Huddle Up

by Liz Matis

  “Hope you’re feeling the Holy Spirit,” Miller joked.

  “Let’s get one thing straight. God doesn’t care who wins this football game,” said McQueen. After a few nods of respect he added, “Burner break at the 10, cut back to the 20, the ball will be there.”

  “Coach called for the run.” As a running back, Miller wanted the ball.

  “The D, hell, everyone in this stadium, is expecting that.”

  McQueen was looking to make a statement with a thirty-yard pass, but Billy didn’t argue; there wasn’t time. The game clock ticked down.

  On the snap Billy broke down the field. The defender matched him step for step, but Billy stopped on a dime at the ten and hit the twenty-yard line just as the ball arrived. Just like in practice. But he wasn’t done yet. The defender who tried to scramble back fell at his feet as Billy performed his signature move, the Turn and Burn, and jumped over the prone body of the defender and ran the ball into the end zone.

  The crowd erupted.

  A couple of teammates joined him in the celebration. He looked back to see McQueen on his knees with his hands in the air as if he were being anointed by the angels. What happened to ‘God doesn’t care who wins this football game’?

  Speaking of which, he wondered if his Angel witness the spectacular touchdown.

  *

  In the locker room Billy watched as frenzied reporters surrounded McQueen. They’d already dubbed the new quarterback’s celebration move the McQuing, McQueen shrugged off the attention, nodding at Billy with a grace so unlike his old ways.

  A few reporters made their way to Billy’s locker. After countless times of sticking his own foot in his mouth, Billy kept to his stock answers.

  As he left the locker room the adrenaline from the win started to wear off. The bumps and bruises settled in his body. All he wanted right now was his whirlpool tub and an ice-cold beer.

  And Angel.

  He spotted her easily among the crowd in the greeting room. Despite her average height, she stood out to him. Hot damn, those leather pants hugged her ass. Angel upped her game by wearing pin-up red lipstick instead of her signature purple. His cocked approved. Great, the one body part that hadn’t ached now caused him the most discomfort. He hoped they could sneak in a quickie before picking up Gabby from the neighbors.

  Catcalls were directed towards her and he wasted no time marking his territory. Planting a big kiss on her lips, he made it clear to his teammates that Angel belonged to him.

  Chapter 16

  Billy kissed her in front of everyone. A kiss? It was more like a claiming. What else would you call it when a man pulls you into his arms and lifts you a foot off the ground in a bruising kiss?

  Not that she was complaining. Billy could kiss her anywhere, at anytime, and anyway he wanted to. Except in front of Gabby. Perhaps it was time to lift that rule. She hated putting him on the spot when Gabby expected him to kiss Mommy.

  Unable to clear her head Angel clung to him for a few moments after he ended the kiss. Billy introduced her to Ryan Terell, Samantha’s husband; Jake Miller, Hannah’s husband; and Liam McQueen, the playboy turned Born Again Christian. She remembered watching him play years ago. You didn’t work in a pub and not see your share of football games.

  Hannah and Samantha joined the group. “Jake, I had a little run in with Hayden.”

  “Ah, Hannah.”

  “It was my fault,” Angel defended her friend.

  “No, it was Hayden’s fault.” Samantha directed her gaze at Billy. “She called Angel your baby mama, then implied Gabby was part of a litter.”

  “What!” The muscles in Billy’s jaw clenched like a wolf ready to tear into its prey.

  “So before Angel could release that fist of hers, I jumped in to deflect Hayden’s wrath to me,” Hannah explained.

  Angel received a proud look from Billy. “Next time punch her.”

  “What she needs is a good spanking,” piped in McQueen.

  Angel thought she saw a gleam in Hannah’s eye and knew the quarterback was in trouble.

  “Liam, you’re just the man to give her one.”

  “Stop matchmaking, woman,” said her husband.

  Samantha, ever the journalist, said, “It would be epic, I can see it now,” She placed her hand in the air like it was a headline. “Sinner and saint go head to head.”

  “Hah,” Liam laughed. “Sure, throw the Christian into the lioness’ den.”

  Miller smacked Liam on his non-throwing arms shoulder. “Come on, take one for the team.”

  “On the field, I’m your man. Off it, I’m my own man.” Liam said goodbye and headed out ahead of the group.

  Billy nodded to the exit and Angel followed his lead.

  “Hey Burner, five Gs? I’ll even spot you 3 points?” offered Jake.

  “Should never bet with your heart, my friend,” said Billy.

  Angel heart dropped into her stomach. A bet?

  As they came out of the players exit, three groupies surrounded Billy even though he was holding her hand. Before they could jostle her away, he pulled her closer.

  “Billy, pick me,” one pleaded.

  “Sorry ladies, I’m taken.”

  Angel barely registered his words or the sour looks thrown her way from the other women. How many times had she argued with her father over his gambling addiction? How many had she had to hustle a pool game because her father literally gambled the milk money away?

  In the car, Billy tried to engage her in conversation but she kept looking out the window to avoid a confrontation. Not now. She wanted one more night in his arms. One more night before the fairy tale ended with a not so happily ever after.

  “Are you mad about those women?”

  She wasn’t mad. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about it either, but really did trust Billy when it came to other women.

  “It’s going to happen, even when word gets around that I have a girlfriend. Hell, it still happens to the married players.”

  “I’m not upset about that.”

  Billy blew out a breath. “Can you give me a clue then to what you are upset about?”

  She remained silent, unable to express the feelings of disappointment.

  “Is it the run in with Hayden?”

  “It’s about your gambling,” she blurted.

  “Gambling? What the fuck? Wait, you mean that bet I made with Jake?”

  She nodded. Looking out the window again, she waited for the explanations. That’s how it starts. Then the denials and soon after that, the outright lies.

  “It’s a friendly bet, Angel. Our college teams are playing against each other this weekend, it’s not gambling.”

  She let her silence answer for her.

  “Jesus, Angel you hustled pool.”

  He might as well have taken a cue stick and stabbed her in the heart. She hustled pool for food money, not for the thrill of it, at least not since she became a mom. “It’s not the same thing. Pool is a game of skill,” she argued.

  A game of angles and patterns Angel could read a table like a pool shark savant. More importantly, she picked out her marks with the same uncanny ability. Through teary eyes she focused on Billy’s tight grip on the steering wheel.

  “I’m not your father Angel. I’m not an addict.”

  And there it was. Her heart clenched in agony. How many times had her father uttered those words? Perhaps she was wrong putting Billy in the same category as O’Malley, but Angel had been through it before and she wouldn’t let history repeat itself. Not for her, and certainly not for Gabby.

  Chapter 17

  That Saturday Billy tried to focus on the college football game on his state of the art screen. Miller and Terell joined him while Angel went out to lunch with their wives. He hoped Hannah and Samantha could talk some sense into Angel. She wasn’t jealous over the groupies, or mad about being dissed by Hayden, no, it was all about the stupid bet.

  He had five Gs riding on this game, but it wasn’t about th
e money. Normally, he’d be ribbing Miller about his team’s dismal play, but Angel had Billy turned inside out. She wouldn’t listen to reason. In front of Gabby, she was almost herself, but each night Angel refused to come to his room.

  Worse, she started letting him tuck in Gabby by himself like she was preparing him for shared custody. Fuck that. The three of them were a family. And families worked shit out. Tonight he’d promise her anything. And if that didn’t work, he’d throw her over his shoulder and toss her onto his bed then make love to her until she felt like they were a part of each other.

  “Heard you’re in the dog house.” Miller said.

  Billy shrugged. “She over reacted,” he said without conviction.

  “Can’t say that I blame her. Sammy said her father lost everything.”

  “I know. I know. But I’m nothing like her father.”

  “We can call off the bet.” Miller’s mischievous grin gave him away.

  Billy laughed. “Sure, cause your team is losing.”

  The grin grew wider. “Just trying to help.”

  “I have an idea,” said Terell. “Why not donate the winnings to charity.”

  “That sounds like Samantha’s idea.”

  “Shut up, Miller.” Terell flicked a pretzel at him.

  Gabby skipped into the room wearing a pink dress and her rhinestone tiara. She curtsied liked she was receiving royalty instead of three large football players. Though facing a five-year-old girl seemed to turn such men into knights instead of brutes. She scooted onto Billy’s lap. Pointing to the screen she asked, “Daddy, why are those men hugging?

  Miller and Terell laughed, and Billy smiled. “It’s called a huddle.” Before he could explain further she spoke again.

  “Do you want to hear a joke?” Gabby asked.

  “Of course, we do,” Miller responded.

  “Knock, knock.”

  “Who’s there?” Terell asked.

  “Gabriela.” She played with the frilly hem of her dress.

  “Gabriela who?” This time it was Miller.

  “Gabriela O’Malley Burner,” she said in a rush. She broke into a fit of giggles like it was the funniest joke in the universe.

  The three men joined in with raucous laughter. But it wasn’t lost on Billy that she added his last name. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. As he got up, he shifted her from his lap to his hip. “I have a cookie with your name on it.”

  Angel didn’t have to know. The special occasion dessert rule was ridiculous. Anyway, watching a football game was a special occasion. What damage could the occasional cookie or two do?

  Once in the kitchen he handed a cookie to Gabby, but instead of gobbling it up, she tilted her head and examined both sides. “Where’s my name?”

  Did all five-year olds take things so literally? Gabriela O’Malley Burner. He wanted it to be legal. Realizing he hadn’t uttered the words yet, though he felt them with all his heart, he said, “I love you, Gabby.”

  “I love you too, Daddy.” She planted a kiss on his cheek before taking a big bite of the cookie.

  I love you, you love me. Just like that. So easy. So simple. So why hadn’t he said it to Angel yet? He certainly showed his love. In many ways, in and out of the bedroom.

  “Touchdown!” Jake’s shout from the living room echoed through the apartment.

  The bet. He showed his love, except, for when it counted. Except, for when it mattered most.

  So what if she was being unreasonable? So what if he looked like a pussy for backing out of the bet? He denied her the one thing she needed to feel safe. All the money he had couldn’t do that. Only Billy could.

  Tonight, he’d tell Angel he was sorry and mean it. Tell her he was in love with her. Tell her he wanted it be official.

  Angel O’Malley Burner. His future wife. His forever love.

  *

  After his teammates left, Billy prepared dinner while Gabby played in her room with the elusive Lucy. The only evidence of the cat’s existence was the occasional present on the carpet and Billy’s own occasional sneezes.

  Just as he put the roast in the oven, the doorman called. His father was downstairs. He should’ve known this was coming. After the story hit the papers of his ‘long-lost’ daughter he had called his father to break the news. He didn’t take it well. “Send him up.”

  Fearing Gabby might overhear something she shouldn’t, Billy met him outside the apartment in the hallway. “Why the sudden visit, Dad??

  Except for a bigger gut, his father looked like the same tank who’d come to blows with his seventeen-year-old son. By then Billy had already been taller. But now Billy had also packed on a professional athlete’s muscle. His father no longer intimidated him.

  “I came to talk some sense into you. Let’s go inside. I could use a beer.”

  “We need to talk here.” Billy peeked through the opening of the door to make sure Gabby hadn’t left her room.

  “Oh, I see. A model? Playmate?”

  “Neither.” Billy responded through clench teeth. “It’s my daughter.”

  “I knew it.” He raked his hand through a shorter version of his son’s. “That O’Malley bitch is trying to squeeze money out of you just like her old man did me.”

  Billy blinked as the realization dawn. “You paid off O’Malley to get rid of Angel?” Please God, don’t let it be true.

  “The five grand was well worth it. I wasn’t about to let you ruin your football career. O’Malley hit me up for another ten grand to put that tramp’s brat up for adoption.”

  Billy’s slammed his fist onto his father’s jaw. When the bastard hit the wall and slid to the carpet, he didn’t feel an ounce of remorse. “I knew you dreamed of having a son in the NFL, but that’s no excuse for what you did.

  “Blame O’Malley.” Slowly regaining his feet, his dad swiped away a trickle of blood from his lips. “He was more than happy to settle his stack of markers.”

  If O’Malley were still alive Billy would have punched him in the jaw too. Leaving Angel and Gabby penniless and homeless was the least of O’Malley’s gambling addiction fallout.

  Suddenly Angel’s reaction to Billy’s bet didn’t seem so unreasonable.

  Chapter 18

  As Angel waited for the elevator to glide upstairs, she stared at the business card Hannah had given her at lunch. O’Malley’s didn’t do therapy. That’s what her father always said when she pleaded with him to get help for his gambling addiction.

  But if someone like Hannah admitted to needing a therapist for what she called her ‘mommy dearest’ issues, then maybe Angel could get help too. When Billy made that bet she’d deflected all the fears and insecurities from years of O’Malley’s addiction onto him. Billy had never lied or tried to manipulate her. He’d been nothing but kind, loving, and generous. She hoped he’d understand. Hoped, he wouldn’t call her crazy because she needed therapy. Hoped he’d forgive her.

  The doors of the elevator slid open. She froze after taking two steps out into the hall. An older man with the same colored hair as Billy’s looked at her with disgust. His father.

  “Well look at you, all dolled up with my son’s money.”

  “You will not speak to her that way.” Billy’s expression softened and he motioned Angel to come to him.

  Angel sidestepped Mr. Burner and rushed into Billy’s waiting arms. “Is Gabby okay?”

  “Yes, she’s playing in her room. I’m almost done here. Why don’t you head inside too?’

  Billy’s father glared at her. “Not so fast. Admit that you knew about the money.”

  “What money?” Angel’s heart pounded as if she climbed all forty-four stories.

  “Dad!” Billy took her hands. His face a death mask of pain. “Angel, I don’t know how to tell you than to just say it. My father paid off yours to get you to break up with me.”

  What? Angel almost laughed. Did she hear that right? By the way Billy’s face tightened in distressed she knew he struggled with something el
se.

  “There’s more.” His thumbs ran along her hands in a caress. “Did O’Malley try to talk you into adoption?”

  “He had a social worker come to the hospital, but… oh my God! No, no, no.” God, if she didn’t need therapy before, she sure did now. How could two fathers be so cruel to their children, to their grandchild? “I refused. I couldn’t, I just couldn’t. She was a part of you, a part of us.”

  Billy pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re a strong woman, Angel.” He hugged her even tighter. “Thank God.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Billy. She got pregnant on purpose,” Mr. Burner accused.

  Before Angel could deny it, Billy defended her. “Don’t put that at her feet. I’m the one who didn’t wear a condom.”

  “You can dress her up Billy, but she’ll always be a slut.”

  Billy placed Angel behind his back as he turned to meet his father head on. “She was never that. In fact, she’s the one with a college degree. Not the son who you pushed and pushed to declare early for the NFL draft. Now go.”

  Tears spilled from her eyes. No one had ever stuck up for her like that.

  Up against his back, she could feel the tenseness in his muscles and how hard he was trying to keep himself in check. His father didn’t say a word as he pushed the down button.

  Billy took a deep breath. “Dad, if you decide to be a part of my family, you’ll have to apologize to Angel. And to your granddaughter.” The doors opened. “Her name is Gabriela. Gabriela O’Malley Burner.”

  Without a word Billy’s father stepped into the elevator.

  As the doors slid closed, Angel squeezed his arm. “I’m so sorry, Billy.” She knew how hard it was for Billy to stand up to his father. She realized that she and Gabby weren’t the only ones hurt by O’Malley’s obsessive gambling. Billy had missed the first five years of his daughter’s life. But fate had given them a second chance and Angel almost threw it away.

  “Let’s go inside.” Once in the living room Billy turned to her. “Angel, I,” He tipped up her chin with his finger. “Aww, Baby, I’m sorry he made you cry.”