Iris is gobbling up the information, though, coming at him with eager questions that he answers with ease.
When my roommate starts asking for tips on how to set up a compost heap, I intervene. “Um, guys. I’m not crazy about the idea of a rotting cow shit pile on the back lawn.”
Iris giggles and twinkles. “Don’t get all anxious, Jude. I’m just curious, that’s all.”
Without thinking, I wind my arms around her waist and pull her to me, then I drop a kiss in her hair.
She freezes in my arms and I’m acutely aware of Walker’s face—his stupid, smirking face—as he takes in the scene.
Fuck him. I give Iris a squeeze and when she squeezes me back, it feels right and I don’t give a shit who’s staring.
The door swings open and all attention drifts that way. Jessa pushes Penny inside, then makes a stealthy entrance herself.
“Hey.” Jessa glances at us. She closes the door behind her and stares out the glass, like she’s paranoid someone might be following her.
Lexi untangles herself from Cannon’s arms and meets her sister at the door. “Guys, what’s up?” Her eyes bounce between Jessa and Penny.
Jessa grins at us. “Thanks for meeting me here,” she says. “I don’t have much time. Callie’s taking her nap. But as you all know, I’m her new nanny.”
“How’s that been going?” Cannon takes his place right next to his wife, hands buried deep in his front pockets. “I know she’s a handful but don’t tell me you’re backing out on us already. We need you, Jessa.”
I feel a thick rope of anxiety spooling in my belly at my brother’s words. We do need her. She’s taken so much off of Mom’s plate. In the short time since she came to work here, Callie has been thriving.
Jessa wrinkles up her nose. “Back out? Hell no! I love that kid. We’re having the best time.”
I see a hint of a smile take it’s place on Walker’s face. “They’ve been getting on like a house on fire. They just adore each other,” he tells us. “I’ve seen you girls out here having tea parties in the field.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s adorable. This is the most fun job I’ve ever had.” Jessa’s gaze fans over the rest of us. “But I could use your help.”
I take a step forward. “Tell us what you need and we’ll make it happen.”
Her smile brightens. “Well, Callie’s birthday is about a week away and I was thinking it would be nice to throw her a birthday party, y’know. Princess theme. Balloons. Streamers. A few of her friends from yoga class. I know Mr. and Mrs. Kingston already have so much going on with the guest house. I’d really like to surprise them by taking this off their hands. So I was hoping Callie’s kind, loving, handsome uncles” —Her hand drops to Cannon’s shoulder—“and my sweetest, prettiest, bestest friends in the world”—She flings an arm around Lexi’s waist—“could help me make it happen?”
“Lexi and me are in,” Cannon announces with a glance at his wife.
“Hell yeah!” Lexi says without missing a beat.
“I’m in!” Penny pipes up. “You can count on me.”
I see the way Walker’s eyes trace Penny from head-to-toe, stalling at the hem of her short, red skirt. Then, he gives Jessa a subtle nod. “Whatever you need.” Penny glances at him, then quickly averts her eyes but her cheeks are pinker than they were a second ago.
“You know I’m in,” Iris says.
I sit on the edge of an empty work table and pull my roomie between my legs. “If Iris is in, I’m in.”
There’s a pause as everybody watches my arms around Iris. Their faces portray shock. I smirk.
“Perfect.” Jessa excitedly claps her hands together. Then she launches into one of her energetic rambles. She assigns tasks to each of us. She’ll watch over the kids. Cannon will hang decorations. Penny and Walker on drinks. Lexi and Iris on other snacks. Me, on the grill.
When she tries to talk about budgetary limits, I immediately shut that shit down. “Budget?!” I scoff. “We’re going all out for Princess Callie’s birthday party. Hell, somebody get me Cinderella’s phone number. We’re flying that chick over from Disneyland first-class.”
We all laugh.
We’re discussing a few final details when the greenhouse door swings open. Ma takes a step inside and seems taken aback to see the lot of us huddled around in here.
“Oh, hello,” she says suspiciously, her eyes moving over us.
“Hey, Ma.” Cannon slings an arm around her and plants a kiss in her hair. He makes warning eyes at the rest of us over her head.
She looks at me. “Jude, I thought I saw your car parked out by the fence.” She takes a glance at Iris all tied up in my arms. She purses her lips against her pleased smile.
Iris tries to wriggle out of my hold but I keep her there, just to make her squirm. We’ve got a thing going on. And everybody else is just gonna have to deal. We’re all adults here.
“What are you all doing, hiding out in here?” Mom asks. She looks at Walker, the worst liar out of us all. When we were kids and we’d get in trouble, all she’d have to do is look at my oldest brother, and from there, she could usually figure it out.
“You here for tomatoes, Ma?” Walker hastily spins around and starts picking a few tomatoes.
“Yes.”
“Chilli for dinner?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Have a great day, Ma.” My brother hands over the tomatoes.
Ma rolls her eyes. “Fine. Be like that. Go back to whatever it is you’re doing.”
She gives Iris and me one more look. She smiles to herself. Then she turns around and leaves.
“Let’s talk location.” Lexi addresses the room in a lowered voice. “If we’re trying to keep our plans a secret from Diana and Lucas, it might be a little hard to do that if we’re throwing the party here on their property.”
“There’s space in our backyard, for sure,” Cannon says, “But there’s also the river and the ponds. I can have it gated off for the day, not a problem. But we’ll need lots of extra chaperones just to be safe.”
I hear Iris speak timidly beside me. “Or we can do it at my house…” She glances at me for confirmation. “I mean, I have a huge gated yard and a tree swing and lots of space for the kids to run around.” She throws a shy look at Cannon. “It’s just a suggestion. Callie’s your niece and if you want to have the party at your place—”
“Your place would be great, Iris,” Lexi says and everybody else seems to agree.
We discuss a few more details and soon, everyone is filtering out of the greenhouse. Iris lingers with the orchids. “I still can’t get over how beautiful these are,” she murmurs to herself. “I’ll proudly admit that I have a green thumb and my flower garden is heaven. But I really struggle with the orchids.”
“It’s all about the soil,” Walker reiterates. “We do our own composting here on the farm. I can get you a small bag, if you’d like.”
Iris’s face lights up like someone just offered her a bowl of diamonds and a shopping spree in Milan. “Oh, my gosh. That would be lovely.”
I swear I’ve never seen a woman more excited over a pile of cow shit. That’s what I adore about this woman. She’s so down-to-earth. The simplest things fill her cup, make her smile.
“All right, I’ll give you the royal tour of the compost heap.” Walker bows regally. He slides on his cowboy hat then marches toward the door.
“Come on, Jude.” Iris happily tugs my wrist.
Um, I don’t share her excitement. “I think I’ll just stay here for a second. Give my knee a rest.”
“Are you okay?” Concern quickly overshadows her excitement.
I kiss her forehead, my heart warm from her concern. “Yeah, babe. I’m fine. I’ll be here. Waiting for you.”
Iris glances around for spectators but the coast is clear. She reaches up and puts her arms around my neck. Her mouth meets mine for a slow, soft kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
She throws me the happiest grin over her
shoulder then she skips off to where Walker is trudging across the field.
And I feel damn lucky to know her. Women like Iris Merlini are practically impossible to find.
28
Jude
This is what snorting cocaine feels like. I’m sure of it. This is what it feels like to be high out of your mind.
Okay, fine. I don’t have any real experience with taking drugs, but I imagine it feels exactly like this.
My whole body is buzzing. I feel alive. There’s this euphoric tingle in my muscles that vibrates all the way to my bones, and it’s making me restless and excited.
I just visited with my doctor here in town, and for the first time in forever, I received a shred of good news. Fucking fantastic news, actually.
The doc is reconsidering his original opinion that I would never play football again. He told me that he no longer can rule out that possibility. I couldn’t miss the surprise on the man’s face as he reviewed the new scans this morning. He chalked my progress up to some fucking good luck and my unrelenting dedication to the strenuous recovery program.
I know better. I know I have a secret weapon—the sexiest, most amazing, little cheerleader in my corner.
His recommendation is for me to obtain a second opinion with another doctor to be sure.
I try to stay balanced. To keep my head on straight. To not get ahead of myself. But fuck! I might actually be able to step onto that field and play ball with my team again.
I need to get my body back to its prime. I’m celebrating the news with a case of isotonic sports drinks and some protein shakes.
Still giddy, I drop my purchases off at the front door and go to seek out Iris. She’s the first person I wanted to share the news with—Not my coach. Not my agent. Not even my family. And I’m too pumped to stop and dissect what that means.
I tear down the hall and find her sitting at the kitchen table. I must look crazy because at the sight of me, she’s immediately on her feet. “What is it? What’s going on?” she asks warily.
My hands are on her waist before I can get a word out. “I went to the doctor, Iris.”
“And?” Her eyes twinkle. She’s barely containing her excitement for me.
“He thinks I can play. Not right this minute and he does want me to get a second opinion. But he thinks I’ll be able to play again.”
“Oh, my god, Jude.” She cups my cheeks in her little hands. “Oh my god. That’s incredible.”
My mouth is on hers in an instant. I kiss the fuck out of her, my chest pounding with excitement and gratitude and a flurry of other sparkling emotions I don’t know how to identify.
I whisper against her lips. “Thank you, Iris.”
She pulls back and eyes me questioningly.
“You know I wouldn’t have been able to get to this point without you, right?” I brush golden hair from her face. “You know that?”
Looking overwhelmed, she shakes her head. “Jude, it was you. You did the work.”
“With you by my side, Petal.”
Because I can’t get enough of her, I lean in and kiss her again. Softly, this time. Enjoying her the way a good woman is meant to be enjoyed.
When we pull apart, she staggers against me, weak on her knees. “Jude…” She whispers my name in a pleading tone and I know it won’t be much longer till I take this woman to bed. But there’s something we need to do first.
I kiss a path from her lips, all the way up to her ear. “Go get your sexy ass dressed, Iris. We’ve got plans tonight and I can’t wait to go show you off.”
29
Iris
I’m a ball of nerves before we’ve even stepped out of the car. I’m sort of freaking out here.
I’m not sure if my dress is appropriate. Or if my makeup is overdone. I can’t decide if I should stick to my diet tonight or make a tiny exception. And most importantly, I have no idea how to interact with Jude in public.
I mean, we’re not a couple. We’ve never even been on a date. Aside from that moment in Walker’s greenhouse, all our time together has been confined to my house and backyard. And I’m terrified about meeting another NFL superstar and his picture-perfect wife.
What if I get all weird? Or shy? Or say the wrong thing? Or say nothing at all? I’m psyching myself out.
I tried talking Jude out of bringing me more than once. These are his people, and they wanted to hang out with him. I really don’t want to interfere. But the man is stubborn and convincing and when he starts working that dimple of his, my reasoning mind fails me every time.
Jude helps me out of his car and I think he can sense the theatrics happening inside my anxious mind. He doesn’t let go of my hand while we cross the street toward the restaurant, where we’re meeting his friends. Instead, he squeezes my hand tighter. Him touching me like this makes me feel…good. Calmer.
“Everything is going to be fine, Petal. Don’t be nervous. Faith will love you.” He drops a kiss on my cheek as we enter the front door. And I get so busy tangled up with all these flapping butterflies that I forget all the things I’m supposed to be insecure about.
Faith and Maxwell are already at the table when we walk in. I know it’s them because this gorgeous blonde woman is excitedly waving her arm around and grinning in our direction. We haven’t even said hello yet and her contagious energy is already drawing me in.
Maxwell stands to greet us. The guys do a weird man-hug thing.
Then, Jude winds an arm around my waist. “Guys, this is Iris.” He glances at me, searching my face. “My…”
“…Friend from college,” I jump in because I’m not sure I’m ready to find out exactly what this man thinks of me. We were most definitely not friends in college, but it’s much less complicated like this. This way, I don’t have to face what I think of him yet.
“I’m Faith!” The woman hops up and comes at me, arms out. “I…Can I…? Oh, forget it. I’m a hugger. I’m gonna hug you.”
I laugh. “Okay,” I consent, although it’s already too late, since she’s practically rocking me from side to side already.
Faith is literally stunning, as I expected her to be. Her blonde hair is similar to mine, but hers is styled much nicer. She has bright blue eyes, a thin frame. She has at least a few inches on me. More, with those heels she’s rocking.
“Sorry, I’m just excited.” She clasps her hands over her heart. “Jude has never brought a ‘friend’ around us before.”
Kirk never used to bring me to work dinners. It always made me wonder if he was ashamed of me or if he somehow knew I wouldn't fit in with his colleagues. But now I realize it was probably because he was fucking half the female faculty members.
I exhale to push the thought away. I don’t want to focus on my insecurities and past hurts tonight. I want to relax, maybe even have fun.
When Faith moves on to hug Jude, Maxwell turns his smile on me. “Nice to see you again, Iris.” He gives me a hug. Far less enthusiastic than his wife’s thankfully because I don’t think I could survive being swung around like that by a towering pro-athlete.
Jude and I take the remaining chairs at their small square table. Before I can even pick up the menu, Faith draws me into a conversation.
She compliments my dress. And my shoes. And my eye makeup. Then, she asks about my haircut, and I give her my mom’s business card. She talks me into ordering a glass of her favorite wine and helps me sort through the overwhelming choices on the menu. Somehow, the conversation turns to wedding dresses and Faith realizes I’m Lexi’s best friend. Turns out Faith bought a wedding gown from Lexi recently when she and Maxwell renewed their vows for the third time.
She’s definitely a talker, and she exudes so much positivity that I have no choice but to match her personality. Soon, I find myself laughing and rambling on, too. Jude watches me with the widest smile on his face because he knows this is out of character for me. I’m the shy girl, remember?
Jude brags about my flower garden and Faith seems genuinely int
erested. She says that she personally has the thumb of death and she accidentally kills every houseplant that comes her way but one of her sisters is married to a farmer.
When I ask Faith and Maxwell how they met, they tell a wild tale, complete with a catfish incident, a fake engagement and a road trip to Vegas. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard or had such an instant connection with new friends.
As our dinner winds down, the topic turns to business. I wrongly assumed that Faith didn’t work since she travels around to watch Maxwell play football. But it turns out that on top of her job as director-general of the Reyfield Community Centre, she runs a business alongside her two other sisters. They each have their own role that matches their individual talents.
I’m a little jealous. I’ve been longing for a team of trusted people to get into business with. When I tell her I’m working on some business ideas, too, Faith is practically bouncing in her seat.
She reaches across the table, arm extended for a high-five. “Really? Girl boss! You should totally come hang out with me and my sisters some time. You can bounce ideas off us, and we can make a day out of it.”
“Sure. I would love that.” I mean it.
“Jude, text her my number, will you?” Faith demands, and I laugh at her boldness. She’s obviously used to bossing these big, tough athletes around all the time.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jude says, with a salute.
“Also, Maxwell and I are having a barbeque at our Reyfield house this weekend,” she announces. “You should come join us. It’ll be fun to get everyone together. My sisters will be there, and so will some of the Paragons.”
Jude glances at me for my consent. I nod and grin. “We’ll be there.”
The guys shift the conversation to the football season while Faith focuses on eating her dessert. She’s so thin, I don’t know where she puts it. But I love that she’s a girl who is not afraid to eat.
Mister Baller: A Small Town Enemies-to-Lovers Sports Romance (Bad Boys in Love Book 2) Page 16