Sophia looks over the rim of her sunglasses. “You don’t need to live like that either, Brenda. You’re a successful teacher. You’re going to be a great mom, and do you know how I know that?”
I swallow the sudden lump in my throat.
“Because you know how having shitty parents feels. And you are one of the most loyal people in the world. You’ll murder anyone who looks at your son or daughter wrong.”
We both laugh because she’s not wrong. I already feel fiercely protective of this little person growing inside of me.
“And what the hell was that last night in front of the wedding chapel? I saw Chris nod toward the door.”
“Oh my God. I couldn’t believe he did that. I mean, I’m sure he was just being funny but I have to admit, part of me was ready to run in there and get married. Even though I swore I’d never get married, Sophia, the thought of being with Chris for the rest of my life makes my insides all weird.”
Sophia laughs as she lays her head back against the small pillow on her lounge chair. “I know that exact feeling. You’re in love with Chris and from what Leo and I can see, he feels the same.”
“I don’t know, Soph. He’s such a family man. You should see how he is with his sister and niece. Part of me is scared he just wants a family. I mean, he acts like he doesn’t care this baby isn’t his but how can he not?”
“I’m sure there’s a little bit of jealously over Ricky being the father. But Chris is a genuinely good person. He’s always been very loyal, according to Leo. He’ll work it out.”
Closing my eyes, I hope to God she’s right. The walls I’ve put up are crumbling down more and more every day, and I can’t help the feeling I’m in for a broken heart.
* * *
We got back from Vegas a week ago and my jet-lagged body is finally back on regular time. I’ve been staying at Chris’s house since and I love waking up with him every morning.
Carol called this morning. She and Rosie are coming down for a week so Rosie can go to soccer camp with Chris. I can’t help but get choked up when I think about them together. He’s so loving and patient, not to mention, encouraging. I’m pretty sure if I wasn’t already pregnant, I would be after watching the two of them together.
“I thought you had a meeting at school today?” Chris asks with a kiss.
“I do. I’m leaving soon. Then I’m going to swing by my place and get some clothes for the week.”
Wrapping his arms around me, he cocks his head to the side. “When are you just going to move in here permanently?”
My toes curl in my shoes just dreaming about having access to Chris whenever I want. But I still think we need to take it semi-slow. This new- found actual relationship is still young.
“I will, just not yet. There’s just so much going on, with Carol and Rosie coming, getting ready for your soccer season, and my school year. I just don’t want to add packing and moving to that list.”
Chris knows that’s only partly the reason I’m sure but he doesn’t push, and for that, I’m grateful.
“All right, I’m going to work out with the team and then I’ll be back by the time your meeting is over.” He tips my chin up to meet his dark eyes. “The sooner you realize you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, the better off we’ll both be.”
And with a quick kiss, he’s gone.
I’m left standing in his kitchen, gripping the counter. Maybe I’m freaking nuts for waiting, but I don’t have time for worrying about it. My meeting starts in twenty minutes.
Chris
“Jesus, Braden, what the hell was that?” I gripe as I bend over, trying to catch my breath.
Our star center forward kicked my ass on the field today. I fucking let three shots out of ten go in. And now I’m pissed.
“Looks like you got some work to do over the next few weeks.” He laughs and heads into the shower.
He’s right. I need to up my game if I’m going to start this season.
“Chris, you got a minute?” Coach asks.
Fuck. He probably didn’t like my performance either.
“Sure. What’s up?” I try not to sound worried.
He leans up against the locker across from where I’m sitting.
“So, this soccer camp coming up. I, um, I’ve never helped kids with Cerebral Palsy play soccer before,” he admits, rubbing his hand over his salt and pepper scruff.
I’m sure he can see my shoulders relax.
“We have about thirty-two kids signed up and we have a lot of volunteers who are used to assisting children with CP. You and I will tell the kids about the fundamentals of soccer and the volunteers help then only if they need it. Most of the kids are mobile and won’t need assistance. They just need time. For the others, they usually bring their parents or personal aides with them. My sister will be here to help. She’s a great resource.”
“All right, I’ll follow your lead, I suppose. I just don’t want to come across as a coach.”
I laugh because I know what he means. And I’m not sure how he can’t sound like a coach, but I’ll help him rein it in if need be.
Two hours later, after a workout in the weight room, I head home and shower. Brenda isn’t home yet, but she sent a text saying she’d be here soon.
I have to work tonight at Club Desire until two o’clock in the morning, so I settle in for a quick nap.
I sleep hard until I hear Brenda making noise in the kitchen. Rubbing my eyes, I check the clock. Shit, I slept over two hours.
Walking down the hall to the kitchen, I’m greeted by the smell of meatloaf. Brenda knows it’s my favorite and I love that she’s cooking it for me.
“That smells so good,” I say, making her jump.
“Shit, you scared me.” She laughs. “The mashed potatoes are almost done. What time do you have to leave for work?”
“My shift is seven to two so I should leave by six-thirty. I’ve got plenty of time,” I tell her as I sit down at the table.
She opens a bottle of water for me and places it in front of me. She knows I don’t drink on the nights I work at the club.
“What are you going to do tonight while I’m at work?”
Brenda turns to me and sighs.
“I have a crap load of paperwork and prepping for the new school year.” She tilts her head, “What?”
Must be I can’t hide my smile at the idea of coming home and crawling in bed next to her after work tonight.
“I’m looking forward to coming home to you tonight. Usually, I crawl in and fight to fall asleep after work. But since you’ve been here, I’ve slept pretty well.”
Brenda lets out a snort.
“What was that for?”
She puts her hand on her hip. It makes me smile even more.
“Come on, Chris. I think we both know you probably didn’t come home alone from the club very often. I’m sure those strippers were all too eager to share your bed.”
I reach for Brenda and she yelps as I yank her onto my lap.
“Really? You think I slept with the girls who work at Club Desire?”
Brenda bites her bottom lip and if I didn’t know better, I’d think she was jealous.
“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“Hey, look at me,” I say, turning her face to mine. “I have never slept with any of the women who work with me at the club. I’m certainly not going to start now.”
Brenda moves off my lap. “I’m sorry, that was stupid of me. I know you had a life before I met you. It shouldn’t matter. I mean, I’m having another man’s baby and here I am being a bitch about where you work. I’m sorry.”
Fuck, if it doesn’t hurt when she brings up the baby but I tamp down my jealousy. It’s my choice to be with her, no matter what.
She leans against the counter and I follow her.
“I know, not so long ago, you and I both lived different lives. Neither of us was looking for a relationship, but I’m not going to complain about how things have ende
d up. I want you, Brenda, and no one else. I haven’t since the day I met you.”
I kiss her head. “Okay?”
She nods. “I’m sorry. I know better than to think you do that, especially when you have all this waiting for you at home.”
We both laugh, even though it’s true. No other woman will ever have my attention as long as I have Brenda.
Chris
The last month has been crazy. Brenda finally received the dissolution of parental rights from Ricky. She handled it better than I thought she would.
After a few tears, she filed the paperwork away and had a pep talk with her baby bump. I have to say it was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
She reassured the baby all would be okay. And this time it sounded like she actually believed it too.
Carol and Rosie came down for camp and it was a blast. My sister and I had a long talk about her moving down here, and thankfully, she’s considering it.
Brenda and Carol grew closer as my sister helped answer questions about child rearing. I, of course, wasn’t much help, so I spent time hanging with my niece.
Coach Sellers came through at camp. He reined in his authoritative personality and the kids liked him a lot. Rosie certainly did, but Carol now calls him Coach Cranky. Apparently, she could see through him.
Tonight is our first home game and I’m stoked to have Brenda there. She didn’t seem too thrilled with the idea of sitting in the family section, but once she sees it’s a gorgeous suite with food and a great view of the field, I hope she’ll relax a bit.
She’s been crabby lately. Sophia assures me it’s her hormones but I’m not sure. In fact, she’s spent the last two nights back at her place and it’s pissed me off. But I’m giving her time to figure out whatever is going on in her mind.
Brenda insisted on meeting me at the stadium. After checking my watch, I expect she should be here any minute.
I’m leaning up against the wall of the entrance when Cheyenne approaches me. Cheyenne is one of the soccer groupies and yeah, I’ve slept with her. But ever since Brenda and I started this new stage of our relationship, I’ve stayed away from her and all the other women who just want to fuck athletes.
“Hi, Chris,” she says as she flips her hair over her shoulder.
“Hey, Cheyenne.” I’m not interested in her anymore but I’m also not a dick.
She sidles up to me and I inwardly cringe. Before I know it, her hand moves to my arm. “I haven’t seen you around lately. Will I see you tonight at Gallagher’s after the game?”
“I don’t think so,” Brenda says as she approaches from behind me. “He’ll be too busy at home with me.”
I smirk because I can hear the irritation in Brenda’s voice. She’s staking her claim on me just as I would for her.
Cheyenne clears her throat. “You seem to be off the market then, huh?”
“Oh, I don’t seem off the market, Cheyenne. I most definitely am off the market. Have a good night,” I reply as I grab Brenda’s hand and lead her down the tunnel into the stadium.
“I’m glad we got that cleared up.” Brenda snorts.
“Your timing was perfect,” I say with a kiss to her hand.
“Oh, yeah? Well, what if I didn’t show up. What would you have done? I know you’re not an asshole. How would you have let her down?”
We stop midway up the tunnel, and I turn to face her. “I would’ve told her that I’m madly in love with my girlfriend. She’s the only woman I want to be with and to find another player to chase.”
I don’t know why I chose this time to tell her but I do it anyway. I search Brenda’s eyes for a reaction. At first, there’s a look of disbelief, but I say nothing.
She licks her lips. I know she’s trying to formulate her response, but I don’t want her to tell me she loves me if she doesn’t. So, I let her off the hook…for now.
Taking her face in my hands, I speak loudly enough for her to hear me over the noise of the crowd. “I’m not looking for you to respond to that, Brenda. But I want you to know I love you, and I have since the day you walked into Club Electric with Sophia. It was love at first sight.”
Tears start to well up in her eyes. “Chris, I…”
I stop her with a kiss. There’s nothing more that I want to hear her say other than she loves me, but not until she’s ready. Not just because I said it.
With my hands behind her head, I bring my forehead to hers. “I’ll see you after the game just follow the signs to the locker room. Flash the badge I gave you and just wait for me there, okay?”
Brenda
I’m left standing in the tunnel with my heart racing. The man I love just admitted he felt the same way. But for some reason, I couldn’t get the words out. It’s hard. There’s no doubt in my mind I love him. I’ve never felt this way before. Chris consumes my entire being. He has every piece of me and I pray he never lets go.
Gathering my wits, I make my way up to the family suite.
“May I see your pass, please?” the usher asks.
I flash him the badge Chris gave me, and he nods to the door. “Right through there, ma’am. Enjoy!”
I thank the gentleman and make my way inside. It’s strange being here by myself. If Leo still played, Sophia would be here, for sure.
Actually, I’d be sitting down in the regular seats if they were here. But, they couldn’t come tonight since they had plans with her parents.
After watching a nail biter of a game, we won, four to three. Chris was on fire in goal for the Rebels. I head down to the locker room, so turned on right now, I can’t wait to get my man in bed tonight.
Glancing at my phone, I see it’s been twenty-five minutes since the game ended. I’m waiting for Chris to come out of the locker room when I notice some of his teammates coming down the hall. The tall blonde one is named Braden…I think. Chris has talked about him—says he’s a young hotshot who’s in it for the women.
Braden and another guy I don’t know stop in front of me and lean up against the wall. They both look me up and down, making me a bit uncomfortable.
Leaning over to the nameless guy, Braden lowers his voice. “Yeah man, Connor’s pissed. He feels he can’t go out and party with us. Shannon told him she needs him home to help with the baby.”
No name responds, “You’ll never catch me settling down. Not until my soccer career is over. There’s too much pussy and beer to be had.”
Those words shift my entire evening, and it hits me how selfish I’ve been. How could I ask Chris to raise another man’s child? Will I be disappointed when he’s not home and on the road? Will I resent him, or worse, will he resent me?
The walls of the hallway suddenly feel like they’re trying to trap me.
My heart is racing when I see Chris coming toward me. His hair is still damp and he’s in a suit that’s molded to fit his body.
As other players walk past me, I hear snippets of conversation but I truly can’t make out what they’re saying.
Think fast, Brenda.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Chris says as he leans down to kiss me.
He takes my breath away every time he kisses me and it’s always a struggle to get it back.
“Hi.”
Grabbing my hand, he leads me out to the parking lot. “Did you have fun in the suite?” he asks as we make our way to my car.
“Yeah, it was okay.” I try to sound somewhat indifferent, but Chris catches on.
He turns to face me and my stomach drops. “Are you all right?”
“I’m really tired. I’m going to head back to my place.”
I pray he doesn’t press me because I don’t know what I’ll do. But pulling away from Chris is necessary even if it’s the hardest thing to do. I can’t hold him back.
“Why don’t I leave my car here? I’ll drive us to your place and come get my car in the morning.”
I knew he wouldn’t buy it. Let’s try this again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m really tired and
you should go out with the team. It’s your first win at home. Go celebrate.”
Chris leans up against my car, flipping his keys around his finger. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been staying at your place for the last few days. We both know you belong at home with me.”
And there’s my out.
Exasperated, I throw my hands up. “Jesus, Chris. Don’t you get it? I don’t want to be that girl. You know, the one you end up resenting because you can’t go have a good time with your teammates, the girl who holds you back.”
Chris cocks his head and smirks. The sexy man smirks at me.
“Just give me your keys and get your ass in the car. This is the last time we’re going to have this conversation…ever.”
He reaches out and pulls me against his body. And of course, my body reacts with its own mind. Traitor.
“When we get back to my place, you’re going to get out of those clothes, put on my blue t-shirt you like to wear and get into our bed.”
As I look up at him, he repeats, “I’m done fucking around with, ‘Oh, Chris, what if this,’ and ‘what if that.’ That shit stops now. Do you remember standing in front of the wedding chapel in Vegas, when I nodded to go in and you said you didn’t want to be an obligation?”
“Of course I remember. I still don’t.”
“Baby, don’t you get it? You’re not an obligation to me, you’re my freedom. When I’m with you, I can be myself. I can show just how much love I have to give. But, Brenda, you have to be ready to receive it. If you can’t do that, then I don’t know how this will work.”
The thought of Chris going out and being with other women is almost unbearable to me. I know I talk a good game but I love him as much as he loves me. I just want him to be sure I’m enough.
It takes me just five seconds to hand him my car keys. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
He laughs as he takes my face in his hands. “I’m loving you, that’s what I’m doing. Now, get your ass in the car and let’s go home, yeah?”
His Runaway Goal: Book Two in the Game Winner Series Page 12
