Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
NATALIE
“Roller skating?” I laughed as we walked into the building, which looked like something out of a 1970s movie set. “This is your idea of a date?”
“Did you think we would do something generic like go to a movie?”
“With you, I never know what to expect.”
“Are you complaining?” he asked as he walked by a small arcade with a concession stand in the back that was closed for the night. It looked like Rhett had rented the place out just for our date.
“Not at all. I’m just curious, why roller skating?”
His hand was now on my back as we walked further into the building. “My mom would pick up Ford, Reagan, and me every Tuesday after school. It was the one day a week where she would leave work early so she could spend time with us.”
“That is so sweet.” I spun around, taking it all in. My eyes caught on a disco ball hanging in the middle of the rink. I pictured a young Rhett taking his dates here as a teenager .
“Was this your hangout spot in high school, too?” I sat down on the bench to lace up my skates.
He coughed into his hand. “Uh, no. I was too cool for roller skating by then.”
“Doing what?”
“Going to parties and playing seven minutes in heaven.”
I laughed. “I bet you’ve seen your fair share of dark closets back in the day. What other fun things did you do at these parties?”
He shook his head. “You sure do ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m just trying to get to know my husband a little bit better,” I said, playfully batting my eyelashes.
“We’ve got all the time in the world to get to know each other,” he said, kicking his shoes off. “Do you at least know how to rollerblade?”
“Nope,” I said, tightening the laces on my skates.
He scratched his chin. “Ice-skate?”
“I tried once and hated it.”
I left out the fact that Levi tried to teach me once. It was a disaster, and I ended up colliding with a group of young kids. When I crashed into one, it was like a domino effect as the parents watched in slow motion as their children tumbled down one by one. Some were crying so hard it was a miracle I didn’t get sued. That was my first and last time.
“Well, this is going to be fun.” He chuckled and stood up. It was hard to miss his sarcasm.
“For you, not for me. I’ll be on my ass most of the time.”
When I attempted to stand up, my legs wobbled. Rhett extended a steady hand. “I won’t let you fall. I promise.”
Too late for that . I thought as he guided me out to the center of the rink. He held on to my waist, guiding me from behind.
I hesitated at first, trying to keep my balance, but when I felt my limbs flailing, I tightened my grip on his fingers.
He laughed beside me as if he found this whole thing amusing. There was a reason I didn’t play sports in high school: I had zero coordination.
“Bend your knees a little bit.” He let go of my hand for a minute, and I felt myself falling backward. He chuckled. “Okay, this is going to be tougher than I thought. Hold on to the railing and watch me.”
He skated off, doing lap after lap, striding across the rink like he was an Olympic roller skater. A laugh bubbled out of me because he was such a damn showoff. He twirled and spun with such confidence that I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out a retro headband and started leaping through the air. The man was too damn cute for his own good.
He was crossing his skates at the ankles, doing zigzags, and skating backward with an impressive burst of speed.
I was smiling harder than I ever have in my life.
After he was done, he tentatively came to a stop in front of me. “Are you ready?”
“Don’t they have a practice area like they do on the ski slopes?” I asked and looked up to see him smiling.
“You don’t need a practice area.”
“You are really enjoying this, aren’t you.”
I might have been complaining left and right because the thought of falling and breaking my leg was terrifying, but I was still having fun.
His eyes were sparkling. “I always enjoy spending quality time with my wife.”
I took his hand as he guided me through the proper techniques, trying to hide how much I liked it when he called me ‘his wife’. “Just bend your knees and find your balance,” he explained gently.
“I don’t feel like I have any control,” I said as he squatted next to me.
“It’s all about your posture, babe. Just move slowly.”
“Like this?” I asked, feeling like I was walking like a damn duck.
His eyes were twinkling. “Just like that, but maybe a little faster.”
The second I glided my foot forward, I lost my balance and fell on my ass. Instead of helping me up right away, what did he do? He pulled out his phone and took a picture, that’s what.
“You told me you wouldn’t let me fall,” I grumbled as he finally helped me up. He was laughing so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if he peed his pants.
“I didn’t let you fall. You wiped out; there is a difference.”
“I hate you,” I said, standing on shaky legs.
“Whatever you say.” He led me over to the railing. “Remember, practice makes perfect. Try holding on to this.”
I gripped onto the railing for dear life, determined not to give up. As I took tentative steps, I noticed my movements got less wobbly. Rhett was giving me words of encouragement, but all I could focus on was staying upright on my feet. After a few minutes, I attempted to glide without holding on. Every little movement forward gave me more confidence.
“I think you’re ready to be my skating partner.” Rhett’s eyes lit up with pride.
I grabbed his hand for support as we slowly skated in a circle along the rink. Each time we went around, I glided a little bit faster .
Skating wasn’t that bad. It was kind of fun, actually. We continued skating hand in hand until I eventually found my groove.
“Ready to race me yet?”
I laughed. “Not yet. I feel comfortable at this speed.”
“Party pooper.” He sank his fingers into my waist and stared into my eyes. He leaned forward very carefully and gently kissed my lips. It was sweet but powerful enough to pack a punch.
“Do you want to do a couple more laps or get on with the second part of our date?” He leaned back and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. The fabric strained as he pushed them up to his elbows. Those muscular arms had no business being so distracting.
I dragged my eyes up to his face. “There’s more?”
“Yeah.” There was amusement in his eyes as he darted his tongue out to wet his bottom lip. “But you might want to get your mind out of the gutter first. You look like you want to lick me from head to toe.”
I shook my head and did my best to deny it. “You think that’s what I was doing?” I waved my hand in the air like that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. “I was just wondering why you don’t have tattoos like most guys on the team.”
Jesus, that was so random. Could I be any more obvious?
He laughed and cupped my face, running the pad of his thumb along my cheek. “So, you’re not just a snoop, but a little liar too.”
“I’m not lying.” A guilty blush darkened my cheeks.
He raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile. “You’re a horrible liar, but okay. The reason why I don’t have any tattoos is because my parents would disown me if I did.”
“I hope you’re exaggerating. ”
The thought of meeting his parents someday was nerve-wracking. He’s mentioned on multiple occasions about how strict they were. Despite what he said before about not caring what other people thought, I knew how much he longed for their approval. Deep down, I wondered if their opinion of me would make or break our relationship.
“Not completely.” He helped me over to the bench so we could slip our skates off. “Are you ready for part two now?”
I smiled up at him. “I can’t wait.”
"Wow, I had no idea you were such a big deal here," I exclaimed as the hostess guided us through one of the coziest restaurants I'd ever seen. Rhett beamed, waved, and even chatted with a few customers as we passed their tables.
A crackling fireplace sat in the middle of the wall, creating a welcoming vibe. As we walked further into the room, my attention was drawn to the flickering candles on each of the dark, rustic wood tables. It was so charming and inviting. I hoped the food would be just as good as the atmosphere.
“When are you going to realize that your husband is a pretty big deal?” He laughed and pulled my chair out for me. “People love me, and this is one of the few places where I can come and actually enjoy a meal in peace.”
“What’s so special about this place?”
“Remember, I told you about our housekeeper, Cruze? This is her son Luis’s place.”
“Ah, so it’s not your celebrity status that’s earning you such special treatment? ”
“Baby, I’m a celebrity everywhere.” His comment caused me to laugh. One of the things I loved about Rhett was that he never took life too seriously.
“What would you like to start with?” he asked as I looked over the menu. “It’s kind of a foodie place, but the food isn’t pretentious.”
“Everything looks interesting.” I smiled as the hostess set our waters on the table. “I feel like loading up on carbs after that workout.”
Rhett smirked and leaned his elbows on the table. “It’s adorable that you considered that working out.”
“Excuse you, Mr. I’m-The-Best-Tight End-In-The-League. My muscles ache because my legs aren’t used to exercise.”
“What do you have against fitness?” He took a sip of his water; amusement filled his eyes.
“Well, first of all, I don’t like to sweat.”
“I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you moved to the wrong state. There is a reason why they call it Hot-Lanta.”
“I am aware, but thankfully, most places have A/C.”
A basket of assorted rolls was placed in front of us. “Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to stop by and say hi.”
I glanced at the handsome man in a dark suit. He had an easygoing smile and a friendly demeanor.
“Luis, my man.” Rhett stood up to greet him with enthusiasm. “How’s it goin’, dude?”
“Going great, but it’s been too long, my friend.” His attention turned to me. “You must be Natalie. I’m Luis, it’s great to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Rhett threw his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Luis here is also my personal chef. ”
“Oh, you’re the one who left the delicious Chicken Florentine in the fridge.”
Luis smiled. “That’s me.” He patted Rhett’s stomach. “Somebody needs to make sure this guy eats something other than pizza and fried chicken.”
“Hey, don’t go hating on pizza, man. After all, that red sauce is from a tomato, which is technically a vegetable.”
“Actually, a tomato is considered a fruit, and the reason why you love that red sauce so much is because it’s loaded with sodium.” Luis rolled his eyes and looked at me. “Your man here is a picky eater. He eats like a ten-year-old.”
“I’m surprised he picked this place. The menu is a big step above his typical bar food,” I teased because if there is one thing I learned about Rhett, it is that his go-to food was burgers and pizza, and he always seemed to have a pack of Skittles on him. “Your food must be really good.”
Luis shook his head with a boyish grin. “He’s just here to help secure his investment.”
“Investment?” I blinked in confusion.
Luis squeezed Rhett’s shoulder. “Your guy here is a silent partner. If it wasn’t for him, I never would have secured the loan and gotten this off the ground.”
I glimpsed at Rhett, who looked away sheepishly. He was just full of surprises, and every time I discovered a new layer, I found myself falling deeper in love with him.
“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen, but I wanted to apologize for having to miss the Born to Love event. Mom was in bed all day. She could barely move and the stubborn woman refused to go to the doctor.”
Rhett shook his head. “You were where you needed to be. She’s more important.”
Luis gave him a quick nod. “I still feel terrible, and I just wanted to thank you again. You’re helping out a lot of families. ”
Rhett looked uncomfortable. “Of course, it’s the least I could do. Seeing her struggle and working tirelessly, made me realize how tough it can be.”
“You know it means a lot to her.” He looked over his shoulder and then back to Rhett.
“Your mom is an amazing woman. We are all lucky to have her in our lives.”
Luis smiled. “Thanks for coming tonight. It was great seeing you. I hope you both enjoy your meal and if you need anything, let me know.”
The two men shook hands, and I waited for Luis to leave. I couldn’t believe I never connected the dots until now. Rhett had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’d ever known.
“I didn’t realize that Born to Love was so personal to you. I think what you’re doing is amazing.”
He sat back down and took a sip of his water. “I really don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
I nudged him with my foot. “Stop being so modest.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not being modest. I meant what I said, so let’s not make a big fuss over it.”
I leaned back in my chair and studied him. “Rhett Daniels, you are a big old softie.”
He paused as his water reached his lips. “As my wife, you should know there is nothing soft about me.”
We were interrupted when the server came over to take our orders. We both ended up getting one of the specials. I ordered a glass of wine while Rhett ordered a beer.
We finished our appetizers and continued to talk, only to be interrupted a few times by friends coming over to say hello. I could see why women were so taken with him, and guys wanted to be friends with him.
He had charisma and charm and had a way of looking people in the eye and making them feel special .
“Talk to me about football. Are you the fastest guy on the team?” I asked, digging my fork into the salad once our food arrived.
“You know absolutely nothing about my position, do you?” he asked, taking a bite of his steak.
“Don’t judge me. I’m learning, and I’ve been doing research.”
“Oh, yeah?” He leaned back and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Let’s hear it.”
I rolled my tongue around in my cheek. I knew much more than I was letting on but couldn’t resist the urge to toy with him. It was only payback, after all, for him letting me fall on my ass so many times today.
“I’ve been watching Travis Kelce on Instagram. He plays the same position as you, and he seems to run pretty fast.”
Rhett barked out a laugh. “Yeah, my man is a beast, but tight ends aren’t the fastest positions. That title goes to running backs and wide receivers and sometimes cornerbacks and safeties.”
“Makes sense,” I said, taking a bite of my sea bass. “Tell me more about the position you and Travis play?”
His eyes narrowed. “Travis? Why are you so interested in Travis?”
I pushed my hair behind my ear. He was so fun to rile up. “He seems pretty hot right now, so I figured he would be a good place to start.”
It was taking everything I had not to burst out laughing from the look on his face.
He set his elbows on the table and angled his head to the side. “He doesn’t play for the Arrows. And just so you know, he has a girlfriend.”
“I know that, but he’s very popular, so I figured I could learn more about the sport by looking at his socials,” I teased, batting my eyelashes playfully.
“I’m pretty popular too.” He raised an eyebrow at me like he was trying to figure out if I was serious or just yanking his chain. “My jersey outsells his, and if you are going to stalk any athletes on social media, you should start with mine.”
“Whatever.” I shrugged my shoulders like that idea bored me to death and continued with my teasing. “Tell me about Travis.”
He draped his arm along the back of the booth. “I’d rather not.”
“Have you ever met him?”
His jaw worked back and forth. “Yes, and now that I know how infatuated you are with him, I’ll make sure you never do.”
“Harsh.” I reached for my water, trying to hide the smile lifting the corners of my mouth. I was so proud of myself for keeping up with this charade.
“Right, so back to me. What do you want to know?”
Everything.
“Seeing that it’s the offseason, what do you usually do in your downtime?”
“I like to keep busy, so I play a lot of golf, attend a few sponsorship meetings, and shoot a few commercials.” He smirked, and I scowled. “I also attend a few fundraisers and volunteer at my organization, but you already know all that.”
“I want to know what you do for fun besides golf?”
“Well, I like to drink, sleep, eat, and play video games.”
“What are your hobbies?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t have any hobbies.”
I leaned back in my chair, not buying these short, generic answers. “Why are you avoiding answering my questions?”
He stared at me for a moment, and I didn’t miss the way he shifted in his chair or the shadow that crossed his face.
He exhaled loudly. “What I used to consider fun are things you aren’t going to want to hear.”
“Oh.” I slumped back in my seat. I mentally kicked myself for even going there. Rhett, the party boy, was known to have a girl or two on his arm.
He eyed me cautiously. “That was all before you.”
I reached out and placed my hand over his. “Hey, it’s all good. It’s in the past. We promised each other we would try, right?”
“Yeah, we did.” He took a sip of his beer. “Speaking of the past, how are you feeling about the wedding next week? Are you nervous about seeing Levi?”
“A little,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “But not because I still have feelings for him. I’m worried about how awkward it will be.”
He squeezed my hand. “I get it, but I’ll be right there with you. You won’t have to face him alone.”
His words were meant to comfort me, but they had the opposite effect. I was worried about how Levi would react when he saw that I had moved on.
Chances are, it wasn’t going to be good.