Love at the 20-Yard Line

by Shanna Hatfield

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Mr. Young asked, shaking Brody’s hand.

  “No, sir.” Brody felt exposed and a little vulnerable. He hoped Haven never asked him to pose again. He didn’t like the idea of thousands of people seeing him holding a pipe wrench or a plunger, of all things.

  “If you stop by the receptionist desk on your way out, I’ll have a check ready for you,” Mr. Young said, starting toward the door.

  “No, sir. The only way the coach agreed to this was if I did it without compensation. The plumbing company is one of our sponsors, so we’re just saying it’s a sponsorship bonus for them.”

  “I wouldn’t feel right not paying you, Brody,” Mr. Young said, shaking his head.

  “Can you donate what you would have paid me to a charity? Something for kids?” Brody suggested.

  “I can do that.” Mr. Young liked Haven’s young man. He winked at her as he walked out the door.

  “If you want to go change, I’ll wait here for you.” Haven smiled at Brody. While she waited, she hoped Adam would show her the photos he took.

  “I’ll be right back,” Brody said, leaving the studio.

  “Did you get anything good?” Haven asked, stepping beside Adam.

  “You bet I did. He’s a perfect model and the best part is he didn’t bring a bucketload of attitude along for the ride.”

  “Yeah. He’s pretty great.” Haven looked at the photos as Adam scrolled through them. When he got to the last one, Haven grabbed his hand. “Stop!”

  Adam knew she’d love the last photo. “You want me to get you a copy of that one?”

  “How’d you know?”

  “I just had an idea you’d like that one.” Adam said, smugly. It was plain to see the football player was head over heels in love with Haven and that she felt the same. Quickly deciding to do something nice for the two of them, he asked Haven if she’d like him to take a photo of her and Brody together.

  “Are you sure you’ve got time?” She knew Adam was on a deadline to process Brody’s photos for the plumbing campaign.

  “It will only take a minute.” Adam left the screen in place and added a few more lights.

  When Brody returned, he walked over to where Haven waited. Adam made her remove her suit jacket and pull a few curls out of her bun to give her a softer look.

  “I’m gonna snap a few shots of you two together, just for fun.” Adam positioned Brody so he stood just behind Haven then had him wrap his arms around her waist. “Perfect! Don’t move.”

  He had them pose in several different ways then Brody tickled Haven and she started to laugh, which brought a big smile to his face. Adam took photo after photo, grinning as he watched them interact with each other.

  “Okay. I’ve got something to work with,” Adam said, shaking Brody’s hand. “It was great to meet you. If you ever want a career modeling, I’m sure we can help you out.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll pass.” Brody took Haven’s hand and started toward the door. “It was nice to meet you, Adam.”

  When they returned to Haven’s office, she found a note on her desk from Mr. Young, He ordered her to leave early and thanked her for coming to the rescue with such a great model.

  “It appears I’m done working for the day. Do you have plans?” Haven turned off her computer and picked up her purse. Brody stepped into the hall as she locked her office door then followed as she went to tell Jordan she was leaving.

  “My only plan for the rest of the day is hanging out with you.” He draped an arm around her shoulders as he walked her to her car.

  “Why don’t I see about making you that dinner I promised?” Haven kissed Brody’s cheek before she slid behind the wheel of her car.

  “I’m right behind you.” Brody shut her door and walked to his truck.

  Two hours later, he sat on Haven’s couch, rubbing his full stomach. Not only had she made him dinner, he was surprised to find she’d already made him a chocolate cream pie. Indulging in two slices, he ate more than he should and suffered the consequences.

  “Want to walk off your meal?” she asked, smiling as she sat beside him.

  “I’m too stuffed to move. If you try to force me, you might have to roll me down the sidewalk.” Brody shifted so his head rested on Haven’s lap while his feet hung over the end of the couch.

  “Poor Brody. Gluttony has a price, doesn’t it?” Playfully, she poked a finger into his tight stomach.

  “Don’t do that, doll.” He took her hand in his then kissed her fingers. “It could have disastrous results.”

  “I guess I’ll just sit here and rub your head while you look pathetic.” Haven brushed his thick, dark hair off his forehead. She worked both hands through the hair on the sides of his head then massaged his neck.

  The feel of her cool, gentle fingers rubbing away his tension made Brody so relaxed and comfortable he drifted off to sleep.

  When he opened his eyes, the room was dark. A nightlight plugged in near the bathroom provided the only illumination and silence filled the apartment.

  Haven was noticeably absent. He glanced in the kitchen and didn’t see her. The bathroom door was open, so he stuck his head in her bedroom. She slept soundly in her bed. A glance at the clock on the nightstand showed it was after eleven.

  Brody realized he’d been asleep for more than four hours. He wondered why Haven didn’t try to wake him. Then again, she probably had.

  For whatever reason, being with her made him so content and at ease, he could fall into a deep sleep that eluded him the rest of the time. Since meeting Haven, he’d gone to sleep several times on her couch.

  In the light filtering in from the nightlight in the hall, he took in the tumble of uncontrollable curls spread across the pillow beneath her head. Her cheeks appeared so smooth, like porcelain, in the muted light. Slightly parted lips looked so soft and inviting, Brody couldn’t stop from bending over and kissing them lightly.

  “Brody?” Lovingly, she reached up and put a hand to his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  He didn’t say anything, not sure if she was asleep, awake, or somewhere in between.

  She rolled onto her side, tugging on his hand. “You promised you’d hold me close, Brody. Won’t you please hold me right now?”

  Briefly, he considered the possibility that she was trying to kill him. He glanced down at her creamy shoulder and the thin strap of her silky gown running across it. Holding her at this particular moment was a very bad idea if he wanted to maintain control.

  Her insistent tugging along with her pleas had him kicking off his shoes and sliding down beside her. He stayed outside the covers, but slid one arm beneath her shoulders and wrapped the other around her waist, pulling her against him.

  He breathed in the alluring fragrance of her hair and kissed her shoulder. “I love you, Haven, for now and always,” he whispered.

  “I know. I love you, too.” She snuggled closer against him.

  His eyes drifted shut. Before he could force himself to get up and leave, he joined her in slumber.

  The sound of someone gasping and the feel of something jerking in his arms brought Brody wide awake.

  “My gosh, Brody. What are you doing?” Wide-eyed, Haven scooted across the bed, away from him, clutching the sheet beneath her chin.

  “Sleeping,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes, trying to recall what happened the previous evening. He remembered falling asleep on Haven’s couch and waking up to find her asleep. He must have fallen asleep holding her when he only planned to stay for a few minutes.

  “I meant in my bed.”

  “You asked me to hold you, so I did. I guess I fell asleep. That’s all that happened. I didn’t plan to stay all night.”

  “I should say not.” Haven struggled to decide if the whole thing was funny or terrible. When the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile, she let out a giggle. “Mrs. Humphrey will burn up the phone line calling to tell Mom about your truck still being here if she sees it.” />
  “It’s only four-thirty.” Brody rolled onto his back and stretched.

  Haven started to reach out to rub his shoulder, then decided better of it.

  “I asked you to hold me?” She often talked to Brody in her dreams, asking him to hold her or kiss her. In her dreams, he always complied. She must have thought the real Brody was just part of her dream when he came to her room to tell her good night.

  “You did.” Even though he’d slept in his clothes, with Haven in his arms, Brody felt well rested. Or maybe he slept so well because he’d spent the night holding her close.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  “Don’t say anything, Haven. It’s fine. I didn’t mind.” He gave her a wicked grin as he got off the bed and looked down at her. “If I hurry, I might make it out of here without anyone seeing me leave. That way, you won’t have to explain to your mom why I was here.”

  “Want to run with me this morning?” Since Brody was already awake, she thought he might like to go with her.

  “Why not? I’m not going to get any more sleep now.” Brody bent to kiss Haven’s cheek. She looked like a temptress with her hair mussed and the strap of her gown sliding off her shoulder. Before he did or said something he shouldn’t, he backed toward the door. “I’ll go home and change. Why don’t you meet me at the park in twenty minutes?”

  “I’ll be there.” Haven pulled the sheet beneath her chin. “And thanks, Brody.”

  “For what?” He turned to look at her as he stood in her bedroom doorway.

  “For being you.”

  “Thanks for coming up with this idea, Miss Haggarty. I appreciate it,” the coach said, shaking Haven’s hand.

  Brody took Haven’s suggestion of the team providing a football camp for local high school kids to the coach. The team scheduled it for the last weekend in May. It was their second bye week, so they put their time not playing in a game to good use with a project that definitely generated community goodwill.

  The coach contacted Haven and invited her to visit the all-day camp. She’d arrived an hour ago and watched Brody and his teammates work with several young men.

  When Brody saw her sitting in the stands, he ran over and kissed her cheek then insisted on introducing her to the coach. He left her talking to him, returning to help the kids.

  Brody was in his element with the teen boys. He seemed not only to relate to the kids, but also had them looking up to him as a leader and mentor.

  It was easy for Haven to see why he chose to major in education. She was sure he would excel as a teacher and coach. If he ever left football, at least he had something to fall back on that would bring him joy.

  “He’s a natural with the kids,” the coach said, pointing to Brody as he worked with two boys in particular. “Of all the players, he’s the one that seems the most interested in events that help youth.”

  “I suppose that’s why he has a teaching degree,” Haven said, admiring the way Brody interacted with the kids. He had a group of them laughing while they followed his direction.

  “Yeah. I guess so.” The coach thanked Haven again then turned to speak with one of the sponsors attending the event.

  On the way back to her seat, the team’s sales director stopped her. He gave her his card and asking her to call if she came up with any other promotional ideas, since the football camp was such a success.

  She assured him she would, then went back to watch the boys play for a while before leaving to meet Allie for lunch.

  Allie waved at her from a booth when she stepped inside the restaurant. Haven hurried to join her.

  “So how is the kid camp going?” Allie asked, aware that Haven spent part of her morning watching Brody with the boys.

  “It was awesome. You should see the players with the kids. Most of them looked like they were having a great time.” Haven smiled as the server approached their table.

  After placing their orders, Allie returned to the topic of the camp.

  “So was Brody helping?” Allie asked.

  “Of course. He loves kids and had them eating out of his hand.”

  Allie could hear the pride in Haven’s voice as she spoke. “Isn’t it hard to throw the ball if he’s got a bunch of teenage boys slobbering on his hand?”

  “You know what I mean, you dork.” Haven tossed the paper from her straw at Allie.

  They talked about family, plans for the coming week, and their jobs. Leisurely finishing their lunch, the two girls were trying to decide if they wanted to go shopping or to see a new art exhibit when Haven’s cell phone rang.

  “Hi, Brody.” He had a few more hours to go before the camp ended and was curious why he’d call her in the middle of it.

  “Hey, Haven, it’s Marcus. I’m on Brody’s phone.”

  “Oh, hello, Marcus. What’s up?” Haven thought it odd Marcus would call her, especially from Brody’s phone.

  “Brody had a little, um... mishap, this afternoon and several of us rode together today. I was wondering if you could come get him and take him home,” Marcus said.

  Haven heard a rumbling noise in the background that sounded like a disgruntled male voice. Brody’s deep, gravelly voice, if she wasn’t mistaken.

  “Sure. I’ll be there as quick as I can.” Haven ended the call.

  “What’s wrong?” Allie asked as Haven placed money on the table to pay her part of the bill along with a tip and got to her feet. Allie tossed down some cash and followed Haven out the door.

  “Marcus indicated Brody is hurt and needs a ride home. I’m going to get him. Maybe we can catch the art exhibit one day this coming week.” Haven opened her car door and slid behind the wheel.

  “Sure, Haven. Whenever is fine. I’m sorry about Brody. Hope it’s nothing serious.” Allie waved as Haven shut the car door and left the parking lot.

  When she arrived back at the football camp, Haven hurried to where the boys and players practiced. She spied the coach. He waved her over and told her where she could locate Brody and Marcus.

  Quickly following his direction, she found the two men sitting just outside the locker room. Brody held an ice pack on his knee, scowling, while Marcus grinned.

  “Hi, Haven. Thanks for coming to his rescue.” Marcus hugged her before helping Brody to his feet. “Where are you parked? I’ll get him to your car.”

  “I’ll drive up to the door.” Haven hustled outside to bring her car around to the side exit while Marcus and Brody slowly worked their way to the door. She got there as the two men stepped outside.

  She opened the passenger door while Marcus steadied Brody until he could slide in, then handed Haven his ice pack.

  “He just needs to stay off it and keep ice on it today.” Marcus gave Haven a thumbs-up sign for luck before he rushed back inside.

  “What happened?” Haven asked as she drove toward his apartment.

  “I was doing some drills with a group of kids and one of them hit my knee just right.” Brody clenched his jaw from both pain and frustration. He was mad about his knee, mad that it hurt, and mad at Marcus for calling Haven. He didn’t like her to see him in this kind of shape.

  “I’m so sorry.” Suddenly remembering the steps at Brody’s apartment, Haven knew he couldn’t navigate them in his current condition. Changing direction, she soon pulled into her own parking space and rushed to open her door. Brody got out and limped toward her, holding the ice bag in one hand while the other formed a tight fist.

  “What are we doing here? I thought you were taking me home.” He worked his way inside, slumped onto the couch, and stretched his leg out in front of him.

  “I was, but I remembered you live on the second floor and didn’t want you to have to go up the steps.” Haven cleared off her coffee table, pushed it closer to the couch, then disappeared into her bedroom. She returned with her arms full of pillows and placed them on the coffee table, gently lifting Brody’s leg until it rested on the pile.

  She took the ice pack from him, settled it on
his knee, then went to the kitchen and poured him a glass of sweetened tea. She set it on the side table at the end of the couch.

  “What can I do for you, Brody?” She felt somewhat helpless as she looked at him.

  “Nothing,” he said, in the tight, closed tone she knew meant he was pushing her away and retreating into himself. “Unless you’ll take me home.”

  “Why? So you can kick me out and wallow in your misery alone?”

  Brody glanced up at her and tried to fight back the smirk on his face. “Something like that.”

  “Sorry, no can do.” Haven sat down beside him, taking his big hand between both of hers. “You’re stuck with me for the rest of the day.”

  “Lucky me.” Although his tone was derisive, the way he relaxed his head against the back of the couch and turned his dark gaze her direction let her know he wanted to be with her.

  “I think now would be a great time for you to tell me about this knee injury that keeps bothering you.” Haven pointed to his leg. She’d tried asking Brody several times about his injury, but he either ignored her questions or said he didn’t want to talk about it.

  “I suppose you won’t quit asking until I do.” He lifted an eyebrow at her then took a drink of the tea before setting the glass back on the table beside him.

  “Nope. I’ll hound you relentlessly until you break beneath my iron will.” The menacing tone she inflected in her voice made him chuckle.

  “You win, you dastardly villain.” Brody scooted down until he rested more comfortably against the couch cushions. He lifted his arm and Haven cuddled against his side with her head resting on his chest.

  He’d never admit it if anyone asked him, but sitting with her like that, with her head pressed against his heart, was one of his favorite things in the world.

  “You already know I went to college on a football scholarship,” he said. When Haven looked up at him and nodded, he continued. “I was a good player. A really good player. My sophomore year, I had recruiters talking to me about the NFL. My junior year, I was cocky and confident, knowing I’d be playing pro ball before long. We were in the second to the last game of the season when I tore my ACL.”