by Harlow James
I set my things down and find my phone again, clicking Brooke’s name and she answers before the first ring ends.
“What the hell just happened?”
“Um, well my head was almost sliced off by a rogue football, but Dylan came over to fetch it.”
“Okay… are you alright?”
“Physically? Yes. But mentally? Hell no. He coaches his nephew’s football team, Brooke.”
“Oh lord. Can this guy get any hotter?”
“Right?”
“So, what did he say?”
I recall our conversation, pointedly acknowledging that he asked me out again, and she smacks her lips through the line. “And you didn’t answer him? I would have been peeing on him right there in the park, marking my territory as soon as I said yes.”
“Jesus, Brooke. That’s a bit extreme and vivid.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well,” I start, reaching for my coffee again, “he got pulled away before I could answer him.”
“And what would your answer have been?”
I pause, knowing damn well my resolve is crumbling. “I think I want to say yes …”
“Ah!” she screams, giggling like a school girl, so I follow suit. “I like him, Mac. He’s a good guy. I don’t think you can go wrong at least enjoying his company and letting him give you a few orgasms.”
I chuckle. “I don’t know about that. But when he’s been nothing but nice and thoughtful, it’s hard to keep coming up with reasons to avoid the way he makes me feel.”
“Oh, kinda like the heroine in your book, huh?”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. But this isn’t fiction, Brooke. This is real life. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“You’re making this more serious than it has to be. I know you’re not exactly a risk taker when it comes to men, but I think the stakes are a lot lower in this situation than you think.”
Sighing, I watch Dylan sprint down field after one of the boys makes a catch, rushing to high five the kid and invite the team to celebrate.
My heart expands in my chest watching his joy transfer to the kids.
This guy… what the hell am I going to do with him? He has to be too good to be true.
“You’re right. I know you are. But you know how I feel about putting myself out there. It’s hard. I feel like all of my insecurities are screaming at me that something is just going to ruin it down the road, so what’s the point in taking the risk?”
“It’s easy to feel that way when every other relationship you’ve had has failed.” Which if I’m being honest, hasn’t been many since I don’t like putting myself out there romantically. Ironic since I write it for a living, huh?
But Brooke continues. “But what if this one doesn’t? What if you two crossing paths is all part of some cosmic-creative destiny that has been mapped out for your lives?”
“Wow. Spoken like a true romantic,” I tease.
“You know me. I’m a lover of love. And you deserve some fun. Please, just go on one date with him to appease my blue lady balls.”
I throw my head back in laughter. “I’m giving you blue balls?”
“Yes! Your indecisiveness is making me frustrated as all hell. Just do it.”
I take a deep breath and then let it out slowly. “Okay. I’m gonna do it.”
“Thank God! Okay, go talk to him right now,” she demands.
“Now? He’s coaching.”
“So? I want to make sure you do it right this moment before you chicken out again.”
Huffing, I stand up and put my laptop back in my computer bag, gather the strap on my shoulder and then prepare to cross the field.
“Fine. I’ll call you later.”
“Go get him, Mac! Girl power and all that.”
My laughter subsides as I watch Dylan’s ass when he back pedals across the field. This is scary and terrifying, mostly because of how insanely my body reacts to this man. But Brooke is right. Without risk, there is no reward.
I took a risk when I published my first novel. I took a risk when I quit my corporate job to write full time. I took a risk moving to a brand new state and town I’d never visited before after I left my job because I fantasized about living in a place that had true seasons and people that weren’t racing through their lives without stopping to enjoy the world around them. Lucky for me, Brooke already lived here, but still. I have taken risks in other aspects of my life. Why can’t I transfer that to my love life?
“Love you, Brooke.”
“Love you.”
I end the call and drop my phone in my pocket, bracing myself for what I’m going to say as my feet start to move in Dylan’s direction. A whistle rings out and all of the kids halt in their movements, slowly walking towards their bags for a water break.
Perfect. I can walk right up to him, tell him I want to go out with him, and then leave as quickly as I came before I make a fool out of myself.
The sound of grass crushing under my shoes helps to drown out the sound of my heart pounding in my ears, but my body is trembling with nerves.
As the distance between us gets smaller, I decide to get his attention so he knows I’m coming, even though I’m desperate to change my mind. But I can do this. Channel your inner romance heroine, McKenzie. Go after the man for a change!
“Dylan,” I say as he crouches in front of one of the boys. He spins in that position to face me, his smile lifting instantly.
“Mac,” he replies, and before I can get another word in edgewise, something hard hits my head and everything goes black.
Chapter 7
Dylan
“Cookie Monster,” I whisper in McKenzie’s ear as she lies unconscious on the grass below me. She’s only been out for a few seconds, but the longer it takes for her to come to, the more worried I’m getting. Still, she looks so fucking beautiful with her eyes closed, I’m battling my feelings right now.
Do I call an ambulance? I didn’t think the ball hit her that hard, but maybe I was wrong. Hunter, our quarterback in training, has one hell of an arm when his form is correct. I don’t know why he decided to pelt the ball in the direction of where everyone was standing, but boys don’t exactly use their brains all the time.
“Did you just call her Cookie Monster?” My sister asks as she stands above us, along with the rest of the boys. When McKenzie comes to she’s going to see so many faces above her, it’ll be like that episode of Friends when the group is staring at Ben, Ross’s son, right after he was born. Damn, I love that show.
“Yes,” I answer.
“Oh! Is this the girl from the grocery store?”
I nod instead of vocalizing my answer. Not only do I not need a bunch of ten-year-old boys in my business, but McKenzie’s eyes start to flutter, signaling her impending alertness returning.
And yes, I’ve spoken to my sister about McKenzie. She’s one of my best friends, even though we drive each other mad, and she knows how important it is to me to find the woman I’m meant to be with.
Our parents have been married for almost forty years and the example they provided for us of what marriage looks like is one I aspire to have for myself.
My sister values the same relationship and found that with her husband, Paul. They are insanely in love and are as happy as can be—when he’s home that is. He’s currently deployed overseas, hence why I’m filling in as head coach for Jaxon’s football team. Usually I just assist, but we knew he’d be gone during the season, so I stepped up willingly.
McKenzie’s hazel eyes flutter open and captivate me even more than they already do normally. But right now—with her lying beneath me, vulnerable and confused—it makes me want to wrap her in my arms and protect her from flying objects every chance I can get.
“Dylan …” she starts, but I shush her quickly.
“Hey. You’re okay. You got hit with a football, Mac. I couldn’t save you from this one,” I joke as her lips tip up slightly.
“Who knew going to the park wou
ld be such a hazard to my well-being?” She mumbles, reaching up to feel her head which I’m sure is pounding right now.
“How are you feeling?” I stroke her forehead, pushing her headband back that’s basically fallen off at this point anyway. As soon as I saw her start to fall, I leapt from my position to catch her head, messing up her hair in the process, but ultimately preventing a more serious injury before her head smacked the ground.
“Like I got hit in the head with a brick.”
“Well, footballs are pretty hard,” I say through a chuckle. “You ready to try sitting up?”
She nods and then slowly lifts her torso as I assist her, caressing her back as she moves. This is the first time I’ve really touched her, and my body is reacting heavily. I’m only touching her back and I’m fighting off a boner. Wonder what it will be like if I graze her boob?
“Ugh,” she groans, rubbing the knot on the side of her head. Damn, Hunter got her good.
“I’m so sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to hit you.” He stands beside me, worry etched all over his face.
McKenzie looks up at him and smiles, showing no malice towards the kid. At least she realizes it was an accident. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t do it on purpose,” she says on a smile.
“Alright, guys. Let’s give McKenzie some space so Dylan can help her back on her feet,” Robyn declares as the team disassembles the circle around us and moves back toward the field. I look over my shoulder at my sister as she walks away, giving me a wink and an encouraging wave.
As I turn back to face McKenzie, our faces come within inches of each other as she sits up taller now.
“I’m sorry again,” I say, trying to control my breathing so I’m not panting directly in her face, her lips so close to mine I can practically taste them.
She swallows hard. “It’s okay.”
“What were you doing coming over here anyway?”
Her eyes find the floor as a rush of pink tints her cheeks. Damn, I love the way she blushes around me.
“Um, I was hoping to talk to you.”
“Okay …”
“Earlier, you asked me out again.”
“Yeah …”
“But I didn’t get a chance to answer you,” she says as my heart picks up speed, anticipating her to continue with an answer.
“So …”
“So,” she smiles, finding my eyes again. “I decided that maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world if we went on a date.”
If she weren’t sitting right in front of me at this moment, I’d throw my fist in the air in celebration. “Is that right?”
“Yeah. I mean if you still want to. I’m bound to have a pretty gnarly knot on my forehead for the foreseeable future though. Not sure that’s attractive.” She points to the bump under her skin and winches when she brushes against it.
“We’ll just say that your unicorn horn is coming in.” I fight the curl of my lips, but it’s no use. I am on fucking cloud nine right now.
“I like that. Makes me sound mythical and majestic.”
My hand cups the side of her face. “Oh, but you are in my eyes, McKenzie.”
Her eyes widen and her breathing picks up as our skin touches. “Is that so?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you know just exactly how I feel about you when I take you out next weekend.”
“And what if I’m busy?” She smirks at me and all I want to do is kiss that grin off her face. But I’ll wait. I want our first kiss to be everything a first kiss should be—intense, passionate, emotional, unforgettable—not while she’s nursing a headache and I’m a sweaty mess crouched in front of her.
Speaking of crouching, my knees are starting to throb from being in this position still. I move to stand, holding out my hand to McKenzie to help her up. She willingly accepts and I pull her up, holding her steady with my other hand.
“You’d better cancel your plans then because our date will be far more memorable than anything else you have planned,” I reply with confidence.
“But next weekend is the Fall Festival.”
Shit, it is. I don’t know how that slipped my mind.
Yes you do. It’s because you’re holding on to an incredibly beautiful woman right now and it’s making you stupid.
“Then let’s go together,” I suggest as her smile builds again.
“Okay. I think that would be fun.”
“And then if we get bored, I’ll have a plan A and B just in case.”
“Are you a planner in all aspects of your life, Dylan?” she asks with a teasing tone.
“Yes and no. I think there’s a time for plans and then there are times when you just have to let the wind blow you in the direction it dictates.” But with you, McKenzie, I’m starting to want to make all kinds of plans.
“I like that.” She moves to retrieve her bag from the ground, but I stop her and do it instead. The last thing I want is for her to feel dizzy and lightheaded again.
“Okay. Then it’s a date.”
“Yes it is.”
I turn my head over my shoulder, seeing Robyn struggling to run the play we were working on before the water break. “I should get back over there. Those boys are a handful.”
“I can tell. Well, glad I could embarrass myself a bit before our date. I think it will take some of the pressure off for next weekend.”
I chuckle and then grab my phone from my pocket. “Can I have your number so I can call or text you, please?”
She takes my phone and enters her information. I press call and hear hers ring in her bag. “Now you have mine.”
“Perfect.”
“Are you okay to drive? You need some water? Or want to sit for a little bit before you head home?”
“I actually walked. I don’t live far from here.” Good to know. “I think I might sit back on the bench for a bit. Try to get a little more work done since an idea just entered my mind.” She readjusts her strap on her shoulder.
“Okay. Well, if you feel weird, just call me, and let me know. I can always drive you home, even if it’s close. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
She reaches up to run her thumb over my cheek, staring intently in my eyes. “You are quite the man, Dylan. Thank you.” I thought there for a moment she was going to touch me more, maybe a kiss on the cheek, but she retreated as quickly as she moved in toward me.
“I was raised right,” I reply, knowing my father would expect nothing less of me. And hell, I don’t expect anything less of myself. Men get a bad rep as it is for being players and treating women with disrespect. The last thing I want is for McKenzie to think of me that way.
“See you soon,” she says and then turns to head back to the bench, giving me a stunning view of her body swaying with each step she takes.
“Can’t wait,” I call after her, causing her to turn and flash me her smile, just as she bites her lip, sending a bolt of need down my spine toward my dick.
Damn. This day turned out better than I anticipated, with the exception of McKenzie getting hit in the head, of course.
With a pep in my step, I make my way back to the team, ignoring my sister’s knowing grin and focus on my job, even though my mind is reeling with how serendipitous this entire encounter felt today.
Things are starting to fall into place, and if I have it my way, I’ll have McKenzie eating cookies in bed with me as I cherish her, wrapped up in my arms in no time.
Chapter 8
McKenzie
“You got hit in the head with a football?” Brooke eyes me from the other end of my couch that same night.
I readjust the bag of frozen peas on my forehead and wince as I press it a little too harshly into the bump on my head.
Let’s be honest, the only reason to have frozen vegetables in your freezer is for moments like these because seriously, who willing eats a bag of frozen peas?
“You sound legitimately shocked that this was something that happened to me.” I roll my eyes and then lay down furt
her into the cushion. Brooke reaches for my feet and props them in her lap.
When I called her after I got home, she rushed over with dinner and alcohol. But when she saw my head, we both agreed drinking alcohol wouldn’t be a smart move after a head injury.
“You’re right. Your luck in love is pretty much nonexistent,” she jokes as I huff out a laugh. “But, you did score a date out of the incident, so I still consider this a win.”
I bite my lip, fighting off my smile because she’s right. I have a date with Dylan and even though I was absolutely terrified, I’m glad I went for it. The man is uber sexy, dreamy, and borderline perfect. “Yeah. If there were any man I would be willing to risk being hurt by again, he’s a pretty good choice. At least I’m not slumming or settling with some average Joe, right?”
She nods. “Yes. Dylan is definitely not average.”
As we share a laugh, I hear my phone ping with a notification from the kitchen counter.
“Can you get that please?”
“What am I, your servant?”
“Well, you were just rubbing my feet. I thought we’d reached that point in our relationship where you bend over backwards to wait on me?”
Brooke shakes her head at me before carefully sliding my feet off her lap and trudging into my kitchen.
“Okay. If I didn’t like the guy before, this definitely seals the deal.”
“What?” I push my body higher so I’m sitting up again.
Her eyes scroll across my phone as she reads whatever is on the screen, her smile building with each passing second.
“Give me my phone! Stop reading my messages!”
“I’m calling marriage with this guy. Hands down. If you don’t marry him, I will.”
Rolling my eyes, I stretch out my hand to intercept my phone as she places it in my palm and then joins me back on the couch.
Swiping my thumb across the screen, I see a message from an unknown number, but clearly acknowledge that it’s Dylan. I guess I need to program his name into my phone now.
Unknown: Hey, Mac. This is Dylan. I just wanted to make sure that you’re feeling alright. I still feel awful that you got hit in the head today. Take some ibuprofen and rest tonight. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call or text. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
