by Joanna Blake
Blooooop.
I knew that sound. It was a secure line. I grinned as the entire crew came into view.
“TORP!”
I grinned at the screen, my nerves momentarily forgotten.
“How are you guys?”
“Top secret, Torp. No can tell.”
“SHOW US THE BRIDE!”
Donnelly was goofing off, waving his ass at the computer. I pulled up a photo of Tabby on my phone and held it up to the screen. They went nuts, as expected. I laughed, waiting for the whistling and hooting and hollering to calm down.
“How’d you land her? Holy hell!”
“Can I have one? I’ll take a hit if I can get one!”
“Dry land! I want dry land!”
Lyle tapped my shoulder after a few minutes of joking around with my crew. They looked good. It warmed my heart to see them all safe and sound and smiling.
“Uh, Gabe, I think they’re ready.”
The guys waved goodbye, still commenting on my bride and her tatas. Dave shouted to lay pipe and Donnelly told me to knock her up.
“Impregnation on the wedding night is a longstanding tradition!”
I laughed, thinking it was a good thing Tabby couldn’t hear them chanting ‘breed her’ over and over again. She would not be amused. But hell, it was kind of funny.
I signed off and checked the bathroom mirror. I gargled with mouthwash and gave myself the nod. I looked damn good, if I did say so myself.
“Let’s do this.”
I followed the guys down the stairs to the lower level. Lyle went ahead to make sure I wouldn’t accidentally bump into the bride. When he told me the coast was clear I walked in and shook hands with the judge. Lyle took my cane and stood beside me. Topher had the rings.
I had two best men. And hell, that was just fine.
My mom was beaming at me from the first row as the music started.
It was time.
I was getting married.
The doors opened and Tabitha took one step into the room. Everything stopped. The music seemed to pause. No one spoke. I was pretty sure the world stopped turning.
I definitely stopped breathing.
She was stunning in a simple long white dress. It had short cap sleeves and was relatively modest up top, but her curves were still on display. It skimmed softly over her cleavage and the indent of her waist, then out over the gentle swell of her delicious hips.
She stood straight and proud as she walked towards me. She was perfection. Her hair was long and subtly curled, her pink lips were smiling, her gorgeous golden eyes shone brightly with love.
This must be heaven. Because I was surely marrying an angel.
A series of images flashed through my mind. Tabby when we were just kids in junior high. Tabby in high school. Our eyes meeting time and time again.
She’d always looked away first. But this time, she held my eyes proudly. For all to see.
It was really happening.
The most beautiful girl in the world was about to become my wife.
Tabby
My stomach rolled uneasily as I walked down the aisle. Gabe looked so handsome, standing there in his crisp dress uniform. He stood sure and proud on two feet.
The look on his face was almost comical. He looked like he was seeing a mirage. His eyes travelled down my body and back up again. He looked absolutely stunned.
Well, it was only the second time he’d seen me in a dress.
He looked kind of relieved to see me too. For a minute, I wondered if he had thought I was going to run out on him again. My heart melted at the thought.
I knew he didn’t want to leave me this morning.
As magical as this moment was, I would be relieved if I made it through the ceremony without vomiting. Like I’d been doing all freaking day.
Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up.
I’d pretty much been a puke machine since I woke up. In between getting fitted into my dress, getting my hair done, sipping weak tea and oh yeah, dry heaving.
But I was smiling all the same.
The reason why was wrapped in a paper towel, sitting in the hotel bathroom.
A pregnancy test.
And it was positive.
The judge kept the ceremony short and sweet. He spoke about the sanctity of marriage and the love he could see between us. I blushed as Gabe said his vows loud and true. I raised my voice when it was my turn.
Then it was over.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Just like that. We were married.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Gabe’s eyes were hungry and he pulled me close and cupped my face. Then he lowered his face to mine and our lips met. Our first kiss as man and wife. It was lingering and sweet and tender.
Then he squeezed my bottom and I jumped.
“Gabe!”
He grinned at me.
“What? No one noticed that.”
I was giggling as we walked down the aisle together and outside to take the wedding photos. Someone handed me a glass of champagne. I handed it to Gabe and he downed it.
Our little party took off at full swing. We talked with the guests as people danced a little and ate and drank. Then we all sat down for a meal.
Jackie and Lyle stood up to make their toasts. Lyle went first.
“Gabe has always been the sort of person who looked out for his buddies. He’s a stand up guy and I’m so happy that Tabitha finally gave him the time of day. He only waited ten years to seal the deal.” He winked. “I said he was reliable, not fast.” Everyone laughed. “My congratulations to the happy couple.”
Gabe clapped louder than anyone else.
Then it was Jackie’s turn. She held up her glass and I waited, suddenly nervous.
“Tabitha is one of the best people I know. She’s always been there for me, no matter what. And now I’m so glad she has someone there for her too.”
Everyone applauded. And then Jackie said something that made me cover my face in embarrassment.
“Oh and Gabe, she always had a crush on you too.”
Gabe grinned and pulled me in to kiss my neck. I couldn’t even look at him. I felt like that same sixteen year old girl, pining for the star football player.
Except that now, I got to go home with him. Wherever that home may be.
Not long after the cake we snuck away. Jackie and Lyle were at the bar, flirting. It was almost comical to see them together. He was a big lug and she was a tiny little thing. But I had to admit, there was something about it that worked.
Gabe carried me over the threshold into our suite. He reached for me, trying to give me a kiss. I waved him off and pulled out my surprise.
Gabe’s eyes were wide as I unfolded the paper towel. The little blue plus sign was unmistakable. He stared at my hand, then back at my face, then back at my hand.
“Is that what I think it is?”
I nodded and his face broke out into the biggest smile I’d ever seen on the man. He was usually somewhat reserved, but now he was almost giddy.
He picked me up and spun me around, kissing me soundly.
As soon as he put me down again though, I covered my mouth.
“Oh no. Should I not have done that?”
I was so dizzy, I felt like I might tip over. He grabbed my arm to steady me.
“Are you okay?”
I ran into the bathroom and threw up. It’s a good thing I hadn’t eaten much at the party. I rinsed my mouth out and pressed my cool hands to my face.
“Tabby?”
“I’m okay. It comes on real fast and then it passes just as quickly.”
“So, no roller coaster rides.”
“Probably not.”
He started peeling off his clothes.
“You just relax baby. We’ll get some ginger ale and I’ll be real gentle.”
“Gentle?”
He smiled and slipped his hands under my dress.
“It’s bad luck not to do it
on your wedding night.”
My eyes got wide as he led me back into the bedroom. The bed was covered in rose petals. He went to the bar and came back with a cup of ginger ale. I sipped it gratefully.
“You sure you are okay, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay.”
He guided me down onto the flowers.
He lied about one thing though.
He wasn’t gentle.
Seven Months Later
Gabe
“Hold on baby! You can do it!”
Tabby was breathing hard and clutching my hand. She was magnificent, somehow managing to look beautiful in a hospital gown. Maybe it was the way the sweat glistened on her flawless skin. Or how her hair was curling around her beautiful face from the effort.
We’d done the classes. We’d babyproofed the house and painted the nursery a pale green. We were ready.
Tabitha had even sewn dresses and dolls and blankets out of soft fabrics in a rainbow of colors.
All while attending nursing school.
She was pretty much a superhero.
Not to mention how good she was at handling me, which wasn’t easy. I knew I was pretty demanding. I wanted her attention, and I wanted her close enough to touch.
I touched her a lot.
And I hated it when she was gone for too long.
As a result, I’d started picking her up and dropping her off from her classes. I’d reasoned that it saved gas, even though the Surf Shack was nowhere near her school.
Yeah, I’d finally opened up my little seafood joint. It was still new but so far it was a resounding success. All the other places were either greasy or fancy. Mine was right in that sweet spot in the middle.
I didn’t care that it was out of the way though. I’d seen the way the other students looked at her. And the professors. And the doctors she trained with. There was no way in hell I wasn’t going to make sure my stamp was seen far and wide.
Basically, I peed in a circle around her every chance I got.
Plus, I drove faster which got her home faster which got us into bed faster.
It was win/win.
And now she was giving me the ultimate gift. A child.
Our child.
“Push!”
She squinched up her gorgeous face as she bore down. Then I saw it. The baby was crowning.
Holy hell. There it was.
I watched in amazement as Tabby pushed and pushed. I held her hand and cheered her on as she managed to get that baby out of her tiny body. She might be small but she was strong as hell. I had to admit, I was impressed.
She barely made a peep.
Our daughter on the other hand had a massive set of lungs on her.
“WAHHHHHHHHHHH!”
The nurse was smiling as she wiped the squalling baby and handed her to my wife. Tabby’s face was lit up with joy as she looked from the baby and up to me. She’d never looked more lovely to me. And that was saying something.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead. We sat there quietly, staring at our little bundle of joy.
“Thank you my love.”
Tabby
The hospital was quiet as the nurse handed me the baby for her fist feeding. She was so beautiful, so perfect, she made my heart sing. Her little face puckered and I knew she was about to let out a wail.
I tugged the gown away to offer her my nipple. And just like that, she quieted and latched on. Well, that was easy.
“Wow. That is the sexiest thing I have seen in my whole damn life.”
I rolled my eyes at Gabe as he leaned in to get a closer look. He reached out to stroke my other breast with his hand.
“Can I have the other one?”
I laughed and shooed him away.
“Seriously though sweetheart, you look beautiful.”
I leaned back and smiled at him. I never got tired of hearing that. Especially when it was so clear that he meant it.
“Thank you.”
He reached out and squeezed my hand where I held the baby to my breast.
“How you do feel?”
I smiled at him.
“Like a mama. How do you feel?”
His eyes were a little watery as he gazed at us. There was no mistaking the love shining in his eyes.
“Like the luckiest man in the world.”
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GO BIG
Joanna Blake
GO BIG
Let me show you how Southern Boys do it.
I grew up poor. Dirt poor. I learned early that a fist or a smile could get me out of almost any sticky situation. My swing is what got me out of the sticks for good.
Now I'm in the spotlight, playing in the big leagues, and the club's owner wants me to be their charity spokesperson. It's for a good cause. I just need to deal with the bossy woman who runs the show.
His daughter.
Camille Rivers is the heir to the richest man in America. She's the most stubborn woman I've met in my life. With all her wealth and manners, you would think she'd be a little nicer to her daddy's star player.
Spoiled and prissy, Camille is everything I should stay away from. The problem is, I just can't keep my hands off her.
I think she's playing hard to get because she likes me. She thinks it's because I'm a horse's rear end. Either way, she doesn't complain too much when I'm kissing her.
She's used to getting what she wants. Then again, so am I. And what I want is her.
*GO BIG is a stand alone sports romance with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating!*
Copyright © 2016 Joanna Blake
Created with Vellum
Cade
Grease slid over my knuckles as I twisted the wrench as far as it could go. I eased up, knowing that if I pushed it too hard, it might snap. It was easy to do with an old bolt, but it took exceptional strength to do with a new one.
I smiled wearily, wiping my hands on a rag.
I just happened to be exceptionally strong.
That was me. Strong and some said, crazier than a shit house rat. And I should know. Where I'd grown up, we'd actually had a shit house.
It was a small shed with a bench built into it. Every few months we had to move it, digging a fresh hole and filling in the last one. In between we sprinkled lime down the hole after each use. It helped, but it sure as shit didn't make it smell like roses.
And it didn't keep the rats away.
I rubbed my ass, remembering the one that had bit me when I was eight years old.
Oh yeah, taking a shit in the middle of a hot July night in the sticks was a treacherous endeavor. Only a poor sonofabitch from the hills would know that. And I fit the bill to a T.
I wiped my face with a fresh rag, looking around the engine room. It was cleaner than most hospitals. That was the best part about this job. I loved how clean it was, compared to how I'd grown up.
That, and the money.
Deep sea oil drilling was hard, dangerous work. It required strength of mind and body along with a good helping of common sense and know how. All of which I had in abundance. I'd spent my life fixing things. That's what you did when you couldn't afford to buy new.
As a result, I could pick and chose my assignments. And I did.
The rig I was working on was state of the art. New enough to be sound but not new enough that some of the glitches hadn't been worked out. I'd made sure of that after my last contract.
The one that still kept me up at night, wondering what I could have done to stop the accident.
Oh yeah. I was not going to take a contract on a rig that had a sloppy crew again. One that left work undone until the last possible moment. One that got people killed.
I never made the same mistake twice.
I didn't even turn around as the foreman came in and cleared his throat. The crew was good. That didn't mean I wanted to make best friends with any of them. I'd done that once and lived to regret it.
Every damn day.
"What's up?"
"There's a guy here to see you."
Now I did look over my shoulder. We were in the middle of the south Pacific, almost a hundred miles from the nearest island. People didn't just 'drop by' for shits and giggles.
"A guy?"
"Yep. Flew in on a private helicopter. Says he's from a baseball team in New York City."
Cade
I pulled my cap off, letting the hot sun beat down on my head. It was a fair trade, worth it for the breeze that ruffled my hair as we took the field. I tucked my hat back down and rubbed my knuckles against the glove. Like the cap, the glove was new and needed breaking in.
Apparently, I did too.
I was shortstop for this game, a fact that did not go unnoticed with the other players. It was a prestigious position, as was my line up in the batting order. The coaching staff was giving me all sorts of advantages, which wasn't going over so well with the team.
I wasn't making any friends today, that was for sure.
It had been like that in the minors too. This was a job. A serious one. People would do anything to be in my shoes right now and I knew it. We all did. And that made us wary.
Baseball was a team sport but also an individual sport in a lot of ways. It wasn't a non-stop bro fest like most people assumed. Most of the guys kept to themselves, earning trust over time.