by Liz Lovelock
“Okay, well I better go get to work. I’ll ring you later if that’s okay.” He sounds hesitant.
“Yeah I’d like that very much.” We end our call and I drop the phone on the bed. I really hope I’m not dreaming. Things are really starting to turn around. Lachlan and I are great and now things with dad and I can begin to repair. It’s a good day.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m so nervous, and it’s not even me playing,” I say to Vivian and Dylan.
The cheering people surrounding us are crazy. A group of young men behind us are discussing who’s going to win and who they predict will fumble. The vibe in this stadium is electric, and the game hasn’t started yet.
“He’s going to be great as always,” Vivian says. “I still can’t believe he chased you to the Hamptons.”
“Tell me about it. I’m glad he did, though, or I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now. I’d still be down there until Monday.” Coming home the day after my dinner with Lachlan and Levi was for the best. I got hardly any sleep the night before, thanks to the unease caused by Craig. “Did you file the paperwork I asked you to?”
“Yep. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Let’s not discuss that tonight. These seats are epic.” Vivian leans over the rail.
“You can thank Lachlan for them. He’s made sure that we have a good night.”
“Where’s the little man?” Dylan asks as she looks to the empty seat beside me.
“Oh, I’ve sent him off to get some drinks and food. Why are young boys bottomless pits and always hungry?”
“They’re growing into fine young men.” Dylan laughs just as Levi comes back down our row, his arms full of food and drinks for us. He hands a hot dog and soda to Dylan and Vivian then takes up his spot on the other side of me.
“Thanks, Levi,” we all say.
The crowd gets louder and louder. My focus moves to the field as Lachlan’s team comes running on. My heart races with excitement and nerves for him. I can only image how he must be feeling. I look for Lachlan’s number eight jersey. Levi and I now have our own number eight jerseys that Lachlan bought for us earlier this week and gave to us before we left tonight.
He breaks away from the team and jogs toward us, and it’s as though I’m witnessing a Baywatch running-along-the-beach scene, only it’s football style, and it’s a dream come true.
“Oh my,” Vivian whispers under her breath beside me. “Where can I get one?”
Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a trance, eagerly waiting for him to get to me.
Lachlan reaches the stands, and all attention is on him. He lifts himself up with ease, his helmet in one hand and the other supporting him. “How about a kiss for good luck?”
My face flushes with heat, and my stomach swirls with anticipation. I rise off my seat and lean over, pressing my lips to his. The screams around us are deafening, and I break away, laughing. “Good luck,” I say breathlessly.
“I don’t need it. No matter what, I have you. You’re my lucky charm.”
“Pfft. You’ve done well without me here, so it’s clear you don’t need me for support.”
His blue irises twinkle under the stadium lights. There’s a glimmer of humor there as well. “But I have you now, and now the whole world knows about it because I have no doubt that kiss has been blasted everywhere.”
“Trust you to pull something like this.” I press my lips to his again quickly and say, “Now go win the game.”
“As you wish.” He winks, and then I get the privilege of gawking at him running back to his team before he turns to Levi. “You be good and listen to Scarlett.”
Levi nods. “I will.”
What would have happened all those years ago if I hadn’t run away from him? There’d be no Craig, and that would be a bonus.
“Damn, girl, why you gotta steal the good one?” Dylan says, a hint of humor in her tone.
“He has a whole team he can introduce you to.” I swipe my hand over the field. “And there are people on other teams he knows. He could totally hook you up.”
Her eyes go wide. “Yes, I want that so much.” She faces the field and starts studying their faces. “If only they didn’t wear those helmets.”
“There’s always Google,” Vivian offers, waving her phone in Dylan’s face. “And he could tell you if they’re married and what they’re like socially.”
Dylan tugs her phone from her jeans pocket and begins scrolling. I’ve lost her now. “Dylan, why are you so obsessed with finding a man?”
She looks up, turns my way, and shrugs. “I’m sick of feeling lonely. I know I have you girls, but we’re hitting our mid-thirties now, and I’ve only got my practice to show for it. All the money in the world doesn’t make me happy. A solid connection would, especially if it’s with the right person.” She clears her throat and knots her fingers together.
I wrap my hand over her shoulders. “I have no doubt the right man will come your way. Just avoid the Craigs of this world. That’s all I can offer.”
We all fold over laughing.
“Trust me, I’ll be keeping clear of idiots like that,” Dylan says.
Vivian raises her hand. “Me too.”
“He’s playing so well tonight,” Levi offers beside me. “He must be showing off because you’re here.”
I grin. “I could only hope it’s because of me. The truth is that he’s worked hard to get to where he is. You can do things like this.” I gesture to the field and the players.
Levi shoves another chip in his mouth and waits a moment. “Scarlett, what if I let him down? He’s doing everything to help me, and I appreciate it.”
I shuffle closer so I don’t have to yell. “I don’t think he’d be mad. I bet if you ask him, he probably did some stupid things when he was your age. I know I did. What matters most is that you try. That’s all he’s asking. He wants to give you a good life. You just have to remember that his job is in the limelight, and whatever you do can affect him in some way. Think of all those celebrities who have those stupidly spoiled kids. You won’t be one of them; I know Lachlan will make sure of that.”
Lachlan’s team scores, and everyone around us cheers. Levi’s face lights up. He’s such a good kid.
“You aren’t a bad kid. Some of the choices you made weren’t great, but you can change that now. He’s giving you the chance to do that.” I squeeze his shoulder.
He bobs his head up and down. “Thanks, Scarlett.”
“You’ve got this, Levi. We’re both here to help and support you. Just remember, if you ever need anything, ask. We can’t help if you don’t, and that’s usually when kids end up in trouble.”
Levi opens his mouth to say something when a wave of shock comes over the audience. “Oh, goodness,” Dylan says, her hand over her mouth. It’s as though a bucket of ice-cold water has washed over me. My eyes scan the green grass and the players. The game has stopped. A player is down.
I stand, panic crawling up my throat like a spider. “Is it him?” I ask the girls. I’d been so focused on chatting with Levi that I completely missed what happened.
“Yeah, he was rammed. Hard. Let’s just say if it were you, you’d be snapped in half like a little twig.”
“Is he moving? I can’t see.” The lump lodged in my throat gets harder and harder, my breathing erratic. I sense someone taking my hand. Glancing down, it’s Levi. His worried face peers up into mine. Our looks are undoubtedly mirrored.
“Yes, he’s moving,” Vivian says.
As if in slow motion, Lachlan slowly stands with the assistance of a teammate and the club’s doctor. Once he’s up, the crowd roars and cheers with excitement. Tears fill my eyes. Gee, I must look like a hot mess.
“He’s all right.” I can finally breath. My arm goes around Levi, and I pull him against me. “He’s all right,” I repeat.
I can’t take my eyes from his large frame. He waves to the crowd and stops when he gets to where I’m standing. His fingers press against his lips as he sends a kiss my
way. A swell of relief washes the dread away, and Levi and I release each other.
My hands tremble. “I think I just aged ten years and got about a hundred gray hairs.”
“You and me both,” Dylan offers.
“I don’t think I can come watch these games. They’re taking a toll on my nerves. I’m a complete wreck,” I say.
I want Lachlan in my arms in this moment; I need to see that he is okay.
Even from a distance, I could see the look of pure horror on her face, the color completely drained from her usually pink cheeks.
“Are you okay to continue for the remaining ten minutes, or do you need to come off?” Coach asks.
My ribs and lungs are screaming at me. Being winded and crushed into the ground isn’t my idea of fun.
I move my body from side to side with a twisted motion and bend up and down. The tension in my ribs loosens with each movement. “Yeah, I should be okay, but I’m going to be sore tomorrow,” I joke.
Coach passes me my helmet. “Yes, you will. Now let’s win this game.”
Minutes later, when the final buzzer goes off, the boys go crazy. This has been one of our best seasons in a long while.
Back in the locker room, Birdie approaches. “You did great,” he offers with a slap on the back.
I groan from the contact.
“Sorry. You’re going to need a rubdown tonight.” He grins before running off.
I gingerly walk around and shake the other players’ hands, thanking them for a good game.
“Lachlan.”
I snap my head up at Wyatt’s voice and search for him. Scarlett and Levi flank his sides, and her hand flies to her mouth. I grin and make my way toward them.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. You gave me heart failure,” she says as I stop in front of her.
“That was insane,” Levi chimes in.
“Yeah. I’m going to be sore tomorrow.”
“Do you need to go get checked out by a doctor?” Scarlett asks.
I shake my head. “No, I’m okay. Just got winded and crushed a little around the chest, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Scarlett moves close, leans up on her tiptoes, then presses her mouth to mine. It’s quick but full of impact.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“Just to make sure you’re real and still here. I thought I might be dreaming.”
Levi’s hand moves to her arm, and then he pinches her.
She whirls on him. “Ow, what was that for?”
“It’s not a dream. Kisses can happen in dreams, but if you get hurt in a dream, usually most people will wake up.” He shrugs with a small grin tugged across his face.
“True, but next time, give a girl some warning.” She laughs.
“Where’s the fun in that?” He laughs too, so she playfully smacks him on the back of his head.
“I’ve got to go and get showered and stuff. Can I meet you guys back at my place?” I ask.
“Yeah, sure. We’ll pick some food up. Even though we’re pretty stuffed with fries and hot dogs. I have no doubt both of you could eat.”
“I can,” Levi rubs his belly.
Of course, he can.
“Okay, I guess we’ll see you at home,” Scarlett says.
I rest my finger on my lip. “I like the sound of that.”
She raises her eyebrows but turns and keeps going. The way her hips move is like a supermodel on a runway. It causes my stomach to flip and awaken a deep hunger of desire.
Then, she takes Levi’s hand, and my chest tightens. She’s sexy as sin, kind, and accepting of this kid who needs so much. Is she the perfect package?
One day, I’m going to marry that woman . . . again. This time, she’s not going to run off.
Our heavy breaths fill the silence of the room as I roll my body off Lachlan’s.
“Wow!” I sigh. “Obviously, you’re good on and off the field.” I rest my head on his bare chest which rises up and down after our marathon in the bed.
“Clearly, winning a game does things to me. Though, I think we need to keep it down, or we’re going to cause the kid to wake up.” His chest rumbles as he laughs.
“Poor Levi.”
Lachlan’s fingers glide up and down my back, causing goosebumps to rise.
“What’s your week looking like?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Because I want to know how much time I’ve got with you, considering you’ve taken in a teenager now.”
Lachlan releases a sigh. Not a bad one, but one that tells me he’s thinking.
“Um . . . Levi and I have an appointment at the courthouse. I’ve got training every morning. I’ve got to go to the school and get everything ready for Levi to go this week. Uniforms. Books. And everything else. I’ve also organized a private tutor for him to help get him caught up with his grade. Then, I have a dinner to sign my new contract. It’s a crazy week, but I have no doubt I’ll see you. I have to see you.”
I wriggle as close as I can, wanting to soak up his touch. Lifting my head, I stare into his glowing blue eyes. His heated look steals the breath from my lungs so much that it hurts. “Hmm . . . I’ll have to check my schedule,” I tease.
His large, Thor-like arms tighten around me and pull me back on top of him.
A small scream escapes my lips. “You’ll miss me too much. You’ll miss this.”
His soft lips press against mine. I groan.
“Oh, you do things to me, Lachlan. You light up my soul in a way that it hasn’t been lit in a long time. It’s been a dark and lonely place in there . . . until I ran into you. It scares me how easy it is to let you back into my life. To actually get to know you this time around, not just marry and divorce you.” I smile. The soft look on his face is unreadable. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking how lucky I am that we crossed paths again. Thankfully, this time we’re not drunk. Things happen for a reason. We were supposed to get that divorce back then and go through all the things over the years until it was the right time for us. Look at it—you had just finalized your divorce and we reconnected. Coincidence? I think not.” He takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “I’m so grateful this is all working out, and that you’re so amazing with Levi. I know I made things complicated by bringing him in, but I couldn’t think of anything else to do. I can offer him so much compared to what he’ll get in foster homes.”
I place my hand over his mouth to stop him. “You don’t have to explain anything about Levi to me. If things progress between us, I’d make it work. I’d care for him just like I would my own family.”
“This is another reason why I’m falling in love with you, Scarlett.”
My heart stutters hearing those words. Our lips move together as though they’re in a ballet dance—with grace and strength. The burning inside builds with each move.
“You love me?” I whisper between breaths.
He stops and pulls back. “I do, and I know it probably sounds silly because we’ve only been connected for a short amount of time, but I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you again in that restaurant. I wasn’t letting you run off a second time. I love you, Scarlett. Now let me show you how much.” His fingers slide up my back and dive into my tangled hair.
We become lost in each other again, discovering new things about the other. The curves and muscles of his body are all new territory, and I’m willing to wander and learn about every corner of this new terrain. I love him. As much as I wasn’t ready for him, the universe had other plans for me.
The following morning, I awake to firm arms wrapped around me. I sigh with pleasure.
“Good morning, pretty lady.”
“Good morning. Shouldn’t you be at practice?”
“Nah, the mornings after games, we go in a little later. There’s no place I’d rather be than here, waking up beside you, anyway.”
I twist in his arms to face him. I’m greeted with some wicked-high standing bed hair. If that’s
his hair, I can only imagine how bad mine is.
“Last night was a big night, on and off the field.” I waggle my eyebrows, and a cheeky grin spreads wide across his face.
“We can make it a big morning if you have time. Do you have to rush off anywhere? Do you do anything special on Sundays with your family?” he asks.
I deadpan. “You know who my father is, don’t you?”
“Good. More time with you.” Once again, he seeks out my mouth.
As we connect, Lachlan’s bedroom door flies open.
“Hey, big broth—” a male voice booms in the doorway. I squeal and tug the blanket up to my neck, hiding every inch of skin I can. My entire body heats, and I’m sure it’s flaming bright red right now.
Lachlan sits up, and I hold tighter to the blankets.
“Jase, get the hell out,” he yells.
“Oh, sorry, man. My bad. You should really lock this if you have company. How am I supposed to know you have someone here?” The mini Lachlan points to the doorknob. “I’ll wait downstairs.”
“Get out!” Lachlan sighs, rubbing a frustrated hand over his face.
“Um . . . I think I just died a thousand deaths. Who was that?”
He gestures to the once again closed door. “That was my younger brother, Jase. It seems he came to surprise me. I’m sorry.” He tugs the blankets back from my body, and the look in his eyes in one of appreciation.
I pull it back into place. “Sorry, but no, not with your bother in the house. You’ll have to wait.” I rise from the bed and walk to the en suite. I give him an over-the-shoulder look and say, “Oh, and no, you can’t join me.”
He drops his head like a child who’s in trouble. “Come on, Scarlett,” he begs as he crawls out of bed and stalks toward me like he wants to eat me.
Laughter ripples from my body as he scoops me up and tosses me over his shoulder.
Thirty minutes later, we’re entering the kitchen where Levi and Jase sit, shoveling breakfast cereal into their mouths. Both of them glance up, and I swear Jase’s face turns a shade of pink. Yeah, you’d better be embarrassed.