Perfect for You: A Blind Date Sports Small Town Romance (Annapolis Harbor Book 3)

by Lea Coll

  I glanced around, satisfied we were the only ones present. “Lena wants Reid to be Kids Speak’s spokesperson.”

  Callie’s eyes narrowed on me. “Why would she ask that?”

  “She feels like Reid would be the best person for the position. She wants him to be more in the public eye. He’s taken a particular interest in Kids Speak, working exclusively with Quinton. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s impressed.”

  “Does she know?” Callie broke off. “Do you?”

  I lowered my voice, my heart beat faster. “That Reid has a speech impediment?”

  Callie nodded tightly.

  “He told me.”

  Her face was pinched. “He wouldn’t want you to tell her.”

  “I know. The problem is that it’s in our contracts. He has to cooperate with whatever the PR office wants. Baltimore picks the spokesperson. I already told her that Reid wouldn’t want to do it but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have a say. Neither does he.” Tension filled my voice as frustration filled me.

  Callie’s forehead wrinkled. “You want what’s best for him, right?”

  “Of course. I love him.” The words popped out before I could stop myself. Callie was one of his closest friends. I needed her to know how much I cared for him. “I have his best interests in mind. I’m just not sure what I can do.”

  “When do you plan on talking to him?”

  “After his family leaves. I didn’t want to ruin the day or the holiday. Any suggestions?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. I’ve already told him it would be better for him to come out.”

  “It would be. He’d be amazing if he told the kids his story.” He’d talked to me so I hoped he’d eventually feel comfortable talking to others. I suspected his father’s words were what had held him back all these years.

  “But he’s worried about what the assholes will say, the trolls. He’s had a few bad experiences with exes, the press.”

  I wanted to add the worst one was his father but I wasn’t sure he’d confided in her. I didn’t think he had. It was too embarrassing for him, too close to his insecurities to admit. It felt good to know that he’d trusted me. He needed me to be looking out for him. I just wished there were more options in this case. “Maybe if we could convince him that this will be good for him, he’ll do it.”

  “He was amazing during his last press conference. He’s hard on himself, worried about slipping when he speaks, or what people will think if he pauses to think of the right word. If he talked to the press, he’d get out ahead of it. He wouldn’t need to worry. He could be himself.”

  “There would still be people out there who say nasty stuff.”

  “Either way, that could happen. It’s a matter of controlling the situation

  “We’d better get downstairs. The kids are due to arrive any minute.”

  I followed her down the long ramps to the entrance. She paused before we stepped outside the gate. “I don’t envy you. I’m not sure how he’s going to react. Maybe he’s changed since meeting you. I don’t know.”

  “What’s your gut say?”

  Callie’s forehead wrinkled. “That he won’t take it well. He’ll think you conspired with Lena.”

  The knot that loosened while I’d talked to Callie tightened more than before. “Come on. We don’t have time for this now.”

  I had to meet the kids, coordinate everything, then meet Reid after the game so he could introduce me to his family. It was scary. It was overwhelming. I needed to get through today. Then I’d figure out the spokesperson issue.

  “Let’s do this.” We walked outside, where Hadley was greeting the children and their families. We had them stow their things in the boxes then took them to the locker room. The kids were beyond excited to meet their favorite football players. They wore Baltimore jerseys provided by the team with a Kids Speak patch. Tears threatened at the site of that patch on their shoulders.

  This was a dream come true. I was helping people in a significant way. I’d brought attention to an issue that affected not only children, but adults like my mother and Reid.

  Reid had to understand that I only meant the best for him. I’d never force or manipulate him to do anything.

  When the locker room door opened, a hush fell over the crowd when they’d been animated before. Chase, Jonah, and Reid walked out ahead of the team as the captains, yelling, “Are you ready for some football?”

  Then the kids were jumping, shouting, cheering with them. The players greeted the kids, giving autographs, snapping pics.

  Reid stepped closer, dipping his head.

  It felt good to be with him. I pushed away the guilt for holding something back from him he wouldn’t like.

  “Good luck today.”

  He seemed larger than life in his pads and jersey, his cleats making him even taller. “Thanks. Congrats on this.” He gestured to the kids surrounding us. “What you’ve done is amazing.”

  I wanted to bask in his praise, but Callie’s voice rang in the back of my head. He’ll hate it. He’ll think you conspired with Lena.

  And a part of me knew she was right. I had talked to Lena, even Callie about it before I talked to him. I should have gone to him first. It was too late now.

  He touched my face with his free hand, leaning down to kiss me tenderly. “I love you.”

  “I love you.” I wanted to deserve his love. I wanted to be worthy of him.

  He smiled, turning to Chase when he stood in front of the group.

  “It was so nice meeting you guys. We’ll see you after the game. Until then we have a game to play,” Chase’s voice rose with each word until his team was jogging behind him onto the field.

  We could feel the energy of the stadium from here. The roar of the crowd growing larger as Chase emerged on the field. The thumping of people’s feet, the yells, whistles, the music that pounded through the speakers. The energy lifted me, buoying, making me determined to focus on making this day a success.

  Hadley clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Who’s hungry? We have a Thanksgiving feast for you to enjoy during the game.”

  We led the group to the sky boxes, getting everyone settled in. I stood watching the game from the corner of the window.

  “This is amazing. Thank you.” Hadley stood by my shoulder.

  “This is all you, Hadley. It was your idea to form this nonprofit, to expand to Maryland. It was even your idea to involve athletes.”

  “Colin and mine. He may not be a professional athlete but the kids identify with him because he went through something similar. He was bullied. Our father was embarrassed by his speech.”

  I remembered discussing her family life when she started dating Cade, how her father treated Colin, how it was her push to open Kids Speak. I hadn’t thought about it much until she mentioned it again. How parallel Colin’s situation was to Reid’s. The only difference was that Colin’s father made sure he got help, Reid’s shamed him into hiding.

  I kept my eyes on Reid lining up for the next play. He switched positions at the last second. He’d told me once it was to confuse the defense. All these little things he’d told me over time made up what I knew about him. That he was hardworking, loyal, and kind.

  “That understanding makes a huge difference.”

  Reid had that experience too. He could give the kids that same sense of camaraderie, belonging, and understanding.

  “I sent Colin a picture of the kids talking to the players before the game. He texted back that our vision was coming to life. This is a dream coming true. You made it happen.” Hadley briefly touched my shoulder before turning to talk to a little boy who was tugging her free hand.

  I wanted to talk to her, to ask her how to handle this situation with Reid, but I’d already confided in Callie. Today was a big day for Hadley. She’d be the one on the field shaking the team owner’s hand today. She didn’t need to be involved in my drama.

  I turned my attention back to Reid just as h
e caught a short pass over the middle. Several lineman tried to tackle him while Reid weaved through them. I don’t know why I thought he’d understand why I’d waited a week to tell him. He demanded perfection of himself. He’d demand no less from me.

  Before halftime, we made our way down to the field so we’d be able to walk out as soon as the whistle blew when the clock ran out. I couldn’t see what was happening. We heard the roar of the crowd, then someone from the front yelling down the tunnel, Baltimore scored.

  I celebrated with the kids around me, high fiving them, then waited for the extra kick. When the players cleared the field, Lena led us out. The crowd was standing, some cheering, some making their way to concessions or the bathroom. A podium was placed at midfield so we followed Lena there, the kids standing around us. We directed them to line up facing the home side of the stadium. The parents stayed in the tunnel.

  I stood next to Hadley, overcome with pride as the owner started to speak about our organization, why he felt it was important that it be in Baltimore. When he mentioned the partnership, he shook Hadley’s hand, inviting her to speak.

  She spoke briefly about why she’d begun the organization, to help kids who didn’t qualify for services, suffering quietly with low self-esteem.

  She was describing Reid.

  She ended her portion of the program, saying she was thrilled to be partnering with Baltimore to bring services to the area, looking forward to more amazing things to come. As soon as she finished, we were ushered off the field. We’d used a different tunnel than the team’s, so I wasn’t able to see Reid as he went into the locker room. I wanted to congratulate him on a good game so far.

  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hide what I was feeling if I did. The excitement of the announcement, knowing Reid could do so much good if he came out, frustration at the position Lena put me in, yet knowing she was right. He was the perfect spokesman for Kids Speak. I just had to convince him.

  I needed to push out thoughts of our relationship to focus on how good it would be for the kids, the organization. That’s why I was here. To make Kids Speak a success in Baltimore. Reid was an integral part of that.

  When had I ever put what I wanted personally before professionally? Only when it came to my family.

  Before the end of the game, the kids were directed to the field, to celebrate with the team briefly before being led to their parents. It was a long day for them. They were worn out.

  I wanted to help, but Hadley told me to find Reid and his family. I nodded. She was right. I wasn’t needed anymore. She had Avery and Lena.

  I tried to move from professional mode to girlfriend. I was going to meet his family for the first time. No matter what might happen in the future, I wanted to make a good impression.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  REID

  High on the win, I showered, eager to see my family and introduce them to Dylan. I hadn’t scored any touchdowns so I didn’t need to answer any questions with the press.

  Lena stopped me outside the locker room. “We need to talk on Monday.”

  I wanted to ask what it was about but I wanted to get to Dylan and my family more.

  “Do you know what Lena wants?” Callie asked.

  “No. I’m sure I won’t like it though.” I dreaded going to her office, mainly because she was always pushing me out of my comfort zone.

  Callie nodded tightly, not saying anything. A feeling of dread drifted down my spine. Did she know something that I didn’t?

  Before I could ask her, she brightened, “Dylan already found them.”

  I followed her gaze through the lounge to find Dylan talking to my mom and sisters. They were all smiling, happy. She charmed them, like she did everyone. When we’d met, I thought it was a bad thing. Now pride swept through my body.

  I quickened my pace, my hand connecting with the small of Dylan’s back. “I see you’ve met my girlfriend.”

  She smiled up at me as I looked at her. I wanted to kiss her, to tell her I loved her. I’d told my mom I was dating someone, that it was new. I thought it had potential.

  “Yes, she’s lovely. I’m so impressed with her organization, what she’s doing,” Mom said.

  Dylan turned from me. “Oh, it’s my friend Hadley’s organization. I’m just helping her.”

  “Don’t diminish what you’ve done. You were the one who got the team involved, brought the organization to Baltimore.”

  Dylan’s face flushed starting at her neck drifting upward until her cheeks were rosy.

  I stepped away from Dylan, engulfing my mom and sisters in hugs. “You met my sisters, Izzie and Grace?”

  Dylan smiled. “I did. They’re lovely.”

  Izzie crossed her arms over her chest, one brow raised. “You hear that Reid? We’re lovely.”

  “You’re heathens. She’ll see through you eventually.”

  Dylan lightly smacked my arm. “Reid.”

  “What? You don’t know what it’s like to have siblings.”

  A flash of something went over her face so fast I thought I’d imagined it. Had I said something that hurt her? Maybe she was thinking it would be nice to have someone to share the responsibility for her parents. I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into my side. I’d have to apologize to her later when we were alone.

  “Who’s ready for Thanksgiving dinner? I’m starving.” I moved my gaze from Dylan to my mother, who was watching us with a soft expression on her face. I’d never introduced her to anyone before. I was never serious enough about anyone to fly them home or to include them in the small snippets of time I got with my family. Dylan was different. I wanted to include her. She was my family or at least I wanted her to be.

  It took a few minutes to say goodbye, wishing happy Thanksgivings to the remaining players and their families. We finally made it to the parking lot. We parted with my mother and sisters at their rental.

  Pausing at Dylan’s car, she asked, “Did you invite Callie?”

  “I did. But she spends it with her grandfather at the nursing home.”

  Dylan was quiet for a few seconds as if she was thinking something through. “Oh. Do you think we could take him some food? Or did she already have some for him?”

  “I think they eat whatever they serve at the center.”

  Her nose scrunched. “Is that good though? For Thanksgiving?”

  My mind was whirring with possibilities. We could pack up our food, take it to them. Would my family be okay with that? “It’s probably not the best.”

  Dylan shook her head. “You want to spend time with your family. It’s probably not a good idea.”

  “No. It’s perfect. We’ll pack up the food.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket, pulling up Callie’s contact information.

  I hit send then pulled open Dylan’s door so she could slide inside. “Thank you for thinking of them. I want to spend time with family. Callie and Mr. Goodwin are family just as much as you, my mom and sisters are.”

  “Yeah?” She smiled, tilting her face up to mine.

  I slid my hands under her hair, lowering my lips to hers for a soft kiss. “I’m so happy we’re spending the day together.”

  “Me too.”

  I watched her get into her car, backing up, before waving. Then I hurried to my SUV so she wouldn’t be too far ahead of me. I called my mom on the way telling her Dylan’s plan. Thankfully, they loved the idea.

  Next year, I’d invite them to our meal. It felt right to include them. I loved that Dylan thought of it.

  We stopped at the condo to wrap up the food, carrying it in the boxes the caterers had left for cleanup the next day.

  We rode together with my mom and sisters to the home, the city giving way to rolling fields before we pulled into the full lot.

  “I’m happy to see so many people here.” Mom said.

  “You don’t think they’ll be offended we brought food, do you?” Dylan asked.

  “No. We can eat in the room. I’ve brought food before.”<
br />
  “Good.” We carried the items to the front desk where we checked in then to Mr. Goodwin’s room. Callie sat on a chair next to him. She stood when we entered.

  “We brought lots of food. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “It’s about time. Dinner is served at five.”

  I ignored Mr. Goodwin’s gruff tone. I knew him well enough to know when he was pleased. “This is Dylan, my girlfriend, my mother, Ellen Everson, my sisters, Izzie and Grace.”

  After introductions, they made quick work of plating the food while I gathered extra chairs from the common room. The nurses were happy to help.

  “This is so good. Thank you for thinking of us,” Callie said.

  “It was Dylan’s idea, actually.” I nodded in her direction.

  “It was?” Callie asked, she paused her fork halfway to her mouth.

  “I thought it would be nice to have company.”

  “Next year you can come to my apartment. Hopefully, we won’t have a Thanksgiving game.”

  Next year I hoped we’d be with Dylan’s family too. We’d need to coordinate the meals so that we spent time with both of our families. Maybe by then, Dylan’s parents would be okay coming to our dinner.

  I saw her in my life for a while. I hoped she felt the same.

  We talked for a few hours, cleaned up the trash and leftovers, then said our goodbyes when Frank was tired. On the way home, Dylan said, “He’s a nice man. I think it’s great you visit him.”

  “How did you know I visited with him?”

  “Callie told me.”

  “She did?” Callie usually didn’t tell anyone about my habits. She trusted Dylan.

  “Yeah, she mentioned how you visited him by yourself, secured his spot here.”

  “He’s a good friend. I enjoy spending time with him. I wanted him to have a nice place to live.”

  She leaned back on the headrest, considering me. “You’re a pretty great guy.”

  She’d said it almost wistfully as if she didn’t already own me heart and soul.

  “And I’m yours.”

  “Yeah?”