I swallow the lump in my throat while I prep the chicken for the grill. I made some pasta salad this morning, knowing I’d be out. I just hope they find my food edible.
Carol
The minute Rosie and I enter Von’s home, I’m surprised by the comfort and warmth I feel. It’s not what I expected to find. Instead of a bachelor pad, Von has a cozy living room with rich colored accents, a comfortable couch, and family pictures all around.
I’m trying like hell not to be nosy and look. But I do see one on the end table. It must be his wife and daughter. His daughter looks just like her. They’re both beautiful. With gorgeous blonde hair and big green eyes she’s definitely who I’d picture Von with. Not someone like me.
“Mama, can we watch TV?”
“Sure, I don’t think Coach would mind if we entertain ourselves while he’s in the shower.”
Rosie finds some blooper show and laughs her head off. Me? I’m too busy thinking about a naked Von in the shower.
I’m not sure how long he’s gone but I do sense when he’s near. My body knows it.
“Hey, you two, I hope you’re hungry,” Von yells from the kitchen.
Rosie nods her head, but I’m feeling a little weird being here.
“Sweetie, I’m going to go talk to Coach okay?”
My daughter nods never taking her eyes off the TV.
I head into the kitchen where Von is prepping some marinated chicken. My breath hitches when I see him standing at his counter. He’s dressed in khaki shorts. They show off his nice ass. I think about how many squats he must have to do to get it like that. A black t-shirt is molded around his broad chest. My eyes follow down his back to his tanned legs. Even his feet are sexy.
Jesus, it’s hot in here.
I clear my throat announcing my entrance into the kitchen.
When Von turns to face me, I suddenly don’t know what I’m going to say.
He wipes his hands on a towel. “Everything alright?”
Looking down at my sandals I answer as honestly as I can. “I’m not sure Von. What are we doing?”
He looks back at the chicken, then back to me. “We’re having dinner.”
Shaking my head, I press on. “No, I mean why are Rosie and I here Von?”
He turns his back to the counter, leaning against it.
“I’m not sure what’s going on Carol, but I do know I liked seeing you and Rosie on my porch when I drove up. Look, I haven’t dated in a long time, not since my wife.”
Von’s voice cracks at the mention of her.
“And you’re Chris’s sister which means I should probably stay away from you but I find it difficult.”
I swallow, not knowing how to react. Is he saying he wants to date me? I thought we were just friends.
Von moves closer to me, and I hear myself let out a small gasp. I don’t know how much more of this wanting him I can take. Thank God Rosie is here because if we were alone I’d jump him.
“I like being around you and Rosie. Let’s just see what happens,” he says as he runs his hand through his hair. “If I’m being honest, you should probably run far away from me.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “Why? Are you a serial killer or something?”
He closes in on me shaking his head. “No Carol, but I am an asshole. You better know that upfront. You’re too good for me and that little girl in there is the only thing keeping me from kissing you right now.”
“Oh!”
“Oh? It there anything else you want to say?” he asks as he moves closer.
“I uh. I liked the kiss from the other night.”
My voice is husky. I barely recognize it.
Von cocks his head to one side. “Me too. More than I should’ve.”
The sound of Rosie’s giggling brings us both back to the present. His life and mine are complicated. Those complications though may not be enough to quell the fire I feel for this man.
Von
I could throw her over my shoulder right now and take her to my room. Thankfully her daughter is here to keep that from happening.
Since Mia died, I haven’t had a woman in my bed. Do I miss the warmth of a woman’s touch? Hell yeah! But I need to be careful here.
Carol is helping Rosie as they head out to my backyard. With the platter of chicken in hand, I follow them out to the grill. I smile to myself watching the closeness of the two of them.
My backyard is filled with different types of chairs scattered around my patio. I have a large table that can seat ten…I entertain the team frequently.
Rosie picks a chair out by my pool. She gets comfortable on one of my loungers with help from Carol.
Her mom takes the chair on the opposite side. It just happens to be close enough to the grill for conversation.
“This is a beautiful backyard Von,” Carol says as she looks around.
“I like to entertain the team during the season. I figure if I try to keep them busy here, they’ll stay out of trouble. It doesn’t always work though.”
Carol nods in understanding.
“Can I help you with anything?”
“Thanks but I’m just going to grill this. The pasta salad was already made. Go and relax, the chicken won’t take too long.”
With a smile, she moves to where Rosie is.
I can’t take my eyes off her. Even dressed casually, she’s stunning. It pissed me off she covered herself up and is no longer showing off her body. I want to tell her and Rosie to go in for a swim but I don’t. She seemed embarrassed when I saw her in her bathing suit. It’s a shame if she’s embarrassed. Her body’s perfect-curvy.
Chris will kill me if he ever finds out I’ve been fantasizing about his sister. Visions of my ass being handed to me shakes me from my fantasy of skinny dipping with her.
“You two can stop staring at the pool and go in if you want. Dinner won’t be ready for another fifteen minutes or so.”
I’m going to hell wanting to see her in her suit again.
I watch Carol as she talks quietly to Rosie. I can’t hear what she’s saying but her posture seems like she’s giving her little girl a pep talk.
The chicken is cooking nicely so I turn down the burners a bit and head to my shed in the corner of the yard. I pull out some floaties that might help Rosie.
Walking over to where the two bathing beauties are sitting, I notice Carol smile at me behind her daughter’s back. I think I understand now. Rosie isn’t comfortable in the water. Maybe these will give her more confidence because I have no doubt that little girl can do anything she sets her mind to.
“Hey, Rosie. I just bought these floaties. I’d love it if you were the first one to use them. What do you think?” I ask as I kneel down next to her.
She looks to Carol who smiles. “Do you want me to go in with you?”
I can see Rosie contemplating what she wants to do. With a shake of her head, she tells her mom that she’s scared but she wants to try it on her own, something about therapy next week.
Not wanting to make a big deal out of her being scared, I smile at Carol, hand her the floatie and head back to the grill. I position myself to watch the little girl who’s warming my cold heart.
She’s tentative at first, but she takes the blue noodle in one hand and hangs on to the railing with the other. Thankfully, I made it a zero-entry pool meaning there’s no steps, just a gradual slope into the shallow end of the pool.
My memories of Cassidy playing in our old pool come back as Rosie giggles.
“Good job baby,” Carol praises Rosie as she gingerly walks from the entrance to the side of the pool where her little hands grip the edge. Her mother on high alert.
There’s a blue rope in the middle indicated where the deep end. Rosie keeps an eye on the rope as she splashes.
With her feet in the water, Carol hasn’t taken off her cover-up. Of course, I feel like an ass because I’m disappointed I can’t see her body. I know how she felt when I kissed her but damn if I don’t want to s
ee it too.
Carol
I can feel Von’s eyes on me as I watch my daughter play in the pool. How can I not? He can see right through my soul, blazing a trail of electricity inside me.
Don’t think about it I tell myself. Nothing can happen with Von Sellers. He’s my co-worker and friend of the family. Starting anything with him would be a disaster.
“Mama, look at what I can do!”
Rosie looks so happy and carefree in the water. Her fear from the other night gone as she splashes and plays in the pool. I wish I had more money to give Rosie her own. She’s hesitant to go into the community pool at our complex. She’s afraid people will stare at her.
I have to say, that’s about the only thing that frightens her. But slowly I think she’ll get over it. I’m hoping her aquatic therapy will help.
“Dinner’s ready,” Von whispers in my ear making me jump. “Shit, I’m sorry I scared you but I’ve been calling your name.”
I turn and our faces are mere inches apart. It’d be so easy to just crash my mouth to his, after all, I’ve been thinking about it since it happened. “It’s okay. I was lost in thought I guess. I’ll get Rosie out and meet you at the table,” I tell him as I stare at his mouth.
He doesn’t move at first. Instead, Von stares at my lips. It seems like forever before he nods and moves back to the grill.
I give myself a few seconds to slow my heart rate before I grab a towel from one of the chairs and help Rosie out of the pool.
“That was fun Mama. Can we come over again?” She asks as I dry her off.
“We’ll see baby.”
Even as I say it, I hope the answer is a thousand times yes, because I’m not sure I’ll be able to get Von out of my system.
* * *
I was surprised at how good dinner was. Not that pasta salad and marinated chicken are difficult to make, but I always seem to make both too dry.
Rosie is watching TV while I help clean up. “I think I’ll stay away from the sink tonight.”
Von grabs the sink hose aiming it at me. “Why? Are you scared to get wet?”
If he only knew how wet he makes me when he looks at me that way.
He arches an eyebrow as if he read my dirty mind.
I lift my chin in defiance. “No.”
Von swallows and I watch the movement of this throat. I know that feeling all too well. It’s how he makes me feel all the time like I want to say something but it’s stuck.
“I’m almost done here,” he says as he turns back to the sink. “Why don’t you go relax with Rosie and I’ll be in soon.”
I nod because it’s the only thing I can do. I know I need to get out of here and fast. It’s too intense.
Sitting down next to Rosie I tell her we need to get ready to leave. I can see the disappointment on her face. I don’t really want to leave either, but I need to.
We gather our things when Von catches us.
“Are you leaving?”
I nod, “We both have to work tomorrow and it’s almost Rosie’s bedtime.”
“Is this your family?” Rosie asks interrupting my explanation.
I know it’s innocent, but I cringe knowing Von probably doesn’t want to talk about them. Placing my hand on his arm, I silently tell him I’m sorry for the intrusion. Sending me a sad smile he crouches down to Rosie.
“That’s my daughter Cassidy right there,” he says as he points to the beautiful young woman.
Clearing his throat he continues. “And that is my wife Mia.”
Rosie nods as she works through his response in her mind.
Wanting to end what I’m sure is a painful conversation I tell Rosie we need to get going. But that doesn’t stop her. Nope. She’s sometimes too inquisitive.
“Where are they?”
“Rosie I’m sure Coach wants to get to bed so we need to go.”
My efforts are futile. I know he won’t be mad at Rosie for asking but the thought of making him sad about his wife kills me.
“Well, Cassidy is away at college in California. She’s studying to be a Physical Therapist. Do you know what that is?”
Rosie nods. “I go to therapy.”
Von smiles. “Cassidy has always loved helping people so that’s what she’s going to do.”
“Maybe Cassidy can help me.”
My heart stammers in my chest. I know if affects Von too because he blows out a breath then nods. “I’d like you to meet her when she comes home for the Fourth of July.”
He looks up at me then back to my daughter. “That’s if your mom says it’s okay.”
Oh geez.
“Can I meet Cassidy Mama?”
“Sure baby. But we need to go now okay.”
Rosie seems to forget about Von’s wife and I’m thankful. But probably not as thankful as he is not having to explain that his wife is dead.
“Sorry about that,” I tell him as he walks us out.
“Hey, don’t apologize for Rosie asking normal questions. I was just surprised by it is all. And by your apology, I assume you know what happened to Mia.”
I nod. “I’m sorry Von.”
“Thanks.”
“I guess I’ll see you at work tomorrow?” I change the subject.
“Yeah. And Carol?”
After Rosie gets into the van. I turn back to see him standing on his porch.
“I’ll bring you leftovers for lunch if you want.”
I smile like he’s just offered me a winning lottery ticket.
“Sounds good.”
And just like that, I’m having lunch again with Coach not so cranky.
Von
What a fucking night. After Carol and Rosie left, I drank myself into a good one. I’m such a dumbass for doing it on a work night but the thought of having to explain Mia to Carol and Rosie. I just couldn’t do it, not yet.
Knowing that Carol is aware of Mia’s accident does take some pressure off me. But no one knows that whole story, not even Chris. I mean how could I tell him my wife was having an affair when she died? My incessant need to work drove her into the arms of another man. A man she was going to see the night she died.
I feel so ashamed when I think about it, I push it down deep. At least I try to.
After three cups of coffee and a couple of eggs, I gather the lunch I promised Carol and head to work.
Twenty minutes after I settle in at my desk, I head to the gym to run out my frustration. After a quick shower, I make my way to Carol’s office.
I knock on the open door getting her attention.
Carol sends me a smile over the top of her computer which I return automatically. She does this to me. This woman puts me in a good mood just at the sight of her.
“Hi, Von.”
“What time can you go to lunch?”
“I have a meeting in ten minutes but I can go after that. Say about an hour?”
“Perfect. It’s a nice day out. Maybe we can go to the park area and eat?”
There’s a nice park area at the entrance of the stadium. Several sets of tables and chairs dot the sprawling lawn. The palm trees give it a nice shade so it’s bearable this time of year.
“I’ll stop by your office and pick you up when my meeting is over?”
“See you then Carol.”
An hour later, I’m engrossed in making the workout schedule for the preseason, I don’t notice Carol watching me until she clears her throat.
I pull my glasses off and throw them on my desk.
“Sorry I was into some paperwork.”
“It’s okay I can come back if you aren’t ready.”
Am I ready? Yes, I’m ready for lunch, but am I ready for how this woman makes me feel? I guess we’ll find out.
“It’s a great time for a break. Let me just grab the cooler and we can go.”
Carol and I make our way out to a table that isn’t occupied. “Wow, I can’t believe it isn’t busy out here today.”
I look around and there are only three other peo
ple who appear to be finishing lunch.
“Thanks for bringing lunch. I apologize for Rosie putting you on the spot about the photo.”
“Gosh, Carol don’t apologize. Rosie was just interested in what she saw is all. That’s a good thing. I was just caught off guard I guess.”
I hand Carol her own container with leftover dinner from last night.
“Thanks,” she says as she digs in.
I can tell she’s hesitant to say much so I rip off the bandage.
“I guess your brother must’ve told you about Mia’s accident?”
She nods. “I’m sorry Von. I can’t imagine how you must feel.”
I blow out a breath. “Yeah, it was bad. Sometimes it still is.”
Carol thinks I’m talking about just the accident but I’m not. At least not just the accident but the guilt.
We sit in silence for a minute each of us not ready to say anything when her phone rings.
“Damn. I’m sorry I have to take this.”
I nod as she gets up from the table. My eyes follow her every movement. Her legs look spectacular in her short leopard print skirt. Just as I drift off into a little fantasy of my own, I hear her raise her voice.
Carol isn’t happy. She’s always happy unless she’s embarrassed.
It hits me I don’t know much about her story. Chris has told me bits and pieces about them growing up without parents and how she took care of him. I never asked about Rosie’s dad and Chris never offered any information. I just assumed he’s out of the picture.
“Sorry about that,” Carol says as she sits back down. She looks at her plate and pushes it away.
“Does it taste bad or something?” I ask knowing she seemed to be enjoying it before the call.
Carol cringes.
“Sorry it’s really good but I’m just full I guess.”
Hmm. She only ate half so it must be the call.
“That call seemed to upset you. Everything okay?”
I see her struggle just like I do when I don’t want to talk about something.
“Never mind. I don’t mean to pry,” I lie and turn back to my lunch.
Through Rosie-Colored Glasses: Book Three in the Game Winner Series Page 5