Whatever Happens

by Lyla Grace

  “Oh, honey,” he says. The regret and concern in his voice are evident. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.” He turns to me. “Thank you.”

  I nod. I don’t need to be thanked, certainly not by him. I would do anything for Lexie. If he understood that, well, he might get over whatever his issue is with me.

  “Who was it?” he asks.

  Lexie tells him it doesn’t matter. Like hell, it doesn’t. “Aaron Garrison,” I tell him. “It’s been handled.”

  Coach heaves a sigh of relief. “So, you two are together then?”

  Before Lexie can answer, deny it, I say, “Yes. And if you have a problem with it…”

  “I don’t,” he admits.

  "Wait. What? Since when?" I ask as I glance at Lexie, then back to Coach.

  “Since you came here and set me straight.” Coach stands and begins to move about the office. “I’m not happy that you kept it from me and I sure as hell am not happy about that damn tape. But, you came here, you defended Lexie, were willing to throw it all away for her and told me you love her.” He shakes his head. “My first thought was you’re an idiot. My next was, that’s exactly the kind of idiot that I would want my daughter with, a man willing to give everything up for her and put her first.”

  “I will, Sir,” I tell him.

  “I know.” He turns to Lexie. “I’m sorry, honey. I… all I’ve ever wanted was to protect you.”

  “Daddy, you can’t protect me from everything.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. I’m a father, raising a beautiful little girl. I had no clue what the hell I was doing, still don’t obviously. But, if this is what you want, who you want…” He pauses. “Then I won’t stand in your way.”

  Lexie is out of her seat and hugging her father. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “I’ve never seen her as happy as she is when she’s with you,” Coach tells me. “So help me God if you hurt her though, Wallace, I will kill you.”

  “Understood, Sir.”

  “Now, about your therapy…”

  "We're working on it, Daddy," Lexie assures him.

  “You can’t.”

  "What? Why?" I ask. The guy gives us his blessing, then tries to take her away as my therapist. Is this some sort of test? A ploy to get me to walk away?

  “Per your contract…”

  “Fuck my contract.”

  "You don't have to be so defensive. The problem is that Kaylee is a little pissed about how you've been acting and you not showing for therapy. If she talks, there is a good chance that Lexie could lose her certification."

  “I’m helping Carter.”

  “Illegally.”

  “This is such bullshit,” Lexie says as she begins to pace the office.

  “Okay, so I’ll make nice with Kaylee,” I say. “I’ll do what she says.”

  "No. Absolutely not. I am treating you. No one needs to know; we'll be careful," Lexie replies.

  “I am not risking your career,” I tell her.

  The intercom goes off. "I'm sorry I have to get to this meeting. I just wanted you both to be aware of the risks." He kisses Lexie on the cheek. "Let's do dinner next week."

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  It's been two days, two long days since we met with her father. Two days since he told us that her touching me could jeopardize her job. Since then, I've been avoiding anything to do with her. No therapy, no work on the foundation. I don't want to put her at risk, and I know she'll argue with me.

  I’m sitting on my back patio, relaxing and texting Chase when my doorbell begins to ring incessantly.

  I get out of my seat and go to answer the door.

  “What?” I shout as I pull it open. Who the hell rings a doorbell like that?

  “Don’t what me,” she says as her hand pushes against my chest.

  I barely move from the force. "What?" I repeat, to irritate her.

  Really, she asked for it.

  She pushes me again. For her benefit, I take a step back when she does.

  “Why are you ignoring me? We were supposed to meet yesterday for therapy? I waited an hour, but you didn’t show and you wouldn’t answer your phone.”

  “I was busy.” I head back to the patio and sit back down in my chair. As expected, she follows.

  “Busy? Busy is not going to get your arm better.”

  I shrug. “I told you, I’m not worried about it.”

  “I am.”

  “Why are you so damn adamant about fixing my shoulder?” I ask her as I sit forward.

  “Because it’s my fault,” she admits.

  “That’s not true,” I tell her.

  “If it wasn’t for me, your arm…”

  I stand up and move in front of her. "It would have still been a mess. You saw how many times I did something stupid and had a set-back. Lexie, this wasn't stupid. It was necessary, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."

  Her sigh resonates with me. I drop my hand to her hip. “This isn’t your fault.”

  I pull her face to me, my lips hovering near hers. After everything that went down with Aaron, it's certainly not my intention to push her into anything. Hell, I wouldn't blame her if the idea of sex with anyone, including me, was off-putting right now. The way her body reacts to me, though, the look in her eyes. It all tells me she's thinking the same thing I am. But I need her to make a move. She pushed me away the other day. I won't put her in a position to have to do that again.

  “If you tell me to stop, I’ll stop. If this is what you want, though, all you have to do is say the word.”

  “I…”

  “You what, Princess?”

  Her eyes are wide and hazy. She takes her bottom lip between her teeth.

  "Damn you," she says. Her arms wrap around my neck, and she pulls me down into a kiss. "God, I missed you." Her lips trail down my jawline to my neck. "Sit."

  I am not about to argue with her. Not when I’ve been dying to touch her like this again. I wrap my arm around her, holding us together as I walk back to the chair. When my knees hit the seat, I allow her to push us back. I’m sitting in the chair, she’s on my lap, legs flanking me. She takes my face in her hands.

  Our lips meet, hands exploring. I can't touch her enough to ease my desire in the slightest. I don't know how much more I can take, my need for her grows exponentially every time we touch. Not wanting to rush her, or push her into anything, I let her take the reins. Any amount of restraint I have as a man begins to crumble. I need her; I want her. I have to have her.

  The minute her hands drop to my waistband, I arch up, helping her slide them down because if she’s going there, I’ll be damned if I am going to turn her down. I search for the material underneath her skirt and tug it to the side. Her amazing, wet pussy hovers over my rock hard dick. I silently pray that she doesn’t back out on me now. She looks me in the eye, holding my stare as she slides down onto me.

  "Oh, God," I moan. My head falls back. I feel her rise, sliding off me. "Don't," I say, forcing her back down. "Don't move."

  “Why?”

  Deeply embedded in her, I want to savor this moment. I need to go slow, memorize her, enjoy every damn second in case I don't get another chance. "I want to enjoy you. Just like this."

  My hands roam her body, soft caresses that cause her to tremble under my touch. I feather kisses over her, every inch that I can reach. She threads her fingers through my hair. She begins grinding against me.

  “What’s wrong, Princess?” I tease.

  My mouth hovers near her breasts, dropping soft kisses everywhere except where I know she wants them. She arches into me, forcing me to take her in my mouth and taste her. A demand I am all too happy to agree too.

  “I need you, Carter.”

  “I love it when you beg,” I tease her.

  "Please, Carter. Let me ride you; I need to feel you, I…"

  I kiss her hard and fast because if I don’t, I’m going to cum just listening to her. I loosen my grip on her hips, all
owing her to move. She rides me, slow and steady. I can feel every damn piece of her.

  “I love you, Lexie. I can’t let us go,” I tell her.

  "I love you, and I don't want you to," she replies.

  Her movements quicken, need takes over. It feels like a lifetime since we’ve been like this, close and intimate. I drop my hand from her hip and caress her between her thighs. The moan that escapes her sends a straight shot to my cock. I’m come undone, bucking into her because the need is too great. She calls out, cries out, our releases hitting us simultaneously.

  I'm still buried inside her as she rests against me, her hot skin against mine, trying to control her breathing. We stay this way for a few moments; our breath is finally slowing. The minute I feel her shift on me, I tighten my grip.

  "I'm not ready to let go yet," I admit. Sure, I might sound like a damn pussy, but I don't care. When it comes to Lexie, if I have to, I will act like the biggest pussy ever as long as she's with me, to hell with the rest of the world.

  “Oh. I was hoping you would run us another bubble bath,” she says.

  I look up at her, the smile on her face, the light in her eyes. Yes.

  “Is this a trick?” I ask.

  "No tricks, no lies, just us. I can't deny this anymore, Carter, I can't keep running from the one thing that makes me happy."

  “I’m assuming that’s me,” I tease

  “Yes, you fool, it’s you.”

  “Back at ya, Princess.”

  Chapter 26 – Lexie

  Two Months Later

  Carter is already on the exam table when I enter the room. It’s time for the doctor to evaluate the progress of his arm. Training is going to begin soon, and he needs the doctor’s release if he’s going to play this season. If I thought Carter was hard working when we first started his therapy, it was nothing compared to his drive now.

  After hearing that he may never play again, Carter resolved to that fact. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to make him try. After all, he made me fall for him. It was only fair. While it was a long shot, the past two months have been rigorous training. I honestly think he does it for me more than anything, but hey, if it’s going to get him to season ready, I’ll take it. Nonetheless, he is ready to go, in my opinion. But, sometimes the team’s doctors lean on the side of caution which is exactly why I am here, in spite of this awful bug I have.

  “How are you feeling?” Carter asks the minute I walk into the room.

  I take another sip of my water, the one thing I have been able to hold down. “I’m fine, just tired. Has the doctor been in yet?”

  “You don’t look fine,” he replies. He has more to say, but my dad walking in interrupts us. “Hey, Coach.”

  “How’s my star Quarterback?” He turns to me. “You work your magic? Is he ready?”

  My eyes widen, a wave of nausea hits me, and the temperature in the room goes from seventy to one hundred degrees in three seconds flat.

  The next thing I know, I am on the floor, my father and Carter on either side of me.

  “Lex, wake up,” Carter says.

  My eyes flutter open, “What happened?”

  “You tell us, you passed out,” my dad replies.

  They help me to a chair and set me down. Carter hands me my water, and I take a couple of small sips. “I don’t know what happened. I just felt really warm and then – nothing.” I shake my head, “It’s just this stupid bug. I promise I will head home and get some rest as soon as we leave here.”

  Just then, Dr. Ziller enters the room. “Everything okay in here?”

  “She just passed out Doc, can you check her out?” Carter urges.

  “No. We are here for him to look at your arm. I will go to the doctor this afternoon.” I can tell by the look on his face he doesn’t believe me. “I promise.”

  Carter knows I’m stubborn and seeing that I’m not going to back down, he turns his attention to the doctor. Well, at least some of it because his arm is still around me and he’s still holding onto me for dear life.

  “So Doc, what’s the verdict?” he asks.

  I’m desperate for the answers, for him and myself. As much as I want him to be healed, back to doing what he loves, I also want the confirmation that my therapy plan works miracles. For all intents and purposes, Carter should have been out another year, especially with all his setbacks. Who would have thought such a nice, mild-mannered guy could get into so many damn fights.

  “Well, I don’t know how you did it, but your arm is just about good as new,” the doctor says.

  Carter jumps in the air, excitement exuding from every fiber of him. “YES!”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” my dad says, shaking Dr. Ziller’s hand.

  “Don’t thank me,” he says. “Thank her. Apparently, she’s a miracle worker.”

  With a huge smile on his face, Carter says, “She sure is.” His hand touches my cheek, “I couldn’t have done this without you, Princess.”

  His lips meet mine, an all-consuming kiss that steals my breath and captures my soul.

  Behind us, my father clears his throat.

  “What do you say we get out of here and celebrate?” I suggest.

  Carter happily agrees. Finally released, arm back in shape, he can finally do what he’s been dying to do. Take control, take the lead, and fuck me against a wall. The thought alone makes me blush. As we continue to drive, though, the surroundings look less familiar.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  “The doctor,” he replies. “You passing out on me is not okay.”

  “Carter, I’m fine,” I assure him. At least I hope I am. I have been so worried about him and the foundation, I haven’t had much time to take good care of myself. I’m sure that’s all this is.

  “I am not taking any chances with you, Princess.”

  His concern is sweet, though unnecessary. I oblige him though and see the doctor.

  “Satisfied?” I ask after the doctor finishes examining me. “I told you I was fine.”

  Carter rolls his eyes. “People don’t faint for no reason, right Doc?”

  “Typically, no. That’s why we’re running some blood tests as well. Issues like stress and dehydration can also cause a fainting spell though so keep that in mind.” Dr. Smalls pats my leg. “I’m sure everything is fine. It’s only precautionary.”

  I stick my tongue out at Carter feeling vindicated.

  “Fine, you win,” he concedes. With his finger pointed at me, he continues, “But if you pull that crap again, you’re in trouble.”

  I can’t help the giggle that escapes me. Carter? Trouble? The two combined are like a dream come true.

  I take his extended hand and allow him to pull me close. I press a chaste kiss to his lips. “Come on. We don’t have much time to celebrate.”

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  After our private celebration, we head to the official opening day of The Foundation. It’s been a labor of love, lots of time, effort, and tears. Today though? Today we get the reward of our hard work. The look on the kid’s faces. The opportunities the children have that they didn’t before, the exercise and team building they will be privy to. All things that at one time weren’t a possibility, are.

  Several towns have begun preparation for opening extensions. While the main funding will still come from The Foundation and our sponsors, namely Landon Sutton, each organization is putting forth its own efforts to make this a success.

  I look out at the crowd of people before me. The excitement and buzz of the crowd give me butterflies in my stomach. I can’t believe we’re here. I can’t believe it’s all happening.

  “Ready?” Carter asks as he rests his hand on my lower back.

  I inhale deeply then exhale. I feel like I am grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s do this.”

  We head out onto the stage, and cheers arise from the crowd. I’m not sure if it’s for the Foundation or Carter, but in my opinion, both deserve a round of applause.

  I stand by
his side as Carter begins his speech. He tells the crowd, the inspiration, my off the cuff idea, and how he hated it. He continues telling them as time passed, he learned I am always right. Smart man. So as a surprise for me, he got the ball running, and The Foundation took off from there.

  Then he introduces me, Lexie Masterson, the Foundation Director.

  “First, I want to thank you all for coming. Having grown up around sports my entire life, I truly understand the meaning it holds for so many of our youth. They learn so much from sports, teamwork, dedication, hard work, strength – both physical and mental, friendship, family, and most importantly self-worth. So many children have been restricted previously from participating in all different sports, for all different reasons. Now, thanks to The Foundation and its generous supporters, every child has an opportunity to play a sport they love regardless of what the world might consider their physical limitations being.”

  The crowd is clapping, and Carter is whispering in my ear, “You look pale again, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  The cheering dies down, and Carter steps forward. “I don’t want to keep you because we have a great night planned filled with food, fun, and sports. But before I let you to it, I have one last thing I want to say.”

  This is not part of the script. What the hell is he doing?

  “Lexie?”

  “Yes?” I ask hesitantly.

  “I need you to know that nothing that happened today would have been possible without you. Not my arm healing, not the Foundation. You, Lexie Masterson, are what make my dreams come true. Now, I only have one left. And I need your help with that.” I watch in astonishment as he gets down on one knee. “Will you marry me, Princess?”

  He’s kidding, right? He can’t mean that. I mean, we have only known each other for less than four months. Most of which was under duress of some kind. Part of me wants to scream yes, part of me wants to say no and run off the stage, and part of me is terrified and cemented to the floor. Why the hell would he do this now? What is he thinking? We just moved in together. Isn’t that enough?

  How can he know? How can he be so certain? Even my hesitation doesn’t deter him. Determination in his eyes and love in his heart, he says, “I know what you’re thinking.”