by L. P. Dover
There were, but I didn’t want another job; I wanted the one that had been stripped away from me. “Do you mind running by Furever Yours? I want to talk to Kellie and check on the puppies.”
“Sure. I’ll drop you off and grab us something from the café if you want.”
“That’ll be awesome. It won’t take me long, I promise.”
Since downtown Belmont was already packed with people, Derek had to park a little way up the street. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me in for a kiss before I could separate from him. “Want me to get you a piece of that chocolate cake you love?” he asked, his voice low and seductive in my ear. I couldn’t help but smile. The last time we’d eaten chocolate cake, we’d eaten it off of each other.
“Might want to get two pieces,” I murmured back. “One wasn’t enough last time.”
He bit his lip and smiled. “Then you better hurry. I don’t know if I can last until after dinner.”
Shaking my head, I playfully pushed him away and started down the street. “See ya in a minute.”
I glanced back and grinned when I saw him with a group of middle school boys, all of them wide-eyed and giddy with excitement. It was still surreal, knowing that he was a celebrity and he’d chosen me. Never in my life would I have imagined I’d be with someone like him when he could have any woman he wanted.
Luckily, I didn’t have to walk past the clinic to get to Furever Yours. The last thing I wanted was for someone to see me and ask what I was doing. I was already taking a gamble with Kellie, but I had to believe she would help me. When I opened the door, Kellie was busy petting the puppies, but when she lifted her head, she gasped.
“Hayden, how are you?” She hurried over and hugged me hard.
“Not good, Kellie. I’m sure you know what happened?”
She let me go. “You mean the travesty? I told Pappy he was making a mistake. There’s no way in hell you’d ever put those animals’ lives at risk.”
“I’m glad you think so. What did he say about that?”
She shrugged. “Not much. Just that he had no choice but to suspend you, since you were the one responsible for your patients. I think it hurt him to let you go.”
I snorted. “Didn’t seem like it last week. He basically made it sound like I’ve been neglectful since I started dating Derek. If anything, that made me better.”
She smiled wide and raked her gaze down my body. “I can see that; you’re practically glowing.”
“Thanks. I never thought I’d be happy like this ever again.” I paused and took a deep breath. “But I know of a way I could be happier. The only thing is that I need your help.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you need?” Not wanting anyone to hear us, I glanced around the room to make sure no one was there. “No one’s here,” she said, chuckling.
I moved closer to her, my gaze serious. “I need you to help me figure out who screwed me over.”
“Hayden,” she said with a sigh. “What are you doing?”
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I looked into her eyes. “I’m trying to get my job back. I can’t let Wilford and the others think I’m negligent. Not to mention it’s my reputation on the line. Someone in that office made a mistake, and I’m taking the blame for it.”
“Do you have any ideas about who it could be?”
I clenched my teeth and nodded. “I think it’s Jessica, but I don’t have a way to prove it.”
“That wouldn’t surprise me. She can be a catty bitch sometimes.”
“So you’ll help me?” I asked.
I could see the wheels in her head turning. Biting her lip, she said, “There’s something I’m going to tell you that no one else knows.”
“What?”
“Pappy bought a security system many years ago. It’s high-tech, with live video and everything, but I don’t think he’s ever really used it. Not much happens here in Belmont. Anyway, he has hidden cameras all through the clinic. If we can get to his laptop, we’ll be able to log on and search the feed.”
A new sense of hope spurred inside me. “Do you really think this could work?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot. He leaves his laptop in his office every night. All we have to do is get in there and look.”
“When?”
“It has to be late.” She pursed her lips in concentration. “I’m busy Saturday, and Pappy usually comes by the clinic on Saturday night. How about Sunday night sometime?”
I groaned. “I’ll be at Derek’s game.”
“What about afterward? The game starts at four, right? It’ll be over and done with before eight o’clock. We could meet around midnight. That way I know there won’t be anyone around to see us go in.”
“I can do that.”
“Great. Meet me out back and we’ll go in together.”
I nodded. “I’ll be here.”
The door opened and I jumped, turning quickly to see Derek stroll in. He smiled at Kellie and waved. “Hey, it’s good to see you again.”
Kellie beamed. “Same to you. Thanks for coming in.”
He glanced at me and nodded toward the door. “Our food’s in the truck. You about ready?”
“Yep,” I said happily. I gave Kellie a hug and winked at her. “See you this weekend.”
I had no clue what I was going to see on the cameras, but hopefully, it would be something. Anything was better than nothing. Taking Derek’s hand, we walked up to his truck and got in.
“You seem happier,” he observed.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “I am. Kellie’s going to help me figure out who contaminated my animals.”
I’d thought he’d be happy about it, but he stared at me with narrowed eyes. “And how is she going to do that?”
“By letting me see the video footage from the hidden cameras. She’s going to be with me the entire time.”
He shook his head disapprovingly. “You could get into some serious trouble if you’re caught doing that. I’m assuming you have to break in to the office to do this?”
I bit my lip. “Not exactly. Kellie will be the one to let me in. And I still have a key to the clinic.”
“This is a bad idea, Hayden. Why can’t you just let this go? You’re with me now. I can take care of everything for you.”
Hearing those words just made me love him more. While many girls would have loved to be a kept woman, that wasn’t my style. Taking his face in my hands, I kissed him. “You have no idea how much I love you for saying that. The problem is that I don’t want you to have to take care of me. I want to work and look after animals; it’s what I do.”
He nodded and grabbed my hands. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. We’ll find you a new job, love. Let this place go and be done with it. I don’t exactly like the fact of you working with a man who’s dead set on getting in your pants. Now promise me you won’t go through with this.”
I sucked in a breath. “Don’t make me promise. I have to know what happened.”
He stared at me, not budging. “Promise me, Hayden.”
Sighing, I met his gaze and then turned to the window. “Okay, I won’t do it.” It killed me to lie, but I had to know what had happened.
Chapter 26
Derek
The guys were pumped and so was I. It was our first division game, against Seattle, and we were determined to win. All I wanted was to get to the Super Bowl again and win but we had a long hard season to get through before the play-offs. We were closing in on the third quarter, and I was determined to make a move to the end zone. It wasn’t very common for a guy in my position to make a touchdown, since I was on defense; I just had to keep the other team from scoring.
Seattle threw the ball and it headed in my direction, toward their receiver, Bryce Nichols. Along with Evan, Nichols was one of the best wide receivers in the league. My muscles burned, but I ran as hard as I could to stop him from making that first down. The score was fourteen to thirteen, with us in the lead. It could b
e anyone’s game. As soon as Nichols caught the ball, I wrapped my arms around his waist and tackled him to the ground. I landed hard on my knee, but I blocked the pain out of my mind.
“Fucking prick,” Nichols grumbled under his breath.
All I could do was smile. “Just wait,” I replied.
I’d gotten into a fight on the field only once, and that was right after Brianna died. I was ejected from the game, which began my downward spiral into the shithole. That wasn’t me anymore. Watching Hayden on the sidelines was my reminder that things happened for a reason. I woke up every morning for her, and one day I’d let her know just how much I loved her. I still felt like I had something to prove, like I needed to show her I was worthy of her.
Seattle’s quarterback, Chance Hughes, got into position. We all knew he was going to throw it to Nichols; I was ready. As soon as the ball flew in the air, I had one chance to get it. It sailed closer, but it was so high I didn’t know if I could reach it. I jumped in the air and left everything to fate. Once I felt the ball touch my fingers, I pulled it in tight to my chest. The crowd’s cheers were deafening, and I got one glimpse of Hayden jumping up and down before I took off down the field. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I passed the fifty-yard line and ran on to the forty. Chris ran with me, blocking the fuckers who tried to take me down. The end zone was so close.
“Go! Go! Go!” Chris shouted. I knew there were three guys on my heels, ready to take me down. I crossed the ten-yard line and then felt the weight on my back as Seattle tried to take me down. I could barely breathe, but I had to push through the last couple steps. Another hit came from behind, but it was too late. I crossed into the end zone and collapsed. The fans cheered and hollered my name, and all I could do was laugh.
Chris held out a hand and helped me up. “I fucking love you,” he shouted. He handed me the ball and I raced over to the sidelines, where Hayden stood with Kate.
“What are you doing?” she squealed, beaming with excitement.
I took off my helmet and handed her the ball before lifting her in my arms. I kissed her long and hard. “It’s for you, love. It’s because of you that this is possible.”
“You’re going to have every woman out there hating me,” she said, laughing.
Holding her tight, I couldn’t help but be in awe of how amazing she was. Cameras flashed, and I knew we’d be front and center in the sports section come morning. I wanted everyone to know she was mine. “You’re wrong, Hayden. It’s every guy in the world who hates me right now.”
—
The rest of the game went by in a blur; we scored another touchdown, which gave us the win, 28–13.
“Dude, that move was fucking epic,” Chris exclaimed, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Thanks, man. It felt good.”
“No shit. The crowd loved it, too.”
“McLaughlin!” Coach Joel shouted.
“Uh-oh,” Chris laughed. “What did you do now?”
I ran a towel through my damp hair and threw on my shirt. Joel was by the door with his arms crossed. “What’s up, Coach?” I asked.
His lips pulled back into a smile and he slapped my shoulder. “There’s someone here to see you.” He nodded at something over my shoulder, and when I turned, my eyes went wide. It was Shelby Reynolds, a well-known journalist for Physique Sports and Fitness.
“No fucking way. Are you really here to see me?” I asked her. She’d done stories on Cooper and Evan but never me. All the guys dreamed of the day she’d come and pick another of us to interview.
Shelby laughed and held out her hand. “Good game today, Derek. And yes, I’m here to see you. I thought maybe I could interview you if you’re not too busy.”
“Are you kidding? I’m never too busy for you.” There was no way in hell I’d pass up the opportunity to be in her magazine. Her husband was UFC royalty and a legend in the MMA world; I’d met him one time at a fight in Vegas. Shelby was known for picking MMA fighters, football players, and baseball players to interview. I guessed it was easy to see which sports were her favorites.
Hayden walked toward us, still holding the football in her hands, with a questioning look on her face. Shelby was a beautiful woman, but she didn’t compare to Hayden. Before I could speak, Shelby beat me to it. “Hayden Hunter, I’m Shelby Reynolds,” she said, holding out her hand.
Hayden smiled and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Shelby turned back to me. “Derek, if you don’t mind, I was kind of hoping Ms. Hunter could sit in on the interview. A lot of my readers are women, and I feel like they’d connect to the story I have in mind.” She glanced between us. “Is that okay?”
Hayden looked up at me and shrugged. “I’m fine with it if you are.”
I put my arm around her shoulder and turned to Shelby. “We’re ready.”
Chapter 27
Hayden
Instead of doing the interview at the stadium, we met Shelby at the Carolina Tavern and had it over dinner. The interview was heartbreaking yet beautiful. I wasn’t expecting the article to be about Derek’s life but more about his NFL career. Shelby showed me some of her other articles, and I was at a complete loss for words. She had a way of drawing readers in and letting them see the real person behind the name.
“You really put everything out there,” I murmured to Derek as he walked into his bedroom.
He came up behind me and slid my shirt to the side, kissing my bare shoulder. His heated gaze met mine in the mirror. “I have nothing to hide, love. I have a damaged past but a very much wanted future…with you. There’s nothing wrong with letting the world know.”
“What if things change between us? Sometimes people fall out of love.”
He turned me around and clasped my face in his hands. “The only way that’s going to happen is if you fall out of love with me. I’m praying that doesn’t ever happen.”
“It won’t,” I promised. Leaning down, he kissed me and pushed me toward the bed. He lifted my shirt and tossed it onto the floor and unbuttoned my shorts before the back of my legs even touched the bed.
“You have no idea how much I fucking need you,” he whispered against my lips.
“Probably as much as I need you.”
His hands slid down my stomach to the waistband of my shorts, lowering them to the floor. My body tightened and I couldn’t wait to feel him inside me. Once he was naked, he stood in front of me, his arousal thick and heavy between his legs. I wrapped my hand around his length and pumped him hard, relishing his strangled moan. The tip of his cock glistened and I leaned down to lick it off, loving the way he tasted; I wanted more. Taking him into my mouth, I sucked him until he groaned and pulled me away.
“I won’t last if you keep doing that.”
Giggling, I crawled onto the bed and he followed me, his raw gaze penetrating. His breaths came out fast and I knew he was far past ready to take me. I loved it when that hungry look took over his face. It let me know he wasn’t going to go slow but hard and deep.
Spreading my legs with his knee, he didn’t waste any time. He filled me completely and I gasped as the pain and pleasure made me arch off the bed. His mouth closed over a nipple, and just the feel of him everywhere on my body made me lose control. Digging my nails into his back, I screamed out my release as he bit down on my breast, his grip so tight I could barely breathe. His cock pulsated inside me and his warmth filled me as he, too, was driven to completion.
As he leaned his forehead to mine, his breaths came out as deep growls. “I love you so fucking much.”
“And I love you.”
He pulled out of me gently and carried me into the bathroom so we could rinse off before bed. It was getting late, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I just prayed he’d fall asleep fast so I could get to Stonebrooke by midnight. Once we were done in the shower, we got back in bed and he pulled me into his arms.
“Do you want to go to the Whitewater Center tomorrow? I thought we could do something fun t
ogether, since I don’t have practice.”
“Sounds fun. Although I might laugh at you if you fall out of the raft.”
He chuckled. “Not if I take you with me.”
His body was warm as he held me against him, and I dreaded having to slip away. When his breathing slowed and deepened, I knew I was home free. He was a deep sleeper, but I still wanted to move carefully. Once I was out from under his arm, I slid out of bed, tiptoeing over to the drawer he’d emptied for me to put my clothes in. I threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before exiting the room. I had ten minutes before I had to meet Kellie at the clinic.
In the kitchen, I scribbled a quick note telling Derek where I was in case he got up looking for me. The last thing I wanted was for him to worry about me. He was going to be angry, but eventually he’d have to understand it was something that had to be done.
The roads were desolate as I drove to Stonebrooke in the dead of night. There was a bar down the street that was still open, but on my end of downtown, everything was closed. I parked in the back, just as Kellie had suggested, and saw her waiting in her car.
We both got out and she looked at the clinic, sighing. “If we find something on these cameras, you know we’ll have to tell my grandfather we broke in.”
I swallowed hard. “That probably won’t help my case, but I need this.” I followed her to the back door.
“I know, Hayden. I’d be the same way if something like that happened to my furry friends.” She opened the door and we walked inside; it felt like home. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being there. Thankfully, my office was still bare: Wilford hadn’t hired anyone to take my place yet.
Once we got to his office, Kellie fired up his laptop and we waited. She searched through his drawers until she found a little black book. “What is that?” I asked.
She flipped through the pages. “It’s Pappy’s password book. I told him he should probably write everything down, and he took me up on it.” Her fingers landed on a piece of paper and she smiled. “Got it.” My heart thundered in my chest as I waited for her to type everything in. A part of me was hopeful, but the other was ready for disappointment. Sliding away from the desk, Kellie got up and pointed to the computer. “It’s pretty easy from here. Just type in the date you want, and it’ll take you to that day. Rewind and fast-forward to whatever times you want.”