the whole time. I launched myself in the air wanting to get at least a finger on the ball. I closed my eyes as my hands wrapped around it, falling to the ground before Reid was on me, his arms wrapped around me as we rolled. We came to a stop with him on top, his knees on the ground on either side of me.
I held the ball tightly in my hands, blinking as I looked up at him, the thrill of the moment tempered by my surprise. “I caught it.”
His lips twitched before he finally smiled wide. “You did.”
“Huh.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “You better not say you let me catch it.”
His hands lifted, holding them in front of him as if warding me off. “I’d never.”
Then he stood, holding his hand out to me.
Hadley ran over to me, hugging me hard. “That was so awesome!”
When she let me go, I looked around me, getting excited. “Did I score?”
“No. First and goal,” Cade called, lining up again.
I tossed him the ball, getting into position. I wasn’t sore at all. Reid must have taken the brunt of the fall with his arms around me. He got into his football stance again, his eyes focused on me. I’m sure he was thinking about the next play when all I could think about was how much I loved him.
