The Pickup (Imperfect Love Book 1)

by Nikki Ash

  I hold back the tears that want to break free. I miss my mom every day, but having Corrine in my life almost makes up for not having my mom here. She’s everything a woman could ask for in a stepmom, and I’m so blessed to have one more person in our lives who loves Reed and me.

  After a few seconds, Victoria says, “He looks just like Nicholas.”

  “Yeah, he does. Would you like to hold him?” I hold Reed out, but when Victoria shakes her head, I bring him back against my chest.

  “I better not. This is a new dress, and I would hate to have to go back to the hotel and change if he…” She scrunches her nose up in disgust. “Well, you know.” She smiles a pained smile, and it has me wanting to find Nick and hug him tightly. The stories Nick has told me about the type of relationship he has with his parents didn’t fully sink in until this moment. I mean, what grandmother doesn’t want to hold her own grandbaby? I can barely keep Corrine and my dad from hogging Reed when they’re in the same room as him.

  “Okay…” I give her a plastered-on smile and turn back to watch the pre-game ceremony. Corrine and Shelby return a few minutes later, and we chat about the upcoming game as we wait for it to begin. Our conversation is interrupted when Nick’s dad, Henry, shows up. Victoria introduces us, but just like his wife, he has no desire to hold his grandson, and they both choose to sit elsewhere instead of near us. Nick mentioned that the majority of the time they live in North Carolina, and I’ve never been more relieved to know they won’t be around fulltime.

  Just after half-time, Celeste walks in. I only know this because I hear Victoria gush over her. “Oh, Celeste! Sweetheart! I’m so glad you’re here.” Corrine makes eye contact with me and rolls her eyes. I roll mine back, but deep down I’m sad Nick’s parents are behaving this way. I can’t imagine not having the support and love I have with my family and friends. I haven’t known Nick for long, but other than Killian, I haven’t seen anyone else have his back. I know he and Celeste are best friends as well, but I haven’t yet to witness their actual friendship.

  I hear Celeste politely say hello to Nick’s parents, and I hold my breath, afraid our truce was only temporary. A minute later, Celeste sits down next me and says, “About time you got control of that baby.” I take a calming breath and turn to her to say something back—what, I’m not sure—but when I look at her, she’s grinning ear to ear.

  “Ugh...” I groan. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

  “Probably not, but on the flipside, after hearing him cry, it cemented my decision to never have children.” She laughs. “Crying babies are the perfect way to control the population if you ask me. Five minutes of hearing him cry, and I was double checking that my birth control was up to date.” She shoots me a wink, and I laugh.

  Celeste sits next to me for the entire game, and the more we talk, the more I find she’s actually a very likable person and can see why she and Nick are such good friends. Underneath her flawless makeup and designer clothes is a sweet and funny woman. She shares hilarious stories of Nick growing up that I stow away to later rib into Nick about. Corrine and Shelby join the conversation, and we make plans for a girls’ night. Corrine says she’s too old to go out but would love to watch Reed. I text Giselle, and after she about dies through text over the fact I’m making plans with Nick’s ex, she, of course, agrees to go out as well.

  All of our talking ceases as the game winds down. New York has intercepted the ball and there’s only enough time for one, maybe two plays. The next play, if done right, can mean we’re Super Bowl champions.

  Twenty-Two

  Nick

  Half the crowd erupts into an explosive roar of cheers as our defense intercepts the ball at the forty-yard line with under a minute remaining, no timeouts left. This is exactly what we needed, what we were banking on. The game has been close the entire time. If they would’ve scored, we would need this touchdown to stay one up on them, but because they didn’t, if we score, we win. Our entire season is on the line, the entire game coming down to this next play. Everyone is counting on me. I glance up at the owner’s box, not that I can see Olivia, but knowing she’s up there calms my nerves.

  The last time I was in this position, I was with Fiona, but she wasn’t there. I know a lot of what went wrong between us had to do with my mother, but I hope what I’m building with Olivia is stronger. While I’m pissed at my mom for what she did, what Celeste said rings true. Fiona made the choice to take the money. She chose to walk away. She could’ve come to me and I would’ve given it to her, but she didn’t. I’d like to believe everything happens for a reason, and Fiona and Celeste were merely stepping stones that led me to Olivia and Reed.

  Offense makes their way onto the field, huddling together and waiting for me to call the play, so I jog over to join them. “All right, guys. We got this. One play…maybe two, and we’ll be Super Bowl champions. We have zero timeouts, so the clock will be ticking. Here’s the play: West right slot, seventy-two, z bingo U split, dummy snap count on three.” The huddle breaks, and everybody lines up.

  On my three-count, the center hikes the ball. Taking a three-step drop, I find an available receiver, but just as I’m about to throw the ball, he’s covered by the fucking cornerback. Defense is rushing me, and I know I’ve got to make this throw before I’m tackled. I spot Killian sprint left. He’s open—just barely. I throw the ball to him, and it’s a shitty throw at best, too far to the left, just before I’m knocked to the ground. Killian catches the ball one-handed and runs. I watch with bated breath as he passes each yard line—thirty… twenty… ten… with the safety on his ass every step of the way.

  A safety comes from the right, and Killian, like the crazy ass he is, leaps over the guy into the end zone.

  “Touchdown!” The crowd screams, and the entire team congregates into the end zone, celebrating. Brian Peters, our kicker, makes his way out onto the field for the extra point. Then, with only twenty seconds left on the clock, the special team’s unit comes onto the field for the kick off. Peters, once again kicks the ball, and the other team receives it. Their kick returner runs up the field, but he’s immediately taken down by one of our players. With no time left on the clock, the game is over, and we’re Super Bowl fucking champions.

  Coach Harper makes his way over to me and pulls me in for a hug. “We did it!” he shouts into my ear, and I hug him back. “Hell yeah, we did.” The confetti falls from the sky, and the media makes their way over to us in a frenzy, surrounding us like vultures.

  Killian jumps up against me and pulls me into a hug. “Fuck yes!” We’re both crying as hats are handed out. Several of my teammates come over and hug me. I place my hat on my head as one of the reporters sticks a microphone in my face. Her name is Jennifer, and she’s one of the sport’s channel’s main reporters.

  “Two years ago, you were on the other side. Now here you are with your fourth Super Bowl win; first one with New York. To get this win today, what does that mean?”

  “It means everything, Jennifer. This season wasn’t easy by any means. It doesn’t surprise me we had to fight every step of the way through this game, until the very end.” The reporter laughs. “It was a team effort. It tested every one of us, but we came through in the end.”

  The reporter moves on to her next question. “It’s public knowledge that you’re in New York on a one year contract. Can you tell us your plans for next year?” I want to say I’m not going anywhere, but the truth is contracts haven’t been discussed formally yet, so I have to go with a politically correct response.

  “There are definitely a lot of decisions to be made, but I have some priorities I need to get to first, starting with finding my girlfriend, Olivia, and kissing the heck out of her. Then I’m going to celebrate with my team and thank God we won so Coach Harper doesn’t have a reason to ban me from family holidays. After that, I’m taking my girl and son on a much needed vacation.” I glance over at Coach Harper who throws his head back in laughter, shaking his head in u
nderstanding. I just went on record, on live television, and admitted to the world that Olivia is my girlfriend.

  Jennifer and I go through a few more questions and once we’re done, I make my way down the field to meet up with the rest of my team, so we can celebrate our win.

  Twenty-Three

  Olivia

  Nick and I are cuddling on the couch at his place, watching shit television while Reed is napping. I’m laying horizontally across the couch, my head resting in his lap, and Nick is running his fingers through my hair. The last two weeks since we’ve returned from the Super Bowl have been spent with Nick either at my place or Reed and me at his. The team is on break until the end of June when their training camp begins, and we have somehow created our own schedule of pure laziness. Nick and I haven’t discussed his plans in regards to his contract with New York, but I think he’s just basking in the glory of his win right now—he’s had to make appearances on several daytime and late-night shows—and enjoying the downtime. We rarely go out in public, and if we do, it’s to grab something to eat. My dad and Corrine are away in Italy. They left the day after the Super Bowl. Corrine is from there, and my dad surprised her with a romantic trip, just the two of them.

  Nick pauses the show, and I turn over onto my back to look at him. “I have something I want to ask you, but I’m going to need you to be openminded.”

  I sit up, intrigued. “Okay.”

  “I want us to go away.”

  “Where do you want to go? Somewhere warm would be fabulous, so Reed can wear less than three layers of clothing outside.”

  “Actually, that’s where the open-mindedness comes in. I was thinking we could go away…just the two of us.”

  I sit up, confused. “What would we do with Reed?”

  “Giselle said she could watch him.”

  “You already asked her?”

  “I didn’t want to bring it up if she couldn’t. I was going to ask Shelby if Giselle said she couldn’t, but she said she can.”

  I stand and begin to pace the living room. Reed will be two months old this week. Am I ready to leave him for the night?

  “Liv, it would only be for two nights. It’s Valentine’s Day weekend.”

  “Could we stay local?”

  “Like stay at a hotel in the area?” He eyes me incredulously.

  “My dad has a house in the Hamptons. It’s only a couple hours’ drive from here, so we wouldn’t be far if something happened.”

  Nick chuckles. “How about I’ll agree to the Hamptons, but I’m picking the place. I’m not spending the weekend under Coach’s roof with his daughter.”

  I roll my eyes. “Deal.” And then it hits me Valentine’s Day is this week, like in two days. “Wait! We’re going this weekend?”

  “Yeah…we’ll drive up Thursday after Giselle gets off work and stay through the weekend.”

  “That’s hardly any time to prepare.” I feel myself getting worked up.

  Nick gets up off the couch and moves toward me. His arms encircle my waist, and he leans down and places a calming kiss on my lips. “Brown-Eyes,” he whispers. He moves his lips to my neck and kisses the sensitive flesh just under my ear. “There’s nothing to prepare for. You don’t even have to pack. If I have it my way, we won’t even be getting dressed.” He lifts his head, and with a wide grin, waggles his brows suggestively.

  * * *

  “Liv, we’re here.” I feel Nick gently shake me, but my eyes refuse to open. “Liv, baby. You have to wake up.” Reluctantly, I open my eyes and stretch my arms as I remember where I am. One minute I was talking to Nick about Reed’s growth spurt and the next I’m waking up in the car. I sit up and glance around. We’re in the driveway of a beautiful three-story cottage. I can’t see the ocean from where we are, but I know it’s back there because the home is sitting on top of a dune.

  “Nick…this place is huge. Did you invite more people?”

  He laughs. “Actually, I did…”

  “Oh.” I had assumed when he mentioned clothing was optional he was implying we would be alone. Maybe he wanted Reed home because there would be a party going on…

  “Not right now. For the next two nights, it’s just you and me. On Saturday, however, we’ll have a full house. Giselle is going to bring Reed over, and Killian is joining us. Shelby can’t make it because she has a birthday party to attend for her stepmother, but your dad and Corrine will be coming…and…” He pauses, worrying his bottom lip, nervously.

  “And?”

  “Well, Celeste mentioned she wanted to join, and since you guys seem to be getting along…texting and planning a night out, I said okay, and your parents said they’d have no problem watching Reed while we all go out. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah! That sounds really great. How long are we here for?”

  “Only five days…but then we’re going away on another trip, and Giselle and Killian will be joining us for the second half of that trip.”

  Turning in my seat to face Nick, I place my palms on his cheeks. “You know you don’t have to take us away, right? I don’t need surprise trips; I just need you.”

  Nick frowns. “I know, but I only have so long until football starts back up again.” He takes my hands in his and brings them up to his lips, kissing the inside of each of my wrists. “I want us to make the most out of it. It was only going to be us, but then Giselle mentioned she could help babysit, and once Killian caught wind of where we’re going, he begged and said if I didn’t let him go, I was choosing your best friend over mine.”

  I laugh, imagining Killian pouting like a child.

  “What are you thinking in regards to your contract?”

  “It’s kind of out of my hands. I’m waiting to hear from my dad if New York wants to re-sign me. If they don’t, I have to hope another team will pick me up. I would like to think I’ve proven my worth this season.”

  I hadn’t considered New York might not re-sign him, and if they don’t, he would have to move to wherever the team is that does sign him. Would he ask us to move with him? Would I be willing to move somewhere else? My thoughts go back to a year ago when Victor left me to move to Switzerland. Of course, him not asking me makes more sense now that I know he was cheating on me for a year with my so-called friend.

  “Hey, I can see the cogs in your head turning. It’ll all work out. We’ll figure it out together. But first, let’s enjoy ourselves. We have this house”—he points toward the beautiful cottage—“and it has a hot tub and a heated pool.”

  “Do you want me to talk to my dad? I know he’s not the owner but—” Nick leans over the center console and kisses me. His tongue darts out quickly, massaging mine, but then he backs up leaving me wanting more.

  “No. One, all negotiations need to be done through my agent, and two, I want to keep us separate from business. I want to have a good time this weekend. No talking shop.” I nod in agreement.

  After dropping our bags in the foyer, Nick and I take a tour of the cottage. It has at least seven bedrooms and even more bathrooms, a huge kitchen, and several sitting rooms. We find the bedroom we’re going to be staying in, and Nick brings our bags up.

  Afterward, we make our way outside. It’s fifty degrees out today, so we’re both dressed comfortably in jeans and a hoodie. There’s a huge back patio with tons of seating and a humungous pool. Just past the pool is a wooden bridge that leads down to the beach. The sun is shining, and it helps offset the cool air.

  “Let’s go inside. I brought a bottle of wine, and I was thinking we could go to dinner tonight.”

  “Sounds good. I’m just going to go up to the room and freshen up. You pour us a glass, and I’ll be right back down.”

  I start to walk away, but then remember something I wanted to tell him. “Oh, Nick…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Remember when I went to the doctor for my check-up?”

  “Yeah.” He nods.

  “He okayed me to have sex.” I shoot him an overly dramatic flirtatious wi
nk, and Nick throws his head back with a laugh. I start to ascend the stairs when he calls out my name. I stop on the first step and turn around to find him right in front of me. He pulls me into his arms, and his lips brush mine softly before he pulls back and smiles, his green eyes shining bright. “Thank you for coming away with me. I know it was hard to leave Reed.”

  “Thank you for bringing me. Now let me go make myself presentable. I feel gross from sleeping in the car.”

  Nick lets go of me, and I run up the stairs to our room. I jump in the shower to rinse off then brush my teeth. I’m debating whether I should go down there dressed, in a robe, naked, or in lingerie when my phone dings with a text from Giselle: Are you busy?

  Me: Nope. Everything okay?

  It takes her a few seconds to respond, so I wrap the fluffy white towel around me and sit down on the bed.

  Giselle: Yes…Reed took a bottle a couple hours ago, but now I think he’s wanting another one. He’s really fussy. I just wanted to check with you before I go off your feeding schedule.

  And this is why I fell asleep in the car. My baby boy is going through a growth spurt, which means he has been getting up every few hours all night long to eat. The pediatrician said it’s normal, but I was nervous about leaving Giselle to deal with it. Up until a few days ago, he’s been on a great eating and sleeping schedule.

  Me: Go ahead and give him half a bottle. If he doesn’t take it he might just be tired. He’s been up a lot throughout the night. Oh! Can you take his temperature? I just want to make sure he’s not sick. Can you please text me and let me know?