Chapter Twenty-Seven
Clay
“I set up the meeting with In the Zone for Tuesday. I’ve already sent details to Doogie, and you’d better not flake on me again,” Tiffany says through Bluetooth as I drive toward town to meet Pepper so she can take measurements for the sensory glove.
I woke up with my girl in my arms, the sun shining, and it’s been three days since news of my relationship with Pepper broke, and things are finally settling down. I’m not about to let Tiffany’s irritation ruin my day.
“I’m sorry for canceling the last time, but I didn’t flake on you. You know damn well how social media can ruin relationships. I finally have someone special in my life, and she’s a professional, not someone who gets off on drama. I wasn’t going to let those vultures ruin what we have.” Thankfully, the picture and comment I posted rose above the noise, and the fucking flavor-of-the-week headlines were replaced with headlines like Has Mr. Perfect Met His Perfect Match? On top of that good news, now that the world knows I’m here, I’ve been working out with Ben and his friends, and we’ve accumulated a small group of spectators and fans who cheer us on. I’m excited to meet them later to run more drills.
“That’s very chivalrous of you,” Tiffany says, not unkindly. “Did you know Pepper’s twin is engaged to Dylan’s cousin Kane?”
“Yeah. Small world.”
“Listen, Clay, I’m glad you’ve found someone special, but does your new relationship have anything to do with you needing more time to negotiate your extension?”
“No.” I grit my teeth and stop at a red light.
“Then let’s talk about it. Time is running out, and this doesn’t look good. They expected you to jump on it.”
A call from Dash rings through, giving me an excuse to cut Tiffany short. “I’m sorry, Tiff, but I can’t right now. I’ve got to run. I’ll see you Tuesday.” I switch over to Dash as the light turns green. “Hey, man. Sorry I didn’t call you back the other night. I was doing damage control.”
“I figured as much. Pepper’s family was really worried about her.”
“I know. I was worried about her, too. Still am.” Pepper spoke to her family Tuesday morning and explained the situation. My family has reached out several times. They’re glad I got my girl, but everyone, including my grandfather, worries about how this type of attention will affect Pepper.
“How are you doing with all of this? From what Amber says, it sounds like things between you and Pepper are getting serious.”
“They are.” I turn into the parking lot by Pepper’s office. “You know how long I’ve been into her. When we got together in Paris and she agreed to stay an extra night with me, I felt like I’d won the lottery. Then she tried to end it when she left, and I nearly lost my mind. I finally understand how you fell so fast for Amber. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. That’s why I’m here. I know how important her work is, and I want to be the guy she knows she can count on in good times and bad. I want to be the guy who makes her happy and makes her life easier. Then this shit hits the internet, and her life becomes a fucking spectacle.”
“I get it. For what it’s worth, she told her family she’s not happy about the headlines, but she’s happy with you.”
I park and cut the engine. “I know she is, but you know how social pressures can become too much. Nolan is doing what he can to shut down any negative noise, and Kane’s team is doing the same because of Sable being her twin. I’m just glad we’re in Virginia. It’s not like there are paparazzi hanging around.”
“One of the benefits of being in a small town. Just so you know, I asked Shea to monitor it as well.” Shea Steele is Dash’s PR rep. “I don’t want any of this negatively affecting Amber.”
“I appreciate that, and I’m sorry about all of it. How’d you two skate under the radar when you got together?” I ask as I climb out of the vehicle.
“I was never a playboy like you. Your reputation sells.” There’s a reason Dash was never that guy. After his father abandoned their family, Dash became a father figure to his siblings and helped his mother in every way he could, much like Ben. In our buddy group, Dash was always the voice of reason, like Seth, but with a boisterous personality.
“If I could go back and warn my younger self…” I scoff. “Who am I kidding? Seth, my old man, and my grandfather warned me not to play the field the way I did. I was too arrogant to listen.”
“I remember telling you that, too, but give yourself a break. Most guys who are thrown into fame go that route. You got it in check, and you haven’t been that guy for a long time. This will pass. But you know what’s not in the news?”
“What?”
“Anything about your extension. What’s going on with that? I figured you’d have it sewn up by now.”
“Not even close.”
“What do you mean? Are you thinking about retiring?”
“Fuck no” comes out on instinct.
“Really?” He sounds a little surprised.
“Yes. No . I don’t know what I’m thinking, man.” I push a hand through my hair, gritting my teeth against the worries eating me up inside. Football is all I know, but the social shit and business end can be draining, my arm is turning to shit, and as fucked up and egotistical as it is, I want to go out a winner, not a fucking loser. And the worst part is that my decision will impact my team, my fans. Pepper . I know I can talk to Dash about this, but even the thought of trying to figure it out is overwhelming.
“Remember how scared I was when I first started thinking about retiring?” Dash reminds me. “Retiring was the toughest decision I ever made. I had no clue what I’d do after writing that book. But then Amber and I got together, and life figured itself out. I have zero regrets, and now Amber and I are hoping to start a family soon.”
I’m surprised by the unexpected pang of envy I feel. Not necessarily about having a family, although I do want one eventually and I’ve been thinking a lot about that ticking clock Pepper mentioned, but I think it’s more that Dash has his life figured out. He’s made it to the end zone, and I’m stuck midfield. Like I got the snap, but I’m unsure whether to pass it or run it in myself.
“That’s awesome, Dash. I’m happy for you and Amber. You’ll be amazing parents. Sorry, man, but I’ve got to run. I appreciate you checking in, and don’t worry, Pepper is in good hands.”
After we end the call, I head over to the café to get a latte for my girl.
The redheaded waitress is busy with a group of chatty older ladies sitting at a table, each with the same book in front of them, and Clare is serving a Black couple at the far end of the counter. There’s a light-skinned young Black boy who looks to be around eight or nine sitting by the register making his way through a milkshake as he plays a handheld video game. I remember being a little kid and feeling like a big kid when I could sit away from my parents.
“Which football game is that?” I ask.
“ Wild Card ,” he says without looking up, his brows pinched in concentration.
“Cool. Looks like you’re good at it.”
“Mm-hm. I play football.”
“Really? What position?”
“Running back.” His attention remains on the game. “My brother says I’m fast as lightning.”
“I bet you are. Do you enjoy it?”
“Mm-hm. I’m gonna go pro when I grow up.”
Clare heads my way, slowing in front of the boy. “Finish that up, Sammy. We’re leaving soon.”
I remember Trina mentioning her brother Sammy, and I realize he must be Clare’s son.
“Mm-hm,” Sammy says.
“Hello again.” Clare flashes a sunny smile. “Flying solo today?”
Pepper and I had lunch here on Sunday. “I’m on my way to see my girlfriend and thought I’d bring her a French vanilla latte and pick up a half dozen chocolate chip muffins for her officemates.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
“Is this your son?”
“Sure is. Sammy woke up with an earache. I swear elementary schools are like petri dishes.”
Thinking about when her daughter came to work with her, I ask, “No sitter?”
“Do you know what sitters charge these days? It was either a sitter or a doctor’s bill. We’re heading to the doctor as soon as my shift is covered.”
“Your boss doesn’t mind you bringing the kids to work?”
“He doesn’t have a choice. He owns three businesses, and I usually work in the offices handling the administrative side of things like payroll, inventory, and everything else under the sun. But the man’s a cheapskate, and there’s a revolving door in this place. Which is why I’m working as a waitress, and he’s got to take what he can get.”
Her employer sounds like an ass. “How long have you worked for him?”
“Too long,” Sammy drawls.
“You’re not wrong, honey, but let’s keep that to ourselves, ya hear?”
“ Yes ,” he says reluctantly.
Her kind eyes find mine again. “I’ve worked for one of his businesses or another for seven years. Started as a waitress and went wherever he needed me.”
“That’s a long time. Why do you stay?”
“I can’t afford not to.”
“ Clare ,” the cook calls out from the other side of the pass-through to the kitchen. “The delivery guy needs your signature.”
“Can he wait a minute?” she asks with irritation.
“No, I cannot. I’m already late for my next stop,” a man, who I assume is the delivery guy, says from behind the cook.
She turns back to me. “I’m sorry. Can you excuse me for just one minute?”
“Take your time. I’m not in a rush.” I watch her go into the back and have a sharp conversation with the delivery guy and the cook as she signs whatever was so important.
She returns looking a little harried. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. One latte and a half dozen muffins coming up.”
As she goes to fill the order, I’m surprised to see Ben walk into the café. “Hey, man. I thought you had class this morning.”
“I do, but my mom has to take my little brother to the doctor, so I’m covering for her. Don’t worry. I talked to my professor. He’s cool with it.”
Sammy spins around at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Ben!” He runs to Ben and throws his arms around his waist.
“Hey, buddy.” Ben pats his back. “How’s your ear?”
“Hurts like a somebitch .”
Ben looks at him disapprovingly. “What did I tell you about that language, Sammy?”
Sammy hangs his head. “Not to use it.”
“That’s right, little man. And it’s son of a bitch , not somebitch .”
“Can I say that?” Sammy asks excitedly.
“ No ,” Ben says sternly, and his little brother pouts. “Little man. Do you know who this guy is?” He motions to me, and Sammy shakes his head as their mother returns with my order.
“Hi, honey,” she says.
“Mom, this is the guy I told you about last night. Clay Braden. The quarterback for the Giants.”
Mom? Pieces of Ben’s life are coming together like a puzzle in my head.
“You’re a real live quarterback?” Sammy exclaims. “Can I have your autograph?”
“ Sammy ,” Clare chides.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I’d be happy to give him one.”
“Yes!” Sammy does a fist pump and runs behind the counter. “I’ll get paper!”
“All right, settle down,” Clare says as Sammy darts through the kitchen doors. “That’s awfully nice of you, Mr. Braden.”
“Clay, please.”
“Clay, then,” she says sweetly. “Ben told me you’ve been practicing with him every day. Thank you for spending so much time with him.”
“It’s my pleasure. Ben’s a good kid, and he’s got real talent. He’s sure to go far.”
“Speaking of going, Mom,” Ben says. “You better take off if you’re going to make Sammy’s appointment. I’ll ring Clay up.”
“Don’t be silly, honey,” she says. “This one’s on the house.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
Sammy runs out from the kitchen waving a piece of paper. “Wait! He’s gonna give me an autograph!” He hands me the paper and pen. “Sammy is S-A-M-M-Y.”
“Got it.” I learned early on to use my fame to help kids stay in line, and I scrawl, Sammy, study hard, be a good friend, and listen to your mother and your coaches. I look forward to seeing you play. I sign my name and hand it to him.
Sammy beams as he reads it aloud, and Clare mouths, Thank you .
As they head out, Ben says, “Thanks, man. You just made my little brother’s lifetime.”
“Happy to do it. Do you cover for your mom often?”
He lifts one shoulder. “Not really. Are you still cool with meeting me and the guys later?”
“Definitely. I look forward to it.”
Pepper
“There’s my girl,” Clay says as he walks into my office carrying a box from the café and what I know is a latte.
My heart still trips up every time I see him, and this morning it’s got an extra little something to trip over. “Hey, you.” I come around my desk, brimming with happiness. I breathe him in as he kisses me. “I had a nice surprise about an hour ago, you sneaky thing.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“I received a call notifying me that my company name has been added to the directory downstairs. How did you get that done so fast?”
His lips twitch like he’s stifling a grin. “Who says I did anything?”
“The building manager.”
“Damn. I was trying to keep that on the down-low.”
“You’re amazing. How did you do it?”
“Where there’s a will…”
“ There’s a way . Yes, I know.” I go up on my toes and kiss him again. “Thank you. That was really sweet of you.”
“I’m just making sure my girl gets the respect she deserves.” He hands me the latte. “How’s your day?”
“Better now.” I peek into the box. “You don’t have to bring goodies every time you come here.”
“But I get to see that smile when I do.”
“Let me clue you in on a little secret. My smile is not because of the treats.”
“Mine is,” Chris says as he walks by my office door.
“Hey, Chris,” I call out.
He circles back in his wrinkled slacks and half-untucked dress shirt, flashing a warm smile. “What’s up?”
“Would you mind taking these muffins to the kitchen?”
“Happy to, but I can’t guarantee they’ll all make it there.” He takes the box from Clay. “Thanks for keeping us stocked up with the good stuff.”
“My pleasure,” Clay says.
Chris turns his attention to me. “I had an idea. Since Clay gets so much social media coverage, maybe he can talk up some of our work. That might help gain more funding.”
It was a big relief not to have received any flak from our funding sources over those unflattering headlines. Although, I did have to resort to putting the phones on auto answer because of the media trying to reach me. As if I have something to say? No, thank you . The attention has also brought an even bigger influx of unqualified applicants for the receptionist position. But on the upside, Ravi, Chris, and Min rallied around me the morning after the news broke, and my family has checked on me a lot the last few days. When they realized I was past wanting to hide my head in a hole, they made light of the situation, which helped me move on from the sting of it. The new headlines are less obnoxious, pointing to a serious relationship, but they still make me a little nervous. If Clay and I don’t work out, I worry I’ll face more public humiliation. I said as much to Sable earlier, and she said not to let the public steal my happiness. One look at Clay solidifies how right she is.
“Chris, Clay is not our marketing rep.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Clay says as he shrugs off his coat and hangs it on my coatrack. “It could help with funding.”
“No, no, no . I’m not going to turn you into a billboard for my company. Chris, we’ll be in the lab.” I take Clay by the arm and head out of my office.
“Why are you so against my help?”
“I’m not against your help. I’m against using you for my company’s gain. I can just imagine the headlines. Is Mr. Perfect Being Played for His Fame? No, thank you .”
We head into the lab, and I set my coffee on the table where I laid out the measuring tools.
Clay takes my hand and pulls me into his arms. “I know you’d never play me for anything, but you’re doing important work, and my face does sell. Maybe in this case headlines shouldn’t matter.”
“When it comes to my business, they do. I just think it’s best to keep our relationship separate from my work. Now take your shirt off.”
He grins wickedly. “Is this a personal visit, Dr. Montgomery? Because if you’re asking me to take my clothes off personally and not in order to take measurements for research and development reasons, then I’m going to proceed a little differently.”
My entire body goes into heck yes mode. My nipples pebble, my insides flame, and my mouth even waters at the thought of all the delicious things we could do.
“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” he says coyly.
“It’s really unfair that all you have to do is imply something dirty and my brain turns to mush.” That earns a bigger grin. I swat his chest. “Stop grinning.”
“I can’t help it if you’re adorable.”
“You make it impossible to be serious.”
“Trust me, Reckless. I know you’re serious about me.”
I shake my head, but now I’m grinning like a fool. “Take your damn shirt off, Braden.”
“That’s it, baby, get sharp tongued with me,” he says as he takes off his shirt.
He leisurely places it on the table, plants his hands on his hips, and draws his shoulders back, giving me a show and bringing with it flashes of our last few nights together. We’ve been staying at his place, and we not only christened the hot tub, but we got down and dirty in the kitchen, the living room, on the dining room table, and in the gym. Who knew a weight bench was so versatile? But it isn’t just those things that have my heart thrumming. It’s the small, unexpected things. The closeness of cuddling on the couch and watching a movie, the intimacy of waking up in the arms of the person who always makes me happy, and the comfort of holding hands as we walk down the street.
He grabs the button on his jeans, snapping me from my reverie.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warn.
“Always so controlling,” he says in a low voice. “Just like in Paris when you tried to convince me our first night together didn’t happen.”
“Clay, if you don’t stop it, I’ll get one of the others to take your measurements.”
“I’m just messing with you. I’ll behave.” He sits on the table.
I take a deep breath. “Thank you. Now, as soon as my heart stops racing, we can get started.”
He laughs and tugs me between his legs. “You make it impossible not to fall for you.”
My heart skips. “And you make it impossible for my heart to beat regularly.”
“Well, then, Dr. Montgomery, you are utterly stunning when chemicals are mediating your attachments. The question is, are they mediating it to romantic or lustful feelings?”
“I plead the Fifth.”
A while later, I’m almost done taking measurements of his hand and wrist, and ready to start on his chest. “I was thinking about skipping the shoulder and chest area, but I think we need it, at least to start. We’ll put an inertial measurement unit on your wrist, to read the sensors on your fingers, and another one wherever it’ll be the least intrusive, to read the sensors we place in the shoulder and chest area. Those measurements will be processed to give us a number of finger and arm positions, movements, and acceleration data, which will help map the results.”
“I have no idea what you just said, but it sounded sexy as hell.”
I wonder if he knows there’s nothing sexier to me than the way he appreciates my mind. “Such a charmer. How was your morning?”
“Good. I had a great workout, and Tiffany called. She rescheduled the meeting for Tuesday to meet with that potential sponsor, which means another trip to the city.”
“That’s great . I’m glad you didn’t lose the opportunity.”
“They need me more than I need them.” He smirks. “As you know, this face is a sought-after commodity.”
“It’s a good thing arrogance isn’t hereditary, or your future children would be in trouble.”
He swats my butt, and I laugh.
“Hey, you’ll never guess who Ben’s mother is.”
“Who?”
“Clare, from the café.”
“Really? That’s wild. How do you know?”
“Ben walked in to cover her shift when I was there. He skipped class so she could take her other son to the doctor for an earache. She said she had to make a choice between paying a sitter and paying the medical bill.”
“I can’t imagine being in that situation. It’s awful that Ben had to miss class to fill in for her. They’ve been understaffed for months.”
“That employer should be ashamed of himself.”
“Why doesn’t she get another job?”
“She said she can’t afford to. I didn’t pry, but I really want to help them. I don’t know what you’re paying for your receptionist position, but I wonder if it’s more than what she’s currently earning. She said she usually works in the office handling bookkeeping and administrative duties.”
“I’m offering a competitive salary, but if she does bookkeeping, I could pay more. That would save me from doing it, which would also give me more time for research.”
“That’s a good point.”
“I wonder if she has health insurance through her company, because I offer that and retirement, too, which could also save her money.”
“I don’t know, but it sounds like it’s worth a conversation.”
“You’re really something, Mr. Braden. I’ve probably seen Clare a hundred times over the past year, and I never slowed down enough to get to know her. Shame on me .”
“Give yourself a break. You’re a busy girl boss.”
“That’s no excuse. She makes my latte every day, and I appreciate it and go there because of it, but I don’t see her . I see a woman who makes great lattes. That’s not how I was raised, and it’s not who I want to be. I’m going to make a concerted effort to change that.”
“We’re all guilty of it, babe.”
“That doesn’t make it right. I’ll talk with her tomorrow morning, and if she’s interested, we’ll set something up.” I guide his arm up above his head while I take more measurements. “You know what’s sad?”
“That you made me keep my pants on?”
“ Yes , you poor, sexually deprived man,” I tease. “If you can get beyond that horrible deprival, think about how many other families are in the same position. Families who make ends meet the best they can, and then a kid gets a big break, and they have to continue to shoulder the burden of helping support their family. I bet there are a lot of families in that situation.” I finish taking the measurements of his chest and move to his back.
“It’s an eye-opener for sure. It makes me realize how privileged I was at that age. How privileged I still am. I’d like to give them money, but I did that when I first hit it big, and it was a huge mistake.”
“Why? What happened?” I move his arm to another position. “Keep your arm still if you can.”
“I got played by a young kid and his family. It cost me a lot of time and money, but I learned a hard lesson. Not all people are good or honest. That’s why I set up the Playing it Forward Sports Scholarship. There are rules and criteria that have to be met in order to qualify, and it allows me to help young athletes without being taken for a ride.”
“I didn’t know you offered a scholarship. That’s a great way to give back.”
“I’m glad I can do it. I award a dozen scholarships a year, and I commit to doing it each of the four years they’re in school if they maintain the academic and sports requirements.”
“That’s amazing. Couldn’t you do the same type of thing through a foundation or something similar for low-income families like Ben’s? You could set up criteria that have to be met just like you did with the scholarship program, only it would be for families of kids who receive sports scholarships, so the kids could focus on school and their sport.”
His brow furrows. “You might be onto something. They could get a grant from the foundation equivalent to whatever that kid was contributing. Or more if it makes sense. I’ll have to talk to my finance and legal guys to figure that out.”
I finish the measurements and put down the instruments. “Do you really have enough money to do something like that?”
“More than enough, and after meeting Clare and Ben and her other kids, it really drives home just how much extra I have.” He pulls me close again. “I love that brilliant mind of yours, Reckless.”
The emotions I’ve been tamping down try to spring up and cling to the word love . He’s looking at me the way he does so often. Like I’m the only thing he sees or wants, and I know it’s true, because he tells me all the time. But that doesn’t mean he’s in love with me. He loves my brain the same way I love his body or his mouth. Not in the same way I’m falling for him—deeper by the moment as his generous heart touches the part of me that has driven me into a lifetime of helping others.
Struggling not to reveal my hopeful heart, I say, “I’m glad, because it’s the only one I have.”