Touchdown

by Garnet Hart

  She laughed. “Well, who wouldn’t be?”

  With a raised eyebrow, he sat on the couch adjacent hers. Did she not realize she was about to be his wife? And she’d say she’s crazy about another man?

  He didn’t bother to comment on it though. He reached for the cup of coffee and took a sip.

  “Honestly, I never really liked you as a player,” she confessed. “I always swear at you everytime I see you on TV.”

  He chuckled. “Every New Yorker does.”

  “It doesn’t matter to you?”

  “I’m used to it.”

  “Why didn’t you join the Jets when you were offered the opportunity?”

  He sighed and shook his head. “It’s not as easy as it seems. I cannot simply leave behind a team that I have bonded with for three years. We’re a family, and we all share the same dream. Most of all, my head coach is my uncle. He left his old team to coach the Patriots when I was draft picked.”

  She nodded and had nothing more to say.

  “Where is your family?” he asked. He couldn’t help his curiosity.

  She shrugged. “I never knew them.”

  He squinted. “What do you mean?”

  “I was raised in an orphanage. The social workers said an old man, who found me at the theme park, brought me in.”

  He couldn’t say a word. He felt sorry for her. It must have been too difficult to deal with that, but this woman had no trouble speaking about it. She was just too amazing. All those things she could have been through had molded her into the strong woman she had become.

  “You didn’t try searching?”

  “Where do I search?”

  He had no answer. He had no idea either.

  “It’s alright,” she said, as if she saw the sympathy in his eyes. “I’ve made it through. People are usually on their own at my age, so I just imagine I’ve moved out of my parents’ house and never bothered to visit them.”

  He forced out a smile. “Good idea.”

  “So what do you think? Is handling your parents easier than having no parents at all?”

  Her question briefly froze him. Of course she knew about his parents. If she didn’t read it in the tabloids, she could have seen it herself when she went to get Bessie from his mother.

  He nodded. He did not like discussing about that subject. “Of course,” he replied positively. “It’s better than having no parents at all.”

  “You think I’m pathetic, huh?”

  “No. You’re amazing. If I were you, I wouldn’t have made it through that.”

  She smiled. Something in her eyes had changed that moment. They softened. The cold, hard ice that used to shield them had suddenly melted away. Her vulnerability had just been exposed. He suspected that it could have been the first time someone ever said those words to her.

  He glanced at his wristwatch. It was getting late. “I have to go.” He rose to his feet. “I have to wake up early tomorrow to warm up for the game. Could you walk me to the door without your crutch?”

  “Sure.” She stood up, unsupported. Limping, she led the way to the door.

  He was happy to see her improvement. Seeing her walk again seemed to lighten the guilt inside him.

  “Take care,” she said and opened the door for him.

  He was about to step out when he suddenly remembered something. “By the way, my mother is volunteering to temporarily take custody of Bessie while you’re busy with the wedding preparation.”

  “I’m not busy at all. I don’t have a job, remember?”

  “Yes, but… you don’t intend to stay here after we’re married, do you?”

  Her lips parted. He knew she understood what he meant.

  “I need you to start moving your things to my house in Springfield.”

  “But that’s too far away. I can’t take Bessie to another state without the social service’s permission.”

  “That’s why my mother will take care of her while you get their permission.”

  She sighed and did not say anything. She might be hesitant at this moment, but he knew she wouldn’t have a choice anyway. She had already agreed to go through with the wedding. It didn’t seem like she had any plan of backing out.

  “So?” he asked, just to make things clear.

  She nodded. “Alright.”

  He smiled and bent down to press a kiss on her lips. Again, she froze and stared at him with her big, brown eyes, captivating him. Instead of moving away, he met her gaze.

  It felt like it was the first time he looked into her eyes. They weren’t exactly boring like he used to see it. They were so beautiful. They glowed like the moon. They were pulling him closer, sucking him deeper into their depths.

  He kissed her again. His eyes shut closed. His arms went around her, pulling her closer against his body.

  She felt soft, so delicate. The floral scent of her perfume intoxicated him.

  Her mouth opened under his, inviting him deeper.

  Both of them moaned as he accepted her invitation. His arms tightened around her. His hand moved lower to her body, tracing the curve of her hips to her bottom.

  So sweet. Her lips tasted more exquisite than the finest wine the world had ever produced.

  But it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He just had to have more.

  He stuck his tongue out, tracing the tip of her teeth before pushing it deep in her mouth.

  He felt her hand on his chest. Was she going to push him away? And deprive him of this kiss that had ignited a fire all over him?

  To his relief, she didn’t. Why would she? No woman had ever said no to his advances.

  She stroked his body, touching him for the first time, tracing his solid muscles from his chest to his abs.

  He shivered. His body burned. His dick swelled.

  Not enough. He needed to feel her little hand on his bare skin.

  He suddenly pulled away, leaving her dazed for a second. Quickly, he pushed the door closed, and then he grabbed her back to him, pressing and molding her body against him.

  As his mouth devoured her, he stroked her bottom, pressing her hips against his hard on. He wanted to let her know and feel how hard she had made him, and how much he ached for her.

  She gasped against his mouth and stiffened, but she did not resist. After her brief surprise, she melted against him. Her legs relaxed and slightly parted.

  Fuck, he was tempted to rip her clothes apart, stick his throbbing dick inside her and fuck her like crazy, but he wouldn’t scare her away now, not after he had gone through hell wooing her.

  He pushed her against the door and lifted her legs up, wrapping them around his waist. He pressed his hard on against her, rubbing it up and down between her legs until she moaned and held on to his shoulders.

  His whole body was on fire. She yielded to his every demand. She kissed him back with the same fervor, their tongues in an endless, wild sparring session. She was his to take now. He could do anything he wanted with her right now.

  Confident that she would no longer resist, he cupped her breast with his hand. Huge, soft, smooth, and… Fuck! He wanted to squeeze this delectable variant of football. He wanted to taste it, lick it, bite it.

  Unable to resist any longer, he tugged on the bodice of her dress, baring her right breast. Quickly, he pressed his palm over it.

  “Troy,” she mewed and yielded her body closer to his, demanding for more.

  “Touch me,” he murmured against her mouth as he flicked her nipple and rolled them between his two fingers. “Take my shirt off.”

  “Oh, God,” she moaned. Her hand settled on his chest and did as he asked—unbutton his shirt.

  “Zoey?”

  His eyes flung open at the sound of a voice which definitely did not belong to Zoey. A child’s voice. He met Zoey’s wide-opened eyes. She was as stunned as he was.

  “Zoey, where are you?” Bessie asked from the living room.

  She was the first one to recover. She quickly pushed him away and dropped he
r legs down the floor.

  “Ouch!” She cried in pain, as the impact probably triggered her injury.

  He caught sight of her naked breast, topped with the reddest nipple he had ever seen, like cherry on a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fuck, he wanted to devour them right away.

  “Troy?”

  He quickly turned around, shielding Zoey to buy her time to fix her dress. Bessie was already in the foyer, staring at him. He hoped she had not seen Zoey hiding behind him.

  “Hi Bessie,” he greeted, trying to sound as normal as possible.

  “Where’s Zoey?”

  “Here, sweetie.” Zoey, now with her dress back in place, stepped out from behind him and approached her ward. “Why did you get up of bed?”

  “I thought I was alone.”

  “Why would you think that? Come on. I’ll tuck you in.”

  He watched as the two left. He took a deep breath and wondered what the hell he was still doing there. He should leave. He had a game the next day. It wouldn’t be a good idea to waste his precious energy fucking a woman while his team was about to take on a tough opponent the next day.

  He did not wait for Zoey to come back anymore. The temptation was strong. It was best he’d get out of there while he still could.

  He turned around, opened the door and rushed down the stairs.

  “Troy?”

  He suddenly stopped and turned his head back. He saw her standing by the door, staring at him with that puzzled look on her face. Did she want him back? To continue what they had started?

  He could see she did, but this time, he had to resist.

  He waved at her and turned away. She did not call him again.

  His heart was beating wildly. He could feel it knocking on the walls of his chest.

  What is this? Why is he feeling this?

  He clenched his knuckles and walked all the way to his car. He never looked back again.

  Whatever happened there, it would be just as it was. She was a Jets fan, and he was the Patriots’ quarterback. They weren’t really a perfect match. Besides, this was all a show to fix his damaged reputation and to eliminate her as a witness. Their upcoming marriage included.

  That was all. Nothing more. He should keep it that way.

  Chapter 10

  “Where the fuck is he?” Zoey anxiously uttered while flexing her fingers. The wedding ceremony was scheduled at ten in the morning. It was now ten thirty. She was already wearing her gown—the most beautiful wedding gown she had ever seen, with a three-meter long veil that would be sweeping the carpet as she walked down the aisle. But the groom had yet to arrive. She doubted if he would even come.

  Troy left a week ago for Chicago to face the Bears. He promised he’d be back a day before the wedding, but he didn’t. Yesterday, he called her to tell her that his flight was postponed, but he assured her he’d be at the church in time for the wedding. He lied.

  “Zoey, you’re in a church.” Franki, whom she had made her bride’s maid due to unavailability of any other friends, scolded her.

  And yes, she was in a church—in a small room beside the altar. Her friend had taken her there just ten minutes earlier when she started whining about Troy being late for his wedding. She tried calling him but his number could not be reached. Everyone, of the few guests they had invited, had all arrived ten minutes before the scheduled time, and each one was trying to search for Troy. They tried calling every person close to him, but to no avail.

  “You think he’ll come?” Zoey asked. “I can’t stand this humiliation. If he stood me up today, I swear I’d sue him.”

  “Relax, Zoey. He could be on his way.”

  “The priest is getting impatient. He just said he can only wait for another ten minutes. Oh, Franki, this is too embarrassing!” she whined, as tears welled in her eyes.

  “Shh, don’t cry.” Franki quickly wiped the drop of tears brimming on the edges of her eyes. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”

  “I can’t help it.” Zoey sobbed. “I wish I hadn’t agreed to this.”

  They heard a knock on the door. Franki was about to open it when Kirk pushed the door open and peeked inside.

  “He’s here,” Kirk said, gasping. “You may go back to your places now. The procession is about to start.”

  Zoey could finally breathe. That was such a relief.

  “Thank, God,” Franki said and held Zoey’s arm. “Let’s go, dear.”

  “Wait,” Zoey said and ran after Kirk. “Where is he? I need to talk to him?”

  “Can’t you do that later?”

  “It can’t wait. I need to talk to him before we go through this.”

  “Alright, wait here,” Kirk said and ran to the back of the church.

  “What for, Zoey?” Franki asked. Suddenly, the music started. They both froze. “Oh, God. It has started.”

  “Go ahead, Franki,” Zoey told her friend. “I’ll come after you. “I only need a minute.”

  Franki nodded and reluctantly left. Zoey turned around and found Troy walking towards her. He was in his white suit adorned with golden embroideries and buttons. He looked like a prince. He had never looked better than before. Right at this moment, he became the most gorgeous man she had ever seen.

  Sorry, Wayne.

  “Zoey,” he uttered as he came closer.

  “Where the hell have you been?” she hissed through her teeth. “You didn’t even call. I can’t reach your phone.”

  He stood before her. “I’ll explain later. You’re needed at the entrance.”

  “No, I won’t go until you tell me the truth. You’re not so sure about this, are you?”

  “Who would be? You know very well we both didn’t want this.”

  “Oh, fuck that!” She stomped her foot. “You should have cancelled it! There are scores of media waiting outside the church yard. They were about to conclude you have stood up your bride on your wedding day.”

  “I know. I got nervous all of a sudden—”

  “So was I,” she interrupted. “I was afraid to go through this, but I came because I didn’t want to embarrass you. I accepted your proposal because I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the crowd. Now, you almost made me look like a fool.”

  “I’ve come, Zoey. Here I am now. I realized I still want to go through with the wedding. So please, let’s just go.”

  She sniffed and blinked her eyes dry. When she spoke again, her voice was calmer. “Are you sure you want this? You have to make a decision now. I don’t want you leaving me at the altar when we exchange vows.”

  He sighed. “I’m sure now. Let’s go.”

  He walked her to the church door where she waited for her turn to march down the carpeted aisle, while he hurried to the altar to wait for her there.

  Bessie and Franki’s daughter, as flower girls, graced the carpet with rose petals. Franki followed them. When it was Zoey’s turn to walk down the aisle, everyone turned their heads to look at her.

  There weren’t many people inside the church. Troy wanted this private so he only invited his close relatives and his team mates. As for her, she only invited Franki and her daughter. She didn’t have many friends. She wondered why. But she wasn’t used to being the center of attention. She’d never been anybody until that day Troy hit her along the road.

  Her knees turned to jelly. Her injured leg, which was supposed to have been ninety percent healed already, suddenly felt heavy again. She was afraid she’d stumble down, but she continued to move forward, struggling not to limp.

  She saw him standing beside the altar. His best man, Kirk, was smiling while staring at her, but the groom didn’t seem interested. His eyes may be fixed in her direction, but he wasn’t seeing her. He was staring at something else in a distant place.

  All the while, she thought she looked beautiful. Her stylist had spent almost an hour with her hair and make-up. But he didn’t seem to notice that. He had totally ignored it.

  She hooked her hand into the crook of his elbow just
the same and he led her closer to the altar. The priest started to speak and everybody kept quiet.

  As the ceremony went on, she kept glancing at Troy. He wasn’t moving at all. He just stood there like a statue, with his eyes glued to the floor.

  He wasn’t sure. She feared that at any time, he might just walk away. When the priest finally got to the exchange of vows and asked him if he would take her as his wife, she panicked.

  He did not answer, even when the priest quietly called his attention.

  “Please, don’t do this to me,” she pleaded silently. She took a quick glance at the audience and saw Logan glaring at Troy, as if warning his nephew that he’d kick his butt if he’d say the wrong word.

  “I do,” Troy finally said after his long silence, to Zoey and everyone else’s relief. She heard a deep sigh from the audience. But Troy never even looked at her.

  When the priest asked her the same question, she promptly replied the same answer. This time, Troy finally looked at her, and then he smiled.

  His face looked different now. The uncertainty she just saw earlier had vanished. She wondered what sort of miracle just happened, or what was going on in his mind at that instant.

  At the end of the ceremony, the priest permitted the groom to kiss the bride. Troy lifted her veil up and kissed her, without a tiny bit of hesitation.

  She kissed him back as the audience applauded. It had been more than a week since the last time they kissed in her doorstep, and every night, she had secretly wished to feel his lips again.

  “You're beautiful,” he whispered afterwards as if it was the only time he had noticed her.

  She forced herself to smile. That was strange. It was the very first time he’d complimented her looks. “You look great yourself,” she replied.

  *****

  Troy smiled as he glanced at Zoey, now his wife, who had fallen asleep on her seat. She was exhausted. Her earlier anxiety could have added more to her stress.

  They just came from the hotel where they had celebrated their wedding. It was only past eight in the evening, and he was driving back all the way to his house in Springfield, where they would have to stay together for a few days.