Sidelined

by Marquita Valentine

  Shit. The stuff I have to be careful about saying these days. A simple analogy can be construed as me propositioning a minor. It’s a fucked-up world we live in.

  “Nah, man. I’m grateful. It’s just...” He swallows, then pins his gaze on the table. “A lot of kids are in the same boat as me.”

  “You’re saying there’ll be other kids there without dads?”

  He nods. “Yes, sir. We were talking the other day, and none of us know how to tie a damn tie. Only one kid besides me knew how to shake hands without breaking the other guy’s fingers. Then this other kid called him gay, so I slammed the asshole into a locker and told him to stop saying shit like that.”

  Good job, I want to say, but I don’t because no matter what, his school has a strict no bullying and no fighting policy. The rules are there for a reason.

  “Did you get in trouble?”

  “Nah. Brent wouldn’t rat me out. Besides, he didn’t mean it. He’s just afraid, like the rest of us, about what’s going to happen after high school. I’m tired of feeling unsure and afraid... and I think they are, too. I want to do something about it.”

  “What brought this on?” I ask, impressed as fuck.

  He peers up at me. “Your pep talk went viral. It made me think that I’d only been concerned about my situation and not anyone else’s.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with taking care of yours, kid. You can’t save the fucking world.” I don’t want to be negative, but I have to be real, and the reality of his situation is that the majority of kids like him never rise above their socioeconomic situation. A lot of time, it’s because of the people in the neighborhoods. They’re like crabs grabbing onto another crab as it tries to escape, because why leave the bucket? It’s familiar. They know the color, the shape, and the little bit of water keeps their mouths wet.

  “I know I can’t, but I’d like to try at my school. Maybe leave something behind that’s more than trouble and football.”

  “You saying you want to leave a legacy?”

  He nods. “My momma said that football won’t last forever, so I have to use my resources to help as many people as possible.” He makes a face. “She mentioned boats and rising tides, but I don’t know how to drive a boat and that one time my buddy took me fishing at Falls Lake, I got sick.”

  Ah, fuck me. I have to help this kid. What good am I as a mentor if I don’t encourage the good shit he thinks of, especially when I’m the catalyst?

  “Got any ideas?”

  Gideon shrugs. “At my school, they’re always having workshops and shit for science and math. Maybe there could be one for ties and handshakes and stuff... Ugh, I don’t know, but one girl mentioned that it would be nice to bring a date who knew what to do at prom.”

  An idea clicks into place. My pulse jumps in response. “I know what to do.”

  “Seriously?”

  “And who can organize everything, too.” I grab my biscuit. “Dig in, kid. I got a woman to see about an event.”

  Chapter 17

  Layton

  IT’S BEEN A WEEK AND three days since I got my old job back, and I’m loving it. Everything is falling back into place. Even more exciting, I’m trying to work things out so I can rent Paige’s townhouse from her when she moves in with Dallas next month.

  That would solve a lot of problems for me in one fell swoop. I have a job and a place to live that would prevent me from returning to Bluebelle Hills in the next six months.

  At least.

  By then, Joe and I will have signed the divorce papers and hopefully, sold the house we bought together. Once we do, I’ll know exactly what I’ll need to do next.

  Except I don’t know at all because I never envisioned a future where I’d still be in Wake Forest or Raleigh, working as an event planner for the library while living in a rental home.

  I put my head down on my desk. Squeezing my eyes shut, I give myself a pep talk.

  Get it together, Price.

  You can’t be that woman any more. You have to be strong, brave, and do your damn job because there are people who would do anything to have a bad day or even two months like yours.

  I breathe deeply, then sit up, once more self-assured. I grab my Sparkle on, Sugar mug and take a sip of hot chocolate, then dive right into fixing the mess that Cynthia left behind.

  The woman was all about insects.

  I shudder.

  Four hours later, I’ve not only set things in order, but I’ve booked the third-floor ballroom for the entire month of June.

  “How do you like me now?” I finish typing the last client’s information into my spreadsheet and close it out with a flourish.

  “You have a visitor,” Paige says, her eyes flashing with worry.

  “Oh, no. Is it Mrs. Bernstein?” The woman wanted to have a puppy wedding here next month, but our outdoor facilities aren’t large enough to host two hundred dogs and their respective humans. She wasn’t happy, and cussed me up one side and down another. Honestly, it made me giddy because I felt like I was right back in the thick of things where I belonged. “She wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I basically had to pretend that the line went dead so she’d get off the phone.”

  “No, it’s not her.”

  Aiden suddenly joins Paige, and my heart slams so hard against my chest that I have to cover up my gasp with a weird laugh. I’m not hurt by him, not really. He was honest, and I needed honesty after Joe.

  “Hi there,” I manage to get out without sounding like a giggling schoolgirl.

  “LT,” he says. “Can I speak to you in private?”

  Paige mouths, “Sorry,” before leaving us alone in my office.

  I smile at him, friendly like, and not at all filled with lust from just the sight of him in his dress pants and button down. His dark hair catches the light, making it gleam in places and his eyes... oh, his eyes are so dang sexy that I could stare at them all day.

  Which is why I focus on his shoulders, his very wide, felt-so-good-to-dig-my-nails-into shoulders. I want to do that again, want to—

  That’s not helping either. Is there anything on him I can look at without succumbing to my basest desires?

  Maybe his... Nope.

  “What can I help you with?” I jump to my feet, so I won’t continue to stare like an idiot. “Super Bowl party planning?”

  He steps inside, filling up the entire room with his presence. “Nah, I’m going to Kingston’s at The Ritz. You plan that?”

  “Wish I could say I did, but he planned that when I was otherwise occupied last month.” I toy with the thin belt around my waist, and then smooth down my slim-fitting skirt. It’s one of my best work outfits. When it’s paired with my hot pink heels, I feel like I can take over the event-planning world.

  His gaze travels to my shoes.

  Or I can tempt one very hot football player.

  He doesn’t want you for that.

  I refuse to let my shoulders slump with defeat. His confession was nothing but a minor setback.

  Okay, fine, it was a huge setback and I’ve taken him off my list forever.

  Except my stupid list doesn’t have to see him right now, looking so hot.

  “Nice shoes.” He clears his throat. “I need your help planning something for this kid I know, at the end of the month.”

  “Like a birthday party?” I don’t know much, if anything, about Aiden’s more philanthropic side, but it’s practically expected that celebrities give back. “Or did you have something else in mind?”

  “A tying event.”

  I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t understand.”

  He frowns, then sits in the only other chair, like he’s making himself at home and doesn’t plan on leaving for a while. I’m not sure if I like that or not.

  “A little background would probably help, huh?”

  “It would be easier,” I agree, perching on the side of my desk and crossing my legs.

  His eyes focus on them, then shifts back to my face. “I’m
a big brother—you know, for the organization?”

  I nod encouragingly.

  “Anyway, my little brother, Gideon, needed me to do him a solid by going as his father figure for a Breakfast with Dad event for the senior class next month, so I rearranged my schedule. It broke my fucking heart when he told me he didn’t even know how to tie a tie properly. I should have thought of that before now, but he’d always worn a clip-on and it got too short for him. Money’s tight, and he wants to learn how to do things the right way. I can teach that stuff; some of it we’ve been working on since he started middle school.”

  My mouth drops open. “You’ve been his big brother for all that time? How did I not know about this?”

  “Yeah.” Aiden tugs at the collar of his shirt. “I don’t need to broadcast it.”

  “I’m with you. No reason to use your little brother as a publicity tool.” Kingston has to feel the same way, or there would be images of Aiden with Gideon all over social media.

  Ovaries would explode.

  Women would most likely follow him around even more than they already do.

  Heck, I’d want him more than I already do. I’m a sucker for kids as it is, so a grown man taking the time to mentor one... happy hormone explosion city.

  “Anyway. Turns out, he’s not the only kid feeling the pressure of the real world coming up, and he wants to do something about it. I offered my support, and I was thinking of hiring you. Are there any rules against that?” He nods at Nolan’s office, only two doors away. “He won’t fire you or something, will he, for working for me?”

  “Nolan and I have never discussed freelancing. I always assumed I’d work for a boss, not myself.” I hop off the desk, and hit the space bar on my keyboard. “Let me check my calendar for the last week of February.”

  “If you do have a date available, I’d like to hire you—I’d make a donation to the library if that would help.”

  I grin at him. “If you want to butter up Nolan, just promise him Dallas Drake stuff.”

  Aiden makes a face. “For real?”

  “Cross my heart. “I draw an X on my chest, then concentrate on my calendar. “You’re in luck. We have the last Thursday in February available.” I rub the diamond clasp of my necklace. “Do you know if the kids have transportation to get them here?”

  He runs a hand through his hair, making it spiky. “Didn’t think to ask.”

  “That’s not a problem. We can hire a shuttle company to pick them up for a designated central location to carry them here.”

  “What else can I provide?”

  “Depends on your budget.”

  “The sky’s the limit.”

  I swear I swoon a little. “Maybe we can stop at ten thousand feet and get other planes in the air.”

  He rubs his thumb against his bottom lip. “What are you thinking?”

  “How would you feel about getting the other Renegades involved... I mean, it would still be your event. You’d get the credit, but just say if there are fifty kids who need special attention, there’s not enough of you to go around.”

  Aiden considers my suggestions. “I’m not opposed to that, and I don’t give a fuck if you name it after me. In fact, I’d rather Gideon receive the credit.”

  Oh my. My knees get weak. “While that’s wonderful and I’m not saying we shouldn’t, but you’d be able to get more sponsors if we attached your name to it, too.”

  “Like a joint thing,” he says, leaning forward. “I like that. What else you got in your idea box?”

  I blush. “Lots of stuff. If you’ll give me a few days, I can come up with the most amazing tying party you’ve ever seen.”

  He smiles, wicked as anything. “I bet you can. Let me know what you need from me—whatever it is, it’s yours.”

  Too bad he can’t offer me himself for a limited time. “I have your number and that’s good for now.” I rise to my feet and hold out my hand, keeping things strictly professional. “Thanks for including me in this. I look forward to working with you.”

  His big hand engulfs mine as he stands. My nerve endings dance, and a wave of desire pools low. “You’re welcome.”

  He lets go and I watch him walk away, his tight back end mouthwatering poetry in motion. I’d give up chocolate to see him every night for the rest of my life.

  I mean, not him... just his butt.

  Although, it would be nice to see his broad shoulders, too. And I can’t forget about his hands, with those faded tattoos... and his lips, he has amazing lips.

  His mouth, especially when he smiles.

  Smiling back at him over breakfast every day would be wonderful, too.

  Wait. Nooooo. I’m not ready for another serious relationship. That’s just crazy mind-talking.

  Shaken to my core by the direction of my previous thoughts, I busy myself by tidying up my desk.

  Paige comes crashing in my office. Literally. She catches a heel on my chair and just misses slamming her face into the corner of my desk.

  “Oh my God.” I run around the desk to help her up. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine. It’s these stupid heels I wore to impress Dallas when he took me to lunch today.” She kicks them off, sinking her feet into my rug and wriggling her toes. “So much better.”

  “Why don’t you sit down, sugar, and I’ll get you something to drink.”

  She waves me away. “I’m fine. But are you?”

  “I’m... discombobulated, and, oh holy crap. I forgot to get him to sign a contract and put down a deposit.” Grabbing my iPad, I race out of the office, hollering, “Be right back,” over my shoulder.

  Chapter 18

  Aiden

  I PUT THE SUBURBAN in reverse, checking my mirrors and the backup camera. My ma and Dom are sitting in the back, discussing dinner plans. They would have walked inside with me, but preferred to have a little alone time.

  “Is 451 a good choice, Aiden?” Ma asks.

  “The best.”

  “Too bad you can’t join us.”

  “Sorry. Team meeting. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

  Since the NFL instituted a two-week break to let players have time to heal before the Super Bowl, most of our time has been spent with the media, family, lifting weights, and healing.

  By now, if we don’t have our plays down, we’re fucked.

  However, that doesn’t mean it’s time to be on vacation mode. I have to keep my head in the game, and that means walking through plays, alternating hot and cold on my shoulder, and getting steroid shots in anticipation of game day.

  “My son. The super star.” She pats me on the shoulder.

  “Can we get a cup of Dunk’s?” Dom asks.

  “Yeah, I can bang a u-ey and take you there,” I reply.

  “Aiden,” Layton shouts, knocking on my window and scaring the fuck out of me.

  “Who is that?” my ma asks, interest and curiosity heavy in her tone.

  “Kingston’s little sister.” I put the window down. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.” Her pink cheeks are flushed from the ass-biting cold and her nipples are hard points in her thin sweater.

  “Where your coat, LT? It’s cold as fuck.”

  “It’s forty degrees, Aiden. Like a spring kiss,” Ma disagrees.

  Layton wraps her arms around her middle, the iPad she’s carrying sticking out to the side. “You must be Aiden’s momma. It’s such a pleasure to meet you.” Her gaze falls on Dom.” You, as well, sir. I’m Layton Price.”

  “Get in the car, LT,” I order before my ma can respond.

  Layton frowns. “This will only take a minute of your time.”

  “Spend that minute in the car.” I roll up the window and unlock the doors.

  Layton sighs, then does this little jog around the front, her tits bouncing.

  Ma makes a noise. “She’s a fancy one.”

  “They all sound like that.” I put the Suburban in park. “It’s, uh, in the water or something.”r />
  “Must be why you’re starting to sound just like them,” Dom says, elbowing my ma. They burst out laughing.

  Layton opens the door and climbs inside, bringing a gust of frigid air with her.

  “What were you thinking, running out here wearing that?”

  “I forgot to get you to sign a contract and put down a deposit. Nolan’s a stickler for the rules.” She smiles gratefully as I grab my coat from the back and put it around her shoulders. “Thank you.”

  “You could have texted me. I would have driven back over.”

  “Nonsense. No need to make two trips when I could simply catch you in the parking lot.” She holds out the iPad, and I take it from her cold fingers.

  “Jesus and Mary. Your hands are like ice.” I put the iPad down and grab her hands, blowing hot air on her fingers.

  Her hazel eyes glaze over and my dick starts to swell, despite my best intentions.

  “That’s real nice of you, Aiden, but I’ll be fine.” She doesn’t pull away, though. In fact, she leans toward me and her pretty eyes darken.

  Tension builds between us, higher and higher while it gets hotter and hotter, like that time I built a concrete wall in the middle of summer for a wise guy to stash his money in between jobs.

  He said bankers weren’t trustworthy.

  Luckily for me, he thought I was, so I kept on breathing.

  I can feel my ma and Dom’s eyes on us, swinging back and forth like they’re watching a tennis match, and it’s enough to throw cold water on me. The sooner I get Layton out of here, the better.

  Reluctantly, I let go of her hands and grab the iPad. It’s password protected, so I hand it to her. “Do your thing, LT.”

  She brings up the document I need to sign, and I get out my wallet so I can make a deposit.

  “I’m so sorry to have intruded on family time,” she says to my ma and Dom once we’re done. “Your son is doing the most amazing thing for his little brother. I’m so excited to be part of it.”

  “Thanks,” Ma replies.