Waiting for Her

by Jennifer Van Wyk

  “Don’t run on me this time.”

  “Never again,” she promises.

  Grady

  “Kennedy,” I say when she picks up the phone.

  “Hi Grady,” she says in a soft voice.

  “You know why I’m calling you?”

  “Umm, no? We talk all the time. What’s up?”

  “Really? Okay, I’m just going to come out with it. You went to Sports Illuminated and told them Bri’s an ex-drug addict who I used to date.”

  “I called them and told them the truth. They deserve to know who they hired to do a story on you. I only want what’s best for you,” she coos. “You don’t know her anymore, Grady. She’s not the same person she was when you knew her in high school.”

  “And how do you know this?”

  “I know the type. She’s only after your success. Can’t you see that? Why else would she come back around after all this time? She doesn’t love you like I do. I did what I had to do since you couldn’t see it for yourself.”

  I take a pull off my beer and slam it down onto the counter, leaning over it, place the phone on my counter and place it on speaker. I’m too angry to even hold a phone in my hand right now. “Kennedy, why wouldn’t you come to me and tell me your concerns?”

  “I was helping you. I saw how distracted her presence was making you, Grady. You don’t need her in your life right now. I’m not sure if you quite understand the significance of the job you’ve been given.”

  I almost burst out laughing but miraculously hold it in. “You don’t think I understand the significance?” I ask her, incredulously.

  “I don’t think you do. Grady, you’re the youngest –”

  “You don’t think I don’t know that? I know what job I’ve been given. I understand the opportunity, the time, energy, and sacrifice it will take, and anything else you can throw at me you think I’m too dumb to figure out on my own. Trust me when I tell you I get it. I’ve always understood.”

  “I don’t think you’re dumb, Grady. Quite the opposite.”

  “For you to think you were helping me by going to the magazine doing an article on me, the largest sports magazine in the world, rather than coming to me… I don’t even know what to say. You betrayed me and our friendship, Kennedy.”

  I hear her sniffle. “I love you. Why don’t you see that?”

  “That isn’t love, Kennedy. That’s manipulation and being told you’re not going to get your own way so you threw a fit.”

  “She’s not right for you. You need someone on your arm who knows what being in the public eye means.”

  “It sounds like you’re the one who only wanted to be with me for the job I now have.” At my words, it hits me like a strong right hook to the face. “Holy shit. That’s it. For years you were okay with being just friends when you thought I was going to be a lowly intern or assistant to the assistant or whatever. But now I’m head coach, and admittedly have a little bit of press following me around, it would seem you suddenly want something more with me.”

  “That’s not true!”

  “It is, and you know it.”

  “I lo…”

  “If you tell me you love me one more time, so help me…”

  Silence fills my ear as we both think over my words. “Explain it to me, then.” I tell her finally.

  “You never, not once, looked at me the way you look at her—or even spoke about her.”

  I don’t respond because there is no response to that. I’m not about to deny it but saying she’s right isn’t exactly kind, either.

  “Why?” she finally asks when she realizes I’m not going to give her the reaction she’s looking for.

  “Because she’s the only one for me. I’m sorry, but I fell in love with Bri long ago and some feelings you can’t turn off.”

  “Why am I so unlovable, huh? Tell me! What did I ever do wrong? I was everything you needed. I would’ve been the perfect wife to you.”

  “I don’t need perfection. I need someone who’s going to love me through the ups and downs of life.”

  “Oh, like she was there for you when you had no future ahead of you?”

  I raise my eyebrows even though she can’t see, wondering if she heard the words that just came out of her mouth.

  “She was. Maybe not physically. But she’s always been with me. She’s the driving force behind everything I do.”

  “So she’s perfect.”

  “Nah, I didn’t say that. But she is perfect for me.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  “What is it you can’t believe? You tried to destroy the person who means the most in the world to me, all because you were jealous? What about the fact you most likely ruined her career out of spite? And you all but admitted you loved me because you thought I was an easy ticket now that I’m finding success? Or, was it the fact you think I’m shallow enough to want to be with someone just because they look good on my arm? Because if that’s what you can’t believe, I’m right there with you. I truly cannot believe I was friends with someone for as many years as I was and never, not once, could see through your superficial exterior.”

  “Grady,” she murmurs.

  “You’re better than this. Reach deep and find your self-worth. I’m sorry I didn’t help you discover it. Had I known this is where your headspace was, I would’ve done something to help you. Hear me when I say this because it’s gonna sting, and I gotta admit, I hate it too, but we can no longer be friends. Don’t breathe Bri’s name, talk about my team, or tell people you and I are together. We’re done.”

  “I was there for you when you had no one else!”

  “I’ve never been alone, Kennedy. My family was by my side, so was Blake. But I will be forever grateful for the support you showed me after my accident. I hate that it was all a lie.”

  She sucks in a breath and I know I hit a nerve.

  Being mean isn’t in me so I know I can’t leave it like this. It would haunt me forever. “I’m sorry, Kennedy. I wish it were different. It’s always been her.”

  “I never stood a chance, did I?”

  “I told you in the beginning we could only be friends. I wish you’d believed me then.”

  “Me too.”

  “Good bye, Kennedy.”

  I hang up the phone after her whispered good bye and send up a prayer she follows through and drops her bitterness she has toward Bri. And I really hope she doesn’t cause any more problems. However, I fear the damage is already done.

  Bri

  “So that’s it, huh?”

  “I’m sorry, Bri. We can’t have your name as the byline. You’ll be a contributor to the article, but this is how it has to be. You knew it was coming as much as I did.”

  “I know.”

  It’s been a week since we found out about Kennedy going to SI. The day after I first spoke with Simon, he called and told me to send him everything I had written on the article so far. Our Senior Editor Charles had faith in me and my work, according to Simon, but he still needed to evaluate what information I’d gathered, the interviews I’d conducted, making sure I was being fair. He also confirmed Kennedy was the one who called them, but she told him she was calling on behalf of a concerned member of the SMS staff. Just so happens, one of her good friends who works for the paper decided to do some digging of her own.

  Apparently, she isn’t very good at her job as a reporter and only managed to get half-assed information. Either that, or Kennedy only listened to the parts she wanted to hear. She also forgot she’d signed some non-disclosures about Grady specifically because of the school’s commitment to using SI exclusively for the story.

  When Grady was called in to speak with the board, they let him know they were on his side, didn’t plan to make any changes and had only seen both of us being completely professional since I started.

  Grady and I both felt guilty. He should have spoken up when he found out I was the one doing the article, and I should have been more forthcoming about our p
ast. Our hearts got in the way of our senses, and speaking for myself, I wanted to see him. I needed to make things right between us in a way that clouded my judgement.

  I don’t regret a thing. I would have chosen Grady over doing the right thing all over again, even knowing the outcome.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  Here it goes. I’ve never been so nervous than I am right now. If he says no, I don’t know what I’ll do. I need him on my side because there’s no one else I can trust. “I have a proposition.”

  “Oh boy.”

  I smile. “Hear me out, okay? I admit I’m in the wrong here. I’m adult enough to know I should have told you the full story. And I should have told you I also took the job to get my guy back.” It’s the first time I’ve admitted it out loud I had ulterior motives to accepting the story. Sure, I wanted to write it but not because I knew I’d do it justice.

  “Pardon?”

  “You heard me. I knew what I was doing, even if I didn’t want to admit it at the time.”

  “What the hell, Bri?”

  I wince. “I know! But you have to trust me. This is going to be totally unorthodox…”

  He groans, interrupting me. “Ah shit.”

  Trying not to laugh at his obvious discomfort, I rush to continue. “It’s not bad! I promise. All the interviews and information I’ve gathered up to this point I understand are owned by the magazine.” I press my lips together before blurting out the idea I hope he won’t immediately reject. “But given this is my last piece for you, I want you to write the story.”

  “I’m not a writer.”

  “Sure you are. Or, you used to be. But Simon, I can’t have this story written by just anyone. It’s too personal.” He knows I’m right and I’m pretty sure he’s curious, at the very least. Because even though he says he’s not a writer, it’s in his blood and I know he misses it.

  He whistles lowly. “Boy when you said it was going to be unorthodox, you weren’t kidding. Bri, this is…”

  “I know. You’ll have to get permission, and this is something that likely will never be seen again but that makes sense, right? I mean, Grady is too young to be a head D1 coach yet, here he is, kicking ass. I was too young to get an exclusive like this yet… here I well, was,” I chuckle. “Nothing about the past month and a half has been normal but that’s what’s incredible about it.”

  “How…” his voice trails off and I imagine him pacing in his office, probably wishing he had a secret whiskey stash hidden somewhere. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” my voice comes out high and squeaky.

  He chuckles. “But this is me paying you back for introducing me to the love of my life. If I had been away from Ava for six years and had the chance to get her back, nothing would stand in my way. And, I still need it to go through Charles.”

  I smile in triumph. I’ve loved Charles since my first day on the job. He’s a big old teddy bear of a man who, to the rest of the world, appears mean and burly but he’s really just a softy. Not long after I started working for SI, we sat next to each other at a holiday dinner. His wife sat on the other side of him, a lovely woman who reminded me of my grandma. When he introduced us, he told me he fell in love with her in the seventh grade and never looked back. I must not have a very good poker face because he immediately asked me who the guy was. He told me never to give up and do whatever it takes to get him back.

  I swallow down my assuredness, knowing I did just as he said. “I understand,” I tell him in a calm voice.

  “I’m gonna miss you around here. What’s your plan?”

  “Step one is already done.”

  “Bri’s got herself a boyfriend,” he sing-songs.

  “Damn right. And this time, I’m not letting go.”

  Grady

  “I want you there with us. Me. With me.”

  “Grady. We’ve caused enough ruckus.”

  “Ruckus? What are you, eighty?” I tease, poking her lightly in the rib.

  “It’s a good word! And stop distracting me. I think it would be better if I was just in the stands for this one.”

  “I don’t agree.”

  She looks up at me, her chin resting on my bare chest, as she plays with the small amount of chest hair I have. “Oh, you don’t say? I wasn’t sure by the pouting you’ve got going on.”

  “I’m not pouting.”

  “Yeah, you are. And it’s adorable but unnecessary. It’s not going to change the fact I don’t want to be an even bigger distraction than I already am. It’s the first home game of the season, Grady.”

  “I’m aware,” I deadpan.

  “Then be smart.”

  “Are you calling me dumb?” I spank her butt and she yelps. Chuckling, I say, “Don’t act like you don’t love it.”

  I roll us over so I’m on top of her, one of my favorite positions to be in. I press myself against her, letting the tip barely graze her center. She groans and squirms beneath me, always so impatient. Her bright green eyes darken, and it takes everything in me to not plunge deep. I’m just as greedy to continue making her mine. I wet my fingers in my mouth then dip them between our legs, pumping myself three times before rubbing my tip against her center, making a trail up and down her center. We groan in unison. “Please?” I ask.

  “I’m not going to fall for that. I’m not so easily swayed.”

  I smirk. “Wanna bet?”

  “No,” she whines, shimmying her hips back and forth, needing me to fill her up.

  “That’s what I thought,” I growl just before I thrust into her. She cries out and she pulls her knees up. I place them both on my shoulders as I continue to move in and out of her, hitting the spot so deep inside I know drives her wild.

  “God, I love being inside you. I’ll never get enough of it. So tight. So hot. So mine.”

  “Yours. Yes. Grady, always yours.”

  Every time she says it, it makes me feel like a king. I need my mouth on her, so I lean down and kiss her, plunging my tongue right into her open mouth. Her knees practically touch her ears and she breaks the kiss. “Ahh! Ouch!”

  I lean back afraid I actually hurt her but see she’s smiling. The corner of my mouth turns up. “Too far?”

  “Just a little,” she giggles, dragging a hand over my cheek.

  “We need to work on that.”

  “We’ve got a lifetime ahead of us to meet the Gumby goal.”

  It’s like she doesn’t want this to last long when she says shit like that. It’s such a fucking turn on knowing she’s mine for the rest of our lives. “Damn right,” I grunt with a twist of my hips.

  Her face takes on a faraway look and I know she’s getting close. “I’m coming!” she shouts, even though I already know her tells. Considering some of her screaming can probably only be heard by dogs.

  “Go. I’ve got you, Bri. Go.”

  And she does. I have to clench my ass cheeks together to stop myself from trailing after her too soon. I’ve learned I can drag it out to the double orgasm if I hold her at her peak for long enough.

  When I feel her starting to come down, I double-time my thrusts. Then… I pump my hips twice before my release fills her, twitching twice before I collapse on top of her. She loves to feel my weight on her body, but I have to hold myself up a bit, knowing how small she is compared to me. She may be healthy once again, her curves so lush and full, but she still feels so little beneath me.

  She kisses my cheek, temple, running her hands through my hair and over my strong back muscles she can’t get enough of.

  I grab a few tissues off the nightstand to clean us both up before she climbs out of bed and goes to the restroom. When she’s back in my arms, she sighs, positioning exactly how we started a half hour ago.

  “I love you, Grady, and I very much approve of your form of persuasion, but it’s not gonna happen.”

  “You don’t want to be there?”

  She swats at my chest. “Stop it. You know I do. But you also know I’m right. We’
re like a traveling freak show, everyone side-eyeing us wherever we go.”

  “Now you’re calling me a freak?” I ask, mock hurt in my voice. I can practically hear her rolling her eyes. The honeymoon phase of our relationship passed before it even started. When I had her back, I wondered if we would feel as comfortable with each other as we once did. I had nothing to worry about. It’s as if no time has gone by, our relationship picking right back up where it ended. Maybe it’s because our love never ended. Or the fact she’s my other half. Whatever the reason, I’m so damn grateful it sometimes feels overwhelming.

  “You’re such an ass, and your tactics aren’t working. Admit I’m right on this. After this weekend, I’ll be on the sidelines if you want, but today isn’t about me or us. This is a big deal and there will be enough eyes on me as it is, I want people focusing on the team and their win tonight.”

  “Promise you’ll be there at the next one?”

  “I notice you’re not admitting I’m right.”

  “I’m not a maniac, Bri. I know my limitations.”

  She giggles then cries out, “Oh!” as her hips jerk toward me.

  “Already?”

  “No. Well, maybe, but I just felt a cold wet nose in my ass crack!”

  “Rocky wanting attention?”

  “If it’s not Rocky, I don’t want to know what it is.”

  I laugh then whistle. The big oaf jumps up on the bed, somehow managing to straddle Bri between his legs as he heaves his klutzy body onto the mattress. He pants happily, licking her cheek before coming over to stand next to me, staring down at me.

  “What do you want?”

  In answer, he plops down between us on his back, as if to say he wants attention from both of us. He nudges his chin in Bri’s direction, rubbing his head on hers. She gives in easily, scrubbing him on his neck, around his ears, and over his belly. He glances over at me with a huff, reminds me I’m not participating in the love fest.

  “Fine.” I join Bri in petting him and he sighs, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth in complete satisfaction for getting what he wants.

  Bri looks at me over his head and I wonder if she’s thinking what I am, this is our life from now on and maybe, and if it’s in the master plan, one day we’ll be cuddling with a baby or two between us as well.