by Kim Carmody
Their faces twisted in confusion and I didn’t miss the way the woman’s eyes widened as she looked over to Will. He shifted awkwardly, putting Hazel down. “This is my dad Derek, my brother Steve, my sister Kate and her husband Ben.”
I gave a small wave in return to their wide-eyed nods and smiles of hello. “It’s nice to meet you…all.”
Mike barked out a laugh. “Bet this wasn’t how you envisioned your dinner going.”
“Oh!” Gretel gasped. “We’ve interrupted your dinner, boys,” she started pushing everyone out of the kitchen. “Help your father with the rest of the gear. You too, Ben.” She turned back to us. “We’ll leave you two to it. We were all wanting to try the new restaurant in town anyway.”
“What new restaurant? No one told me about a new restaurant.” Steve frowned at his mum.
“You know, the new restaurant.” Gretel gave him a pained smile.
It took Steve a while to catch on. “Oh, yeah right, the new restaurant.” He smirked to himself before yelling over his shoulder. “Nice to meet you, Emma.”
Gretel turned around, sighing. “I’m so sorry about the intrusion. I wish you had told me you were already here, Will.”
Will grunted out a laugh. “Yeah, you and me both.”
She picked up her bags and paused as she made for the hallway. “I hope you’re planning to stay for lunch tomorrow, Emma. We have plenty of food.”
I smiled, thinking of nothing worse than having all those shocked eyes on me again, but my manners kicked in before a plausible excuse came to mind. “I’d love to, thank you.”
When the noise of departing feet had disappeared, I turned to Will. “I’d like to go home now please.”
“What! Why? You just said you’d stay.”
I covered my face with my hands trying to stabilize my breathing. “That was the most mortifying five minutes of my life, Will. There’s absolutely no way I’m sleeping here tonight.”
He pulled at my hands gently, bending to look me in the eyes. “Look…I’ll admit, I would have preferred for things not to have gone down like that, but they were just surprised. Trust me, they’ll be thrilled to have you here.”
I shrugged myself out of his grip. “Are you kidding? Did you see the way they all looked at me? As if they want some hussy you’ve hooked up with interrupting their family vacation.”
“Whoa, first of all, you couldn’t be further from a hussy if you tried, so don’t call yourself one. Ever. And second, you’re not interrupting…you’re here as my guest. I invited you, remember?”
When I didn’t say anything he bent his head further, catching my eye. “Remember?”
I nodded, my words coming out as no more than a whisper. “I know, I just…I just feel so cheap. Your family doesn’t strike me as stupid. I think they’ll figure out we’re not just friends from work when we share a bed tonight. I’m pretty sure they already have.”
“So I’ll tell them we’re dating.”
I blinked, looking up at him in confusion. “But we’re not dating.” I swallowed. “I thought we were just friends with benefits.”
Will shrugged, “So? They don’t need to know that.”
Wow, that hurt more than I cared to acknowledge.
“So…will you stay?” His hands rubbed up and down my shoulders as I considered my options, but in truth there really weren’t many.
“Okay, I’ll stay. But I’m not getting round in anything less than a full body suit for the rest of the weekend.” I poked him in the ribs. “And that includes the bedroom buddy.”
Will’s grin turned to a frown. “Well that’s just silly, they’ve already seen you half naked.”
“Too soon, Quarterback. Too soon.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I stood at the bottom of the stairs, willing myself to just walk into the kitchen. Just three measly steps.
One.
Two.
Three.
Done.
God just do it, Emma. When did you become such a pussy? You packed up your whole life and moved to the other side of the world, and now you can’t even walk from a hallway to a kitchen?
These pep-talks had been uselessly thrashing around in my head for the last five minutes as I stood listening to the sounds of laughter and conversation on the other side of the wall. Why in hell didn’t Will wake me? It would have been so much easier to face everyone with him there to divert their attention.
It was the sound of Will’s voice that finally kicked me into gear, his easy-going laugh leaving a surprising warmth in my tummy, making me want to get closer to the sound. Smoothing a hand over my dress one last time I took a deep breath, stepping out into the zoo that was the Jensen family.
“Morning.” I gave an awkward wave as all seven and a half of them turned to look at me.
A chorus of hellos and mornings rang throughout the kitchen and living room as Hazel ran towards me, wrapping her arms around my legs.
“Happy Fourth of July!!”
“Oh!” I laughed. “Happy Fourth of July to you too!” I knelt down to be eye level with her, prompting her to throw her arms around my neck.
“Do you want to come swimming with me now?”
“Hazel darling, leave Emma alone. She’s probably desperate for coffee.”
I met Gretel’s eyes, my face lighting up at the magic word. “Coffee would be wonderful, actually.”
Will stood, his eyes latching onto mine as he sauntered over. “She likes it with one sugar, and strong.” His words were like an afterthought, as if he recited my coffee order on a regular basis.
I stood up as he approached, loving the way his eyes shone when he looked at me. Seemingly not bothered by his family still watching me like I was a science experiment, he leaned down, wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me full on the lips. Smiling against my mouth he said, “You look particularly lovely this morning.”
I think I swooned, right there in front of his whole family.
He threaded his fingers through mine, tugging me towards the breakfast bar. “Come get something to eat.”
I followed him over, fully aware of the curious looks being exchanged by various family members, while Will seemed completely oblivious.
“Thank you.” I smiled at Gretel as she slid a hot mug of coffee across the bench to me while Will started heaping eggs and bacon and all sorts of wonderful things onto my plate.
“You know, not everyone’s trying to bulk up for the season.” I grinned as he looked down at the mountain of food accumulating there.
“Good point.” He planted a kiss on my nose. “I’ll finish whatever you can’t.”
And with that, he went straight back to the conversation he was having with his dad like my being there was no inconvenience at all. And when he draped an arm over my shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world, I realized this might not be too bad a day after all.
#
“Mom, that was seriously delicious. I just wish this damn baby would leave more room for eating.” Kate leaned back in her chair, rubbing her stomach as she surveyed the remainders of the lunch spread.
“I’m not sure any more food is what you need, sis.” Steve nodded in the direction of her bulging belly.
“What’s wrong with you boy? Don’t you know you don’t say that to a pregnant woman? Fool.” Derek gave his son a whack on the back of the head.
“What, don’t tell me I’ve hurt her delicate, flower-petal feelings?” He rolled his eyes at Kate.
“Brother dearest, I’m about to push a baby the size of a watermelon out of my vagina, so trust me, there’s nothing delicate about me what-so-ever.”
All three brothers groaned at the visual their sister painted and Kate laughed, winking at me. “I got pretty good at dishing dirt growing up with these three.”
I laughed. “Trust me, I fully understand. I grew up with five boys.”
Mike jumped up. “Yes!” He rounded the table to place two giant hands on my shoulders. “And
that’s exactly why you’re going to be our sixth.”
I looked up at him in confusion. “Your what?”
“Our sixth.”
Still nothing.
Mike rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Will, have you taught her nothing?”
Will laughed. “Trust me, I’ve been trying. She has a lot to learn.”
“Would someone please fill me in?”
Will leaned toward me, grinning. “Today’s the day you play your first game of football.”
Yeah, as if.
“Um, no. Today’s the day you all teach me about Independence Day traditions and stuff, you know, because it’s the Fourth of July. I’m not playing any football today. Or ever for that matter.” I narrowed my eyes, daring him to challenge me.
“Actually, a post-lunch game is our Fourth of July tradition, so I guess you’re shit outta luck.”
Mike slid my chair back, pulling me to my feet. “Come on, we need you, Em. You can blame Ben—he knocked up Kate and left the teams with odd numbers.”
Ben and all four Jensen men towered over me as they stood, and suddenly meeting them in my bikini last night didn’t seem so horrific compared to this.
I looked to Kate for help, but all I got was a sympathetic shrug. “Sometimes it’s easier to just go with it where this lot is concerned.”
Ben put an arm around my shoulder as we all walked onto the lawn. “It could be worse. How do you think I felt at my first Jensen family function? At least they know you’ll suck…I was expected to be good, like the rest of this freakishly talented family.”
I laughed, nodding in agreement. “As long as you’re aware how epically I’m going to suck at this.”
“Listen up.” Mike stopped in the middle of the lawn. “We’ll go me, Steve and Emma against you three.” He nodded to Will, Ben and his dad.
“How’d you figure that?” Will asked.
Mike shrugged. “Well you got me and Stevie leading the team over here, and Ben and Dad picking up the pieces of your shitty game.”
“You’re such a dick,” Will said, punching Mike in the shoulder.
“Suck it up brother, first to sixteen. We start.”
Mike’s arm went around my shoulder, leading us to what I assumed was our end of the field.
“Man, what the fuck? You didn’t want to try for Dad…or even Ben?” Steve glanced down at me. “No offence Em.”
“None taken, I was wondering the same thing myself.”
Mike grinned. “She might not know how to play, but she’s one hell of a diversion tactic for baby brother. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her all day. We get him off our case and the game’s won.”
Steve considered this before patting Mike on the back. “Man, that might actually be the best game plan you’ve ever had.”
Mike’s eyes zeroed in on me, his face becoming serious as he started on the first play. “Okay Em, its real simple. All you gotta do is throw the ball to me, then just chase young Will to your heart’s content.”
I gaped at him. “You mean, the one where I bend over and throw between my legs?”
“Yep, snap on three, easy as that.”
I groaned. “Haven’t I embarrassed myself enough with the whole bikini meet-and-greet last night?”
“Actually, I hadn’t even thought of that. You should put your swimsuit back on. Foolproof plan.” Mike and Steve nodded in unison, like the suggestion was even a remote possibility.
“I think I’ll pass, but thanks.” I straightened, ready to get this torture over and done with.
Will sent the ball sailing towards us as they approached from the other end, watching me with a glint of excitement in his eyes. He looked so childlike in his happiness that for a second I thought the oncoming pain and embarrassment might be worth it.
“Ohhff.” Steve pushed the ball against my stomach with a little too much force.
Nope, on second thoughts, definitely not worth it.
“You ready, kid?” Mike patted my shoulder.
“No.”
“Course you are.” He leaned in, keeping his eyes on Will. “Remember, I’ll be right behind you.”
Will grumbled from a few feet away. “You might be my brother, but I’ll flatten you if you say that again, dick.”
Mike smiled at me. “See? You’ve earned your spot already. Now get down low.”
I bent over, ass in the air, holding my dress to the side in one hand and resting the ball on the ground with the other, feeling every bit the idiot I knew I looked. Will was right in front of me, at eye level, his gaze alternating between my eyes and my boobs. Maybe I really could add something of value.
“You have no idea the fantasies running through my head right now, Bambi.” His eyes flared as he licked his lips.
“Actually, I think I have a pretty good idea. Pity after this torment it’s never going to happen.”
I winked, enjoying the way his face fell. Served him right.
I felt Mike right behind me and braced myself for his call.
“Hut, hut, hut!”
I flicked the ball up through my legs, relief washing over me as it left my hands, wobbling through the air before landing safely in Mike’s. Knowing Will would be ten times faster than me, I wasted no time scrambling the two steps toward him and leaping, wrapping his body with my limbs.
My head was tucked into his chest, and it took me a second to realize he’d stopped, stock still.
“What are you doing?” Will looked down at me like I was no bigger than a piece of lint hanging off him.
I shrugged and tried for cute. “I wanted a hug?” I slid down his body just as whooping came from the other end of the lawn.
“You letting my brothers engage you in dirty tactics?”
“Why no, Will. My tactics are always aboveboard.” I covered my mouth in mock horror at his suggestion.
He frowned, poking a finger at me. “Just like your little t-shirt trick in my kitchen.” He shook his head. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on here.”
I laughed, loving how serious he’d turned now that the competition had begun.
The game went on and it became apparent that my initial winning play was pretty much all I had to offer once Will wised up to our strategy. Before long I was simply an ornamental feature of the game, used for the occasional snap, as they called it, but otherwise stood with wide-eyed fear as a bunch of giants barrelled their way around me.
Relief flooded through me when Gretel put a halt to the game, calling everyone back in for desert.
Kate grinned at me as we sat down again. “You survived, I’m impressed.”
I nodded. “Just…although it wasn’t pretty.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry, next year I’ll be back, and you can just enjoy the spectacle from up here.”
The presumptuousness of her words hit us both at the same time. The possibility that I’d still be with Will this time next year was ludicrous. I felt Will’s head swivel in our direction and knew he’d heard it too.
I took a sip of water, trying to keep my voice light. “I’ll actually be back home this time next year, but I want to see some photos.”
“Oh really? I didn’t realize,” Kate frowned.
“Yeah, I’m on a twelve-month exchange. I’ll be heading home next April.”
Will looked over at me. “But you don’t have to go back, do you?” He shifted in his seat. “You know, if you don’t want to, that is.”
I shook my head, finding it hard to look at him. “I don’t really have a choice. I mean, if both clubs are happy with the first year trial, then I’ll go home in April and someone else will come over in May.” I swallowed, finally meeting his eyes. “And Sarah will come back so someone else from Mark’s team can go to Sydney, of course.”
“Oh.” Will looked back down at his dessert. “Of course.”
#
An hour later everyone had dispersed throughout the house to recover from their food comas. Will lazily ran a finger across the back of m
y neck. “You wanna go down to the beach?”
I looked over at him, squinting in the sun. “Won’t it be full of people?”
“Nah, it’s not a popular spot.” He leaned in to nuzzle my neck, and I could feel his smile on my skin. “But don’t worry. I know the drill…hands off if anyone’s around.”
We walked the short path down to the sand, relieved to find it practically deserted save for a few people farther down the stretch of beach.
“Lucky me.” Will grinned, wrapping an arm around my waist.
We stood in comfortable silence with our toes in the water for a while, neither of us in a hurry to get in.
“You and your dad get along well,” I said, watching as he threw a stone into the sea.
“What makes you say that?”
“I don’t know…you just never seem to run out of conversation. I’m surprised how much you know about his job.”
Will shrugged. “I find what he does interesting. Always have.”
“Yeah but you pretty much speak that whole finance language that makes no sense to most people.”
“I studied economics in college.” He launched another stone into the air before looking at me. “Plus I kind of have a bit of money to invest so…” his words trailed off with a shy smile, almost like he was embarrassed about the fact.
“I didn’t know that.”
“Know what?”
I smile in his direction. “I’m sort of aware you’re loaded, but I didn’t realize you studied economics.”
He frowned, considering his next words. “I forget you don’t know everything about me. It’s like I’m not the same person to you as I am to everyone else.”
Was that what drew him to me? The novelty of finding someone who didn’t see him as the famous athlete he was? The thought had crossed my mind before and as much as I hated to admit it, it made sense. The uneasy pit in my stomach crept up to the surface again. I might have been good at ignoring the reality of our situation but the thing with novelties was, they tend to wear off eventually.
“My dad and I always said if football didn’t work out, then I’d join his business, take over when he was ready to retire.” He knelt down to pick up more stones. “But I guess you can’t have it both ways.”
