Saving the Game

by Karen Frances

  I was shown this room earlier, but as we enter and walk toward the table in the centre and to the front of the room, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the amount of people crammed in here. My body starts to shake.

  “Lee, you okay?” Logan whispers. I nod but I know he’s not reassured. We take our seats and Peter starts speaking.

  “This club and our players have always made for great headlines. Over the years, there have been many headlines about various teams’ achievements, but sadly, more often than not, you are all very quick to judge my players and print lies and false allegations before you research the facts. A reporter should seek out facts before reporting. I’m here to tell you that from now on, as a club, if anything is printed in black and white without our prior knowledge, we will be taking matters further.” There’s lots of mumbling and grumbling. “Now, with all that said, we are here to discuss the story most of you have run on your front page over the last few days. And I’m sure if any of you had done your research, none of you would’ve printed those lies. I’m sure you’ve all got questions for Mr Walker and Miss Mackay.”

  “I have a question for Miss MacKay,” a reporter calls out. Peter looks and me and I take a deep breath and nod. “Miss MacKay, firstly I hear congratulations are in order.” I smile, feeling a little less nervous. “And secondly, how are you after the accident before Saturday’s game? I’ve been told you were admitted to hospital.”

  Logan squeezes my hand, giving me some encouragement. “Thank you. I’m fine, and so is our baby.”

  Jess is smiling at the back of the room and I know that’s the first question out of the way.

  “Is it true that your days at this club are numbered?” someone shouts out to Logan.

  It’s Peter who answers. “Oh, come on.” He stands, obviously frustrated with the question. “Logan is going nowhere. He is the best keeper in the country.”

  “So why has he been left out of the team?”

  Logan speaks first, surprising Peter. “I’ve been left out because my head has been all over the place. As you all know now, Lee and I are expecting a baby. This came as a shock for us. My mind wandered back to a time in my life I had pushed away. Eight years ago, I lost my world when . . .” His bottom lip trembles and I squeeze his hand, letting him know I’m here. “An accident claimed two innocent lives and, lately, I’ve feared history would repeat itself. So now you can understand.”

  “What about the claims Chantelle makes about you and her?”

  “There was never a me and her. Never. And after the allegations she made, causing trouble for Fletcher, I’m surprised no one has questioned her motives. I don’t know what she wants. I’m not interested in finding out. I want to be left alone to get on with playing football and looking after my family when our little one arrives.”

  My heart skips a beat at his words. I turn and he’s facing me, smiling. He’s full of surprises. The press conference continues for another long ten minutes. Logan answers various questions, including when the baby is due. I can’t take my eyes from him as he excitedly tells everyone we’re due in March. I’m sure I’m not the only one who hears the pride in his voice as he speaks about our baby.

  I lift my head and look at Jess. ‘He loves you so much,’ she mouths. I nod as my eyes fill with tears and I desperately will them not to fall.

  Logan

  SHE’S AMAZING AND all mine. I still find it hard to believe. I never dreamed I would be so happy with someone, so lucky, with so much to look forward to. Yes, I have fears, but who wouldn’t after what I’ve been through? But for Lee and our future, I’m learning to push them aside and deal with one day at a time.

  Lee has been understanding since we officially became a couple six weeks ago; well, in the eyes of the Scottish media after we did the press conference together. In my eyes, she’s been mine since the night on the dance floor. She doesn’t get pissed off with my constant text messages to check up on her. She gives me reassurance at times when it’s all I need. We’ve talked a lot more about my past with Nikki and the baby. She’s encouraged me to open up and I’ve finally accepted that night was a tragic accident and it wasn’t my fault.

  For years I’ve tortured myself over, not just that fateful night, but my feelings for Nikki. But being with Lee has made me realise I was only with Nikki because of the baby. Yes, I loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her. Whereas I’m so in love with Lee that it breaks my heart to think of the time I’ve wasted fooling around trying to put her out of my mind when we should’ve been together.

  Lee is perfection.

  With my arm propped under my head, I get the perfect view of the beautiful woman who has graced my bed every night for the last six weeks. Her long blonde hair is splayed across the pillow; her complexion looks so much healthier now she seems to have found her appetite and is getting some much needed sleep. Two more weeks and she’ll be at the halfway point. We had another appointment at the hospital last week. Another scan, and we were asked if we wanted to know what we’re having. We both agreed that we want a surprise.

  Watching her sleeping has become my second favourite pastime. My favourite is making love to her. There’s nothing I enjoy more in the world. Not even football. Football is still important to me, but definitely not as important as Lee MacKay. Everything in my life seems to have slotted into place. I’ve finally found where I’m meant to be and who I am.

  Everything in our lives seems to have settled down after what was a hectic few weeks. Lee admitted she felt sorry for Chantelle. The media weren’t very complimentary of her. It was claimed she was a gold-digger, and to be honest, that statement wasn’t far off the truth. It won’t be so easy for her to move onto her next victim. The club has banned her from attending games and functions at the stadium.

  My meeting with Lee’s parents went better than I could have imagined. They’re really good people; it’s been nice getting to know them. They’ve had Lee and I over for dinner a few times.

  Lee’s long lashes flutter as she starts to stir. She wanted me to wake her early today, something about not wanting to waste the day, but this last week she’s been run off her feet with work. There was no way I was waking her; she needed this long lie in and so did I. “Good morning,” she says sleepily, without opening her eyes.

  “Hi,” I say, not wanting to tell her it’s no longer morning.

  She opens her eyes and those gorgeous blues stare at me. I smile as she rubs her expanding stomach; she does the same thing every time she wakes up. It’s her way of communicating with our little bundle of happiness. I love seeing the closeness she feels toward our baby. Lee has been feeling the baby move; she says it’s like little flutters. I love her description of it but I can’t wait until I can feel it too.

  “What time is it?”

  “Lunchtime.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me? I wanted to do something, now already half the day is gone.”

  “All I want to do is spend the day with you. I’m more than happy to stay here snuggled up.” With all the craziness that has surrounded us, it would be nice for it just to be the two of us for a change.

  “It does sound appealing, but only snuggling?” She bats those long lashes at me and moves her body closer to mine. I would be mad if I didn’t hear or act on the suggestive tone in her voice. I have no idea how she can sound and look so goddamn sexy.

  She doesn’t give me any time to think. In one swift motion, she’s in my arms, one of my hands on the small of her back. Her eyelashes flutter against my cheek. Her body relaxes into mine, sinking into my embrace as though we were made for each other.

  “You looked so peaceful and stress free.”

  “Have you been watching me sleep again?” I can feel her smirk against me as she asks her question.

  “As always. There’s no better way for me to start the day.”

  “Is that so?” She lowers her voice, sounding almost mysterious.

  “Well, there is another . . .” I don’t finish my sentence because
she draws my face to hers in a renewed embrace. Instinctively, her soft lips press against mine, slow, thoughtful, and surprisingly gentle. She’s hinted that, when we’ve made love, she’s been ready for something a bit rougher. But, while she’s carrying our baby, I’ll never be rough with her.

  Lee MacKay was made for kissing.

  Only me.

  Women say a kiss can make them go weak at the knees, but I know from experience, kissing Lee weakens all my senses and wakes them up all at the same time. My heart is pounding in my chest from the dreamy intimacy of this kiss.

  Bloody hell.

  Breaking our almost magnetic connection, I gaze at her. She wants more than a kiss, it’s clear to see. I’m happy to wait. I place a kiss on the tip of her nose then on her eyes, and finally to her lips before releasing my hold of her. She pouts, and God, do I want to take her in my arms and hold onto her all day long, but I have a better idea of how we should start our day.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” she quizzes me as I leave our bed.

  “I’m going to run us a bath so we can start the day relaxing. I want to lie back in a warm bubble bath with you in my arms.”

  “I think me straddling you would be so much better.”

  I chuckle, walking away from her. Yes, her idea does sound better than mine, but what she wants and what she gets are two entirely different things. I’m not saying we won’t have intimacy because there’s always that between us. I do plan on making love to her, I’m just trying to let her see that there is so much more to us as a couple than that side of our relationship. I don’t want her to think that’s all I want from her because, for the first time, even though I love that side of our relationship, it’s not what’s important to me. Just having Lee in my life is the most important thing to me.

  Lee enters the bathroom fully naked as I switch the running water off. She looks incredible and I know she’s feeling a bit insecure about putting on extra weight, but as my eyes dance over her glorious body, my beautiful girl shouldn’t be wasting her time worrying about that.

  “So, we really are having a bath together first?” Her voice sounds courteous, yet patronising. I want to laugh but as she places her hands on her hips, I know I shouldn’t push my luck.

  “Yes. Then I should make us something to eat,” I tell her matter-of-factly.

  “Is that so? I’ll tell you how this should pan out, not only for my benefit but for yours too. I’ll happily join you in the bath because, as you’ve pointed out, it can be relaxing.” She takes several steps closer to me. “But if you dare do anything other than satisfy my burning need, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.” Her voice is calm and her gaze is steady, but it’s her breathing that gives her away.

  I nod, acknowledging her words, and watch on as she tests the water before climbing into the bath before me. Undressing, I climb in behind her. She moves between my legs and rests her head against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, allowing them to rest on her stomach.

  She turns her head slightly and closes her eyes. Warm feelings rush through my veins as I hold everything that is so dear to me in my arms. Lee and our baby.

  I’m already feeling comfortable and could quite happily stay here, listening to water swish around us, hearing her beating heart against me. There’s something warm and soothing about our current situation. My thoughts drift off as she rests against me; will I be a good dad? Will we be blessed with a boy or a girl? Anxiety spreads through me as it always does when I allow my mind to think about the future, but it’s getting easier.

  I’m smiling now as I think of a future with Lee. I rub my hands on her stomach in a slow circular motion.

  “What was that?” I ask, already hoping that I just felt our baby kick for the first time.

  She opens her eyes, looking somewhat teary with a big smile on her face. “That, handsome, was our baby. From the kicking going on, I think he or she likes Daddy rubbing my stomach.”

  I lean down and kiss her forehead and feel it again. It’s not big thundering kicks, but really soft movements. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that I’ve felt our baby kick for the very first time.

  Amazing.

  We sit still for a few more minutes and I wait, hoping to feel it again, but nothing.

  “Okay, I think we should get out. It’s getting colder.” Lee’s body shivers against mine and I realise I’ve been selfish. I get out of the bath and wrap a towel around my waist before helping Lee out and wrapping her body in a bath sheet and pulling her into my arms.

  “That was incredible.”

  She smiles. “It was. I can’t believe you felt it.”

  “I love you both so much.”

  “I know, but I think you should remind me just how much you love me in our bed.” She whispers her last words to me before sealing her lips over mine. She really has no idea of how much I love her but I plan on showing her every day for the rest of my life.

  Lee ~ March

  “WELL . . .”

  “Stop right there. Don’t you dare say it.” I huff, staring at Jess as she enters the room. I’m even too exhausted to go and answer the front door. If I’ve heard it once the last few days, I’ve heard it a thousand times. ‘Still no sign of that baby? It must be comfortable where it is.’ My due date has been and gone and still no sign of baby Walker. I swear, Logan has a lot to answer for.

  “If you want, I can just go home,” Jess says flatly, sitting down opposite me. I’m so bored and fed up. “Fran will be here in a bit and then we can all watch the game together.”

  I smile because I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. Jess is just Jess, what you see is what you get, and that’s why I love her. Fran is also amazing and she’s been on hand whenever I’ve needed advice on my pregnancy.

  I really would’ve loved to be at the stadium tonight for this game. Nothing beats the atmosphere of a big European night, but I can hardly move. Every muscle in my body aches. So, for the first time since Logan and I officially got together, I won’t be in the stands watching him and cheering him on.

  “You do know you and Fran could’ve been at the stadium tonight?”

  “Yes, we could have, but not without you. And us being here means Logan can concentrate on his job of saving the game.”

  I can’t help but smile at her last words because as much as I tell him he saves the game for the team, he is the first to openly admit that I saved his game. I’ve given him life again. Purpose.

  “I know, and I’m glad you’re here, but I’m feeling . . . I don’t know. Tired.”

  “You don’t have long to go now. Two days and you’ll be in hospital.”

  I sigh heavily. The consultant has said I’ve to go in on Friday morning and they’ll start things off for me if this little one hasn’t made an appearance by then.

  This has been a relatively normal pregnancy, according to my midwife and Fran. I have nothing to compare it to so I’m still unsure, but the last few days I’ve been in a lot of pain. Pain that the midwife says is completely normal considering this is my first pregnancy and I’m overdue. She calls it Braxton Hicks, and says it’s my body getting prepared to deliver. I just call it bloody painful. I have no idea how I’m going to cope with labour.

  “So, tell me, do we have much to do now for the wedding?” I ask Jess, knowing it’s only nine weeks until she walks down the aisle and becomes Mrs Adams. She is going to be a stunning bride; I should know; I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing her in her dress. It’s perfect.

  “No. I think between us we have everything done. Just a night out or even lunch for us girls. I’m not sure about the whole hen night. I know you and Fran said to have one.”

  “Yes, we have, but it’s what you want that counts.” Jess smiles. “Now, are we phoning for pizza or something?”

  “No. Fran is bringing a curry with her.”

  “Curry?” I frown. When we’re all together it’s usually a pizza and wine, although it’s been a while since I
’ve had a glass of wine.

  “Yes. A hot curry is meant to help bring on labour.”

  “Oh.”

  I hear the front door open and close. Fran enters the living room with bags in her hands. Looks as though she has enough food for a small army.

  “How is the mum-to-be?”

  “Don’t.”

  The smile on Fran’s face changes to a full on frown. “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. I’ve come bearing gifts.”

  “Yes, I see that. Jess tells me it’s curry.”

  “Yes, and if the curry doesn’t help, when that man of yours gets home tonight, you drag him to bed for sex.” I’m sure I must look shocked because Jess and Fran laugh as they go about sorting out food. “Don’t look so surprised. I can assure you it works.”

  That was too much information, but I do laugh because it’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.

  Logan had to leave me early this morning even though it’s a home game, so I’ve been on my own most of the day and generally feeling sorry for myself. Mum popped in at lunchtime for an hour with some of her delicious homemade soup. She has been around daily trying to be helpful. She’s been cooking, and cleaning this apartment; it’s spotless. Logan is loving all the home cooked meals.

  Logan is desperate for us to find a perfect family home. He wanted us to be moved in before the baby arrived, but it’s not worked out that way. We’ve bought a house in the same development as Jess and Fletcher, and Fran and Peter, but it won’t be ready for another few months. It will be great being close to each other. I’d say we won’t live in each other’s pockets, but that would be a lie, because we already do.

  Jess hands me a plate full of food. There’s no way I’ll be able to eat all this. On the table in front of me are soft drinks for all of us. They could have a drink if they wanted but they’ve said no, just in case. I’m sure everyone has bets on when this baby will be born.

  The football starts on the TV. When the team takes position, I grin and, as I look at my friends, they both have the same look on their face. A look of pride at what the team has achieved so far this season. The team keeps surprising everyone with each European game they play. They keep on winning.