Jett
I’m in Fallon’s New York City hotel room. The team is staying for the night and leaving in the morning, just in time for me to board a plane to LA. Pierce is staying at NYU tonight, visiting a former high school buddy of his. I wanted to spend a few minutes alone with Fallon before heading home.
“How was she?” I ask.
Fallon gives me an incredulous look as we sit in her hotel room.
I know it bothers her that I ask about Kennedy instead of going directly to the source.
She’s told me multiple times that, if I want to build a relationship with my daughter, I need to do a better job talking to her. I know she’s right. I’m trying my best.
“She’s obviously upset about the game, but otherwise fine. She’s disappointed you won’t be able to come to the last game but understands you can’t be there.”
I deflate. “I asked for a leave of absence. I was told I’d be in breach of contract. If it weren’t for some of the veterans, I wouldn’t care if I was fired,” I mumble like a bratty child.
She rubs my arm. “Don’t say that. She’ll be fine. She knows you’ll be watching it on the plane.”
We should at least be able to watch the second half on our plane ride home. I’ve already arranged it with the airline.
“Yep.” I look at my watch. “The car service is going to call any minute.”
She sighs. “We’re passing ships lately. It’s so frustrating. Five minutes here and there isn’t enough for me.”
I pull her into my arms and rub my nose across hers. “I know. I’ll miss you. I hate road trips. I hate being away from you. Napa can’t come soon enough. Just a few more weeks.”
A few more weeks until I ask her to be my forever. Until I get to come home to her every night. Until I get to wake up with her every morning.
She smiles against my lips before kissing them. “Four uninterrupted days of your body inside mine.” She lets out a moan. “I can’t wait.”
I chuckle. “We’re going to have to visit vineyards and drink wine too.”
She runs her hand up and down my rapidly hardening length. “This.” She squeezes it. “I need this. I miss this. I’ve gone too many days without it. I’m having withdrawal. I want Daddy Jett inside me.”
I let out a moan while my hands move under her shirt and grab her full breasts. I cover her lips with mine. “Hmm, maybe there’s time for a quickie.”
I’m about to deepen the kiss when my phone buzzes. I know what it means.
I lean my head back on the wall and exhale a long breath. “The car service is here. I need to go. Walk me down, angel face?”
She groans. “Ugh. Jett, I’m so sick of not sleeping with you more than I get to sleep with you. We’re telling Pierce this week, right?”
I nod. “Yes. And Kennedy agreed to come with us. I think if he sees the way you two are, it will make it easier for him. And,” I rub her cheek with the backs of my fingers, “I think we should talk about moving in together.”
Her face lights up. “Really?”
“There it is. The smile I live for.”
Her grin only widens.
I nod. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it.
There are good and bad things about your house,” your fucking ex buying it for you being the worst, “and good and bad things about mine, so let’s just build one that has everything we both want.
We can even include a batting cage for Harper.
Maybe indoors so she can also hit in the winter months.
And some turf for her to work on fielding.
And maybe a basketball court for Kennedy so she’ll come use it.
Vance built an amazing house last year. I already called his contractor.
We’ll figure out a date to meet with him after Napa to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. ”
Her arms are wrapped around me, and her chin rests on my chest as she looks up at me. “Are we really doing this?”
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, angel face. I love you. I want our future to start as soon as possible. I want to sleep next to you as much as possible. Preferably every night.”
My phone pings again, and I let out a moan in annoyance. “Ugh. I need to go.”
She pouts. “Fine. Let’s go say goodbye…again.”
We walk out of her hotel room door hand in hand just as Kennedy is walking down the hallway with a bucket of ice. “Ooh,” she mocks, “Coach Fallon has a boy in her room. You’re gonna get in so much trouble, young lady.”
Fallon giggles. “I’m the coach. I’m allowed.”
“You can get action, but we can’t? That’s fucking bullshit.”
“Watch your mouth,” I grumble.
She rolls her eyes. “When is your flight, Dad?”
I scrunch my face. “In about seven hours. I’m sorry I’m missing the final game. I’ll be watching,” I offer hopefully.
She pinches her lips together. “I understand.”
I can tell how much she wants me there. My heart breaks. I’ve never hated my job more than I do right now.
I hug her and kiss her head. “Good luck. Give ’em hell.”
She nods. “I will.”
I say goodbye to Kennedy as Fallon and I make our way to the elevator.
Once inside, I push her against the wall.
“Where were we before? Daddy Jett needs his fill of his naughty girl.” I bring my mouth to hers.
Her tongue gently teases my mouth until I open for her, meeting my tongue with hers, trying to memorize her sweet taste because it will have to last me a few days until I see her again.
I truly hate leaving her. I keep telling myself there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Less than a month until I ask her to be mine forever. Less than a month until we can begin our life together. I can’t wait.
As the elevator pings our arrival in the lobby, we breathlessly break apart with an unspoken sense of sadness over me leaving.
As we walk through the lobby with our fingers intertwined, an intruding male voice says, “Fallon?”
She turns to the man who appears to be in his forties and looks like a younger Rob Lowe wearing a business suit. Her face falls, and she turns a shade of white. “D…David?”
He smiles widely, showing every single tooth like a dipshit. “Wow, you look incredible. You were always a stunner.” His eyes move up and down her body. “Both inside and out.” He winks at me suggestively, letting me know he’s been intimate with her. I want to fucking strangle this guy.
Fallon swallows nervously. “David Schumaker, this is Jett Jeffries, my boyfriend.”
David’s eyes widen as he holds out his hand. “Wow. The famous quarterback. Very cool.”
I shake his hand a little too hard, and the fucker has the nerve to smirk. “Nice to meet you,” he says with an arrogance to his tone that makes me want to punch him in the nose.
I grit out, “Sorry I can’t say the same.”
His smile only grows wider before he turns his attention back to Fallon. “We should get…reacquainted. I’m having a drink with a client at the hotel bar in a few minutes. Want to meet up later tonight to catch up?”
Is this guy for real? Did he just ask out my girlfriend right in front of me as if I’m not standing here?
Fallon squeezes my arm tightly and looks at him like he has three eyes. “No, David, I don’t. Just slither away, asshole.”
He barks out a laugh. “Always with the dirty mouth, but, ooh, what a mouth it is.” He smirks again.
I shove his chest. “Watch how you talk to her. Walk away. Right now, or that stupidly pointy nose will be a pancake.”
He chuckles. “Chill, man. I need to get to my meeting anyway.” He winks at Fallon again. “You got a live one, sweetheart.”
He mouths, “Call me,” to her while making a phone gesture with his thumb and pinkie before he disappears into the hotel bar area.
I look at Fallon. “Is that shitbag an ex of yours?”
Her eyes fill with tears as she slowly shakes her head. “No. He was Tanner’s best friend for years. He was the best man in our wedding.” She licks her lips nervously as her eyes move down to the ground. “I…umm…had an affair with him. It’s what caused Tanner to file for divorce.”
I suck in a breath, feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut.
Fallon had an affair? I always assumed Tanner’s actions were the reason for the divorce based on everything she told me about their marriage.
It never occurred to me that it could have been her fault.
It never occurred to me that Fallon would be the type of woman to cheat on her husband, especially with his best friend.
I step back, feeling completely and totally blindsided. My heart beats a million times per minute. It feels like it might pop out of my chest.
“Jett,” she croaks as tears begin to fall from her eyes.
My mouth opens and closes a few times. “You’re a cheater?” I whisper, unable to mask my disappointment.
Tears now freefall from her eyes while she shakes her head again. “It’s not what you’re thinking. Please let me explain.” She moves to grab my arm.
I hold up my hands as I continue to walk backward while she advances toward me. My head is spinning. “I…umm need space.”
“No. Please don’t leave like this,” she pleads.
“I have an early morning flight. The car is waiting. I’ll talk to you tomorrow after I land.”
“Jett.” Her pained eyes meet mine. “Don’t do this. I love you.”
I have nothing left to say, so I don’t. I think I’m in shock. The only thing I can think to do is turn around and leave while I hear her crying behind me in the lobby.