Through Rosie-Colored Glasses: Book Three in the Game Winner Series

by Nicole, Angela

  Needing some air I head out front. It was all I could do to not rip Tanner’s head off. I’m not sure if I’m overreacting. I know how these guys talk but when it has to do with Carol, I won’t have it. I grab a bottle of water on my way out. While I’d prefer a bottle of whiskey, I know I need to keep my temper in check. I just need a few minutes out front where I can sit on the porch and clear my head.

  Sitting forward in my chair, I run my hand through my hair just like I always do when I’m frustrated. I’m frustrated with myself for not moving forward with my life…for friend-zoning Carol when all I really want to do is make her mine.

  “Von?”

  I look back and see Carol standing at the door.

  “Do you want some company or would you rather be alone?” She asks in almost a whisper.

  “You can come out. I guess I’m tired of being alone.” The words mean more than she’ll ever know.

  When she makes her way out, she takes the chair facing me. She’s wearing her dress again. Part of me is happy the other guys won’t see her body but damn if I don’t want to myself.

  “Wanna talk about what happened out back? Cassidy said you might want to.”

  I throw my head back and laugh. “She did huh?”

  “Yes, she was acting weird.”

  “My daughter is playing matchmaker Carol. She doesn’t like the fact that I don’t date.”

  “Oh!”

  “So what happened? What made you so mad?”

  I blow out a breath. “One of the guys made a comment about you and I didn’t like it.”

  “A comment about me? Why would he do that? He doesn’t even know me.”

  I can tell she’s taking this the wrong way.

  “Shit Carol. He called you a milf. Do you even know what that is?”

  She bursts out laughing. “No way did one of your soccer players call me a milf.”

  “I’m serious Carol. And it pissed me off that he disrespected you like that. I told him I’d bench him if I heard him say anything about you again. Hell, I’d probably lose my job over it too. He’s my best player.”

  “So you’re saying some young hotshot soccer player thinks I’m attractive,” She giggles a little. I can tell she doesn’t believe it. But she’s got a rocking body, one I’d love to get under me.

  “Jesus Christ Carol. Why are you so shocked by it? You come here flaunting that body, of course, they’re going to think that.”

  I watch her swallow hard. “Do you think that too Von? Do you find me attractive?”

  “You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “Von, so far today you’ve called me gorgeous and pretty. I appreciate it but if you keep it up, I’m going to think you may want to be more than friends,” she winks.

  Carol

  What the hell is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be playing hard to get and here I am flirting with Von.

  “That’s part of the problem Carol,” Von says as he gets up from his chair. “I do want to be more than friends but I don’t think I can be what you want.”

  I move to where he is leaning against the house. “Why don’t you let me decide if you can be what I want?

  He moves to me so quickly I gasp. His hands grip my face. “Do you want me, Carol? Do you feel the pull the way I do?”

  I can only nod, afraid my voice won’t work.

  “Look at me,” he growls and the command zings my body like electricity.

  When my eyes meet his, I see just how much he wants me.

  “Say it, Carol. Tell me you want me.”

  Oh God, my knees go weak as his hands slide up my arms. I’ve never felt this carnal attraction before.

  I can’t deny what’s between us. “Yes, I want you,” I whisper.

  Von takes only a second to confirm with a look before he crashes his lips to mine. He’s as desperate as I am. My hands go to the back of his head pulling him deeper into me. He moans into my mouth when I do it, coaxing a whimper from me.

  When his hands move to my hips, I move my body into his.

  “Fuck Carol. I want you so much,” he says against my lips.

  I know he does because I can feel just how hard he is for me.

  Moving my hips I wrap my leg around his, pushing myself deeper into him for friction. “Von,” I moan.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous,” he murmurs against my neck. “I’d take you right here if I could, but there’s a house full of people and I don’t think you want to get caught.”

  “I don’t care,” I whisper back as he trails kisses down my neck.

  Von chuckles. “Yes, you do.”

  He’s the first to break away leaving me breathless. When I open my eyes, he’s looking at me with the sexiest smile. With his thumbs rubbing my cheeks, he rests his forehead against mine.

  “I need to get back to the party, but before I do I want to make sure you’re okay.”

  I nod. “I’m better than okay.”

  He grabs my hand and leads me back to the party. With a knowing smile and a nod, he heads over to the grill.

  Me? I force my legs to move back to where Rosie is sitting with the girls. Ellie is fast asleep in her stroller in the shade.

  Brenda and Sophia are giving me the eye.

  “Mama, can I go back in the pool now? Cassidy said she’d teach me how to play Marco Plolo.”

  “Marco Polo, and yes if you’re done with your snacks.”

  “Thanks, Cassidy,” I smile.

  “Come on sweetheart,” Von’s daughter says as she leads Rosie to the pool.

  I look around and see Leo and Chris over with the other guys. They’re laughing at something. I tilt my head wondering which one is the guilty culprit who pissed Von off.

  “Hey,” Brenda says as she puts her hand on mine.

  “You look like you just got fucked.”

  “Oh my God Brenda,” I shake my head at her directness.

  “Well, are you going to tell us or what?” This from Sophia.

  I glance over at Von who’s putting the burgers on the grill. I can’t see his face but that’s okay because his backside is hot.

  “Carol!” Brenda snaps.

  “Christ alright. We kissed out on the porch.”

  “Okay well, you’ve already done that before. But you look different,” Sophia smiles.

  “It got a little heavy out there. I swear I didn’t care if anyone caught us. I was ready to rip my dress off and jump him right there.”

  Brenda fist pumps. “I knew it. So what does that mean? Are you two gonna give it a shot?”

  I shake my head. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen. We’ll take it one day at a time I guess.”

  “Coach look!” Rosie yells as Cassidy pulls her through the water. She’s trying to kick her legs as much as she can.

  Von moves over to the edge of the pool and says something to her I can’t hear.

  “Rosie is my first priority, so I need to be careful. She already likes Von. I have a feeling he likes her too so if something goes wrong, I wouldn’t know how to handle it with Rosie.”

  “Just take it slowly Carol,” Sophia, the voice of reason, says. Brenda gives her a dirty look making us all laugh.

  I just hope my patience gets better than it was on the front porch I mutter to myself.

  Cassidy

  I watch the exchange going on between my dad and Carol. Oh yeah, I can tell they like each other for more than friends. My dad hasn’t looked at a woman like that since before my mom died. I’m hoping he takes a leap of faith and takes Carol out on a date. He deserves to be happy.

  I feel guilty about what happened between my mom and dad. He and I have never talked about it but I think he knows about my mom’s affair. I only found out because I heard her on the phone one night while my dad was working.

  Part of me is pissed at her for going out on my dad. But that anger ceased when she died. Now I just feel guilty about being mad at her.

  I know my parents loved each other, but I thi
nk they met too young, perhaps each taking the other for granted. If my mom was still here I’d tell them both. As an adult, I see things differently now.

  “Cassidy, I’m going to a swimming pool next week and I’m not scared anymore,” Rosie says as I help her float in the pool.

  “Why were you scared, sweetie?”

  Rosie splashes, causing her eyes to close. She’s hanging on to my arms for all she’s worth.

  I won’t let you go Rosie.

  “Mama is making me go to therapy at a new pool. She said it’ll help me.”

  “Your mom is right Rosie. Aquatic therapy helps people who have Cerebral Palsy. It helps relax your muscles. You don’t have anything to be scared about you know. You’re doing great.”

  I make a mental note to ask Carol about the pool where Rosie will be going. Maybe I could tag along. My internship starts in the Fall and I’d love to do it here in Clearwater.

  “Let’s take a break, Rosie. Looks like the burgers are ready and I’m starving.”

  Von

  It’s starting to get dark out now. The fireworks should be starting in an hour or so. Everyone seems to be enjoying the picnic. Carol and Rosie are eating, Cass is talking with her friend Missy, the rest of my guests seem content at the moment. I wish I were.

  Carol and I have exchanged a few smiles. If she weren’t Chris’s sister I’d make sure she was right here by my side. I wouldn’t give a fuck who thought what. But I know she does, and I don’t want to make it weird for her.

  I see my daughter making her way through the crowd over to the table where I’m finishing up.

  “Hey Dad, I really like Carol and Rosie.”

  Looking down at what’s left of my burger, I nod. “Me too Cass.”

  “So what are you going to do about it?”

  I chuckle at my daughter’s bossiness. She gets that from her mother.

  Mia. Fuck! What would she think?

  Cass notices my mood change. And perhaps she can read my thoughts.

  “Dad,” she says putting her hand on mine. “It’s okay to move on. I’m sure mom would want you to.”

  I nod swallowing the sudden tension. “I know sweetheart but that’s not the only thing making me hesitant about starting something with Carol. She has a little girl and well, Chris is her brother. I’ll need to talk to him. I’d like him to be okay with this whatever this is.”

  “Dad you don’t need anyone’s approval. In case you didn’t know, you and Carol are adults. And from what I can tell, Rosie really likes you.”

  The thought makes me smile as I look over at Rosie. She’s sitting on her mom’s lap eating her dinner.

  “You should be over there with them, instead of here by yourself.”

  “I’m just grabbing a quick bite so I can check on everyone in case they want more. Don’t worry about your old man Cass, I’m okay. Go have fun with Missy.”

  “I will. In fact, I’m going to crash at her place tonight,” she winks. “Love you, Daddy,” she says as she kisses me on the side of my head.

  “Stay away from the guys,” I yell. I want to say especially Tanner but I don’t.

  That little shit apologized to me but I told him Carol was the one he should apologize to. We’ll see if he has the balls to do it.

  “Hey,” Carol says as she sits down next to me. “You’ve been busy making sure everyone is having a good time. Maybe it’s time you did too.”

  I recognize the desire in her eyes. It matches mine.

  “And how do you think I should relax?”

  She cocks her head to the pool.

  “You want me to go in the pool with you?” I ask with raised eyebrows.

  “Why not Von? It’s your pool.”

  “Are you going to join me?”

  “I thought I might,” she flirts making my shorts feel a bit tighter.

  I lean in. “And what do you think your brother will say about you and I hanging out Carol? Don’t you think I should talk to him first.”

  “Two things you ought to know before you and I start this. First, my brother doesn’t tell me what I can and can’t do and second, he admires you. I don’t think he’d have a problem with us hanging out.”

  I inch closer to Carol wanting her to experience what I’m feeling. “Is that what we’re going to do Carol? Are we going to hang out?”

  “I guess it’s a start. But first,” she stands, “I’m going in the pool.”

  As Carol starts to make her way to the pool, Tanner stops her and my fists clench. I’m immediately at her side.

  “Um, I’m Tanner ma’am. I owe you an apology.”

  Carol looks at me and I nod.

  “Okay, Tanner. Why do you owe me an apology? You and I have never met before.”

  “No ma’am but I said something inappropriate when you walked by me and the guys,” he says as he points to a group of his teammates standing on the other side of the yard. “I’m sorry I called you a milf.”

  Carol bursts out laughing then clears her throat after she notices my serious face.

  “Well Tanner, yourn apology is accepted. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  With a nod to Tanner, I follow Carol to the pool. She slips her dress off making my mouth water. Her bathing suit shows just enough to get me riled up while being conservative enough to not show too much.

  When we pass Brenda and Sophia, I hear giggles knowing she’s probably already filled them in on what’s happened between the two of us. More reason to talk to Chris. I want him to hear it from me and not Brenda.

  “Hey Coach,” some of the guys say as I get into the pool. “We’re going to get out and take some of the chairs across the street for the fireworks.”

  “Okay, I’m just going to cool off. I’ll be there soon.”

  “Carol,” Brenda says when she comes to the edge of the pool, “We’re going to take Ellie home. Do you want me to take Rosie too? She can spend the night with me tonight.”

  Carol glances over at a sleeping Rosie who’s laying across Sophia. Walking over, she brushes her daughter’s hair out of her face.

  “Are you sure? I feel like I should wake her up. She loves fireworks.”

  “Don’t wake her Carol. She’s so tired. She can sleep in Ellie’s room. You know she loves that.”

  I can see Carol debating whether or not she should take Rosie home or let her go with Brenda and Chris.

  She blows out a breath but Brenda doesn’t give her a chance to say no. “I’ll have Chris load her stuff into my car.”

  My eyes lock onto Chris’s. I can tell he’s trying to figure out what’s going on. Luckily Brenda intervenes as I stand in the pool.

  “Carol deserves to have a night of fun. Von, you’ll be sure to get her home if she can’t drive okay.”

  “Yeah sure of course,” I say nervously. Can Chris see through this little setup? And Carol? She looks like she’s about to freak out.

  “Come on Chris, I’ll take Ellie. You grab Rosie from Sophia and let’s get the sleeping beauties out of here before the fireworks wake them up.”

  Chris leans down to talk to his sister while Brenda gives me a wink.

  “Are you sure you want to stay here?” He asks her.

  Surprisingly, she tells him yes right away. No thinking about it like I thought she would.

  “Alright, then I guess we’ll go. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Coach. Have a good night Sis.”

  “Bye and thanks for taking Rosie. I’ll pick her up after work Brenda.”

  “Have fun,” Brenda says as she waves over her shoulder.

  Carol and I are the only two left in the pool. In fact, almost everyone is across the street waiting for the fireworks to start. Leo and Sophia give us quick waves and head out to the fireworks.

  Shit! I feel like I’m about to lose my virginity. This gorgeous woman is here with me in my pool, the star-lined sky providing just the right amount of light.

  Carol clears her throat. “Do you think w
e should go out with the others?”

  I shake my head as I make my way through the water to her. She looks as nervous as I feel. But when I reach her, I grab her hand and pull her into me.

  “Von,” she moans.

  My mouth goes to hers, coaxing her to open for me. When her body relaxes in my arms, I know she’s okay with this. Deepening the kiss, my hands move down Carol’s arms to her hips.

  She shocks me when she jumps up to wrap her legs around my waist. I catch her just in time.

  The feeling I get with having her so close isn’t like anything I’ve ever felt before. Not even with my wife. I want her right here, but I know I need to pull back a little. If she wants me too, I don’t want our first time to be in the pool.

  “Carol?” I murmur against her lips.

  “Why are you stopping?” She whispers as she leans her forehead against mine.

  I don’t let go of her. I like feeling her in my arms but the kissing, that’s going to get us into trouble.

  “Carol, how far are you willing to go right here in this pool where anyone can walk back and see us? Believe me, if we were guaranteed to be alone, I’d have that damn bathing suit off you in a second. It’s been taunting me all day.”

  She giggles. “I’d say I’m sorry but I’m not. You taunt me too you know, every day at work.”

  “Sure, an old man like me? You’re so sexy, I knew there’d be trouble once the guys saw you.”

  Carol wraps her arms around my neck. “I guess that makes you lucky then huh?”

  I smirk, “Damn straight it does.”

  Carol blows out a breath as I move us slowly through the pool.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  She cringes. “How do we handle this with my brother?”

  “I’m going to handle it, Carol. I want to tell him that I can’t stay away from his sister and I intend to take good care of her,” I say as I twirl her causing a ripple in the otherwise still pool.

  “Take care of me huh? I don’t really need you to do that Von. I’ve been taking care of myself since I was eighteen.”