Chapter 13 #2
“Yes. I’ve got a date,” her roommate said.
“I was working on a new website for the local florist. Went over to walk her through it and see if she wanted any changes. Her delivery driver came in, and he was hot. I mean, really hot. He’s her brother.
A fireman who helps her out on his days off.
We got to talking, and we’re having dinner together tonight. ”
“Must be a nice place. You look fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Jen placed her palm to her belly. “I’m excited. Like butterflies exploding in the belly excited. We’re meeting at Great Steak.”
“Do you always meet your dates?” she asked out of curiosity.
“I started doing that when I moved to New York. I like the freedom to be able to come and go.” Jen grinned. “But if things go well tonight, I’ll be happy for him to pick me up next time. Oh, I hope there’s a next time!”
“There will be,” she assured her roommate. “You’re a fun, interesting person. Also, those heels are killer. They make your legs look very sexy.”
“Good. I jog for a reason. Toned legs should be noticed,” Jen quipped.
“Have fun.”
Paisley went inside, deciding she had time for a quick shower.
She toweled off and put on one of her last Olympics shirts, the blue polo one with white piping, a red Team USA logo emblazoned above her heart.
She had thought she would never wear it again but hadn’t wanted to part with it.
Glancing in the mirror, she decided she liked it.
She looked good in blue. The shirt was a part of her past. Just because she’d been injured didn’t mean she had to wipe away all those memories.
She pulled on some denim shorts and opted for white Keds.
They weren’t stylish, but they were comfortable.
She didn’t think Sawyer would judge her based on her shoe choice tonight.
She brushed her teeth and applied a coat of lipstick before pulling out her hair tie and brushing her hair, leaving it down for tonight.
The doorbell rang, and she hurried to answer it. Sawyer stood on the porch and gave her a long look from head to toe.
“I appreciate what I see,” he said, leaning in and dropping a light kiss on her lips. “Your legs are a mile long.”
“That’s because they are. I was the tallest kid in elementary school, taller than even some of the teachers. Believe me, I know I’ve got long legs.”
He caught her by the waist. “It was a compliment, Paisley. You have beautiful calves. Ones I want to run my tongue along.”
His outrageous words caused a ripple of something to run through her. “Would you really do that?”
Sawyer looked at her longingly. “I’m dying to do that. And lick a few other places while I’m at it.”
She felt her face flame. “Seriously?”
“I’m dead serious. But that’s for later. Let’s go.”
She locked the front door, and he took her hand, leading her to his car. Even holding hands was a new experience for her, one she really liked.
Once they were in the car, she asked, “Who’ll be there tonight?”
“Obviously, West and Kelby. Darby and Jace. Eli, Jace’s brother, is Autumn’s husband. Probably Chance and Summer.”
“I’ve met all the women, but only West and you from the guys.”
“You’ll like them. Jace was West’s agent, while Chance is West’s best friend. Eli only came to Hawthorne when Triple H opened. Or actually before. He had a lot to do with getting it ready to be opened. He’s the medical director.”
“And what does Chance do?”
“He runs the Blackstone Ranch. They raise cattle and some horses.”
“A real cowboy then.”
“I think Summer’s broken him of wearing boots with his shorts,” Sawyer said drily, causing her to giggle.
“I like being with you, Sawyer. I never knew how fun it was to laugh. I’ve been so serious my entire life, always concentrating on basketball.”
“Then you’ll like this group. They’re fun—and they’re funny.”
He was right about that. Paisley liked the four women already, and she quickly felt at home with their spouses.
Darby handed her two big volumes.
“What are these?”
“Hard copies of the last two yearbooks. I think I told you I sponsor the yearbook. These editions of Horizon will be good for you to look through. It’ll help acquaint you more with the school.
You can also look up your players. While they’ll be younger than they are now, it’ll still give you a chance to become familiar with them. ”
“This is fantastic. Thank you. I’ll take good care of these and return them to you.”
“No rush.”
They gathered outside. Although it was still July and hot, the patio was covered and had ceiling fans turning, creating a slight breeze.
There was also an outdoor kitchen and a TV with lots of comfortable furniture.
West and Sawyer manned the grills, while Kelby and Darby worked in the kitchen.
Paisley volunteered to help, but they shooed her outside, telling her they had everything down.
She joined Summer, Chance, Autumn, Eli, and Jace.
“I hear you own a ranch,” she said to Chance. “What’s that like?”
“Come by and I’ll give you a tour,” he drawled. “If you’re interested in riding, I can teach you.”
“Or I can,” Sawyer said, looking over his shoulder, a spatula in his hand.
Chance looked from Sawyer to her and then back to Sawyer. “So, it’s like that?”
“It’s definitely like that,” Sawyer said, before looking back at the grill and flipping a burger.
Summer touched Paisley’s hand. “You and Sawyer are a thing?”
She bit her lip. “I guess so. I mean, yes. We are. This is really new to me. I’m not sure exactly how to handle it. Or questions about us.”
“You won’t find a better guy than Sawyer,” Autumn said. “If he weren’t my cousin, I would be madly in love with him. He’s the most reliable guy in the world. Everyone in Hawthorne adores him.”
“He took me skydiving,” she revealed.
“What?” Summer and Autumn said in unison.
“This is something I’ve got to hear about,” Jace said, leaning forward. “I’ve never been. Is it as amazing as they say?”
Paisley beamed. “It’s way better.”
“Don’t tell us about it now,” Eli warned. “Otherwise, you’re just going to have to retell it at dinner when everyone’s here.”
That’s exactly what she did, with Sawyer chiming in, adding more details. Everyone had questions, and they answered them as best they could, recommending Andy to the group.
Darby, who had come outside to hand her husband another beer, patted her belly. “Maybe that’s how I’ll celebrate after having Sam.” She looked to Paisley. “Sam is my dad’s name. I really wanted it for our baby.”
“I wanted it, too, but my little sister beat me to having the first boy,” Sawyer said. “Maybe I’ll reserve Andrew since that was Dad’s middle name.”
“We’re going with Sarah Elizabeth for our baby,” Autumn told Paisley. “That’s the names of our two grandmothers.”
As the conversation drifted from babies, she fell silent. It was way too soon to think about babies—and babies with Sawyer—but the name Andrew really stuck with her.
Andrew Montgomery.
That would be a wonderful name for a baby boy.
Suddenly, she felt eyes on her and turned, seeing Sawyer looking at her. He winked, causing her to blush, and she wondered if he had any idea where her thoughts had traveled.
Jace yelled at the TV, forcing Paisley’s thoughts to other topics.
Others also started cheering, and she saw a swimming event was coming to a conclusion.
An Australian and American swimmer were vying for the win, and the American touched first, causing everyone to cheer.
She supposed this is what it was like all across America—and the world.
People cheering for the athletes representing their home countries.
Paisley had been a part of the Olympics for so long that she hadn’t really thought about fans at home, at gatherings such as these, watching and cheering.
“That was amazing,” Summer said. “What a finish!” She looked to Paisley. “Could you tell us what playing in the Olympics is like?”
Sawyer caught her eye, but she shook her head imperceptibly. “I’d be happy to.”
“Burgers are ready to come off the grill,” West called.
They gathered in a large dining room inside the house, and she happily shared some about her Olympic experiences.
“I hope you don’t mind if we have on the game later,” Eli said, empathy in his eyes. “I know you should’ve been there, repping the US.”
“I’m actually looking forward to watching and not playing,” she said honestly. “I had my time in the sun. It’s time for others to shine.”
After dinner, they moved to the great room, large enough to easily seat them all.
Sawyer took a seat beside her, his arm going about her, claiming her as his.
As they watched Team USA beat Brazil in the first round, Paisley decided that while she had enjoyed her Olympic days, she was also enjoying this new life in Hawthorne. The food. The fellowship.
And the man next to her.
If anyone would have told her that she would prefer sitting on a love seat and watching the first game being played rather than being a player in it, she would have thought them crazy.
It was funny how fast things had changed.
Contentment filled her as she shouted at the screen, yelling at the refs, and cheering as former teammates of hers made basket after basket.
Paisley had discovered a home in Hawthorne. She was also learning things about herself, thanks to Dr. Linda and her relationship with Sawyer.
This second chapter in life might just become her favorite one.