by Unknown
“Me and you make a great team out there, Coach Wells.” Haley looked up, and I met her lips with mine. I kissed her with everything I had in the moment, and she kissed me back. Reluctantly, I pulled away, tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear. I drew in a ragged breath and said, “I’d better get back to the team.”
“Okay,” she whispered, putting her fingers up to her lips. I left her with the tingling of our kiss.
“HOLY SHIT, BENTLEY, we did it!” Travis came running off the field and engulfed me in a hug.
“You did it, and you deserved every moment!” I patted my brother on his back. What a feeling, my brother and I are both championship winners in our last year of high school.
“I didn’t think we would be able to pull it off. I thought for sure we lost it in the last quarter.”
“By the skin of our teeth,” I laughed.
“Excuse me, Travis?” a man in a red coat came up to us.
“Yeah.”
“My name is Bryce, and I am here on the behalf of the Redhawks athletic department, and I’d like to talk to you about a full-ride football scholarship to our school.”
“Holy shit.” Travis breathed out.
“That was one hell of a game you played out there; all season, in fact.”
“How about you and Travis meet in my office tomorrow morning at ten?” I offered.
“Sounds good.” He slapped Travis on the back, “Enjoy your win son, you deserve it.”
Travis and I watched him walk away before hugging again.
Whitney came running onto the field and into my brother’s arms, meeting him for one hell of a kiss. Leaving them to their moment, I turned and saw Haley standing off on the sidelines, smiling and waving at me.
I took a moment to take her in with her beautiful belly on display for all the world to see. Strutting towards her, I couldn’t help but let my smile grow. I picked her up and twirled her around once. “We did it, Hales!”
She laced her fingers in my hair and looked into my eyes, “I’m so proud of you, Bentley.” I claimed her mouth as she breathed those wonderful words. Once I set her back on the ground, she looked up and immediately took a few steps back. Before I could ask her what was wrong, I felt a cold wetness rush over my body as the team poured the cooler of Gatorade over my head.
Haley was bent over laughing when I could finally open my eyes. “You think this is funny?” I stalked towards her as she backed up in surrender.
“No, I don’t,” she shook her head, trying to keep a straight face, “I think it’s hilarious. It’s funny when you see it on TV, but it’s way funnier in person!”
I lunged in her direction and caught her wrist before she could run away. Pulling her to me, I kissed her nose. “Thank you for being here.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” she beamed as she rested her palm on my cheek.
Travis, Whitney, and some of the guys came up and grabbed Haley, lifting her in the air and carrying her a full lap around the field, giving me a heart attack the whole time.
“Christ, would you put her down!” I yelled.
“No can do, Coach! She deserves this win as much as us!” Cullen yelled back.
Hales was stunning as she threw her head back and laughed, completely carefree. There is only one thing that could make this feeling ever better, and that would be if Haley would marry me. Shit, if she’d just finally agree to be my girlfriend.
After weeks of this back and forth shit, Haley is still keeping her distance and it’s starting to drive me fucking mad. She lets me kiss her, but she won’t let me in.
Whitney walked up beside me, “Hey Bentley, when you guys get back to town, Maggie is opening the diner to your family to celebrate tonight.”
I gave her a charismatic grin before I brought her in for a sticky sugary hug.
“Yuck!” She squealed.
THE DRIVE BACK home has taken an hour and a half because of all the traffic but everyone is still feeling the high on the win.
“My uniforms sure look good out there.” Papa said proudly.
“There sure did, my love.” Grams answered back.
“Haley I’m assuming that you are coming with us to the diner?” Papa asked.
“Yes, I want a strawberry milkshake.” Grams laughed along with Papa, since that was all I ever got.
The boys finally arrive with Charlotte and Will right behind them. We all stood and cheered as they walked in the door. “Thanks,” the boys said at the same time.
“What can I get my star play to eat?” Maggie said hugging Travis, “Besides burgers, they are already on the grill.”
“I would love some strawberry pie if you have some Maggie.”
“Travis, I made you a pie this morning, already knowing you were going to win.” She smiled proudly.
“What if we lost?”
“Then it was a pie you could eat your way out of.”
Travis hugged her one more time, “Thanks Maggie for everything.”
I decided to sit at the back table and take everything in. I watched as Grams and Papa visited with Bentley’s grandparents, Charlotte and Will visiting with the aunts and uncles I haven’t met yet and Whitney hanging on to every word Travis had to say to her.
“What are you doing way back here and not with everyone else celebrating?” Bentley asked taking a seat beside.
“Just watching and taking everything in. I feel so blessed to be bringing in our child into a world with so much love and support.” I massaged my belly just being happy.
I saw Maggie coming from the back with the pie as the front of the diner door opened. The room became silent when we saw who walked in, “Daddy!” I rushed toward him. Maggie dropped the pie on the floor and covered her mouth with her hands.
Daddy took me in his arms and hugged me tight. “Hi Maggie.”
“Ben, what are you doing here?” she asked through her hands.
“I came to see my little girl and I came to see you…Maggie.”
After Papa and Grams said their hello to dad, I brought him over to meet Bentley.
Bentley stood as we walked over and held out his hand.
“You Bentley?” dad asked in his most serious business tone.
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you the one that got my daughter pregnant?”
“Daddy,” I whined.
“Yes, sir,” Bentley replied.
“Are you going to look after my daughter and fully provide for my grandchild?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you even plan to leave again?” I cringed when daddy asked this question.
“No, sir.” Bentley didn’t even slightly buckle when he answered.
Daddy looked Bentley up and down. I could see Bentley starting to sweat.
“Consider yourself lucky that my paw likes you son.”
“Yes, sir.”
My dad shook Bentley’s hand before saying, “Welcome to the family son.”
“Thank you, sir.”
When dad was done with Bentley I brought him over to introduce him to Charlotte and Will. I looked behind me and saw Bentley sigh in relief. I giggled to myself; good, it serves him right.
Helping Maggie clean up after the celebration and getting ready for tomorrow’s open, I hugged her. “Thank you Maggie for everything. I cannot tell you how much you mean to me, I love you.”
“Child stop or you’re going to make me cry. You know I love you as my own and I’m going to spoil that child of yours as if it is my very own grandchild.”
I took her hands and placed them on my belly, “Maggie this is your grandchild, in every sense of the word, grandmother.” Maggie and I stood, hugged and cried.
Daddy came back into the diner after walking my grandparents to their car. “Sweetheart, are you ready to go?”
I pulled away from Maggie drying my tears, “Yeah, I think I’m ready for bed.”
Bentley came walking out of the bathroom, “Haley can I take you home?”
“Actual
ly my dad was just going to do that.”
“Bentley if you wouldn’t mind taking Haley home that would be great. It will give me and Maggie some time to catch up.” Dad replied.
“Not at all sir, it would be my pleasure.”
“I’m standing right here.” I glared at both of them.
Ignoring me, Dad continued his conversation with Bentley, “I’d appreciate that, thanks Bentley and call me Ben for now on. We will be family and all shortly.”
“Thanks again for everything Maggie, as always you out did yourself.” Bentley kissed Maggie’s cheek before grabbing my hand and walking us out.
PULLING INTO MY driveway Bentley asked, “Did you know your dad was coming?”
“I had no idea. I was as surprised as the rest.”
“Are you happy that he is here?”
“Yes I’m very happy. I love spending time with my dad.”
“How long do you think he is here for?”
“He never said.” I shrugged.
“Can I walk you to your door?”
“I’d like that, thank you.” I smiled at him before opening the truck door.
Helping me out of the truck I laughed, “Geez when I get even bigger I don’t know how I’m going to be able to hop in and out of this truck, with this lift kit.”
“I was thinking, maybe it’s time I sell it and buy something bigger and not so high.”
“Why?” I asked admiring how good the truck looked.
“I can’t really fit a baby seat in there and I’m sure I won’t want to use the sub-woofers when the baby is with me.”
“Bentley I don’t want you selling your truck for me or the baby. I’m sure we can work around it.”
“It’s not, I’m not. I’ve actually been thinking about it for a while. Running more errands for the farm, it makes more sense and makes things easier if I did.”
“When were you thinking of getting a new one?” I asked heading toward the house.
“I actually already started looking, but I haven’t seen anything I like in my price range yet.”
I unlocked and opened the door, “Would you like to come in? Carleigh and I finished painting the baby’s room, if you’d like to take a look.”
“I’d like that.”
Placing my purse on the living room table, I told Bentley to go take a look, as I turned on the Christmas tree lights and grabbed a glass of milk. Putting on my pajamas I met him back in the living room.
“You girls did a nice job in there.”
“Thanks.”
“The paint fumes didn’t bother you too much did they?” he asked.
No, I bought the paint with as less fumes as possible and I kept the window open at all times.
“That’s good.”
“I was thinking of watching a movie, before I go to bed. Would you like to stay and watch it with me? I can’t guarantee that I’ll stay awake for the whole thing however. I tend to fall sleep more than I ever did watching TV.”
“I’d really enjoy that.”
Taking off his shoes, he placed his wallet and keys beside my purse. He sat on the far side of the couch and placed a pillow on his lap. “Here, lay down and get comfy.” Snuggling into his lap, he pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and laid it over me.
“It Netflix okay?” I asked reaching for the remote.
“Fine.”
“What are you in the mood for?” I looked up the movie section.
“Whatever you want to watch, I’m good with.”
“Even a sappy romance?”
“Even a sappy romance.” He said quietly while pulling my hair through his fingers.
As I went through the list of movies five times, Bentley never said a word about my indecision. He just placed his hand on my belly and rubbed in circles while the other still played with my hair.
“How about 21 Jump Street?” I asked finally settling on a movie.
“Sounds good.”
“Would you like some popcorn, or a drink maybe?”
“Haley, I’m good. Really. Just lay back and relax. Let’s enjoy the movie.”
I DON’T EVEN think Haley made it twenty minutes into the movie before she fell asleep. I slouched down on the couch and put my legs up on the coffee table and turned off the TV.
Thoughts tumbled through my head as I watched the beautiful sleeping woman that took my breath away the moment she stepped into Maggie’s diner. When she talks, I want to listen to every word she says; when she laughs, I can’t help but laugh alongside her. I melt whenever she looks at me, and when she hurts I want to take away her pain.
I ran my fingers through her hair and watch the glow from the Christmas tree lights dance across her face trying to memorize each curve, laugh line, and wrinkle. I traced my finger along her cheek and lips, wishing it was my tongue. I settled my hand on her stomach hoping to feel the baby move. Eventually, my eyes closed and I leaned my head back on the couch, finally letting myself whisper the words out loud, “I love you.”
I slowly came awake when I felt Haley start to move to get up. “Please don’t go,” I called to her with my eyes still shut.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
I opened my eyes and helped her sit up. “Hales, I have enjoyed this night so much.”
“Some movie partner I make,” she joked while getting up.
I grabbed her waist and pulled her on my knee, “It was perfect because it was just me and you. No drama, no doubts…” I slid my hand to the back of her neck and drew her closer. “Just you and me,” I whispered before I kissed her.
Resting my forehead against hers, she wiped away a tear, “Then why did you leave me, Bentley?”
“Because Haley, I got scared. I’m scared because you mean more to then anyone ever has. You are everything I think about, everything I need, and everything I want. Haley I love you, please let me in. Let us be a family. Me, you and the baby we created out of our love.”
“Bentley…”
“No,” I shook my head. “I loved you then, Haley. Just like I do at this very moment. Don’t ever think for one minute our child was not made out of love. You may not have said it, but when I was inside you, sweetheart, I saw it in your eyes. You love me as much as I love you. I know you do. Please, Haley. Please let me in.”
“I don’t know if I can, Bentley,” she whispered. “You hurt me so much by leaving…treating me as if I was something disposable.”
I kissed her lips, desperately trying to get our connection back. “God, Haley, I am so sorry. I wish I could take it back, take it all back.”
“I really need to go to the bathroom.” Letting her out of our embrace, I watched her walk away, and it gutted me.
I folded the blanket and returned it to from the back of the couch and made sure everything was tided before I sat on the couch again. Minutes passed as I waited her for. Finally, I quietly walked down the hall to check on her. As I reached the bathroom door, I could hear her soft cries.
I rested my head against the door, cursing myself for being the cause of her pain. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the knob and asked, “May I come in?”
Opening the door all the way, I saw her sitting on the floor crying into a towel. Without a word, I picked her up and carried her to her bed.
I tucked her in her bed before crawling in behind her and whispered “I want to sleep with you, and I don’t mean sex. I mean sleep together, under the blankets with your head on my chest, and my arms around you. No talking, just sleep. A happy blissful sleep.”
“What if I want to have sex?”
I tucked her into me and kissed the top of her head, “Not tonight, Haley.”
Eventually her breathing leveled out, and I watched her sleep as the sun began to rise. “Today is the day you let me in, my love. No holding back; just me and you.” I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep with the best thing in the world in my arms, knowing I wasn’t letting go for anything.
“MORNING, SLEEPY HEAD,” Haley breathed
in my ear.
“What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty.”
“In the morning?”
I heard her chuckle, “Yes, in the morning.”
I turned quickly and snatched her off her feet and laid her on top of me, “Ah, that’s better. I much prefer waking up with you in my arms.”
She kissed my lips. “What is that for?” I asked with a smile.
“Thank you for last night.”
I wiggled my eyebrows, “We could make it like that every night, if you want.”
Haley tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let her, “No, Haley. No more running.”
“Let’s just take this one day at a time, Bentley.”
I looked up at her, wondering what she’d been thinking since she got up. “Are you overthinking this, Hales?”
She shook her head no.
“Are you sure? Because I can see the little hamster running full speed on the wheel.”
“I just need a minute to take this all in, that’s all.”
I tucked her into bed and handed over her kobo. “While you take this all in, I’m going to make you breakfast.” I kissed her head again.
“You can cook?”
“No, I’m just going to pour us some cereal and cut up some fruit. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”
Skipping into the kitchen, the first thing I did was make a pot of coffee. I looked in the cupboard for decaf but couldn’t find any. “Haley do you have any decaf coffee?”
“No.”
“Why not?” I asked going back into the bedroom. “I read somewhere pregnant woman shouldn’t drink caffeine.”
“It’s fine as long as I only drink one cup a day, and no other caffeinated beverages for the rest of the day.”
“Okay.”
Pouring the last of the milk into my bowl, I made a mental note to pick up a few things for Haley before going back to the farm, including decaf coffee.
Eating side by side in Haley’s bed, she asked, “What are your plans for today?”
“Travis and I have a meeting with the Seattle Redhawks scout at ten in my office then I think Dad, Travis, and I are going to cut down a Christmas tree while mom makes her famous sugar cookies. Then after dinner, we usually stay home and decorate the tree together. Why don’t you join us?” I suggested, hoping she would say yes.