CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1
Page 14
“Unless we forgot the turkey, potatoes, stuffing, or gravy. Having none of those on Thanksgiving would be friendship breakers for me.” I wink.
“Well, we have plenty of what you mentioned and lots of other delicious foods. All you need to do is have fun. You haven’t forgotten how to do that, have you?”
I wrap my arms around her and smirk. “I’m pretty sure we just finished having fun about an hour ago.” My palms slide down to cup her ass through her black pants.
Her hands clasp my wrists behind her back. “Behave. We can have that kind of fun again after everyone’s left. Right now, I need you to let our company in.” The doorbell rings, and she grins.
“How did you do that?” I ask, thinking she’s suddenly psychic.
“Your sister texted me a few minutes ago.” She taps my chest, laughing.
Hurrying through the mud room, I open the door to find a crowd of people waiting and shout, “Who invited you assholes?” I can’t keep the grin off my face, though. Stepping back, I usher them in and, one by one, we share Thanksgiving greetings as they pass by.
I close the door and move to the kitchen where everyone has gathered around Nadia.
Darren hands her a bottle of wine and kisses her on the cheek.
Kendra sets a dessert of some kind on the counter before hugging Nadia. I love that my two favorite women care about each other.
Levi hands her a bouquet of flowers and her face lights up. What the fuck? Do I need to have words with him?
Sadie pushes Levi aside to hug her friend. I’ve always liked Sadie. When the girls part, Brian hands over a bottle of wine and gives Nadia a half-hearted one-armed hug. I’m not sure how I feel about this guy yet. I’ve met him a few times, but we’ve never had any real conversation, so I only have my instincts to go on. And they haven’t formed a solid opinion one way or another yet.
“Thank you for coming to celebrate Thanksgiving with Flynn and me. We’re so glad you guys could all make it,” Nadia announces. “Everyone can head into the dining room and help yourselves to some appetizers. There are drinks on the sidebar. Take whatever you’d like.”
While they all filter out of the kitchen, I move in on my woman. “What can I help you with?”
“I need to place all of the dinner foods on the island like a buffet. That’s probably the easiest way to do this,” she explains.
“I’m on it. Go visit with everyone, and I’ll take care of everything you need.”
“Are you sure?” She looks worried.
“I’m capable of moving platters and bowls from one side of the kitchen to another.”
“Good point. Come in when it’s done.” She rises on her toes, kissing my chin. Cupping the back of her head, I lean down and capture her mouth for a brief but heated kiss. She fans her face as she steps back.
“You look beautiful.”
“You look almost as delicious as the turkey I made,” she tells me before she hurries off.
Laughing, I get down to work. Pleasing Nadia in every way I can has become one of my life’s purposes. Right up there with winning the Super Bowl.
* * *
“Did Flynn tell you about the time we auctioned off our teammate’s virginity?” Darren asks with a smug grin on his face. I glare threateningly at him, but it only makes him laugh.
“No, I haven’t heard that one,” Nadia replies.
“Oh shit, I remember that,” Kendra chimes in. “Nolan is one of the nicest guys too. We were partnered together on a project right around then.”
“We don’t need to take a trip down memory lane, do we? College was a lifetime ago,” I say.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think I’d like to hear this story.” Nadia directs her gaze at me.
“Darren and I found out Nolan, who also happened to be one of our frat brothers, was a virgin. We set up an auction fundraiser for girls to bid on the chance to take his virginity and the money would go to a charity.”
“Did he know?” Nadia asks.
I take a sip of my water before replying. “Not until it was already set up.” I look at Darren and we both laugh uncontrollably.
“I can still see his face when he found out. God, that was a classic practical joke. We pulled off some great ones.” Darren wipes tears from the outside corners of his eyes.
“You guys sound like you were assholes,” Sadie says.
I shrug indifferently. “Pretty much. But damn, we had fun.”
Darren raises his beer toward me. “We sure did.”
“What happened with Nolan’s virginity?” Nadia asks.
“He lost it like every guy eventually does. But that’s a story for another day.”
We all focus on eating. The sound of cutlery against the china is the dinner music as we all gorge on turkey and all the fixings.
“Everything is delicious, Nadia,” Levi says.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” She smiles with gratitude.
I’m not glad he’s enjoying it. Why did I invite him over anyway? Levi’s a friend of mine, but he’s too good looking for his own good. He’s got a pretty boy face that I’d like to mess up right about now. I’ll have to get a grip on my jealousy. This is a new feeling for me. In the meantime, I can dole out his payback on the practice field.
Nadia pats my leg under the table like she knows what’s going on inside my head. It’s nice that she already recognizes my crazy and she’s still interested in being with me. I guess when you care about someone, it really makes you blind to their faults. That has to be the case. There’s no way Nadia should still be with me, at least not legitimately. She committed to be my girlfriend for two months and that deal isn’t over for another five weeks.
Glancing around the table, I search for the basket of rolls I placed on the table despite Nadia wanting them in the kitchen. Who doesn’t put rolls on the table? I find them at the other end in front of Darren. “Hey, D. Throw me a roll, please.”
“Flynn,” Nadia gasps my name like I committed one of the seven deadly sins.
“What? He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and you don’t think he can throw a roll eight feet to me?”
Darren shakes his head. “Such little confidence. I expected better of you, Nadia.”
“This is Thanksgiving dinner,” she states.
“And your point is?” I ask, looking at her in the chair next to mine.
Her eyes are open exceptionally wide, like she’s trying to send me a secret message inside their depths. “This is not the time to throw rolls around the table. You’re grown men.”
“Are you sure about that?” Darren laughs.
“Right?” I add. “Haven’t you known us long enough to realize we’re just children at heart?” She slaps her hand to her forehead and I turn back to Darren. “Zing me a roll, dude.” Darren grabs one, clutching it in both hands before drawing his arm back and letting it fly. The round object floats right into my hands. Every man at the table cheers while the women shake their heads. Except for my sister, who’s too busy laughing. She has an advantage over Nadia and Sadie, though. Darren and I have been friends since college, and Kendra went to B.U. with us. She’s used to our behavior.
“All right. I need one too,” Levi calls out, raising his hand. Darren fires one his way and a cheer goes up when it’s caught.
“I need one,” Kendra says.
Levi puts his right arm around her. “I got you, sweetheart.” Darren immediately throws, forcing Levi to catch it left handed.
Kendra smiles at Levi. “Thank you.”
He winks and removes his arm from behind her. “No problem. And left handed too.”
Darren scowls, and I wonder if he’s annoyed by how Levi is paying attention to my sister. He’s always been so protective of her. “Hey, don’t I get a thank you? I’m the one who threw it,” Darren calls down the table.
“Nope,” Kendra says, tearing a bite from her roll with her teeth. Watching the two of them makes me smile. Darren has been like a b
rother to both of us. With Kendra living down here, it’s nice to know she can depend on someone else besides me. There may be times I’m not around.
“Well, that was a first for me.” Nadia sighs. “I think I need a glass of wine.”
“You’ve never played roll football at your table before? Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. What kind of household did you grow up in?” I tease.
“One with manners,” she retorts.
I put my palms up in a helpless gesture and look around the table. “What? I said please.”
* * *
After everyone has left and we’ve cleaned up, I convince Nadia to relax on the couch with me. She deserves a break after all the work she did to make today a success.
“So what did you think of our first holiday together?” I ask, pulling her feet into my lap.
“I had a great time. What about you?”
“It was the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.” I rub one of her arches with my thumb.
“Really?”
“Absolutely. I had you and Kendra here with me. What more could I want? Did you miss your family?”
“No. I hope that doesn’t make me seem uncaring.”
“Nadia, you’re one of the kindest people I know. You could never seem uncaring.”
She folds her hands on her stomach and stares up at the ceiling. “My parents aren’t like most. I’m sure my dad spent most of the day working. It’s just the way they are. It used to bother me when I was younger, but over the years, I’ve gotten used to what their priorities really are. Honestly, it’s easier this way. We all get to spend the holidays how we’d like and with no pressure because we’re not seeing each other.”
“You have me to spend all the holidays with now. As long as you don't get sick of me.”
Her gaze swings to me. “I don’t think that’s possible. You’re definitely entertaining.”
“If you’re referring to the football rolls, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“Oh, jeez. Maybe we should go away for Christmas?”
21
Nadia
“Excuse me, Nadia.” Margot knocks on my open office door.
“Come on in.”
“You have a delivery from Flynn.” She carries a large white box toward my desk. I push my laptop away making room for her to set it down. There’s an unopened card tucked under the red ribbon criss-crossing the box.
“How did you know it was from Flynn?” I ask.
Margot smiles. “You guys have been going strong for over a month now. Of course it’s from him.” She taps the edge of my desk with her long nail. “Don’t forget to let me know what you’d like for lunch.”
“I will. Thank you, Margot.” I wait until she’s out of my office before I open the card.
Nadia,
I didn’t know you in college, but if I had, you would have been my girl. As my girl, you’d have worn my sweatshirt for the home games. This is my favorite, so I wanted my favorite person to have it. I wore this the night we made love for the first time, and I hope it reminds you of that amazing night whenever you wear it. I hope you like it as much as I always have. I can’t wait to see you with it on (and nothing else). Hint. Hint.
Love always,
Flynn
Breaking apart the red ribbons, I drop them in the trash. Shaking the top cover off the box, I set it aside. I run my hand over the well-worn gray sweatshirt. Raising the soft material to my nose, I inhale along the neckline, hoping it smells like Flynn, and it does. I take a few breaths to breathe in his scent still clinging to the garment and it makes me wish he were here with me.
Rising to my feet, I hold the sweatshirt against my torso and smile when I see how huge it is compared to me. The hem will fall almost to my knees. Thinking about Flynn’s fantasy of me naked beneath makes me smile.
Moving across the room, I close and lock my office door. Unfastening the buttons on the front of my dress, I ease it down my hips and drape it over one of the chairs in front of my desk. It feels surreal to be standing in my office in my underwear and heels. It’s definitely a first for me, as is what I’m about to do. I pick up the sweatshirt, slipping it over my head. As I imagined, it’s so long it falls to the bottom of my thighs, and it’s implausibly comfortable.
I lower back into my chair and slip my heels from my feet under the desk. Picking up my phone, I pull up the camera and place my bare calves on top of my desk. The wood is cold against my skin.
Crossing my legs at the ankles, I wiggle my red painted toes. This is going to have to do as far as poses go. I’m not adept at selfie taking. In fact, this is my first attempt and I’m hoping I can do a decent job of taking a worthwhile photo.
I tug the hem on the sweatshirt a little higher, revealing more thigh—it can’t hurt. Stretching my arm out to the side of me, I angle my face toward the phone in my hand and take a string of pictures. Moving my arm around, I try out different angles and hope one of them is salvageable.
I scroll through the pictures and find a handful that are halfway decent. The rest with random body parts cut off are horrible. My smile is strained in most of them. Posing, holding the camera, taking the picture, and smiling is a lot to ask for, but he’s probably not going to be looking at my face anyway.
I choose two pictures to send him and add a message to go along with the text.
Nadia: Thank you for the sweatshirt. I love it so much. What do you think?
I titter at my brazen behavior and picture what he’ll do when he sees them. Glancing at the clock, I note the time. He might be on the field practicing.
My alert goes off and it’s him.
Flynn: Jesus, woman. Are you trying to give me a heart attack on the field?
I laugh at his message and another one comes in.
Flynn: Or worse, a boner? How would I explain that one?
And another.
Flynn: I’m saving these pics for when I’m at our next away game.
Nadia: I’m glad you like them.
Flynn: Like isn’t the word I’d use to describe how I feel about these pics. I have to run—literally. Are you still coming over tonight?
Nadia: I am.
Flynn: See you then.
Setting my phone down, I lean back in my chair and smile. I can’t remember a time I ever felt this excited about spending time with a man. Not even with my ex. We were wrong from the start and I didn’t allow myself to admit it wasn’t working. Things deteriorated quickly once we were married and I still hung in there for five years.
At least those years weren’t completely wasted. I started my own business and it led me to where I am now. I’m not certain what the future holds for Flynn and me, so I’m going to enjoy every laughter-packed moment we share while it lasts.
My cell phone rings with Kendra’s name showing on my screen. Plucking it from my desk, I answer the call. “Hey, how are you?”
“Nadia, I need your help.”
“What’s going on?”
“I need to get a hold of Flynn as soon as possible. Our grandfather had a massive heart attack. It doesn’t look good.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m going to book flights for us, but I can’t reach Flynn to tell him.”
“He’s at practice. I’ll take a ride over there and fill him in while you book the flights,” I reassure her.
“Thank you, Nadia. Just so you know, Flynn is going to take this really hard.”
“I know he’s close with your grandfather, and I’ll be as gentle as possible when I tell him.”
As soon as the call ends, I rip the sweatshirt over my head and throw it down on my chair. Grabbing the dress, I slip it on and work the buttons through the holes, but my hands are shaking so badly it’s making it difficult. I’m worried how Flynn will take the news, but there’s no delaying his pain. Time is of the essence in cases like this.
Shoving my feet into my heels, I grab my purse and set about finding Flynn.
* * *
When I pull into the parking lot, I notice a text from Kendra that says their flight to Boston leaves at five o’clock. That only gives him a few hours to get home, pack, and make it to the airport in time to leave.
Gravel crunches under my high heels as I speed walk into the practice facility. Scanning the field, I notice Flynn is busy running drills. His focus is so deep he doesn’t even notice me. I make my way over to the coach and tell him Flynn has a family emergency and he needs to leave.
He blows his whistle, gaining his players’ attention. “Shaughnessy,” he calls out, waving him over.
Flynn jogs our way and I can see the precise moment he notices me. His concerned eyes look me over to make sure I’m okay. “What’s up, Coach?” he asks, still watching me.
I step closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Flynn, you need to come with me. Your grandfather is in the hospital and it’s very serious.” His eyes flaring is his only reaction at first and I wonder if he’s in a bit of shock. I squeeze his shoulder.
“Coach, may I be excused from the rest of practice?”
Coach nods. “Get out of here, and good luck. I won’t expect you back tomorrow. Let me know what’s going on as soon as you can.”
“Thank you. I will.” He turns to me. “I’ll grab my stuff and meet you at my house.”
“Okay.” I hurry back to my car and say a prayer that his grandfather survives long enough for Flynn to get his goodbye.
* * *
Flynn pulls into his driveway behind me and I meet him at the door. He presses a quick kiss to my head before unlocking the door.