Josh swallowed, his eyes glistening. He squeezed Hyde even tighter and Hyde’s heart squeezed too. He hoped if he would’ve had a little brother, he would’ve been like this kid.
“I love you, Mr. Metcalf, sir.”
Everyone else chuckled, but the irony of telling someone you loved them, but not being willing to call them by their first name was lost on Josh. Hyde found himself swallowing hard. His mom often told him she loved him, but she’d been more confused lately and he didn’t know if she loved him or the idea of him. His dad told him how proud he was of him, but he could count on one hand the times he’d said love. He felt like Josh really did love him, even though he knew it was mostly worship of what he’d done on the field. Hyde hadn’t realized he was starved for this declaration of love until now.
Lily’s dad had to sort of pry Josh off of him. They all said goodbye and hugged Lily one more time then he got Lily’s door and they backed out of the parking lot.
Hyde glanced back and Josh was waving vigorously, tears splashing down the little guy’s cheeks. Lily had similar wetness on her smooth skin, obviously she loved her little brother. Hyde choked up a little bit. Family. This was what people spouted on about when they bragged about being surrounded by a family that loved them.
He reached over and took Lily’s hand in his. She squeezed his hand back. “Thank you.”
“Thank me?” He chuckled. “Oh, no, Lily, thank you for letting me be part of your family today.”
She shook her head. “You’re so great, Hyde. Who knew that this burly, animal of a football player had a tender side?”
“Don’t let it get out.”
She laughed, scrubbing at her face with the heel of her free hand. “It means so much to me, to all of them that you would come.”
He rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand, using his left hand to maneuver the Lexus down the steep, curvy mountain road. “Honestly, Lily. When I first agreed to come it was mostly because I had a huge crush on my trainer and would do about anything she asked.”
Her lips curved in a smile.
“But being here with all of them, especially Josh.” He shook his head in wonder. “Everybody should have a little brother like that.”
“I’m very lucky,” she agreed.
He was the lucky one. He’d finally broken through Lily’s professional boundaries. Maybe now when he asked her out she would say yes without him having to threaten her paycheck.
Chapter 8
Lily went through the next week in a happy fog. She trained Hyde every morning and the words, “A huge crush on my trainer” played over and over again in her head. Worrying about keeping things professional became less and less important. Hyde was so great. The possibility of awkwardness descending upon them and her not getting her bonus was pushed to the back of her mind.
They laughed and teased while she kicked him into shape, but her training docket was so full she rarely saw him outside of training. Friday afternoon, he asked if they could do something that night. She readily agreed.
He picked her up in the early afternoon and drove her through town, across the highway and up the hill to his house.
His mom and Aunt Allie were waiting for them at the door. They each greeted Lily with a quick hug like they already knew her. His mom seemed very lucid today, but she still gave Lily an almost wary glance where Allie’s gaze was welcoming and warm.
“I love your home,” Lily said to his mom. “All this light and the big windows. I feel like I’m outside.”
“The windows are my favorite,” his mom agreed. “Thank you.”
They wandered through the open main floor with groupings of couches and a huge dining room area and even a music room. There were arches to differentiate between areas or sometimes a step down or up, but it was all very open. At the back of the house was a brightly lit kitchen with windows everywhere there weren’t cherry wood cabinets. The huge peninsula was granite and the top of the line stainless steel appliances and cooking area made even Lily want to try her hand at cooking.
“We made you a lovely picnic,” Hyde’s mom said.
“So hopefully you can get lost in each other and get a kiss.” Allie winked mischievously at Hyde.
“Really, Auntie?” Hyde rolled his eyes. “Nothing like ruining a guy’s hopes.”
“If you were only half as confident with women as you are on the field,” Allie teased.
Lily couldn’t help but laugh. She liked the feisty lady. “No. Maybe a tenth as confident. Have you seen this man play? He’d be kissing every attractive woman in the nation if he was half as confident.”
Allie laughed loudly while Hyde looked adorably embarrassed and his mom looked a little frustrated with their comments.
“Hyde doesn’t need a girlfriend.” His mom patted his cheek. “My boy has always been a good boy and only loved his momma.”
Hyde smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “That’s right, Momma.”
Lily’s stomach dropped. Hyde was so sweet with his mom, but Lily couldn’t forget about the times that his mom had broken up him and a girlfriend because his mom had told the press the girl wasn’t worthy of her boy. Was Lily going to be another one of those girls his mom would take down with innocent yet still hurtful words?
“Well, go, don’t let us old women interrupt your time.” Allie shooed them with her hands. “We’ll just be in here, assembling your picnic and eye-dropping on you.”
“Eye-dropping?” Hyde asked.
“Like eavesdropping but we’ll just watch what you’re doing instead of listen in.” She winked broadly and they all laughed.
Hyde opened the French doors and ushered her through onto a wide Trex deck. There was a built-in outdoor kitchen, comfy outdoor sofas, and tables and chairs interspersed throughout. Beyond the deck stretched a nice spot of grass, almost as big as a football field, bordered with trees, flower beds, and paths with a pool area off to one side.
Hyde took her hand and they walked across the grass.
“Had to have enough room to have a football game out here?” she asked.
He glanced at her with a smile. “My dad made sure of that. My buddies would come over and we’d have great games. Supposed to be two-hand touch, but they usually turned into tackle.”
“Without pads?”
He shrugged. “We were tough kids.”
He directed her toward one of the paths and within seconds they were sheltered by the trees and flowering bushes. It was its own world. Lily gasped. “This is gorgeous. I would live out here.”
“My mom tries,” Hyde said, his voice tired.
“Do I dare ask why you live with your mom?”
“I told you she has early-onset Alzheimer’s. My dad deserted her and I just couldn’t put her in a retirement home or hire someone who wasn’t family. Auntie Allie helps a ton and we have a neighbor girl who comes after school for a couple of hours. They play piano together, read, take walks, or work in the flowerbeds.”
They wandered up the trail that butted against the mountainside, Lily marveling about what a great guy Hyde was. Few people were as dedicated to their family as he seemed to be.
“I had no clue this was here. I thought you lived in a subdivision.”
“Dad chose the best spot in the subdivision and bought two lots so there’d be more room, but last year I remodeled the house, put in the pool, and expanded this garden for my mom.”
“So what are you going to do when the season starts?”
“I got nothing.” He shrugged. “Any ideas?”
She bit at her lip. “You might have to hire somebody full-time. Don’t you live in Denver during the season?”
“Yeah.”
“And you travel a lot?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, Hyde. It has to be tough.”
“It is.”
He stopped walking and turned to face her. The birds twittered around them and the air was still springy and slightly cool, but it felt warm and summery
next to the warmth of his body. Hyde stared down at her and his gaze made her shiver. “I’ve never had a thing for my personal trainer before.”
“Oh?” She tilted her head to the side. Her heart thumping much too quickly. “Have I told you lately that I need to keep things professional?”
“I think we’re way past professional.” His large hands encircled her waist and tugged her closer. “I’ve never brought a woman home to meet mom and Aunt Allie before either.”
“Really? Does that make me special?”
“You have no idea. Thank you for making an exception and dating your client.” He smirked. “I’ve never dated anyone who meant to me, what you’re coming to mean to me.”
Lily really liked the thought of that. Holy cow. They’d known each other two weeks and Hyde Metcalf was saying she meant something to him? She wanted to punch the air or do a dance. Who cared about professionalism when you were in Hyde Metcalf’s arms? “You’re a pretty standup guy, Mr. Metcalf, sir. Who would’ve guessed the mega-stud football player who was so impressive to me was even more impressive in real life?”
He arched an eyebrow and pulled her flush against his body, bending his head closer to hers, his warm, cinnamon-tinged breath brushed across her lips. “That’s kind of you to say,” he whispered against her lips. “Especially when you haven’t experienced the most impressive thing about me.”
“Oh, what’s that?” She gazed up at him from beneath her eyelashes, melting into his arms and overanxious to try out his kiss.
“My lips.”
His grin was reflected with her own. He covered her mouth with his and manipulated her lips with a firm yet soft pressure. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and arched up onto tiptoes, returning his kiss with everything she had. She wasn’t star struck over Hyde anymore because he was so real to her now and one of the best men she’d ever known, but this kiss had her seeing stars again.
Hyde backed her up a few steps until she was pressed against the smooth bark of a birch tree. Lily couldn’t help the moan that escaped or the trembling as his hands trailed from her waist, up her back, and cupped around her neck, tilting her head to a different angle and deepening the kiss. This was an ecstasy she had never experienced.
“Lily! Mr. Metcalf!” Josh’s voice carried through the trees.
Lily jerked away from Hyde. That was definitely her little brother’s voice. “Josh?” she murmured, still heady from Hyde’s kisses. “What’s he doing here?”
“It’s a surprise.” Hyde grinned, took her hand, and led her back along the trail. They emerged onto the grassy area and Josh and Caleb were waiting.
Josh’s face lit up. “Lily!” He barreled into her with a fierce hug that only Josh could give. Then he pulled back and glanced shyly up at Hyde. “Mr. Metcalf, sir, can I give you a hug?”
Hyde chuckled. “Yes, but you have to start calling me Hyde.”
Josh’s round cheeks broke into a grin. He dove at Hyde and screamed, “Thank you for letting us come visit you, Hyde, sir!”
Lily was staring at Hyde in awe. He’d setup an outing for her and her brothers. This was better than any date he could’ve planned.
Caleb laughed, extending his hand to Hyde. “Thanks. This is a dream come true for him.”
“Thanks for driving him.” Hyde shook his hand. “No Brandon?”
“He had his geek club, I mean science club.” Caleb hid a smile. “Sariah’s still at work and my mom made Mary and Trudy stay home. She said Mary only cared about your ‘sweet ride’ and Trudy only wanted to drool over you.” He rolled his eyes. “She’s such a girl.”
Hyde laughed. “Well, they were welcome, but it’ll be fun with just us.”
“There’s nothing wrong with girls.” Lily twisted Caleb’s ear and he yelped.
“Nothing wrong with girls at all.” Hyde winked at her. “They aren’t going to be ready down at the stadium until five. What do you say to a little two-hand touch while we wait?”
Josh grabbed a football off the ground. He must’ve dropped it in his excitement to hug them. He almost always had a football in his hands. “Yes!” He danced around.
Lily’s heart was in her throat. “Stadium?” she managed.
“Mr Metca … Hyde, is taking us on a tour of the stadium!” Josh informed her. “He said it was a surprise for you and I know how much you love football too so it’s like the best day of both of our lives!”
Hyde chuckled and messed up Josh’s thick, dark hair. “Wait until the season starts and you get front row tickets to come watch me play.”
Josh stopped still and Lily could hear his quick intakes of breath. The little guy actually had tears in his eyes as he hugged Hyde again. “You’re my best friend,” he screamed.
Hyde squeezed him back then picked him up and swung him around. “Gimme that ball.” He set Josh down and took the football. “Do you know any patterns?”
“Curl, post, slant, in, out, that’s all I know so far.”
“Post, seven, hike,” Hyde said.
Josh took off and Hyde tossed the ball to him. Josh caught it, grinning like he’d won the Super Bowl.
Lily was still in shock about something that was probably the least significant detail to them, but the biggest to her. Hyde planned on giving her little brother tickets to his football games? Did that mean he planned on still having Lily in his life after they finished their training sessions? She could only hope, but hope she did, a lot.
“He’s even cooler in real life,” Caleb said at her elbow.
“And we idolized him before we knew him.” Lily watched Hyde throw the pass then chase after Josh as he caught it. Hyde picked the boy up and gently tackled him to the ground as Josh laughed ecstatically.
“Thanks for making this possible for us, sis.”
“I didn’t do it. It was all Hyde.”
“I mean even that we got to meet him. None of my friends believe it. Do you think he’d take a shot with me so I can post it on Insta?”
Lily grimaced. She and Hyde hadn’t really gotten into how the press monitored his life. There had been a few shots of them at dinner last weekend that appeared online, but it wasn’t too huge of a story that Hyde went on a date. If the press saw them again, it might go bigger.
“Let me ask him,” she told her brother.
“Okay, sweet. I don’t want to mess up his publicity stuff or anything. I could just send it to my friends.”
“Who send it to their friends and then it explodes.”
“Yeah, gotcha.” Caleb sounded disappointed, but he took it in stride like always. Coming from a large, financially strapped family you learned quickly to deal with disappointment.
“You two want to play with us?” Hyde called over.
“Sure,” Caleb exclaimed, rushing to Hyde’s side.
“Me and Josh against the two of you.” Hyde’s eyes trailed over her in that way that never failed to heat her up from the inside out. “And no cheating Miss Lily.”
Josh started celebrating. “Oh, yeah. Me and Hyde are going to kill you two.”
“I never cheat,” Lily insisted.
“I’ve seen you do lunges and not go all the way to the ground. Cheating’s in your nature.”
Lily laughed. She’d cussed him yesterday for cheating on lunges and trying to rush through the motion. She stripped the ball from his hands and said, “What are the rules?”
“Two-hand touch. Those trees are our end zone and the pool patio is yours.” He pointed to the pool area behind him.
“Let’s kick some rear, Caleb,” she said.
Caleb’s eyes were wide. “Against Hyde Metcalf? Confidence is one thing, but this is stupidity, sis.”
“Line up, my brother,” she commanded in her loud, trainer voice. He did and she called hike then tried to dodge Hyde and pass the ball. He came toward her with such athleticism she knew it was fruitless to try, but try she did—whirling, spinning, and finally admitting that he’d touched her about ten times after Josh yelled tha
t she was cheating. She didn’t mind the way Hyde’s hands encircled her hips and he said, “I think I got you, darlin’.” But she did mind losing. Four downs and she and Caleb got nowhere and had to turn the ball over. Josh was celebrating and looked to be having the time of his life.
Hyde’s mom, Teresa, and Aunt Allie came out on the patio, sitting in some plush chairs to watch the game. Teresa cheered for everyone while Allie taunted everyone.
“Hyde, that was pathetic!” she yelled when he threw a pass well over Josh’s head and Caleb snatched it from the air.
Caleb sprinted toward their end zone, but Hyde was coming at him quick. Caleb’s eyes searched frantically for her.
“Pitch it!” Lily yelled from behind him.
Caleb obeyed, tossing the ball back to her then trying to hold on to Hyde to give her some chance for progress. Hyde broke free easily. Lily was giving it everything she had, pumping her legs furiously toward the end zone, but she could see him coming out of the corner of her eye. He reached her and instead of two-hand touch, picked her up and spun her around.
“Hey,” Lily cried out. “No tackle.”
“I’m not tackling, I’m holding.” He pulled her against his body.
Lily’s breath was coming hard and fast and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with how fast she’d just been running. “Still a penalty.”
“Really?” Hyde’s gaze was concentrated on her face and his hands were keeping her close, not giving her any chance to move. “What do I have to do to serve my penalty?”
“Oh, we’re way past you repaying the penalty.”
“How about I pay it with a kiss?”
Lily’s heart went a bit crazy as she stared into his dark eyes. “It had better be a good one or you’re still losing yards.”
Hyde chuckled then lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. Lily dropped the ball and flung her arms around his neck. The world disappeared around them as Lily clung to him, his strong body surrounding her and his lips creating a heat and desire in her she’d never known.
Josh banged into them from the side. “Lils! What are you doing?”
Lily pulled guiltily away. It was only then that she noticed Caleb and Allie laughing loudly. She glanced over at Hyde’s mother, who was watching her with narrowed eyes. This was not the look of a confused woman. She looked like a momma bear ready to do battle for her cub.
Pass Interference Page 8
