Baller Made (Bad Boy Ballers Book 3)

by Rie Warren

  I pulled back. “I think I definitely deserve that coffee now.”

  He handed it over with a slight smirk.

  I inhaled the heady aroma with deep appreciation, causing him to chuckle. “I’m almost ready.”

  “Take your time. I just like watching you.”

  “Perv.”

  He chuckled. “Guilty where you’re concerned.”

  I finished a light application of makeup with my signature Lancôme lipstick. Calder watched, lounging against the doorframe, an oddly intimate moment. A snapshot in my mind I’d remember forever. The everyday moments meaning so much more between us.

  Once seated in the car and back on the road, I turned to him. “Did you get me a present?”

  He gave me a sidelong glance, smile quirking his lips. “Depends. Were you naughty or nice?”

  “I like to think I was a little of both.”

  “Then maybe you made it on Santa’s good girl list this year, young lady.” He winked. “You still get really excited about the holidays, huh?”

  “Of course, Scroogey McScroogerson.” A wistful feeling settled inside me. “I can’t wait to make traditions with a family of my own someday. Kids, you know?”

  He clasped my hand, lacing our fingers together.

  We stayed that way for the rest of the drive, a more comfortable silence between us than the night before.

  Mayhem ensued as soon as we stepped into Casa Del Malone. Megan in full festive mode and Remy already making eggnog. Stiff eggnog laced with spiced rum for him, Meg, and me . . . virgin eggnog for Calder.

  I quickly added the presents I’d brought to the rest spilling from beneath the beautifully scented tree. At one point, while I foraged around on hands and knees in the tight skirt, I heard a deep muffled groan behind me.

  Glancing back, I caught Calder with his searing gaze glued to my ass.

  “Behave,” I mouthed at him.

  He merely shrugged, like Not my fault.

  We ate coffee cake and breakfast casserole and a million other assorted goodies I was pretty damn sure weren’t in Calder’s dietary specifications and definitely weren’t in mine either.

  But . . . Christmas.

  When it was time for presents, I was bouncing with excitement. We sat around the roaring fire, the Christmas lights shining, carols playing on the stereo, an eclectic mix from “Jingle Bell Rock” to “Silent Night” to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”.

  Calder sat next to me on the couch with one eyebrow hooked high, watching in amusement as I hummed and clapped my hands. “Damn girl. Excited much?”

  “Leave me alone, Grinch Malone.”

  He broke out laughing then passed me a gift.

  “Oh!” My cheeks pinked as I inspected the beautifully wrapped present done up in silver snowflake foil and a cascading flow of white and silver ribbons. “You definitely did not wrap this.”

  He held his hands up. “Guilty.”

  We shared a tiny smile before remembering his folks watched our exchange.

  “Should I shake it?” I asked.

  “Not unless you wanna break it.”

  He looked on, avid, possibly even nervous, as I ripped through that luxurious paper like a wild thing, his chuckles deepening the entire time.

  Within moments, I held a large flat rectangular jewelry box in my lap, thinking, Oh, Calder. What did you do?

  My gaze flitted to his, and he jerked his chin, encouraging me on.

  I lifted the lid of the leather box, willing my hands not to shake. Inside, on cushiony black velvet, was a hammered silver and turquoise necklace so beautiful I caught my breath and held it for a beat.

  Running my fingertips over the stunning jewelry, I whispered, “Like the earrings.”

  “Yeah. Like the earrings.” Calder cleared his throat. “It’s one-of-a-kind.”

  “Will you put it on me?” I lifted shiny eyes to his, and the warmth of his smile made my heart stutter.

  Without another word, I turned around. Calder swept the hair from my neck, the grazing touch of his fingers shivering through me. After he fiddled the clasp closed, I arranged the beautiful necklace on my throat before wheeling back to him.

  That was when I saw Remy and Megan, eyes glued to us.

  I amended the lingering hug and long kiss I wanted to give Calder to a soft peck on his cheek and a murmured, “Thank you.”

  His eyes shaded sexily before he launched into a grin. “So where’s mine?”

  Cutting the sensual tension, he held out his hands. “Gimme.”

  I retrieved my present for him from beneath the tree and placed the package on his lap. “I actually wrapped it myself, unlike you.”

  He chuckled, his laugh echoed by his parents. Then he got down to serious business, shredding the paper in no time at all, strewing it all about.

  The box he opened contained a handsome but understated divers watch. Calder’s face flushed with pleasure, his lips spreading in a smile. But when he lifted out the watch and flipped it over, the flush burned brighter and his gaze sought mine.

  Let’s not forget how precious time spent together is.

  Love,

  Reggie

  “Oh, is there an inscription?” Meg asked.

  I hastily answered, “Oh, no. It’s just . . . something silly. From when we were young.”

  It wasn’t silly and had nothing to do with when Calder and I were teenagers together, but the private message was for no one else.

  Calder slipped off his old watch, replacing it with the new one before holding his wrist out to show Meg and Remy.

  “I love it.” Calder’s eyes pierced me again. “Thank you.”

  The flurry of presents went on, but I was so touched by the gorgeous necklace, I had all I could do to pay attention to the others instead of staring at Calder as my heart bang-bang-banged in my chest. I wondered if he felt the same every time he touched the watch, his lips curving up at the edges.

  After laughingly cleaning up the debris of the Christmas present destruction, it was time for lunch. I was still full after breakfast, but Megan had gone all-out so we couldn’t exactly pass up the servings of ham, sweet yams, green beans, and all the fixings at the table set with china and polished silver.

  Before anyone lifted a fork, Megan asked, “Calder, would you say grace this year?”

  I bit down on my lip, glancing at him from under lowered lashes.

  We grasped hands all around the table, connected now in a different way. Then Calder began speaking, his voice even deeper than usual.

  “We give thanks today for the bounty before us. For our families, our friends, for strength.” With his voice cracking, his fingers squeezed mine. “But not a day goes by I don’t wish I had my brother back. For all the men and women in the armed services. Amen.”

  A tear slid down my cheek, and I saw Calder reaching out to wipe it away before he stopped himself.

  “Calder”—Remy spoke gruffly—“couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  “That was beautiful, son,” Megan added.

  We remained silent for a moment longer, the bittersweet memories of the past colliding with the present, before Remy tapped his fork against his plate. “What say we dig in?”

  It took a moment for the lighter banter, the usual family chatter, to pick up as we started eating. The food, as always, was delicious, and I’d be hurting when I got back to work in Vegas.

  Calder watched appreciatively as I accepted a second helping of sweet potatoes baked with marshmallow and dusted in cinnamon. “Still got that sweet tooth, I see.”

  “And you’re just lucky you’ve got hollow legs.” Stud.

  He ate through full helpings of thirds until he finally laid his fork and knife aside. Plucking the napkin from his lap, he wiped his mouth. “Thanks, Mom. Best meal in months.”

  “Didn’t Reggie cook for you in Charleston?”

  I decidedly kept my gaze on my plate. I’d definitely cooked for him, in more than just the kitchen.


  I heard the grin in Calder’s voice as he teasingly mentioned, “She didn’t . . . suck . . . at the cooking.”

  I kicked him in the shin under the table, smiling at his muffled oath.

  “And Calder knows his way around a bagel shop all on his widdle own.”

  “Watch it, you,” he laughingly threatened.

  “What’d you think of the area, Reggie?” Remy angled toward me. “Been out there a few times. Wanted to visit some of those tough Devil Dogs at Parris Island.”

  “It’s gorgeous. And so warm. You know how I hate to be cold—”

  “And yet she kept jacking up the heat in my house.”

  “And you think you’re a polar bear or something. Like you said”—I sniffed—“I’m a delicate desert rose.”

  “Don’t think I ever mentioned delicate.”

  “You totally did. I have a photographic memory.”

  And I swear to God, he muttered way, way, way under his breath, “More like a pornographic memory.”

  Again, Remy and Megan looked on curiously until I, too, picked up my napkin and dabbed at my mouth.

  “Well”—Remy slid his plate aside and lifted his glass of water—“congrats on making it to the playoffs!”

  We clinked glasses, cheers all around, but Calder frowned. “Y’all don’t have to abstain because of me.”

  “Listen to him.” Megan smiled “Y’all. South Carolina’s rubbing off on you, Calder.”

  “No wine for me, anyway. My head’s still spinny from that eggnog earlier.” I sipped from my glass of water. “You make those things stronger every year.”

  “Hell. It’s meant to put hair on your chest,” Remy joked.

  “That’s not exactly the look I’m going for.”

  “Why not? You could quit Rouge. Join the circus.” Calder aimed a look at me. “The Bearded Lady. Chesty Betsy?”

  “Very funny, Strong Man.”

  “You know it.” He lifted an arm, flexing his bicep, creating a huge mountain against the fabric of his fisherman’s sweater.

  I narrowed a glare on him even though the sight of those muscles made my belly quiver, my insides ache to have him fill me again.

  Before the hot splash of a blush could rise to my cheeks, I started pushing out my chair to rise. Calder leaped to his feet, pulling the seat out for me.

  Meg and Remy exchanged another quiet look.

  “Let me clear the table and help with cleanup,” I offered.

  “Meg did all the cooking. I’ll take care of the rest, Reggie,” Remy urged.

  “Nonsense. You and Calder go sit down, talk. It’s been a while.”

  The two men slipped out onto the back decking even though it was all of a very burrrr degrees outside.

  I carried the dishes from the dining room to the kitchen while Megan began rinsing and stacking.

  I wrapped up the leftovers and jostled around for space in the fridge while she loaded the dishwasher, humming to the Christmas tunes playing in the background.

  “You and Calder seem to be getting along.”

  I hesitated for a moment, my back turned, hand and head stuck in the refrigerator. “Well, we always did.”

  “I always thought it was curious. That you ended up with Chris and not Calder,” she mentioned noncommittally.

  Backing out of the fridge, I returned to the kitchen island to gather more Tupperware containers. “I fell in love with Chris.”

  And now I’ve fallen—fallen hard—for Calder.

  “Of course you did, dear.” She patted my hand then kissed me on the cheek. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just nice to see you two together again.” She hummed a little more—“Deck the Halls”—then said, “He thinks he’s sneaky, you know.”

  Momentary worry flashed through me again. “Who?”

  “Remington. Out there with the cigars. Like I can’t smell the smoke when he comes back in.” A flirty smile coiled her lips as she hugged herself, dancing a little to the music. “He doesn’t know I think the smell is manly.”

  She winked at me, giggling.

  I watched Calder and his dad outside, their heads nodded periodically, and they sometimes bumped shoulders. At one point, I heard the rumble of Calder’s deep laugh, and it lifted a smile to my lips.

  Meg saw me, nodded, an air of satisfaction playing around her.

  Then she dropped the bomb, saying, “I know this may be a sensitive subject, Reggie, but are you seeing anyone?”

  I almost choked on my tongue.

  “I don’t mean to pry, of course.” She turned on the dishwasher then went about bustling around the kitchen.

  “I . . . I . . .” Words escaped me. “Would you think I was dishonoring Chris if I was?”

  “Oh, honey.” Meg pulled me straight into her embrace. “No one’s meant to be alone. Remy and I would be happy for you.” She drew me closer, tears sounding in her voice. “Christopher would too.”

  Pulling away, I swiped at my eyes. “Thank you for that.”

  She grasped my hand. “It’s what moms are for.”

  Talk about another heart-knocker.

  Later, after the kitchen was sorted, presents packed away, the glowing fire in the living room dying down to red embers, Calder and I stood where he and his dad had, on the back porch. He’d snugged his leather jacket around my shoulders, a light snow wiffling from the high-up night clouds.

  Little white puffs of breath beat from our lips and floated away on the cold air.

  I buried my nose in the collar of his well-worn jacket, inhaling the scent of him.

  “I really wanna kiss you right now.” His fingers brushed against mine, and a chill shot down my spine.

  “I know.”

  “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  I bumped my hip against his. “Where you’re concerned, yep.”

  “Sassy wench.”

  “You know it,” I teased him with his earlier words, the lingering longing for a kiss only bringing more feelings to the surface. “I think it’s time for me to head back to the hotel.”

  “I know.”

  I said my goodbyes to Megan and Remy—I wouldn’t see them until I made it back up to Reno again. Meg kissed me on both cheeks before pressing me into a long maternal hug.

  Remy engulfed me in his arms. “You stay in touch, Reggie.”

  “I will. I’ll call you soon.”

  “Calder, will you be very long?” his mom asked as we walked out the front door.

  He bent to kiss her on the cheek. “Nah. Early morning tomorrow. Reggie and I . . . we’re going to Chris’s grave before I have to catch my flight.”

  I bit back a swell of tears as Meg turned to me in surprise before quickly covering her reaction.

  She squeezed Calder’s arm. “Good. I think that’s a good thing, son.”

  ****

  In my room, I dropped down on the bed, kicking off my heels. Calder stood uncertainly at the foot.

  I held out my hand. “Come. Please. Lie beside me. Just for a little while.”

  In an instant, he scooped me against him. We weren’t going to make love. We didn’t even need to discuss it. Not with what we were going to do tomorrow.

  Say goodbye to Chris together.

  “I love you, Calder.”

  He sucked in a breath. His hands held me harder for an instant. His lips found the side of my neck. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

  As soon as I started yawning, warm and drowsy, he eased away. He pulled on his boots then his jacket. I stood from the bed, walked him to the door. The bare brush of lips against lips was perhaps the most important kiss I’d ever shared.

  When the door closed after him, I remained right there, on the threshold, hand braced against it. And I knew he remained on the other side for a few heartbeats of seconds, doing the same thing.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The Consequences of the Truth

  Calder

  “I LOVE YOU, CALDER.”

  Reggie had said
those words so softly, so simply. Nothing earth shattering at all, but my world turned on its axis anyway.

  The next morning as we pulled up to the cemetery, my world tilted again. I hadn’t been back since the funeral. Wasn’t sure I was ready now.

  But I remembered the way to Chris’s plot. Plot. Such a strange name for a gravesite.

  And I remembered everything about that day . . . the day we buried him.

  Mom slumping against Dad’s shoulder, quiet tears tracking down her face. Dad, stoic, but a tic clicking in his jaw over and over again.

  Chris’s brothers-in-arms, steely-eyed and unyielding, although a few of them bit their lips or sniffed hard. Their team was of a different caliber than mine.

  Reggie. All in black. Face as pale as I’d ever seen it. Seated right in front of the coffin. Hands open to accept the perfectly folded pristine American flag.

  Now I led Reggie down the path. Toward Chris’s grave. Across the crusty snow.

  We held hands.

  Then only our fingertips brushed together.

  That final touch dissolved completely when I saw Chris’s tombstone.

  Breaking from Reggie, I fell to a knee at his grave.

  Ghosts of frost traced over the marble marker.

  My breath billowed in and out, white smoke in the cold still air.

  Christopher James Malone

  CAPT

  US Air Force

  Jun 25 1989 – Jan 10 2015

  And beneath the Air Force emblem:

  Don’t mourn me when I’m gone

  For now I soar always

  Aim High . . . Fly-Fight-Win

  I heaved in a giant breath. Placed my palm against his name. And everything shattered.

  Sobs I’d buried for as long as he’d laid in the ground wrecked me. Wrecked me so much I didn’t know what I was saying until Reggie finally came forward to join me.

  I’msorryI’msorryI’msorry

  “Hush, baby. Hush. You don’t need to apologize to him,” she soothed, a soft calming voice rolling over me as she crouched beside me.

  Inhaling a choppy breath, I raised my eyes to a sky so unearthly blue it blinded me.