Sidelined

by Marquita Valentine

  Layton pins her pretty gaze on me again.

  I want to be the one to lean in this time. Kiss her plump lips and see where things take us.

  But I can’t.

  And not only because we have an audience.

  She nibbles on the tip of her pointer finger, like she always does when she’s thinking, or when she’s nervous. I bet it’s both. “Can you drive me up to the entrance?”

  I stare at her a beat longer, wishing like hell I was that fucking fingertip. “Yeah, sure.”

  After I drop her off, the questions start, hitting against me like bombs.

  “Does she offer curbside service to every guy out here?”

  “No.”

  “So that was special. She seemed very impressed with you. Don’t you think she was impressed, Dom?”

  Dom grins widely. “Abso-fucking-lutely.”

  “A nice girl like that—you said everyone down here is like that, but when I had to get cigarettes, the lady at the counter was not welcoming. Not like your Layton.”

  “She’s not my Layton.”

  “Sure seemed like it to me. Did it seem like that to you, Dom?”

  Enough. “She’s fucking married, okay... and the only thing she wants from me is a good time to help her get over the POS who left her.” I slam on the brakes in front of the drive though and put the window down. “Order your fucking coffee and leave me alone about it.”

  My ma’s face goes white. “Aiden McHugh. Thank God Father Sheehan is visiting Bishop Smith and can’t hear you speak like that to me.”

  My jaw clenches. I’m this close to popping off at the mouth, but it’s not her fault. She’s being a mother, that’s all.

  “Your mother didn’t mean to upset you, but you shouldn’t talk to her like that.” Dom swallows. His eyes are wide with fear because I’m twice his size, but he leans forward. This dude has got brass ones. “She deserves respect.”

  “Dom, no,” my ma says, her face getting all pinched. “He’s—”

  “Yeah, Dom.” I lock my gaze with my ma’s in the rearview. “He’s right. I shouldn’t have been so harsh. You didn’t know. Even if you did, I should treat you with more respect.”

  My ma’s eyes get all teary. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever done for me. Better than any money you spent on me.”

  I start to protest, but realize Ma’s looking at Dom, not me.

  And that’s all right in my book.

  IT’S GAME DAY.

  I’m sitting in the locker room, earbuds in and zoning out to Billy Joel.

  No judgment, okay. But at this point, I need to chill. Everyone in here is zoning out, even perpetual good-time guys like Dallas and DJ Hernandez.

  Later, when it’s closer to game time, I’ll switch over to Beastie Boys to get me in the mood.

  From the time I’ve sat my ass down, there is nothing in my head but plays.

  Winning.

  Kissing that fucking Lombardi trophy, collecting my bonus, and going out on a high note.

  So high that I’m not going to come down again.

  Kingston says if we win, I can write my retirement ticket five times over with the endorsement deals that will be thrown my way. And I won’t be the only one. If we win, a lot of guys will reap the benefits. Guys with families they’re busting their ass to support, but who haven’t caught the attention of social media.

  It’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

  This last season with the Renegades has been perfect. Only one loss to the Skins. The press hasn’t ever seen anything like it before, and that’s what makes it so fucking perfect.

  They didn’t see us coming.

  But when we win, they’ll say that they knew we were winners all along.

  Chapter 19

  Layton

  “HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?” Paige asks with a little growl as Dallas gets tackled. She grabs on to me, her nails leaving half-moon marks when she lets go. “There’s only twenty-five seconds left on the clock and we’re up by seven. If there’s a turnover, then the opposing team will have a chance to not only score but tie.”

  “Look at you, Ms. Football. Who would have thought that in six short months, you’d be an expert?” I say proudly.

  She blinks at me. “I got that right?”

  “You repeated what the announcer said right after Dallas was tackled,” I point out.

  “Sue me.” She grabs hold of me again, but this time her nails don’t bite so much. “Anything could happen in less than twenty-five seconds.”

  “All the Renegades have to do is run down the clock.”

  She lets go of me, satisfied with my answer. I take the opportunity to wriggle over a little, enough to give us enough space that I can stick a pillow between us.

  “Kingston, tell your sister that she needs to be more involved,” Paige says as the game goes to commercial during a time out.

  “We’re watching from the owners’ suite. How much more do you want?” he says, coming to sit on the arm. He ruffles my hair. Something I hate, because I spent so much time making it look for perfect for the man I want to impress at his party, but won’t get to go home with because he doesn’t want that from me. And he’s not on my list anymore. “You look nice.”

  I shove his hand away. “I did look nice.” With a huff, I stalk to the mirror behind the bar.

  Finley is standing in front of it, leaning against the bar with her Captain American lookalike fiancé at her side.

  My face flames when she smiles at me. I’ve always been a little afraid of her and the things I want—make that wanted—to do to her ex makes me even more scared.

  “Is your brother bothering you?” she asks, her smile turning playful as I nod. “Does he know how hard you work to make all this hair look so good?” She makes a turning motion with her finger. Dutifully, I turn around. She is, after all, the woman responsible for my pierced ears.

  “He doesn’t care about that.”

  “It’s not too bad. But I’ll fire Kingston, if you want?”

  Does she know about Aiden and me? Does she know I went to his room three weeks ago and stayed there long enough for something to happen? Maybe Kingston spilled the beans and she’s secretly mad, and she’ll take it out on him because there really isn’t a way to punish me.

  Being still married to Joe while waiting on him to agree to the terms of our divorce is punishment enough.

  I scream.

  On the inside, of course, but on the outside, I’m as serene as Meghan Markle in her engagement pictures with Prince Harry.

  “That’s sweet of you, but I’m sure he wouldn’t know what to do without you as his partner.” My heart pounds, and I start to nibble on the tip of my finger.

  Finley tugs on my hair, which makes me laugh like a deranged chipmunk. “The only time you’re this extra is when you’re feeling guilty about something.” She spins me around to face her. “What did you do, Layton Tallulah Price?”

  My mouth opens. Nothing comes out but a squeak.

  Finley gets a weird but concerned look on her face. “Are you okay?”

  “She’s fine.” Paige grabs me, pulling me along with her to the sofa. “Nervous about tonight’s game.”

  “I thought you said she didn’t care enough?”

  Paige shakes her head, blonde hair sliding over her shoulder. “No, I said she wasn’t concerned enough.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Panicking, I look to Kingston for help. He doesn’t bother to hide the smile on his stupid face. How does any woman think he’s handsome? Or a catch?

  “She worried because—”

  I start shaking my head and waving my hands so hard in the air that Finley notices. “Go, Renegades!” I shout, then let my hands drop. “Let’s go sit down, Paige.”

  “What were you saying, Kingston?”

  “She’s worried that you don’t know about me going off on my own.”

  “I didn’t mean to kiss Aiden,” I blurt out at
the same time.

  “Wait. What?”

  “Game’s back on,” Paige screeches, and we surge to the outdoor seating to watch the final seconds tick away. Outdoor heaters and an overhang keep us mostly warm.

  “Holy shit. They’re going for another touchdown. Up by seven isn’t enough for Aiden,” Kingston says. “Damn, he wants those endorsements.”

  Finley smiles approvingly. “He’s going out with a bang, for sure.”

  “A bang?” I ask, even as I direct my attention to the players on the field. From up here, they look as small as the players on a foosball table. “What do you mean?”

  “He’s retiring, kid. Thought you would know that,” Kingston murmurs.

  “Retiring, as in you won’t rep him anymore?” I ask.

  “Not just that.”

  Paige grabs my hand. “There he goes.”

  I look up at the big screen to see better.

  Aiden falls back, his blue eyes scanning the field. That familiar smile of his kicks up the corners of his mouth. The offensive line keeps him from being sacked.

  He launches the ball into the air.

  My heart jumps up in my throat.

  “Please make it.” I squeeze Paige’s hand so tight that she grunts. “Please make it. Please make it.”

  The ball drops out of the air, right into Dallas’s hands. He runs for it, one arm stretched wide as he dodges and weaves, jumping over the other players that come at him.

  “Ten, nine...” the crowd starts to chant the countdown.

  At the five-second mark, Dallas crosses the end zone.

  The roar from the crowd is deafening.

  There’s just enough time for a field goal.

  The kicker rushes out.

  The ball’s set up, and the entire team sprints as one.

  Paige and I grab each other in a hug just as the ball sails through the goal.

  The final second passes.

  The ref throws both arms in the air.

  “It’s good,” we scream.

  A horn blares. The rest of the team rushes onto the field.

  The stadium shakes with the force of people jumping to their feet and celebrating.

  The camera cuts to Aiden, and the look on his face takes my breath away. He’s like a fierce warrior of old, like a hero out of a Judith McNaught book that I used to dream about.

  Everyone in the suite starts celebrating. Kingston pops a bottle of champagne. Finley pours, but me... I can’t take my eyes off the big screen in our box because it seems like Aiden’s looking right where we are, and I want more than anything to go to him.

  Confetti falls, and a reporter shoves a microphone in his face as he tears off his helmet and pulls out his mouth guard.

  “You’ve just led the Renegades to a near-perfect season and a Super Bowl win. What do you have to say?”

  This is the moment for him. Aiden’s not known for sharing the spotlight, but he doesn’t exactly hog it, either. According to Kingston, he doesn’t like playing interview games, and he only gives the bare bones so no one can misquote him.

  “It’s been an honor to play for the Renegades. Tonight was a team effort that I will never forget.” He stares into the camera. “These guys are the best. The absolute best, and I’m going to miss being with them next season. I’m going to miss all of this.”

  “He’s really retiring from football?” I ask.

  Kingston and I walk inside. “Yeah, it’s pretty much been a true rumor all this season.”

  “What’s he going to do after he retires?’

  Kingston shrugs. “Hopefully, he’ll shoot a lot of ads, meet a nice girl, and move to his house in Aruba where he can raise a family.” He pats me on the back. “I need to do the agent thing. I’ll meet you at Aiden’s. There’s a driver waiting to take you and Paige there.”

  Meet a nice girl and raise a family? “I thought the party was at the Ritz?” I ask weakly.

  “That’s the second party of the night.” He winks at me before heading out into the hallway.

  THE PARTY IS IN FULL swing by the time Paige and I arrive. She’s not with me very long at all before Dallas’s hulking form is on top of us.

  “Bright Eyes, tell me you saw that TD I scored just for you.”

  She nods happily. “I did, with only twenty-five seconds left on the clock.”

  “Love it when you talk football to me.”

  They start to make out, so I leave the lovebirds alone to grab something to eat. Everywhere I look there are friends, family, and women hanging on the unattached Renegade players.

  My heart sinks when I think about Aiden hooking up with one of them, or worse, finding the love of his life here. Unlike me, she’ll be ready to promise forever with him, because she won’t have my fears or a hundred and eighty pounds of male baggage.

  I spot Sam and smile at him. He’s talking to a girl with red hair and a Renegades t-shirt that’s been cut into strips with black and red ribbon woven in an intricate pattern.

  He waves me over. Since I’m by myself, I join them.

  “Abbie, this is Layton. Layton, this is Abbie,” Sam says. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get both of you a drink.”

  “Are you a friend of Sam’s or are you looking to be more than friends?” she says when he walks away, a genuine smile on her face. “Because, I don’t know how I’ll compete with you.”

  “Oh please, you’d totally win. Besides, Sam and I are only friends.” I smile at her. “The only reason I’m here is because my brother, who’s an agent for some of the guys, invited me.”

  She glances at my outfit, then back at hers. “I might be underdressed for this.”

  Because she’s not vying for Aiden’s attention, I try to set her at ease. “Don’t even think that. You look amazing.”

  “Thanks. It took me two hours to get it done.” She wriggles her nails at me, and I admire the manicure—a monogrammed manicure with a plaid background. “These are not scissor friendly.”

  “Who cares, because they are gorgeous.” I take her hand in mine, examining them. “Mind if I snap a pic so I can copy them later?”

  She laughs. “Not at all.”

  I grab my phone and take a couple of pictures. “Thanks.”

  “Y’all want to look at my nails, too?” Sam asks, and I feel bad for taking over.

  “Sorry.” I give him a hug and take my drink. “Congrats on tonight’s win. Great to meet you, Abbie.”

  “You, too.” She leans in. “Looks like you caught the attention of the quarterback. Way to go, girl.”

  “What?” Spinning around, I find Aiden bearing down on me with that same fierce look on his face.

  My pulse kicks up.

  Blood starts to pound everywhere, and I get so breathless I can hardly speak. “Congrats. Um, so I’ve been working on the tying event and—”

  Aiden picks me up, hauling me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes while the Renegades—minus Finley, thank God—catcall and cheer. He strides out of the room, a possessive hand on the small of my back, while I just hang there in shock.

  Once we’re away from the crowd, he sets me down. “You still looking to get over Joe?”

  “I don’t have the right answer,” I whisper.

  He leans in, his arms on either side of me as his hands connect with the wall. Freshly showered, his hair’s still wet and he smells like soap. The beard is still there, but it isn’t as wild as it was before. “Season’s over, LT. I’m ready and willing to fuck you.”

  “What about all or nothing?” I lick my lips. His eyes follow, like a hunter about to take a bite of the prey he’s finally caught.

  “I think I sold myself short on changing your mind.”

  “Pretend I’m on your street, that I’m some hoodsie you’re interested in.” My breasts grow heavy, my nipples constricting into tight points. I grow damp between my thighs. If he doesn’t touch me soon, I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands. “Make me want to say yes, Aiden.”

&n
bsp; His moves in closer, his sexy mouth only a hair’s breath away. “Spend the night with me, Layton.”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 20

  Aiden

  “BEFORE I TAKE YOU TO bed, there are some things you should know,” I say gruffly.

  She licks her lips. “And those are?” Her chest heaves with the force of her exhale, and I force my gaze back to her face.

  “Before you, I didn’t know what beauty looked like.”

  I kiss her eyes closed.

  “Before you, I didn’t know how soft skin could feel.”

  I cup the back of her neck.

  “Before you, I didn’t know how sweet a kiss could taste.”

  Shaking like it’s my first time, I tease her lips open, but don’t deepen our kiss. I want to savor our kiss, imprint it on my brain so that if I lose every sense but touch, I can tell it’s her by the way her mouth moves under mine.

  Her hands steal up my shirt, coming to rest on my abs. I suck a breath in when she scrapes her nails against the skin.

  “You’re so hard here,” she says between kisses.

  Curious fingers glide upward to my chest where she explores me like I’m a newfound land.

  Voices echo, growing closer.

  “Let’s get out of the hallway.” I pull her into my room, shutting and locking the door behind me. When I turn around, she’s got her shirt off and is busy with the buttons of her pants.

  Without hesitation, I cross the distance between us, cupping her lace-covered breasts with my hands. They’re heavy and fucking perfect, and I fall to my knees to worship them.

  She makes a little noise, her fingers frozen as I bite her nipples through the lace. Careful not to rip her lingerie, I work the material down until her tits pop out.

  I lean back a little to admire my handiwork. Displayed like this, they’re... “A fucking masterpiece.”

  I cover one hard nipple with my mouth, sucking it in and teasing the point with my tongue and teeth. Her hands grip my head, pulling me closer as I give her neglected breast attention.

  I lean my forehead against the valley of her chest, rubbing my cheek against the soft skin. “I’m the luckiest man in the world right now.”