Chapter 29
Vee
With two vehicles as options, it took some persuasion, but I convinced Fin that my plug-in hybrid was better on gas milage for our one-day trip than his giant truck.
Although I never allowed any other man in my life to drive my Mercedes, letting Fin drive to Bowling Green was his compromise for using my car.
Between his height and bulk, I giggled as he settled into the bucket seats. Every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of his cerulean orbs, chiseled chin, high cheekbones, and firm lips and marvel that we were back to where we’d been that Thanksgiving my sophomore year at Kentucky.
That wasn’t accurate.
Our first time to have intercourse was on New Year’s Eve, later in the year of Thanksgiving at the Grahams’. Fin and I were miles ahead of where we’d been long ago. My cheeks warmed at the memories of his waking me this morning.
While our sex life was active, mornings were our most sensual time.
There was something about starting the day with a connection that made the world easier to face.
In times of stress, I could recall the way his hands roamed, the scent of his skin, the taste of his lips, his expression of ecstasy, and the sounds that filled the air.
We were over two hours into our drive, on 65 nearing Bowling Green, when I asked, “Do your parents still live in the same house?”
Fin shook his head. “They have two sons who play in the NFL. After years of my dad being stubborn, Zane and I convinced them they deserved an upgrade, courtesy of the two of us. After all, we wouldn’t be where we are without them.
Our childhood home was more than fine. We had great memories there. But it required upkeep.”
The genuine sincerity of Fin’s sentiments was evident in his deep tenor. That emotion filled me with a complex combination of admiration for the home life his parents created and a sense of loss at what my family evolved into.
“Their new place is bigger,” Fin said, “not as in a mansion or a hundred rooms.”
“Daphne’s place doesn’t have a hundred rooms.”
Fin scoffed. “Their home is newer construction than their old one—less maintenance or upkeep. The yard work is taken care of by the community, but Mom can still plant her flower gardens. It’s a smaller neighborhood, and all the neighbors are close.
Mom plays mah-jongg every Tuesday night with ladies, and Dad golfs on Wednesdays in a neighborhood league.
It seems like in the summer there’s always a cookout, and in the colder months they do something called First Friday.
The first Friday of the month the neighborhood meets in one house, everyone pitching in food and wine. ”
Leaning back, I watched the trees along the highway. The only green came from the occasional pine variety. The deciduous trees were bare skeletons blowing in the breeze. While the late November day was cool, the sun shone through a cobalt sky. A sigh came from my lips.
Fin’s large hand came to my slack-covered thigh. “Deep thoughts?”
“Not really. Is your family what a normal family is? I mean, one day, do you want to retire to a small community and play golf?” I turned toward him, taking in his handsome profile. “I need to confess: I don’t know how to play mah-jongg. I’m not sure what it is.”
He laughed. “I don’t know what I see for retirement. I think we’re a little young to consider it. I know my days as a player are limited. I guess I always thought I’d do something else in football.”
“Like what?”
He shrugged. “I have my degree in communication. Maybe broadcasting.”
“Have you thought about coaching?”
“Funny you should ask. This week Troy and I have been working with Josh Jackson. I feel more like a coach than a player. I wish I could say he’s as quick at learning plays as you.”
I scrunched my nose. “Oh no. Is he not good?”
“Fuck. Forget what I said. This is Fin talking to Vee,” he said, shaking his head, “not a player to the owner. Josh is good. He’s talented. Has a hell of a throwing arm. He just needs practice with the plays. Erhardt-Perkins is complex.”
A grin teased my lips. I knew it was complex. “What would he do with ‘Gun right – Jet 36 X-option?’”
Fin turned my way, his blue eyes simmering with something that made my core twist. “That’s fucking hot.”
I laughed.
Fin repeated the play. “He’d be calling for a halfback pass, replacing the handoff with a pitch, allowing the running back to throw the ball downfield.” His eyes again flashed my direction. “Have you seriously been working on plays with all that’s on your plate?”
“After that strip play calling we did a while back, I decided I needed to either work on plays or accept that I would be the one undressed.”
“I like you undressed.”
My smile grew as I imagined the man at my side as he was this morning in bed and the shower. “Same. Besides you cheated.”
“I did not cheat.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I hummed. “You resorted to trick plays.”
“The play you just called is a trick play.”
I squared my shoulders. “I know. I asked Drew to give me some trick plays.”
“Who’s cheating now?”
We were now off the interstate and winding through local streets filled with stoplights.
Traffic was relatively light considering the holiday.
A large stone sign signaled that we entered a neighborhood.
The homes were all very nice with about a half acre of property each.
He pulled into the driveway of a lovely red brick ranch with white trim.
Fin moved his grasp to my hand. “It’s too late to turn around.”
I squeezed his hand back as the front door opened and Theo, Lisa, Zane, and a woman I didn’t recognize came outside. “This is exactly the break I need.”
Fin leaned over and kissed my cheek before getting out of the car. By the time I opened my door, Fin was there. However, it was Zane who was the first to offer me a hand.
I laid my hand in his.
Zane’s smile bloomed. “Vee, we’re glad you decided to forgive this oaf.”
A quick peek at Fin, holding the bottle of Dangerous we brought, and I said, “We both made mistakes. I’m glad he forgave me.”
“Vee.” Lisa came forward with her arms outstretched and wrapped me in a hug. When she pulled back, her smile was gone. “We’re so sorry about your father.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile. “Thank you for the invitation. I remember what a delicious Thanksgiving dinner you made years ago.”
Lisa Griffin was in her mid-to-late fifties with a trim figure and long light brown hair with blond highlights, pulled into a low ponytail. Her blue jeans and light-blue sweater showcased the same sapphire-blue eye color as her sons.
Theo Griffin was a little older than his wife. His dark hair had transformed to mostly gray. While his days of coaching football were over, his physical fitness was evident. I guessed that he walked more rounds of golf than he rode.
Lisa lowered her arm around my lower back and motioned to Theo and the woman. “You remember Theo.” Her smile grew. “And this is Ashley, Zane’s girlfriend.”
Zane wrapped his arm around Ashley who looked both happy and a bit nervous. If I were to estimate, Ashley was in her late twenties. She was also petite, especially standing next to the center of the Minnesota Vikings. Her blond hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that swung when she moved.
“Nice to meet you,” she said.
“Zane,” Fin said. “You sucker. You didn’t tell me you were bringing Ashley.” Fin flashed his handsome smile. “Nice to finally meet you. My brother talks about you all the time.”
“I have to,” Zane said. “Fin never shuts up about Vee.”
Ashley and I shared a smile. It was nice to have someone else new to the dinner.
Lisa pushed Zane out of the way and led Ashley and I into their lovely home.
The walls and trim were cream, contrasting beautifully with the multi-shade wood flooring.
A fire crackled in the fireplace, complete with a mantel filled with family pictures and decorated with fall leaves.
The open floor plan and high ceiling allowed the natural lighting from the various windows to fill the rooms.
Lisa led us to the large kitchen brimming with delicious aromas. The sleek dark cabinetry contrasted with the white marble walls. Three-globe light fixtures with glowing Edison bulbs shone over a large island. The table was set for six.
Fin’s mom stopped and looked at me. “Fin told me you don’t eat meat. I have a lot of options for you.”
As pink filled my cheeks, I whispered. “No red meat. Not a lot of white meat or fish, but I do make exceptions. Your turkey will be an exception.”
Her smile grew. “Just know you don’t have to eat anything you don’t want to eat.”
Laying my hand over my stomach, I confessed, “Lisa, I’ve been looking forward to this meal ever since Fin mentioned it. I believe I’ll eat everything.”
“I haven’t mashed the potatoes yet.”
I flashed a look back at Fin, but he was in the living room talking football with Theo and Zane. “Did Fin tell you I remembered that?”