Rocking Player: Single Mom Second Chance Romance (Steel Series Book 2)

by Victoria Pinder

  Yet that hadn’t been enough for Mom when I'd told her I was pregnant and needed her help. Why would faith work with Michael? He had the world waiting for him to make a decision and I wasn’t ready to be on display. I closed my eyes to get my trembling skin under control as I said, “I don’t know.”

  “My advice.” Stephanie took a second and then said, “If you love him, then trust your new husband and trust yourself. You’ve needed to let loose for a long time.”

  Goosebumps grew on my arm. I needed to protect myself and protect Jeremy to ensure I’d be there forever for him. This wasn’t about relaxing. It was impossible near him. I loved Michael, but that had to be second. I couldn’t turn weak now. Stephanie didn’t have this worry. She’d never understand as she chased after whatever whim she had. “I have to go.”

  We said goodbye, and I glanced out the window. Jeremy was playing catch with Michael who was showing him posture.

  I could watch this all day. Jeremy needed Michael. A good dad was important to a family and so was a strong mother.

  I needed to protect my heart from ever clinging so much to Michael that I lost my will to live.

  It shouldn’t be too hard.

  I turned my phone off so no one else could call me and walked outside with a strut to my step.

  Michael and Jeremy stopped. Sarah helped Tom put the food on plates and Michael rushed over and kissed my forehead. “Where were you?”

  “My sister called from London.”

  “How is she?”

  “It’s late in London, but she’s good.”

  Michael walked us over and his mother must have given him a look as he said, “Georgie has five sisters, Mom.”

  I took a seat next to her and poured the wine for us as Michael passed his father a beer. Jeremy took a water on his own and we all sat as Sarah said, “That’s great. I always wanted a daughter. It must have been great growing up with all those people around you.”

  “My parents pretty much adopted all our cousins at some point in their lives, so our house was always full.”

  “A house full of love. That sounds lovely.”

  Tom led us in a short prayer. It was good to have sisters and male cousins with cars when my mom wasn’t available to help me. Michael had his parents still, so he’d not quite understand.

  As we finished, we started eating, though I'd just cut my meat as I said, “When my parents died, I became the makeshift mom of the group as I’m the oldest woman. Everyone in the family usually calls me. Plus, with raising Jeremy, I always had to make good decisions that help everyone lead their best life.”

  I took a bite and the steak was perfect.

  No restaurant quite got the mix of fire and meat right, but Tom had a gift. I gave a thumbs-up. Sarah asked me, “What about you? What is it you want now that you have Michael?”

  I finished my bite and it took a minute. I then raised my eyebrow and asked, “What do I want?”

  Sarah held her napkin in her hand and had her elbows on the table as she smiled at me and said, “Yes, sweetie. You have the ability to do anything in the world you desire.”

  At least we weren’t prim and proper like the private schools had taught me. I glanced at my plate and said, “I just want my son to have the best opportunities he can have.”

  Tom then said, “Jeremy was telling us he plays little league.”

  Pushing Jeremy if he didn’t want it would just make us all miserable. “The pressure of being Michael Irons' son, now that it’s known, has to be hard to live up to.”

  Tom shrugged and said, “Not impossible if that’s what he wants.”

  “True,” Michael said but then patted my knee. “That’s Jeremy’s choice.”

  Agreement was good. This was easier than deciding where we lived for a decade.

  Sarah ensured we all had napkins and then settled. “Other than marrying my son, tell us more about yourself. What did you major in college, dear?”

  I finished my next bite and remembered carefree college. Time had flown and the memories were almost like another life. “I was finance major, though I never used it much.”

  Tom asked, “Why not?”

  Right. For the second time in days, I’d actually answer with the truth. I normally avoided it, but the last thing I needed were Michael’s parents to think I needed Michael’s money, and that I was some gold-digger. I folded my hands. “I was working but then my parents died, and I had an inheritance and a newborn.”

  His mother sipped her wine then said, “Giving up everything for a baby and not having help must have been hard.”

  My mom’s death replayed in my mind. I had had such a round belly and waddled around making all the decisions about her burial, and every minute of the way on my feet I'd wished things had been different.

  “I gave birth alone. It was hard. I wanted my mom with me, but she couldn’t be there.”

  “Well you have us now,” Sarah said.

  My shoulders relaxed. Michael gave me a smile and said, “And Mom, Georgie was a financial analyst. I’m hoping she can help me manage my portfolio.”

  “That would be nice.” My lips curled at the idea other people might carry some of the load.

  We all ate our steak as my mouth had watered for more until my belly filled up.

  As we winded down with the food, Tom asked, “Can we ask you both a personal question?”

  For the past moment, I’d forgotten all my fears. It had been a while since someone had listened to my issues and not the other way around. I nodded and asked, “What’s that?”

  Tom placed his napkin on the table like he was done eating and asked, “Why didn't you find Michael sooner? Did you not watch baseball?”

  Now that was fair. I wish I had gone to find him. Life would have been easier if I’d known him as those late nights alone had taken a toll on me. “I haven’t gone to a game in years. I only went to a game now, because Jeremy wanted to go, and my sister Indigo scored us good tickets. I thought it would be good bonding time. I had no idea until I stared at the jumbotron and saw his stubble and jawline again that my life would change that day.”

  I sipped my wine and I thought we were done, but then Michael snapped his fingers and said, “Speaking of, the DNA test arrived.”

  I swallowed to not embarrass myself and choke, but I turned toward him and said, “You didn’t say anything.”

  He shrugged and said, “We knew instantly.” Then he told his parents, “There is no denying Jeremy is my boy, Georgie. It was for the lawyers.”

  I stared into my glass and wished I could just disappear right now. I was so close to turning into my mother as I said, “I never tried to find Michael. When I left the Bahamas, my head was such a mess as my dad was dying, and I just wasn’t thinking straight. Six weeks after leaving him, I’d buried my dad, found out I was pregnant and then my mom took ill…”

  Sarah tapped her husband’s shoulder and said, “Michael should have been better at finding you.”

  “That year was the hardest of my life except for having my son.” I’d probably misjudged his mother who was nothing but kind. I should be better. Help was a good thing. Michael took my hand in his and said, “I… you’re right, Mom. I spent countless nights wishing thing were different rather than tracking down the woman I love. I won’t make that mistake ever again.”

  Love. Right. He’d snuck into my heart, despite how I thought it was firmly insulated from ever opening. This was what we had, and Jeremy was a product of a good union; one where I refused to perish away and said, “You can’t change the past, Michael.”

  Jeremy swallowed his last bite and curled his lips higher. “We’re a family now.”

  The sun started to set but Michael laughed as he said, “True son. And I’m glad we’re together.”

  Right. We were married. This wasn’t about dying but about living. Love wouldn’t destroy me. I refused to let it.

  Chapter 14

  Michael

  My body surged from activities
I’d only imagined for years. Now that Georgie was in my life, I’d yet to have my fill.

  Maybe I never would and that was okay. We were married so she was mine, forever now.

  I couldn’t imagine loving another woman and didn’t want to ever think about it. She’d been it for me since we'd met.

  As I rolled over in my duvet cover, the spot beside me was empty, again. She must wake up early these days. I opened my eyes and the flood of daylight in the room made me want to reach for a pillow and hide for another moment.

  But I heard her sweet humming in the en suite bathroom.

  I stood and ignored my morning hard-on, though it was harder when I let myself in and realized she was naked and in my shower.

  I’d join her if she wanted. I brushed my teeth and waited for an invitation, but she continued to sing to herself.

  I got the hint she wanted a few minutes alone, so I headed to the closet for my jeans and t-shirt.

  A few minutes she came out, in black jeans and a black t-shirt. She also had her small bathroom bag all packed as she said, “This weekend went so fast.”

  My heart raced faster and I stood taller and said, “I’ll be back in Tulsa in four days for three days at home.”

  She grabbed her small bag and checked her makeup was in it as she said, “We’ll be in Pittsburgh. Our flight leaves early this afternoon.”

  I wrapped my arms around her waist and wished she was staying. “I was hoping now that we’re married, I could see you the days I’m in town.”

  She twirled in my arms and hugged my shoulders when she said, “We discussed this. Let’s not change the plan now.”

  “We didn’t set up a plan.”

  “I thought we did.”

  “I’m good at remembering concrete terms.” Jeremy. Right, but my son was happy here and my house was double the size of hers. I ignored the zip in my vein and said, “Kids adapt well. You don’t have to stay in Pittsburgh.”

  She let me go and finished arranging her bag as she said, “Michael…I need to go home and let my mind rest. We agreed we wouldn’t move until November.”

  “Because of school or because you want time apart?”

  “A lot’s happened and I want to talk to my sisters in person, figure out what I want to do for school in the spring. But remember you promised to move in with us come November till April, until you know where we’re going to live.”

  “November is months away.” At least she still planned on living with me in the end. I ignored the thought of how I should be wary of giving this woman my heart as she turned around and stared at me so casually. I asked, “And you’re okay living apart for the next two months?”

  She nodded and that made me pause. I'd hoped once we'd discussed feelings, life would change. But she was calm and cool, as she said, “I want to provide stability for Jeremy. He’s the most important person in both our lives, right?”

  She tugged her collar checking it was fine. I widened my stance. “I was hoping this weekend would convince you to stay in Oklahoma for the rest of the season, so I can see you both more often.”

  “I can’t…decide right now.” I reached for her bag, so she couldn’t carry it and she adjusted her shirt. “The first weekend in October has a planning day for the teachers that Friday. What are you doing then?”

  Probably the playoffs though the schedule wasn’t out yet. “I don’t know fully yet where I’ll be, but I’ll keep you posted.”

  She opened the door of the bedroom to leave as she asked, “I thought baseball schedules were organized and tickets sold before players ever hit the dirt?”

  “Regular season, yes.” I walked beside her. “October is for the playoffs or we’re benched. We’re good right now and should be playing but anything might happen this month. So we need to be prepared.”

  “Jeremy pack your bag,” she called out to the next room, and then turned to me as she glided onto the stairs. “I’m glad we’re not rushing because we got married. Honestly…”

  We made it to the bottom, but my skin had goosebumps now. “Yeah?”

  She came closer to me and said, “Look, I love you. I just need to figure out how we fit.”

  Together. I kissed her cheek and hugged her as I said, “That’s the easy part, Georgie.”

  She curled into my arms, and for a moment I was warm, and everything was good. As the kiss ended, she slipped out of my arms and said, “Maybe you see your life all planned out perfectly, because you’re on the road a lot. I need to figure out our end though. For now, Jeremy and I need to eat breakfast and head to the airport.”

  She headed into the kitchen and my stomach tightened like I'd swallowed a stone. I’d not eat a bite, but I followed her inside and said, “I can’t come in for a week.”

  She took pans out like she’d make something. I was going to say something once my skin stopped growing goosebumps, but then my phone rang.

  She took out the mixer and waffle maker and said, “Get it. It’s okay.”

  I answered Phil, “The Yankees want you bad, Michael. They offered everything you want but there is a time clock running on this offer.”

  Ten years, thirty million a year. The deal of a lifetime. I blocked out when she turned the mixer on as I asked, “How long do I have?”

  “Seventy-two hours,” Phil said.

  Georgie had complained about New York. Phil had heard her. I stared at her as she made dough and turned on the waffle maker as I asked, “Can you tell them I need to talk to my family, and that I’ll need a week?”

  Phil hadn’t mentioned Georgie directly or her complaints yesterday as he said, “I’m sure that’s fine. It’s known you’re married so it shouldn’t be a problem to sell newlyweds to get you more time.”

  Code for speak to Georgie. I swallowed and said, “Thanks, Phil.”

  I hung up and stared at her. She finished pouring the batter into the machine and then straightened as she asked, “What’s going on?”

  I widened my stance. This was it. No more waiting. I met her gaze and said, “New York offered thirty million for ten years.”

  Her chin fell as she asked, “New York?”

  This wasn’t her ideal. I got that. I came closer and held my palms out as I said, “I read an article last night that only one third of the players actually live in Manhattan, and it’s usually the single ones. There are homes farther out, with space not that far and we can house hunt, together.”

  Her eyes misted and she turned to watch the steam out of the waffle maker as she said, “So you want New York.”

  I patted her back. Before we married, we’d discussed Pittsburgh and how open I was as long as I got the money. Money proved I was one of the best players in the league and I needed that evidence in my paycheck. I’d wished the Sooners got that, but money meant I was valued. I kept my voice low as I said, “I want the money to secure our future, ensure Jeremy has the best school money can buy, a car when he’s old enough…”

  She stopped trembling and opened the machine to take out the first waffle and add more batter as she said, “Let me think about it.”

  “Think fast. The offer has a time limit,” I said and made the coffee.

  We heard Jeremy moving around upstairs as we set the plates, juice, and coffee on the table, and she finished the last waffle. She didn’t look at me as she said, “I am okay with most of the country. I always get overwhelmed in New York, and I want to research schools, make a spreadsheet.”

  Research wasn’t a full no, and she’d mentioned her process in the past. I hoped she’d agree to the changes so we could be together more, as I asked, “Yeah?”

  Her face had a bit of a blush when she said, “I need to figure out what’s best for Jeremy. That will always be my priority.”

  The best education was important. I playfully pressed our shoulders together and said, “I understand. Maybe we can figure out a way for schools to transition and get a private tutor/nanny to ensure a seamless transition?”

  Her face went white
as she asked, “You’d subject our son to losing an entire class of his peers and being all by himself, with a tutor, for ten years?”

  That was the wrong answer. I needed to figure out how to be a better parent. “I’m just spit balling suggestions on how we can make it work.”

  She nodded like she accepted my answer and then pressed her hand on my back. “Let’s have breakfast and you can drive us to the airport.”

  Jeremy was still upstairs, but it sounded like he was on the stairs now. I wrapped my arms around her and said, “Okay, Georgie. Kiss me first.”

  “Kisses don’t make everything better,” she said but her face came up to meet mine.

  Her warm breath on my skin sent my body into overdrive. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I lowered my lashes, “No, but they can open up softer communication, so we don’t argue.”

  And then I kissed her. This was perfect. She was my everything. She let out a small sigh as I let her go and she patted my shoulder alerting me that Jeremy was behind me. “We’ll talk. I promise.”

  I waved at my son to join us at the table and said, “Good because I want the money.”

  I needed the validation. Her lips pressed together but she brought the waffles and sat down with us. We didn’t talk about it as we ate.

  We didn’t need to, I guess. I was owed in cash and the Sooners hadn’t put the money up to prove they’d wanted me. So, we were going.

  Jeremy and Georgie just needed time, and I could give them 72 hours or more if Phil pulled that off. And then I was signing on the dotted line.

  Chapter 15

  Georgie

  Michael’s house here was amazing. We’d have room to breathe.

  Texas had sounded amazing because his family would join us, and we’d have space. But New York?

  The streets were always crammed with people. The hotel rooms were tiny. Everything was jam-packed.

  Even Central Park had no corners to hide in. Strangers had sat next to me when I'd tried to rest on a park bench. I’d left my job interview on Wall Street with a huge headache that no meditation technique quite worked out of my system.