Fair Catch (Love and Sports Series)

by Quinn, Meghan

  Jake placed his hand over her mouth to stop her from talking. “Let’s not go down the list. They were nice, but they were nothing compared to you. You’re sexy as sin, beautiful and passionate. You do this thing with your hands that drives me crazy and I am so far in love with you that when we connect, intimately, it feels like I will never come back down from heaven.” He pulled her on his lap and she placed a hand on his chest, slowly drawing circles with her finger. He kissed her lightly on the lips and said, “That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “What?” she asked.

  “What you do with your hands. Can’t you feel how fast you made me hard?”

  She shifted on his lap and felt the evidence of her finger on his chest. Her eyes widened. “Well, aren’t you a strapping young lad.”

  “I can’t get enough of you.” He said while burying his head in the crook of her neck and kissing her until she felt her toes curl. “I love you Lexi, and I don’t want you thinking poorly about yourself where I’m concerned. You are the most amazing, beautiful, funny girl I have ever met and there is no way I will ever get enough of you” He emphasized each word with a kiss.

  She leaned her head to the side granting him more access to work his magic. “I love you too, big guy.”

  He swept her up into his arms and carried her off to her bed. She reveled in the feel of being handled so delicately by him. She always had a guard up and had to be the leader most of her life but it was nice to have someone else do the leading. It was nice to finally be the protected instead of the protector.

  Chapter 12

  Winter break flew by way too fast. Lexi and Jake spent every waking moment together. They mostly trained, Lexi for her upcoming season and Jake for the scouting combine and championships. Lexi had to admit, Jake was much faster than her but obviously lifted more than her and even though his endurance exceeded hers she was still able to keep up. She enjoyed being in a relationship with someone who had the same goals in mind.

  During their break, they went to the beach for a weekend and didn’t think about working out once. They just laid around and enjoyed each other. Jake told her all about his parents’ accident and Lexi went into more detail about her family’s past and when everything really started to turn south. She in some ways blamed herself because it wasn’t until she left for college that her dad became physically abusive with her mom. Jake helped her through the guilt she was feeling and told her it wasn’t her fault, it was her dad’s. They left the beach house a stronger couple than they were before. They knew information about each other they would never tell another living soul. They told each other about their weaknesses, strengths, and guilty pleasures.

  That was when Lexi found out Jake had a love affair with Britney Spears when he was younger. They swore to each other that what they talked about at the beach house, stayed at the beach house but Lexi was dying to let out Jake’s dirty little secret about how he had every album Britney Spears ever made . Although, if she did say something, she knew Jake would expose her love for the Teletubbies and she knew her secret would be more damaging to her reputation then the satisfaction of exposing Jake for being able to recite the lyrics to “Baby One More Time” without any music.

  During their time at the beach house, Lexi almost split a gut when one morning she played “Baby One More Time” on her laptop to provoke Jake but instead her plan backfired because he got up and started dancing around the room doing the infamous moves from the music video without any shame.

  When they returned back from their trip, Jake helped move some of Lexi’s stuff to his place, just so she would be able to stay at his place and not have to go back to her apartment for clothes as often. When students started coming back to school, Lexi felt sad that her little love break was over because she knew an uninterrupted opportunity to get to know each other wouldn’t come around again once they graduated her and Jake would be off to their next adventure. They talked about what cities they preferred to live in. Jake teased her about living in Kansas and Lexi thought New York might be fun but then Jake reminded her that winter out there was an actual winter full of snow and cold weather.

  Lexi hadn’t spent Christmas with her parents, which she felt bad about but she didn’t want to expose Jake to their dysfunction and frankly didn’t feel like dealing with her parents fighting, literally. It wasn’t until after Christmas that Lexi found out her mom permanently walked out on her dad and started seeking medical attention both mentally and physically. Lexi could not have been prouder of her mom. Of course her dad was begging her mom to come back, stating he was a changed man, but every abusive man said that when they finally lost their punching bag. Her mom was staying strong with her decision and getting her life back on track, which Lexi was very proud of. Her mom never had a career on her own, she always had her dad so starting a new life was proving to be quite difficult. Her mom was tenacious though and kept working at building a new life for herself.

  Margo and Parker seemed to start to get along again. She was actually meeting them both for coffee the day before classes started up again. Lexi threw on her yoga pants and sweater to stay warm in the chilly weather. It was cold in California, at least to her it was cold, she knew it was nothing compared to the twenty degree temperature people in the northeast were experiencing but still chilly for her bones.

  When she walked up to the coffee house she saw Margo and Parker already seated at a table with a cup waiting for her. She realized even though she had a fantastic break with Jake, she missed her friends, she didn’t realize it until she saw them again. She realized since her and Jake were so consumed with themselves she forgot to be a friend.

  “Hey you guys!” She gave them both a hug and sat down at the table that looked out onto the bustling street. “Thank you for the coffee.”

  “Not a problem.” Parker waved a hand at her. “I’m sorry if this is offensive but damn Lex, you look amazing. I didn’t think it was possible for you to be any more toned.”

  Margo agreed. “Yea, I was going to say the same thing. Did you spend your whole break on the treadmill?”

  Lexi smirked at both of them. “Did you ever read that study about how having sex can burn a great deal of calories?”

  Margo and Parker both laughed. “Look at you, you vixen.” Parker said. “Love looks good on you, kid.”

  “Thanks, I’m partial to it myself.”

  Margo just looked at her friend and shook her head. “Never in a million years did I ever think I would see you like this. It’s like you found your happy place. You are able to be with a man while at the same time perfect your workout routine and concentrate on your sport. I’m impressed.”

  “Well, thank you. Now enough about me. Parker how is Sierra?”

  “Done—zo.”

  “What?” Lexi asked. “When did this happen?” Lexi took a quick glance at Margo when she asked the question to gauge her friend’s reaction but Margo was stone faced. Damn, she thought. She would have loved to see a real reaction from Margo when she found out Parker was done with Sierra.”

  “She was starting to be kind of a bitch and frankly I didn’t want to deal with it. I’m kind of jealous of you and Jake but I don’t have time for a real relationship right now. The season is obviously upon us and I really need to concentrate on that if I want to go any further with my career.”

  “That’s smart.” Margo said. Lexi whipped her head around to look at her friend who was shocking the hell out of her. Lexi wondered if Margo went to a yoga retreat or something of that essence during her winter break because Margo was cool, calm and collected. It was rather frightening.

  “Yea, so I guess I’m single and by no means mingling. It’s time to buckle down. Are you girls ready for the season? Where do you go first?”

  Margo answered for the both of them. “We are going to Texas for a tournament. Hopefully we are ready. I know I am.”

  They chatted about the season and what they expected from the freshmen who were just recruited. P
arker had little to say about the freshmen’s talents on his team but both Lexi and Margo were confident that they had a good batch on their team with some promising talent to contribute to the team.

  Margo changed the subject abruptly, “So I had an internship over break, well more like I did some volunteer work but it was so rewarding.” Parker and Lexi both looked at their friend with stunned expressions. “Don’t look at me like that, as if I just told you I was pregnant with twins.”

  “I wouldn’t be shocked by that announcement.” Lexi joked.

  “Ha, ha. You pick up on that sarcasm over break?”

  Lexi chuckled. “Sorry, I just never knew you to do volunteer work.”

  “Well I felt like I needed to give back and figure out what I was going to do with my life.”

  “Good for you.” Parker said. “So, tell us about it.”

  “I volunteered at an animal shelter this winter and fell in love with all the animals. I talked to the director of the shelter and asked about future employment and maybe also bragged about how I was friends with two potential sports superstars whom could be pursued for good publicity. Well long story short, it looks like when I graduate I will be the new Development Coordinator for the San Diego Animals in Need Shelter.”

  Lexi felt stunned. She didn’t think her friend would come back to school with this kind of news. She felt so incredibly proud of Margo but also sad because her friend was moving on and without Lexi. Lexi fought back the jealousy that was coiling deep down in her stomach and remembered she had Jake. He was going to take them places and take care of her. She had nothing to worry about.

  Lexi leaned over and hugged her friend. “That’s amazing Margo. Congratulations.”

  “Yea, Margo that is quite an accomplishment. So what exactly will you be doing?”

  “Raising money for those amazing animals. I was the lead on the Christmas fundraiser and brought in five thousand more dollars than any other year they had the fundraiser as well as tripled the amount of donations and I did it in three weeks which was what sealed the deal for the director. I will be doing some light projects here and there until I graduate but after that I will be setting up office downtown. The pay is not as much as I would have hoped but it’s an opportunity I don’t want to pass up.”

  “That’s amazing.” Parker leaned over and gave Margo a hug. Lexi watched how Margo buried her head in Parker’s shoulder and closed her eyes as if it was the last time she was going to see him. Parker turned to Lexi and kicked her foot under the table. “That leaves you, kid. What do you plan on doing after you graduate?”

  The dreaded question, she hated that question more than anything. She smiled at her friends and said, “I will be traveling with Jake.” Parker motioned his hand as if telling her to continue with her statement. “That’s all.” As she hoped she would be traveling with Jake. They never really talked about it.

  Parker and Margo both exchanged worried glances. “But what are you going to do?” Margo asked, concern dripped from her mouth.

  “Be with Jake.” Her answer felt stupid but they didn’t understand, they didn’t need to understand. She and Jake needed each other. “I can help him train and be there for him at events. Plus, if he gets a big enough contract, he could fly me to some of the away games so I can still be with him.”

  Completely talking out of her ass, Lexi wished she could turn the conversation away from her because sweat started to build up at the base of her neck.

  Parker shook his head at her. “Jeeze Lex, seems like you’re giving up your life for a guy.”

  Rage started to fester in her body but she tamped it down before she let loose on her Parker and Margo. These were her friends, they were just concerned about her. She took a sip of her coffee and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’m not giving up my life, Parker. I want to be with Jake. This is what I want.”

  “It seems like it’s what Jake wants.” Margo intervened, not really knowing that Lexi really hadn’t had a conversation with Jake about their future. “What are you going to do if this doesn’t work out? Being with a soon to be superstar can only cause trouble and possible heart break. What will you do if that happens? You’re going to need something to fall back on. You need a career.”

  Lexi now was seething and her cheeks felt hot from the anger that boiled inside of her. “We are not going to break up. We love each other.”

  Parker placed his hand on hers as a calming gesture. “Lex, we’re not trying to be mean. We are just watching out for you. We want to make sure you’re going to be ok. We don’t want to see you get lost in Jake.”

  Lexi slapped her hand on the table. “Why does everyone keep saying that? I’m not going to get lost in Jake. That is ridiculous. What does it even mean anyway? I am fine!”

  Then, as if all their talk conjured up the man in question, Jake came through the doors of the coffee house and headed straight for their table. He looked amazing as usual. His eyes twinkled when he made eye contact with Lexi and his smiled stretched from ear to ear.

  “Hey baby. I was just going to call you. Do you want to help me run some fifties on the indoor track?”

  Lexi was happy for the escape from an infuriating conversation between her friends that once was pleasant. She grabbed her purse and coffee which was thankfully in a to-go cup. “Sure. Sorry guys but I have to cut this short.” She said to Margo and Parker. She gave Margo a hug and said another congratulations in her ear. When she gave Parker a hug he whispered in her ear.

  “This is what I’m talking about, kid. You can’t drop everything, including your friends for him. Don’t forget who you are. I love you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  Lexi took his advice with a grain of salt and nodded. She waved goodbye and linked her hand with the one Jake was holding out to her. He felt so warm and safe, exactly what she needed. Anything out in the real world was too scary. Jake had turned into her home and her protection. She wasn’t getting lost in him like everyone thought. She was becoming one with him. They were forming an unbreakable bond.

  Jake pulled her in close and kissed her on the head as they walked toward her car. “Mason dropped me off, so you don’t mind driving do you?”

  “Not at all.” She smiled up at him and gave her a quick kiss on the nose.

  “What did Parker say to you? I saw he was whispering to you in your ear. He wasn’t trying to tear you away from me, was he?” Jake used a joking tone. Lexi shook her head and tried to come up with something to say but couldn’t think of anything on the spot. He stopped her and lifted her chin up so they were looking each other in the eyes. “Everything ok?”

  “Of course.” She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down for a kiss. She felt the tension he had built up in his body from her uneasiness float right out of his body. He met her kiss with his more powerful one. She felt her body tingle from his touch and the magic his lips made when they were on hers.

  He pulled away and opened her door for her. “You’re amazing.”

  “I know.” She said with a smile. He swatted her ass before she got in the car causing her to squeal like a little girl. She pointed at him. “Don’t get fresh with me or I might have to punish you.”

  He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I like your punishments. I wouldn’t mind getting tied up again.” He shut her door and climbed in the passenger seat. She laughed at his comment and remembered how incredibly hard he got when she tortured him with a feather.

  “Oh no, we are not talking about feather time.”

  He swept her hair to the side and started kissing her neck. She leaned her head to the side to grant him more access. “But I liked feather time.” He said in between kisses.

  She felt her breath start to kick up from the way his mouth skimmed across her bare skin. “Then it’s not much of a punishment is it? I’m talking about you running one hundred yard sprints while I get a tan in that itty bitty red bikini I have”

  He stopped kissing her and looked her in the eyes. “That�
��s not a punishment, that’s torture.”

  She laughed and put the car in drive. “Then you better be on your best behavior, Taylor.”

  “Yes coach.” He said while placing his hand on her thigh, slightly rubbing the inner side with his thumb. She was in heaven and she didn’t care what her friends said. They didn’t understand the dynamic between her and Jake and no one had to. All that mattered was they were together.

  ***

  Margo and Parker watched in shock as Lexi quickly excused herself from their little gathering and took off with Jake. She didn’t even give them a second thought when Jake asked for help, as if he trained her to be his little puppy that jumped at his calling. Margo shook her head in bewilderment and looked at Parker. He was still staring after Lexi’s wake with his mouth open.

  “That was kind of crazy.” Margo said, breaking the silence between the both of them.

  “Kind of?” Parker shook his head and downed the last drops of his coffee, tossing the empty cup in the trashcan behind him. “That was scary. We’ve known Lexi for a while now and have you ever seen her listen to a man like that before, or anyone for that matter?”

  Margo thought about the last three years and how strong willed, hard headed and stubborn Lexi had been. No one ever told her what to do besides her coach and she didn’t take crap from anyone but when Jake came into the coffee house and snapped his fingers it was like she was hypnotized. She instantly got up and left whatever she was engaging in and went to Jake’s side. It was a little nauseating to watch.

  “I feel a little baffled. I don’t know what to say. It makes me nervous.”

  Parker nodded. “I agree. It’s not like her to not have a plan for after college, she always has a plan and a goal to accomplish.”

  “Do you think Jake is pressuring her, you know, controlling her life?”