by Alice Ward
I squeezed into my seat, closed my eyes, and followed the same ritual as before to get through my short flight. At least I wasn’t in the back this time.
As the plane took off, I imagined Todd holding my hand, whispering that everything was okay. My mind spiraled with thoughts of our adventures, and how far he’d been able to push me past my limits. I could smell his cologne with my eyes shut, and even taste his delicious lips.
“We’re arriving in Atlanta on time,” the pilot came over the speaker, pulling me out of my daydream.
The large man was staring at me, a wild smile on his face. I suddenly felt flush. I was scared I’d fallen asleep and talked, or worse, moaned. The young kid beside me wore his headphones while playing with his handheld video game, so if I did, at least I didn’t break any laws.
Mom stood at the baggage claim, her getup just as extravagant as always. “You look awful,” she said as she gripped my face in her hands.
“Thanks,” I snarled playfully. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s at home, resting.”
Yeah right. I knew he would have been there, even with broken fingers and legs any other time. He was a proud man, and knowing he’d put me in danger made him want to hide from me. He was going to have to face me soon enough. Hell, that condo of theirs was so small, he had nowhere to hide.
I grabbed my bags and handed one to my mother to carry. She looked confused as she fussed with the handle, trying to release it to pull behind her. She’d never had to carry her own bags before. It was actually quite amusing to watch.
“You’re gonna have to learn to do this kind of stuff, ya know,” I teased.
Janice Delaney rolled her big blue eyes as she finally pulled the handle from the suitcase. A smile widened on her face, filled with pride at her small accomplishment. “I used to do this all the time,” she reminded me. Oh yes, the days of Janice Delaney when she didn’t have money. When was that? Uh, never. Her parents were well-off, even though they didn’t have money like Spaceman, they had enough to pamper their beautiful daughter.
A black Lincoln was parked in front of the airport, and as we walked out, the driver gripped the bag my mother carried. I stopped and watched as he placed it in the trunk, and then came for the one I rolled behind me.
“What is this?” I asked, pissed that she was spending so frivolously while all our lives were being threatened.
“You didn’t expect me to drive myself, did you?” she asked, oblivious to why I was even mad.
“You can’t, I mean, we can’t afford this,” I snapped. “I took a shuttle, rode on an airplane by the bathroom, and even left personal stuff behind to save on additional baggage fees.”
“It's fine,” she said sweetly, sliding into the backseat.
The driver continued to hold the door for me while I absorbed my mother’s delusion. Wow. Some things never change.
I slid in next to her, still glaring in her direction with disgust. “Everything’s going to be okay,” she said.
“How can you be so calm?”
“Because we have everything under control.”
“We? Control? What are you talking about? There are crazy men out there, ones who broke Dad’s fingers, then kidnapped and threatened to rape me,” I spewed my anger without concern that the overpriced driver would hear.
“They won’t be bothering any of us again,” she said proudly.
“How is that possible? He owes them a million dollars. No, subtract the sixty grand for my ring,” I sneered.
“I’m sorry about your ring, sweetie. But I told you everything was going to be okay, and it is.”
What the hell was happening here? I just lost my job, lost the man I loved, for what? “Is this another one of Dad’s famous ‘one more big payout’ schemes?” I asked.
“No. He’s not gambling. He hasn’t for months.” She looked at me and patted my hand. “He’s been in treatment, doing really well. His debt has been wiped clean by Rhett. He just has to agree to go to New York and help coach the team.”
My mouth dropped. Rhett paid the million dollars for my dad? Why? I knew they were friends long ago, but I didn’t realize they were that close. And coaching for the Beasts?
“I think it will be good for him to be back on the field, even if he isn’t playing. He’s missed that environment. I believe that’s what caused the gambling problem in the first place. He was bored, restless.” My mother looked so peaceful, so happy. It was hard for me to be angry, but I was.
She was right about Dad and baseball. Without it, he was a mess, he’d proven that. But, why the Beasts?
“Where would you live?” I asked, realizing I meant to say we. Where would we live?
“New York, of course,” she said without hesitation.
I didn’t want to live in New York. Not if I would have to see Todd, and if Dad worked for the team, I’d have to see him. Lana had humiliated me in front of Rhett, the entire team, I couldn’t face them again. No way.
“So I could stay in the condo here in Georgia?” I asked.
She laughed softly. “That will be sold and Rhett will find us a place there.”
“If Rhett’s finding you a place there, why can’t you just keep the condo, at least long enough for me to get back on my feet?” I pleaded.
“I’m pretty sure Rhett said he was selling the place. That’s not really up to us,” she said.
I pushed until I found out that Rhett had purchased the condo and leased it to my parents for a dollar a month. Jesus, so I got my job out of pity, charity, what? No wonder Lana hated me. She knew I was a spoiled little brat who was still living in her daddy’s shadow. I hadn’t realized it, but she must’ve.
It was a relief to pull into the parking lot of their four-story condo building. “Hey, Kit-Kat,” Dad greeted me at the door.
His hands were bandaged, casts on every finger, except the middle one on the right hand. Tears welled up in my eyes at the sight of him. “I’m sorry I was so hateful, Daddy,” I cried, throwing myself into his arms.
“You had every right to be, Kit-Kat,” he whispered in my ear.
“I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble,” he said, tears already streaming down his face.
It was the first time I’d seen my dad cry. It was humbling.
“I’m sure you’re probably tired. You have a room already made up for you,” he said, releasing me from his hug. It was strange not to feel his fingers touching my back, but instead, cold, hard, nubby casts.
“Will you be able to use them again?” I asked, eyeing his disfigured hands.
“Oh, hell yeah. You can’t stop the Spaceman that easily,” he boasted.
My mother dragged my suitcases down the narrow hall, banging them along the way until she disappeared into the door on the right. I guessed my room.
“Why don’t you get settled in and get some rest, then we’ll talk,” Bobby smiled and winked after he spoke.
I gave my dad a quick kiss on the cheek and walked down the hallway to the room my mom had disappeared into. “Thank you for letting me stay here,” I said as Mom turned to me.
“Where else would you stay?” she asked sweetly.
“I’m just grateful.”
Her smile was warm and her eyes soft as she opened her arms for me to slide in between. I was relieved that the danger was behind us, but I still feared what beasts were in our future. “I can’t go back to New York,” I blurted out, pulling from my mother’s warm embrace.
She stared at me for a moment without speaking. Her eyes remained soft and kind, and her smile welcoming and warm. “Everything will be okay,” she repeated her mantra.
That was easy for her to say. She wasn’t the one who’d made a fool of herself. She wasn’t the one who had a woman who hated her trying to ruin her reputation at this very moment.
“Get some rest. You’ll see. Everything will be just fine,” she insisted.
A soft kiss on the cheek, a small squeeze of my arm, and she left me alone in my new room
. It was plain, with white walls, one square window that overlooked the tennis courts, and beige carpet. Blah.
I picked up my suitcase, placing it carefully on the small twin bed. The frame looked cheap and rickety. I was afraid the weight of my suitcase would cause it to crumble to the ground. I wasn’t sure I felt safe sleeping on such a flimsy bed.
“I forgot to give you clean towels,” Janice said, walking back into my room.
“So, if Rhett is so generous, why didn’t he get you guys a better place?” I asked, unable to control my curiosity any longer.
“He did. There were several places he tried to buy. Your dad wanted this one.”
That surprised me. “Why?”
“He planned on paying Rhett back, every dime. He knew that his royalty checks were dwindling fast, and if he picked up a regular job, this was all he could afford.”
My heart swelled in my chest at my dad’s pride. The place suddenly looked much better to me. The walls weren’t so plain, and the carpet not so bad. Hell, even the tennis courts looked good now.
“Rhett told him he didn’t want him to pay him back, but you know Bobby can’t accept anything for free,” she said with a fond smile.
“But he took the million dollars,” I probed.
“Only because he was worried about you being involved. He wouldn’t have if it was just for him. That’s why he agreed to the coaching gig in New York. It’s a quicker way to pay Rhett back.”
Now there was no way I could be angry about the coaching job or the move. If he could swallow his pride for me, I certainly could swallow mine for him.
The doorbell rang, pulling my mother’s attention toward my door. “I better get that. Your dad can’t turn the knob,” she said, playfully mocking his actions with her own hands.
She rushed out of my room. I heard the front door open, and a male voice that even though faint, I found familiar. “Kat, there’s someone here to see you,” my mother said, peeking into my room.
My heart pounded as Todd stepped into my doorway, still wearing his uniform from practice. I was in shock, my heart actually stopped for a second, and I thought I’d pass out.
This couldn't be real. He wasn't really here. I must've still been asleep on the plane between that large man and young kid. “I tried to call you,” he finally spoke.
“You’re really here?” I asked softly, still not sure.
He moved closer as Mom disappeared, a quick wink and smile offered as she left. His hand touched my arm, and my head immediately tilted toward it. “You’re really here,” I gasped.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He lifted a finger to stroke my cheek. “I couldn’t let you leave.”
I nuzzled my face in his palm, absorbing his warmth. “I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“You could’ve called me.”
“And said what?” I whispered.
“Goodbye.”
“I didn’t think you’d mind so much,” I said, my eyes aiming at my feet.
“I wouldn’t have let you go,” he said, pulling me gently by the arm toward him.
I didn’t fight it. My body fell limp into his as his embrace tightened around me. My heart was racing, blood pumping fast through my veins at the thrill of his touch. His baby blue eyes stared into mine, piercing through me like daggers as his lips parted and moved closer.
My eyes closed as our mouths met. The touch of his lips tingled against mine, sending bolts of electricity through my system. His tongue teased me, slowly tracing the corners of my mouth, then sliding under my top lip. My hands gripped into his flesh as I tiptoed to kiss him back.
His strong hands consumed my ass cheeks, lifting me from the floor toward him. His erection pushed into me, threatening me with the sweet ecstasy I thought I’d never experience again. I wanted him so badly. I needed him.
“My parents,” I whispered, motioning to the open bedroom door.
His smile was wickedly sexy as he loosened his embrace and moved in its direction. He shut it, turning the lock, and then looked back at me with only desire and intent. “Your parents took off for a while.” He smirked. “Dinner, I believe.”
I didn’t know how he knew that, and at the moment, I didn’t care. I felt empty, alone, and cold without him pressed against me.
I quivered with anticipation and excitement as he moved toward me once again. He moved the suitcase from the bed to the floor, then grabbed me by the small of my waist. My feet lifted off the floor, and suddenly, I was flat on my back on the rickety bed. “We may break it,” I laughed.
“Then I’ll buy you a new one,” he said, apparently not interested in any excuses.
His mouth touched mine, our tongues sliding together as my body squirmed beneath him. My hands caressed his smooth back, his tight ass, and the ripples in his arms. I couldn’t get enough of him.
My shirt pushed up around my shoulders as Todd’s mouth claimed my exposed breasts. Oh God, I missed his touch. Soft grazes of his teeth against my hardened nipple sent chills down my spine and moans rushing from my throat. A soft hum escaped his lips as they traveled lower on my body, resting briefly on my belly button while his hands worked my jeans open and down my legs.
I relaxed, lifting my ass to allow him easy removal of the denim blocking my pleasure. As the jeans and panties fell to the floor, I opened my legs, inviting his mouth to tease me any way he wished.
My toes curled as his tongue focused on only my inner thighs. His breath was warm and sensual as he passed over my clit, his tongue torturous as it barely teased my swollen flesh.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I was tight, aching, and needing to come. I gripped his shoulders, pulling him up my body. His mouth traveled slowly, the same way it had on the way down. Soft kisses on my belly button, then swallowing as much of my right breast as possible before teasing my nipple with the gentle teeth strokes that drove me wild.
He worked at his pants as I heard his cleats hit the floor. Soon, his warm, hard cock was pressed between my legs, resting at my opening while his eyes tore into me with passion. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Tears welled in my eyes without my consent. “I’ve missed you too,” I admitted.
In one hard stroke, he was inside me, and I gasped as my body fought to accept him. In and out, he moved, his cock pulsating with each thrust. I arched and wrapped my legs around him, lifting my hips to change the angle, crying out when he found that special spot. My nails dug into his back as he pounded into me harder, allowing my orgasm to take full flight.
I opened my eyes and watched him watch me as our bodies connected over and over. My body tightened, on the edge of pleasure when he came, taking me with him. He covered my mouth with his hand to muffle my scream.
“I love you, Kat,” he whispered, looking amused.
“Ri youv voo woo,” I mumbled from beneath his hand.
He lifted his hand from my mouth, his eyes intense as they locked onto mine. “Let’s try that again.
I licked my lips, and tried to show him with my eyes everything that was inside my heart. “I love you too,” I repeated.
As Todd’s mouth lowered to mine, my chest swelled. I’d never felt anything close to the way I felt right then. A tear escaped, then another, then more. He kissed them away. “Don’t cry,” he whispered.
“I’m just so happy,” I said, my voice cracking with emotion.
He held me tightly in his arms, rolling and pulling me onto his chest. I could feel his heart pounding hard as my body melted into his.
I hated to move, to get up from that tiny bed where Todd’s arms kept me safe. “Your parents should be back soon,” he said.
“How did you find me?”
He stroked my hair and told me everything. It had been him I’d seen at the New York apartment. He’d only missed me by a few minutes. Since my flight had been booked, he was forced to take the next one.
“I got here as quickly as I could.”
After a long kiss, he
rolled out of bed, urging me to get dressed. Once he was, he reached deep into his pocket and pulled something out, hiding it in his closed fist. I watched as his fingers opened, revealing my sweet sixteen ring. Tears rolled from my face at the sight of my favorite piece of jewelry.
“Where did you get that?” I gasped.
“There were only two places nearby that would buy something that high-end. I figured they’d pawned it to get cash. And I figured you’d like to have it back,” he said with a smile.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him wildly all over his neck and cheeks.
“Oh and Lana is fired,” he said.
My mouth fell open at his statement. Holy shit, the witch is dead?
We sat on the bed and he told me all that had happened in Florida. I couldn’t believe how the guys had rallied against her for me, or how Rhett stood up to her in my defense. I could believe the rest. How she’d outed my dad after learning about Rhett’s help.
“You have your job back,” he said with a smile.
I was still cringing about going back there. “You don’t think that’d be weird?” I asked.
He chuckled as he shook his head. “It’d be weird if you didn’t.”
“I mean, you’re dad’s gonna be the specialty coach. It just seems to me that you should be the one out there taking those pictures.”
“What about us?” I asked.
“Rhett loves it. As long as it doesn’t interfere with either of our jobs, we can do whatever we want.”
Wow, this was so much to take in. I did love my job and knowing everyone had fought for me killed that feeling of embarrassment and shame.
“There’re no secrets now. Right?” he asked, his left eyebrow raised high on his forehead.
I laughed and felt my cheeks heat. “None.”
“I could really use you there for opening day. We’re playing the Mets, and you know how bad I want to beat them.”
I searched his eyes, trying to read his emotions. “Still salty about the trade?”
“Hell no. If they hadn’t traded me, I’d never have met you.”
His smile was electric, his eyes hypnotizing.
“Yes. I’ll do it.”