He held out his hand, and I took it, lacing my fingers in his. He leaned down and gave me a quick, but sexy as hell kiss.
“I was enjoying being your groupie.” He grinned down at me as we headed into the hotel. The team had a special area to check in. Jackson grabbed his key and handed it to a trainer who took his bag.
“Baby, this is Landon. Landon, this is my girlfriend, Carrington.”
“Hi, Carrington. Nice to meet you.”
“Hi, Landon.”
“I got some time?” Jackson asked Landon.
“Not much, Troy and Joe are on their way down.”
“Come and get me in the bar.”
“Sure.”
We found a couch in a corner near the back of the bar. We sat down next to each other; Jackson kissed the side of my face and leaned back. I turned to face him.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
“You had a good day.”
“Yeah, did a little shopping in Manhattan.” I took his hand and massaged it. “That kid was so cute. You guys always have people waiting for you at the hotel?”
“Depends on where we are, but New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and of course, Miami and Tampa.”
“Those people looked like fans, not groupies.”
“The groupies usually come out at night.”
“Great.”
“Baby, you know you have nothing to worry about, right?”
“Oh, I know. I just didn’t realize.” I squeezed his hand. “And now you go and talk to Troy and Joe about the game.”
“Yeah. And then team meetings and position meeting. I’ll be done by seven thirty and then curfew is eleven.”
“We’re not going to have any time alone.”
“I have curfew at eleven, but I can sneak out and come wake you up if you like.” He placed a few kisses behind my ear, and it made me shiver.
“I would like.”
“Cool,” he whispered. His lips hovered millimeters next to my ear, “So when I knock on your door at four am, let me in. You won’t be sorry.”
He turned my face toward him and leaned in to seal his promise with a kiss.
“Sorry to interrupt but Jackson," Landon said. "They're ready for you.”
Jackson’s face scrunched up, matching my own disappointment.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, keeping his eyes on me. I closed the space between our lips and gave him a kiss to remember, but it made we wish four am would get here sooner.
I should have gone to my hotel room, gone to bed and waited. The next ten hours, I could have done without.
***
Jackson Latre Mitchell
I followed Coach’s lead and kept my team speech short and to the point. We had a great week of practice, everyone was dialed in. The tenth game of the season, we had no need for the “rah rah” speech. We were focused. Sunday’s game was a big one. If we won, we had the best record in the NFC and the broadcasters and reports were not only talking playoffs, they were talking Super Bowl.
I tried not to get caught up in the hype, but sometimes a little hype did well for your confidence.
I took my cue from Towson and his calm demeanor. The kid impressed me daily.
As the coaches dismissed us, I motioned him over.
“Hey Towson.” We shook hands. “How you feeling?”
“I’m good.”
“What’re you up to tonight?” His eyes grew wide like I had asked a stupid question.
“Watching film. There is something about twenty-four. I can’t figure it out.”
“Listen man, you are ready. There is such thing as too much preparation.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Who are you?”
“What?” I asked and laughed.
“You’re the one who told me that every player has film on his bad habits. It’s up to me to put the work in to find it.”
“Yeah, well, come hang out tonight and I’ll tell you. We need to get away, relax for a couple of hours.”
“Okay.”
I spotted Carrington in the lobby as soon as we walked off the elevator.
“It didn’t think his tell was that obvious,” Towson said, but I half listened. The rest of my attention was on my Carrington. She wore a black wrap dress that showed off her cleavage. Her black boots made her legs look long and lean. She sat on a stool in the bar, her legs crossed, her right leg bouncing up and down. She laughed and every other thought left my brain; I wanted her.
She turned to find me staring at her and smirked. Her leg stopped in mid bounce. Kayla talked her ear off, but I could tell she didn’t hear a word. Her focus was one hundred percent on me as we approached. The way she looked me up and down and licked her lips, we were on the same page.
“J.” Towson hit me on my arm.
“What?”
“Dude, the two of you don’t look like you want company.”
I smirked and hit him back.
“Hey baby.” I leaned down and kissed Carrington two quick kisses on her lips. I wanted to do three, but with two I could maintain control. Three and I would have picked her up and taken her to my room.
“Hi,” she whispered.
Kayla, who seemed a few drinks in already, squealed and clapped her hands.
“Oh my God, you two look soooo good together.”
“Hi, Kayla.”
She hugged my neck, which took some effort, considering I stood a foot taller than her.
“Hey, Carrington,” Towson said.
Carrington grinned and hugged Towson.
“Hey, James. Joining us for dinner?”
“Yeah, if that’s okay?”
“Is this my birthday present?” Kayla squealed, and the rest of the bar stared.
“Kayla, this is James Towson.”
“I know who he is.” Kayla slapped Jackson’s arm. “You are very, very talented,” she said as she reached out and squeezed his arm.
“Thank you. Nice to meet you Kayla. Happy birthday.” James said and flashed her a smile. If James was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it. He joked about being a cocky and over the top wide receiver, but he seemed quiet and reserved. He let his game speak for itself.
“You know, she’s right,” James said looking back and forth between Carrington and me, “It’s good to see you two together.”
Carrington smiled as she grabbed my hand and laced her fingers in mine.
“Kayla, where’s Jamie?” I asked.
She dropped Towson’s arm and fished her phone out of her purse.
“Oh, he’s at the place. Let’s go.”
We jumped in the back of her black SUV. Kayla sat up front and gave the guy directions even though the place was only six blocks down the road.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered to Carrington and put my arm around her and pulled her closer.
“Thank you,” she whispered back, but her gaze fell back on Kayla.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Jamie’s booming voice hit our ears before we spotted him in the small bar off to the side of the entrance.
“Okay, ladies. We have time for one more because my wife,” he loud whispered the word wife, “just arrived.”
“Whoo Hooo,” the young ladies yelled as they took the shot. Jamie pushed himself up from the barstool but stole one more not so subtle look back at the girls when one of them yelled. “No, Jamie, stay and party with us.”
“Sorry ladies, but my sugar mama’s here. I have to give her some attention,” Jamie said, and we were making a scene in another bar. The whole place stopped and stared.
“Hey, Carrington,” Jamie said as he wrapped his arms around her. She placed a hand on his chest to give herself somewhat of a barrier as he hugged her tight and I fought back the urge to push him away.
“I am amazing.” He grabbed Kayla who had turned away from him, pulled her to him, and kissed her on the neck. Then he looked up between James and I. “And we have not one, but two superst
ars in our midst.”
One of his shot girls stumbled over and grabbed Jamie’s shirt. “Holy shit, you’re Jackson Mitchell.”
Carrington’s grip increased pressure.
“Little girl, go back to your friend,” Jamie said in a firm voice, and the girl turned around, dropped her head, and scurried away. The whole scene made me uncomfortable.
“Hi, Jamie.” I shook his hand hard.
“Jamie, this is Jackson’s wide receiver, James Towson,” Kayla said his name in a seductive tone and we all blushed … except for Jamie.
We all stood there staring at each other for another tense moment.
“Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Towson, your table is ready,” the hostess interrupted.
“Excuse me,” Jamie said. “Don’t you mean Mr. Randall? After all, I did make the reservations. And my wife is worth more than both of them put together, but I understand, we aren’t famous football players.”
“I’m sorry. I just …” The woman scrunched her face.
“Hey, doll, don’t worry about it. Some silly people get all stupid around celebrities.”
I didn’t like the way he said the word celebrity. I had only met Jamie a couple of times, but he didn’t act like this.
“Jamie, will you stop. You’re embarrassing us,” Kayla said.
“Oh, sweetie. You know I’m kidding.” Jamie grabbed Kayla’s chin and tilted her face up and kissed her. The type of kiss that made people dislike PDA.
“I’m starving. Let’s eat.” Carrington said a little too loud.
I looked at James, and his fists were clenched. I slapped him on the back.
“Yeah, buddy. Let’s eat.”
He grinned and gave me a look that said I owed him big time for this one.
When we arrived at the table, James and Kayla ended up on one side of the table and Carrington and I on the other. Jamie sat at the head, looking like the odd man out.
As soon as we got situated, Jamie turned his attention to Carrington.
“Carrington, you look hot tonight.”
“Thank you,” she said and scooted her chair closer to me. I should have sat between them. This douchebag made my girl uncomfortable. I’d vowed to protect her, especially from sleazy self-righteous and self-entitled pricks like Jamie.
Carrington caught my attention and she nodded and rubbed my thigh to calm me down. It worked … for a minute.
“I’d like to propose a toast,” Jamie said a little too loud to interrupt his wife from flirting with my wide receiver. He raised his glass, and we all followed.
“To my lovely red haired vixen of a wife. Even though you act like a child, well I suppose it keeps you young at heart. Even on your birthday. I love you, baby. Happy fucking birthday, Kayla Randall.”
We all set our glasses down, and Kayla tried hard to fight back tears.
He poured himself another glass and held it up. He had more to say.
“I also want to say congratulations to Carrington and Jackson. They finally made it back together.” Jamie took a sip and shook his head. “It must be fucking good if you stuck it out for seven years to get another taste.”
I stood up so fast it made Carrington gasp, as I lunged over the table at Jamie. He pushed his chair back before I could get a hand on him, but James moved faster. He jumped in front of me and pushed me away. I tried to get around him, my heart racing and the only thing I could imagine would slow it down was punching this guy in his smug face.
Carrington face flashed panic, and I calmed down.
“Okay, that’s it. Carrington. Let’s go,” James said as he grabbed her hand with his left while he pushed me toward the bar with his right.
Kayla had tears running down her face as she watched us leave.
“Kayla,” Carrington said, but Jamie placed a hand on her arm and she wouldn’t look Carrington in the eye.
When we got outside, James let go of me and talked to the valet guy about calling a cab.
Carrington stood by the door, hugging herself. She watched me as I calmed down. I approached her, knowing how my sudden loss of control might bring up some bad feelings for her.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to go off. I couldn’t stand there and watch him talk about us like that.” I reached one arm out and she grabbed it and fell into my arms. I ran my hand up her spine. As she shivered in my arms, I held her tighter.
“You okay?” I asked.
She tilted her head up to look at me.
“Is it wrong that that totally turned me on?”
I laughed out loud, grabbed her face, and placed a quick kiss before pulling her into me and wrapping my arms around her, content to never let her go.
“Sorry to interrupt, but is Kayla going to be okay?” James asked.
As soon as he finished his sentence, Kayla walked out the door.
We all stared at her and she smiled. “How’s the food at your hotel?”
We jumped into the truck and headed back to find out.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Carrington Olivia Butler
No one spoke on the ride back to the hotel; we were all lost in our own thoughts. I had no clue it had gotten so bad between Kayla and Jamie. I felt bad for my friend. I gnawed on my lips. I felt bad for being so caught up in my own shit I missed what was going on with her.
In college, I didn’t even know she and Jamie had broken up the first time until she came over to babysit Jack hung over and walking funny.
“Hey guys, listen, if you don’t mind, I’m going to order room service and look at some film,” James said.
“No,” Kayla said. “Don’t go. It’s still my birthday.”
He walked over to Kayla and gave her a hug. “You enjoy the rest of your birthday,” he said and kissed her on the cheek. Her cheek turned red and she looked at me and then lowered her head.
“Ms. Carrington.” He hugged me and whispered,” Take care of your friend.”
“Night man,” Jackson said and they hugged and we watched James head off to the elevator.
I glimpsed at Kayla giving James’ backside a onceover. She giggled and waved her hand in front of her face. “Hot,” she mouthed and laughed.
We found a table in the back corner, ordered and sat watching the activity in the lobby. A few people recognized Jackson and pointed, but they didn’t approach the table. He garnered more attention in another city than he did at home.
“Is it weird, being famous?” Kayla asked.
“Really weird.”
“It’s not like this in Phoenix,” I said.
“Yeah it is; we just don’t go out in Phoenix.”
I frowned and thought about it. He’s right; we didn’t really go out much.
“Why don’t we go out much?” I smiled at Jackson, but my expression dropped when I looked at Kayla. Her eyes seemed sad and defeated. Not a good look for my friend.
“Kayla, what’s going on?”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Kayla,” Jackson and I said in unison.
“Okay, well. I don’t really know how to explain it. He’s really, really boring.”
“Boring?” I asked.
“Yes, so boring, like mind numbingly boring.”
“What we saw tonight wasn’t boring,” Jackson said.
“He was rude and belligerent but not boring,” I added.
“Oh yeah, maybe I should clarify. The real Jamie is boring. The man you guys saw tonight wasn’t the real Jamie. That was drunk Jamie. Alcoholic Jamie. So socially awkward he needs liquid courage Jamie.”
“Has he always been like that?” I asked.
“Yes and no. I mean, he was sober for a long time. You know when we broke up before, it was because he couldn’t be with me because I drank and partied. When we got back together, he started drinking again, but it wasn’t a problem or I didn’t notice a problem until the last year.”
“You’ve been living with that for a year, and you didn’t tell me.”
“Carrington, I can’t
tell you this kind of stuff.”
“Why not?” I asked, raising my voice. Jackson put his hand on my arm. “Seriously, why can’t people talk to me about bad stuff? Why are you all trying to protect me? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I could help? That maybe I am the perfect person to help you deal with an alcoholic, narcissistic, lying asshole?”
I looked back and forth between both of them and it hit me. “Oh my God, you guys really don’t think I can handle it.”
“Okay, not wanting to state the obvious, but this is about me.”
“Yeah, right. I’m sorry, but can I say one more thing.”
“Okay.”
“I love you. If you’re not happy, I’m not happy. I want to be there for you the same way you were there for Jack and I. Please let me help.”
“Okay, well, you know when we were talking about having kids this afternoon?”
“Yeah,” I said and looked at Jackson, but he looked at Kayla with his brow furrowed.
“Well, I told him I didn’t want kids when we got married, and he said he understood. But then within in the last year, he has been pressuring me to change my mind. He says that he wants to have a kid so he can feel like he has accomplished something in this world. Isn’t that fucked?”
“What does he mean accomplish something? Isn’t he a researcher or something?” Jackson asked.
“He’s an editor, but basically he’s a fact checker and he lives a comfortable life off my money. At first, it didn’t bother him, but now he resents me for it. It’s so frustrating.”
“Rich people’s problems,” Jackson said, and we all laughed.
“Kayla if you’re not happy, why are you staying with him?. He’s miserable and won’t be happy until he makes you as miserable as he is.”
“I know, but that means divorce and lawyers and hearings and I feel like it’s a lot less trouble to avoid each other.”
“What about love?” Jackson asked.
“What about sex?” I asked and slapped my hand over my mouth.
“Nice, babe,” Jackson said and laughed.
“I take care of things,” Kayla said.
“What about him?” I asked.
“I’m sure he takes care of things, too.”
Hope for Us (Hope Series Book #3) Page 19