by Aliyah Burke
“Faye!” he hollered as she was helped into the back of a black town car. She didn’t look back at him or acknowledge him in anyway.
He tried to calm down but his anger and the jealousy eating at him didn’t make it easy. Kaeden didn’t leave and woke when she walked back through the door, hours later and five in the morning.
She didn’t say a word, just walked by him and headed off to her room. When the shower kicked on, he got off the couch and trailed her back there, stripping as he went. Sliding back the curtain he waited for her to yell at him, but she didn’t say a single word. Neither did he, at least not verbally. He said it all with touches, kisses, caresses.
After they were sated and clean, he carried her to the bed and held her as she slept until he had to leave for practice. Something about this had begun to feel all too real.
Chapter Fourteen
Faye hustled through the rain to her bookstore. The cold afternoon of typical Vancouver weather didn’t dampen her spirits though, she loved the rain. Didn’t mean she wasn’t grateful to get out of it and inside where it smelled like the perfect blend of old books, coffee, and pastries.
“Hey Faye.”
“Randy,” she replied as she waved to JadaLei who had a customer. “How’s it been?”
“Crazy busy. So, freaking fantastic.” Randy patted her hair which had been done in microbraids. “Girl, you look exhausted.”
“I think exhaustion would be an improvement to how I feel.” She put her bag behind the counter. “How are you doing?”
She’d not seen her girls in a while but they were all attending the first real game of the season. Kaeden had given her three tickets to it, his note of instruction was to bring them. It was tonight and they were closing up the shop early, however, she’d stopped by to take care of some paperwork while they wrapped up.
Both of her friends were in Storm gear, as was she. Yes, she had on Kaeden’s jersey paired with a pair of comfortable jeans. Hair up off her neck, so she didn’t get annoyed with it, she had team color ribbons woven in as well.
The past week had been rough. She and Kaeden hadn’t spoken, not really, since the tense phone call before he showed up at her house when she had to go. Of course, that hadn’t stopped the body numbing sex they shared or how tender and possessive he’d held her as she fell asleep.
This past week she’d been burning the candle at both ends. She had met Michelle once more and was helping her out with some things the woman wanted to do. Their mani-pedi day had been fun and yet the entire time, she’d been expecting the other shoe to drop. To get stiffed for the bill or to have something happen to make her a laughingstock.
None of it had and she felt bad for expecting it.
Wednesday night had been another literacy session and Marvin had come again. The player was a lot like her brother, one way on the field and completely different off. She liked him. Faye had tried to call Kaeden but he didn’t answer her calls or her texts. Frustrated and uncharacteristically angry with him and herself, she tried to pretend he didn’t exist. Not an easy feat when people all around were asking how he was doing and if he was going to be a team player this year or do his usual thing of “it’s all about me” on the field.
“Faye.”
Randy nudged her in the shoulder. Blinking she looked up at her friend. Both of them were there, coats on and ready to go.
Shit.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, scrambling up. “Let’s go.”
They both blocked her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am, just, everything’s coming to a head. And I’m nervous for him.”
Their smiles made things right for her.
“It’s going to be a great game and the Storm will win.” JadaLei kissed her cheek. “Let’s have some fun.”
Her plan for sure.
They all caught a ride share to the stadium. Thankfully, the Storm had a covered stadium, so she didn’t have to spend the game out in the rain. Not that it would have stopped her but sometimes it was just nice to be dry after a game.
Their driver recognized her and the ride over, slow because of traffic, was full of him telling her how he wanted to come to this game but was working extra shifts because he and his husband were expecting their first child any day now and he figured either he could be nervous and spend money, or nervous and make money.
They were let out at the front and after saying goodbye, she and her friends linked arms and walked up to the gate. They were waved in and pointed in the direction of their seats.
“Damn, I didn’t realize he got you such good seats.” JadaLei whistled. “I need to land me a ball player.”
“And here I was thinking you needed to put out more because we’re not in one of those boxes.”
She punched Randy. “He knows I don’t want to be up in the box. I like being down by the game.”
Her gaze immediately found Kaeden warming up on the field. His sleeveless tee did nothing except make her want to run up to him and climb him like a fucking tree. He had on some headphones while he worked out and she couldn’t look away.
“Definitely need to get me a player.”
Randy’s comment was echoed by JadaLei.
After warmups had finished and the men trotted off the field, she swore he looked in her direction, but she wasn’t going to head down that road.
The stands filled and she soon found they’d been surrounded by Storm fans. And it turned out, not all of them were fans of Kaeden. She ignored their hurled insults for the most part. Even when it turned to degrading her and making it seem like she was the cause of his problems.
She wouldn’t let her friends say anything either.
The score by halftime was knotted up at seventeen. Full of nachos, she sipped her beer as the halftime show went on.
“He needs to bench the fucking QB,” Randy snapped, popping some fries in her mouth. “He can’t keep them moving down the field. Put Luke back in. I get it, Jason is the up and coming future but if he is the reason, we lose our first home game, that’s bullshit.”
Those around them agreed with her and when a shadow fell over her, she looked up to see Michelle standing there, wearing something she wouldn’t be caught dead in wearing to a game.
Behind her was a security guard.
The crowd there recognized her and started hollering for her to get her man put in so they could win.
“Hi.” The greeting was a bit strained.
Faye lifted an eyebrow. “Hi? Everything okay?”
“Just wondering why you weren’t in the box with us.” She looked around and then glanced back at Faye.
“Kaeden got myself and my friends tickets. He knows I, we, like to be down here where we can actually see the game and enjoy the atmosphere.” She pointed to her friends and made introductions. “Randy and JadaLei, this is Michelle. Luke’s wife.”
“Oh.” Disappointment filled her features. “I’d hoped you’d be up there with us.”
“Maybe next time.”
The players ran back out onto the field and this time for sure she knew he looked up at her. Both him and Luke, looked at them.
“I’ll see you later then,” she said and walked away, her heels and tight dress so far out of place for this section it wasn’t funny.
“If you have to wear that to be in the box, I’m happy down here,” Randy whispered.
Coach didn’t bench Jason but the man was close, she could read his irritation and temperament like a book. He wasn’t the only getting pissed with the quarterback. He was off by himself when the defense took the field.
She cheered just as hard for her brother as she did Kaeden. Not that he got a lot of play because even when he was open, Jason seemed to send the ball to someone else.
With four minutes left the coach went up to Jason and got in his face. Whatever went on between them, it wasn’t pretty.
The Storm were back on the field with offense and leaned forward, eyes locked on her tight end. He was fucking poetry
on the field. He wasn’t being double covered because Jason had basically been ignoring him. Fingers clenched, she watched him run his route.
When he turned, she smacked her gaze back to the quarterback who was in danger of giving up a safety. The crowd around them yelled and she just whispered up a silent prayer for him to throw it. He did.
In the general direction of Kaeden, definitely not what anyone could consider a strike to him. But HP hadn’t gotten that name for nothing, he’d come back to help out the young quarterback, snagged the ball from the air with a sweet grab and ran. He didn’t get them a touchdown but he got a shit ton of yardage for them to work with.
By the end of the game, they’d won by two points and Faye was drained. She and her friends waited around and went down to the tunnel. She ignored the reporters who hovered around and talked while they waited for the players to come out.
Randy and JadaLei were pumped and even though she was exhausted, she couldn’t ignore the thrum that pulsed through the air. Because they’d not been in a rush the players had already begun to head out and her heart does this funny flutter when she sees him. Not even all the women around him could kill it.
He pushed by them and made long strides up the tunnel, frustration etched in his expression. The way he forced himself to stop by her killed the warm feeling she had earlier. One of the women following commented, “Looks like trouble in the so called paradise. Call me, handsome when you want a woman who will accentuate your arm, not weigh it down.” She kissed her fingers and touched Kaeden’s face.
He didn’t even try to get away from it and the remaining hope started to wither.
“Good game.”
“Yeah, thanks.” A sigh. “Want to eat?”
“No thanks. We just wanted to pop in and say thank you for the tickets. We had a blast. Enjoy your night.”
Pivoting she walked away without caring how it looks. The tears didn’t fall until they were heading to where they were going to catch their ride.
αβ
“Can’t you go fucking fart outside of this room man, I don’t want to smell that shit.” Kaeden rolled away from the offender.
Marvin ignored him but it made sense since his headphones were on. Kaeden was in a mood. A fucking foul one. They’d been on the road for the past three weeks and were heading home finally after tomorrow’s game.
Faye hadn’t picked up a single call from or responded to her texting. He was horny as fuck and was quite frankly tired of jerking his own meat. There were tons of women around them, all the time looking to help him out.
Unable to stand the stench, he got off the bed and stalked out the hotel door. Shoving his hat lower, he waited for the elevator. On the way down, he tried Faye once more but his call didn’t get picked up. His mood didn’t improve not even with winning their next game.
He sent a message to her letting her know he had tickets for her again for their first game back home after the three weeks on the road. He wanted to go see her but there isn’t time. None that week.
In the locker room pre-game he sits there, headphones on trying to focus. This is Faye’s fault, why I can’t concentrate worth shit.
A foot kicks him and he lifts his gaze to find Mitchell there.
He moves one side of his headphone away. “What?”
“You okay? You look like shit.”
“Fine. Just thinking about the game.” The lie—wasn’t really a lie—rolled easily from his lips. Right now, was not the time for him to get swept up into Faye and all his fucking feelings surrounding their situation.
His friend grunted, knowing his hatred for this team they played against. The one who seemed like they couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. Payback came tonight, he would show them what they lost. And make every one of those fans wish he still wore their black and gold colors instead of Storm colors.
“Get my sis a ticket?”
He nodded while reaching for his helmet. “I did. Why, did she say something to you?”
“Nope, she’s been busy this week like us I guess.”
Should he feel any better because she’d not made time to talk to her brother either this week? Perhaps not, but he did.
“Let’s go kick the shit out of these Devils.” He smacked Mitchell on the back and they joined the others out in the tunnel, waiting for them to be announced.
Kaeden knew exactly where her seat was for the ticket he provided. He cut his gaze there and stumbled a bit when he didn’t see her. Swearing, he kicked any and all thoughts about her to the curb. Or so he thought.
His first quarter was dismal. Fuck, if his future was his decision, he wouldn’t bring him back. A fact that only pissed him off further. They were down by nine at the half. He stood there and took the ass reaming he got from his coach as well as the head coach. There was no excuse, it was on him. And his lack of focus.
Because Faye isn’t here.
Playing like a man possessed for the next two quarters, he fist pumped the air when they came out victorious. His mood elevated, he showered and hitched his bag over his shoulder. The interviews after the game were a mild irritation and he didn’t bolt early even though he wanted to do so. It was late and he had two things on his mind. Food and Faye.
When she was not at her place and not answering her phone, his anger ratcheted up again. Slamming his hands on the steering wheel, he swore a stream of words that would have gotten his ass beat had he been home.
The fuck I’m chasing you.
Determined to enjoy his night, he pulled into a club and nodded at the bouncer who let him into the building pumping out the pounding beat. Scantily clad women, lots of alcohol, this was what he’d been missing. And after three drinks he called his agent, left her a message then went back to enjoying his night.
Leaving the club in the wee hours of the morning, he rubbed the back of his neck and frowned, smelling himself. Lots of perfume and none of it the scent he liked. Driving home, he stopped at a light and looked to his right.
His stomach dropped. Faye. Right there in the outdoor seating of an all night diner. Obviously enjoying herself with some people he couldn’t identify right away, not other than the male who’d given her a ride home one day. He changed lanes and pulled behind the building in their parking lot and strode around the front.
Her laughter hit him square in the gut and he ground his jaw. He stopped against the small wrought iron fencing that separated the seating from the street. The group was leaving and he waited until they stepped out from the gated area.
“Fancy seeing you here, Faye.”
She looked at him, eyes wide with shock and a bit of confusion.
“I expected you at my home game. You know, bit of a shock when I look up into the stands where I got you tickets and, well, you weren’t there.” He crossed his arms. “We won though, thanks for asking.”
“Kaeden,” she began only to snap her mouth shut when two women sauntered up to him and cuddled right against him. Flirting.
“There you are,” one cooed. “We had fun last night.”
Both women kissed his cheek and one, the one on his right, picked up his hand and settled it on her boob. “I’m so glad you’re leaving the minors. Welcome back to the big leagues.” No missing the side-eye she gave Faye.
He pulled his hand away. “That’s a baseball reference and I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
The women shrug and look at Faye who had an equally confused look on her face.
“It’s like you don’t know,” the one on his left chortled. “Here, I have it, let me show you.” She hurried and got right next to Faye. “I saved it because, well, it’s fucking epic.”
The image was a bit grainy but it wasn’t hard to tell it is him as he paced the end of a corridor. For a couple seconds there was no sound then, his voice, deep and angry.
“I don’t give a fuck, Lannie. I’m done. I never asked for a fucking girlfriend, real or fake. Don’t you think if I actually wanted to be with her, I would have done
so on my own? I grew up next to her. I’ve known her most of my life. Obviously, she’s not the one I want. I’m a grown ass man and I should be able to decide if I want to be tied down. I’ve been sharing a room with a man who can’t fucking read and is probably seeing more of my girlfriend than I am. I’m done with his. I’m the best fucking tight end in the goddamn league. I’ve kept my nose clean, done what they wanted, but now, I’m done. If I want to go out and fuck five girls, that’s what I’m going to do. From this fucking moment, I’m single again. Appearances I’ll still do but I’m bringing who I want to bring.” He began to face the one videoing him so it cut off.
The one who had showed Faye gave a low whistle. “Ouch that has to hurt. Dumped on social media.”
Kaeden wanted to fucking hurl. “Faye, baby, that’s taken out of context.”
He couldn’t explain the whirlwind of fear and panic pushing through him as he saw the hurt in her eyes. Reaching for her, she shook her head and stepped back, her friend Cooper stepping in front of her.
“Haven’t you done enough.” Anger and derision roll from his tongue.
They all surrounded her, Faye’s friends, creating an effective barrier between them and walked her off down the street. Leaving him alone with the two women he wouldn’t ever want, shocked that what should have been a private conversation between him, and his agent had just bombed the shit out of his life.
He called her even as he stalked back to his car having to snap at the women to get them to back off.
He got her voicemail and left a message for her, words short and sharp. “Not quite sure how a fucking conversation between us got put on social media but I want it down. Now!”
Kaeden slid behind the wheel and pounded it as a roar escaped from his throat. All he could see when he closed his eyes was Faye’s stricken expression and the hurt in her eyes. He had to call her and tell her what it was about, that those words were from a drunk asshole. Not true ones of how he viewed her.
Even though she would most likely ignore his call right now, he had to try so he called Faye. As he’d expected, it went to voicemail.