by T. K. Rapp
“Can I get to know Tabor first, and see how that works, before jumping into the JT Hunter madness?”
“It’s hard to separate the two.”
“I know, it’s your job, you have an image to uphold.”
“It’s not about image. I’m not two different people. I mean, what you see is what you get. But I can’t say that football isn’t always there. Interviews, practice, teammates, my manager—they’re all a part of my daily life. If we go out to dinner or to a movie or whatever, people are going to look. They’re going to talk. We haven’t even discussed the paparazzi yet.”
His words echoed in my ears as I tried to understand what his life was about. It made me sad for him, because he deserved to have a life, but all I heard was how much people wanted a piece of him. All. The. Time.
Tabor cocked his head to the side and waited for me to give him my attention. His lips curved up slightly, but it wasn’t a full smile. This look was more reserved…almost sad. “I really want to see you again.”
“Yeah?” I asked, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Yeah. But I understand if it’s too much.” He looked down at our entwined fingers and added, “Dani, I don’t know much about you, but I really hope I get the chance to learn.”
“You’re a charmer, aren’t you?” Tabor was really everything I liked in a guy, and I was completely smitten.
“No. Just honest,” he replied. And I believed him.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed me the screen alerting him to a call.
“See?” He stood up and walked to the sliding glass door as he answered it. “What’s up, Daniels?”
I remained on the couch, watching him talk on the phone as he looked at the framed images again. He appeared comfortable in my place, something that made me relax, too. As attracted as I was to him, I wasn’t sure I could handle being the girl that JT Hunter was dating. The thought of people being in my business was the stuff my nightmares were made of. Even when my principal tried to give me an award for the after-school program, I refused to accept it. I was doing something I loved, to help others.
But there was Tabor, and the football circus that followed him. According to the news articles I’d read, he would be training most of the summer leading up to preseason.
Training Camp?
Preseason?
Football?
All of those terms made me want to break out into hives. I had never been a football fan, yet there I was, holding the attention of one of the league’s most popular athletes. I was lost in my own thoughts and didn’t hear Tabor speaking until he called my name again.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head and plastering a smile on my face. “What did you say?”
“Just apologizing,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of one of my teammates all day and he finally calls me back at twelve. What’s that about?”
“It’s midnight?” I repeated. I had been enjoying our conversation and lost track of time. Not that I had anything going on the next day.
“Yeah,” he laughed. “I should probably get going.”
I stood up. “I’ll walk you out.”
He picked up his sport coat and followed me to the front door, but I was waging an internal battle. Regret flooded my mind because I wasn’t ready for him to leave. And as much as I wanted to see where things could go between us, I was scared. I wasn’t sure my heart could take the public rejection if I tried and we failed. As I unlocked the door and stepped aside, Tabor stood in front me and I had to look up to see his face.
Mistake number one.
As soon as our eyes met, he dipped his face down to mine and slowly leaned forward until there was little space between us. He was giving me a chance to back away, to stop him, but I didn’t dare move. I lifted my chin, bringing my lips closer to his, and as Tabor’s lips grazed my own, a wave of desire coursed through my veins. It wasn’t rushed or messy; actually, it was sort of perfect. My lips parted as he deepened the kiss and I was lost to his touch.
His arm wrapped around my waist and I felt tiny in his embrace. Without thought, my hand skimmed up his arm until it was wrapped around his neck, holding him close to me.
I barely knew this man, and yet the kiss felt familiar and perfect at the same time. He was most definitely giving me something to think about. But before I knew it he released me from his hold and stepped away, and I hated the space. Every part of me wanted a redo, but as clarity began to settle, I was grateful he’d stopped when he did.
“Sorry,” he muttered. His eyes looked surprised by his brazen action, and I’m sure mine reflected the same. “I wanted to do that all night.”
“It’s okay,” I said breathlessly. “That was nice.”
“Nice?” he repeated, his lips curving up slightly.
“Nice.” I flashed a coy smile and as I was about to say something else, he kissed me. That time it was as if his life depended on it, and I returned in kind.
During the impromptu make-out session, my mind was on a loop with words like football, fans, celebrity, and sexiest man flooding it.
“Hold on,” I gasped between kisses until he was standing across from me in the small entry. “I…I need a minute. I need to think.”
I ran my fingers through my hair to give me a moment and exhaled loudly as I calmed myself. Tabor was watching me, no doubt curious what I was thinking, but I couldn’t formulate a sentence.
“I need to think,” I repeated, winded.
“You just said that,” he answered with a knowing smile.
“Sorry,” I muttered. I was embarrassed by my reaction, and when I touched my fingers to my lips, which still burned from his touch, I knew I was in trouble.
My pulse was still racing, and though my entire being was screaming at me to go with it, my head had already taken over.
Time, Dani. You need to think about what you’re getting into.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked quietly.
“Tabor,” I started, but he interrupted.
“I have some equipment—for your program,” he said in a rush, a playful grin fixed on his face.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, bemused by the change in the conversation.
“You said you were spending your days trying to get funding for your program, and it just so happens that my charity helps support groups like yours.”
“Are you for real?” I asked, stunned as I walked past him and away from the door. “You’re too much,” I snorted.
“After we talked, I made a call and pulled some strings,” he said, looking somewhat embarrassed. “I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s bribery,” I joked. “Now I have to see you again.”
I shook my head slowly as clarity set in. This guy, this somewhat stranger, wanted to help my kids. He’d actually listened to me the other day when I’d told him about River’s Kids, and then he did something?
He looked down to the floor and took a step back. “Seeing me again was in question?” he asked quietly. “Dani? I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I’m sorry,” I responded quickly. “No, that’s incredible, I’m actually just in shock, I guess. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to. Anyone who’s as dedicated to their students as you are deserves to catch a break,” he said.
My nose burned and I was fighting back the tears that were stinging my eyes. No one had ever done something so selfless for me—for my kids. I was beyond moved, and I showed him by reaching for his hand and squeezing it softly when the words wouldn’t come out past the lump in my throat.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he lowered himself to look into my eyes, and I nodded.
Tabor flashed a sweet smile and stood to his full height as I gathered myself together. I took a deep breath and looked up at him, hoping my gratitude showed through my smile.
“Thank you so much, Tabor. And yes, I would very much like to see you again,” I was finally able to
say. “But—”
He exhaled. “You’re welcome, Dani,” he answered, his voice a low rumble. “Would it be okay if I dropped some things off at your school tomorrow?”
“I’m sure that could be arranged.”
“What time should I pick you up?” he asked.
“We’re going together?”
He smirked. “I need you to show me where to put the stuff.”
I nodded. “Right. Um, Nine?” I said timidly, as if it were a question.
“Nine it is,” he said, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand that he was still holding. I didn’t want to let go. I loved the way my stomach fluttered when he touched me.
Tabor pointed at the door and I nodded as we walked back down the small corridor together. When he reached for the handle, he stepped closer to me, leaving little space between us, and I breathed him in. I was so scared to look into his eyes because I already knew from the first kiss that I wanted to spend more time with him, and despite my words, I’d give in. But I looked up anyway and this time it was me who initiated the kiss. But it was a simple, perfect kiss that I felt everywhere.
“Goodnight,” I said.
He lifted his hand and grazed the side of my face before stepping out onto the patio.
I watched as he sauntered down the steps the same way I’d watched him come in earlier: Confident. Sure. Sexy. He neared his car, but turned back to look at me and raised an eyebrow.
“I think you should go inside,” he said playfully. “You’ve got some thinking to do.”
And just like that, Tabor was in his car and pulling out of my driveway. I hated the uncertainty waging a battle in my head, because if he were any other guy, I would have no doubts about pursuing something with him. But Tabor Hunter wasn’t just any guy.
He was San Diego’s hero.
C h a p t e r 9
D A N I
It was well after midnight as I watched him drive away, and there was no way I was getting sleep anytime soon. Tabor was right about one thing: I needed to do some thinking,
I walked inside and dialed Millie’s number without questioning it. Gracie and Trevor were the only people who knew I had a date with Tabor, or rather JT Hunter. If Millie found out from someone other than me, I’d never live it down. I knew it was late, but I needed to talk to her. And truth be told, I needed her perspective on the situation.
“Hello?” Millie answered groggily.
“Hey, Mill, I’m sorry to call so late. I just needed to talk to someone,” I whispered, as if I was going to wake up her family.
“Everything okay? What time is it?” she asked, her voice raspy.
I was the biggest jerk on the planet. I knew sleep was a commodity for my friend, with baby Colton around, but I was selfish and needed her.
“It’s late, I’m sorry,” I said, wincing. “But I really need to talk to you.”
“Hold on,” she whispered into the phone. I could hear her say something to Nick, and then there was a rustling noise. I waited patiently, because she was doing me a solid by giving up her sleep for me.
“What’s going on?” she asked through a yawn.
“I went out with tire-guy.”
“Dani, if you woke me up to tell me it was a crappy date, I’m going to kill you,” she groaned.
“No, no, nothing like that,” I said. “I just found some things out that I haven’t gotten to tell you since I was at your place.”
“He’s married,” she deadpanned.
I was quiet for a moment and decided to rip off the Band-Aid.
“He’s JT Hunter,” I said.
“Ha-Ha. Very funny, goodnight, Dani. Thanks for waking me up,” she said.
“His name is Tabor Hunter,” I almost shouted to keep her from hanging up.
“If you’re playing a sick joke on me, I might have to hurt you,” she warned. “Wait, did you really go out with JT Hunter?”
“I did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going out with him?” she asked, her voice slightly strained.
“I didn’t know who he was. You know me…the guy introduced himself as Tabor, and when I was talking to Grace about him…” I explained when she interrupted.
“She recognized the name,” she finished.
“Yeah,” I answered, smiling sheepishly to myself before smacking my forehead. “I’m an idiot, Millie.”
“Pretty much,” she answered.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“Okay, so tell me all about it,” she said in that familiar giddy tone. “I can’t believe you went out with JT Hunter.”
“We went to Metropolis Grill and then came back here and hung out for a while,” I said.
“Uh-huh,” she replied suggestively. “I’m sure you hung out.”
“Millie! It was a first date,” I laughed. “But he’s such a sweet guy and an amazing kisser.”
“What?” she all but shouted before her voice was muffled by something. When she spoke again, it was like a conspiratorial whisper. “You kissed him?”
I laughed and filled her in on the date details, all the way down to Tabor asking to see me again.
“You’re going to see him again. Right? The way you talk, he sounds perfect for you. So what’s the problem?”
“He’s a professional football player. He’s famous. He has fans.”
“So?”
“Oh Millie,” I muttered. “You are no help. You would love nothing more than for your best friend to date your athlete crush.”
“I resent that,” she laughed. “Is it a bad thing to want my best friend to be happy?”
“No.”
“Look, call Vi—she knows what it’s like to be with someone in the spotlight. Maybe she can give you some advice.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
I was mulling it over when she spoke again.
“Dani?”
“Yeah?”
“On a scale of one to ten, how good of a kisser was he?”
“Millie…they haven’t made a scale to measure his kisses on.”
“I knew it!”
“Look, I gotta go. Love you, sorry to call so late.”
“For JT Hunter gossip, you can call me anytime you want,” she answered. “Love you.”
I hung up the phone and decided that sleep was the answer. Perhaps I’d figure it all out in a dream and wake with a plan. As I headed up to my room, my phone vibrated in my hand and I was certain it was Millie with more “help.” But it wasn’t her.
Tabor: Have you thought about it yet?
Me: You left like thirty minutes ago
Tabor: Okay. Then I’ll see you tomorrow
Me: Only because you tricked me
Tabor: But I get to see you again. So Tabor-1 Dani-0
Me: I think it’s more like 1-1
Tabor: I like my odds here. Goodnight Dani
I didn’t respond to his last text. I didn’t know how to answer. Tabor had given me something to think about, and I was going to have to weigh out the pros and cons. But that kiss…it made the pro list.
Without another thought, I dialed Viola’s number. That girl kept insane hours and I knew she’d be up. Vi and Will had married before we graduated and she had been by his side ever since. They were the perfect couple, both creative and madly in love. I think what I admired most about their relationship was how supportive she was of his dream of becoming a rock star.
“Danielle! What’s up?” Will asked when he answered Vi’s phone. I laughed when he used my full name. Aside from my parents, he was the only person that called me Danielle, but I didn’t mind.
“Hey Will. Is Vi there? I need some advice.”
“She’s in the shower. What’s up?”
“You two heading to the bar?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Will’s band played the local bar scene, including the one where he worked.
“In a little.”
“Can you just tell her I called?” I asked as I prepared to hang up the call.
“Why can’t you talk to me about whatever’s up?”
“Who said anything’s up?”
“It’s almost one in the morning,” he fired back. “Why else would you be calling?”
“It’s no big.”
“Why can’t you tell me?”
“Because…you’re Will,” I answered with a laugh.
“Ah, c’mon, hit me,” he said.
I could hear Viola somewhere in the background and figured she was finishing up. It was only a matter of time before the story made its way through our circle of friends and Will heard about it anyway. I went ahead and told him all about meeting Tabor, our date, and my current dilemma.
“So what’s the problem? He likes you. You like him,” Will said.
Okay, sure, it made sense in theory, but there was so much more to consider. “But he’s famous and shit.”
“So?”
“Valid argument,” I muttered, throwing myself onto my bed with a huff.
“I’m being serious. You’re wondering why he likes you…plain old Danielle.”
“Thanks,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“But he does. Maybe he likes that he doesn’t have to be someone when he’s with you. Are you really just going to hide because of who he is?”
I was quiet for a moment and then I heard him tsk.
“I always thought you were cooler than that, Danielle.”
“If it doesn’t work out, do you realize the level of public humiliation I’d be subjected to?”
“Damn girl, I can’t even talk to you. Here’s Vi,” he said, handing the phone over. I heard him mutter something about me being chickenshit, but I was too wrapped up on the cons of dating Tabor to be irritated.
“You went out with JT Hunter?” Viola asked without so much as a hello.
“Yes. And he wants to see me again,” I told her.
“And the problem is?”
“Did you not hear the name—JT Hunter,” I said sarcastically.
“Oh,” she said and I heard her call out to Will, “You’re right babe. Total chickenshit!”
“You know me, Vi. I don’t like attention. If I were to go out with him, I’d basically be inviting the entire city to scrutinize my every move.”