Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chloe
As we weave through the crowded concourse, I grip Rich’s hand. The last thing I want is to get lost in a sea of people–an overly drunk, high-fiving, chest-bumping crowd of overzealous fans.
“That was an amazing game.” A man I’ve never met with red paint smeared across his face grabs my waist and lifts me into the air.
Rich skids to a stop with his arm extended and spins around to see where I went. I’m now a balloon with my only teether being Rich’s hand.
The guy’s eyes widen, and he drops me to the ground. “Shit, man. I thought you were Linda.”
“Does she look like a Linda?” Rich glares at the guy and wraps his arm around my middle. “If you grope my woman again, I’ll kick your ass. ”
“Dude, I’m sorry. My wife was behind me, and she’s wearing the same team jersey.” It’s hard to tell if the man’s face is redder or not due to the paint.
“Right. That’s what they all say,” I mutter ready to junk punch the guy.
“Doug?” A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a red jersey with Tony’s team number on it, grabs the man’s arm. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Let’s go.” He grabs her hand and drags the woman away.
“Well….” Rich shrugs. “I guess it was an honest mistake.”
I sigh and lace my arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
“Sugar.” He winks. “I’ll always come to your rescue. That’s what firemen do.” He sobers and cups my cheek, staring down into my eyes as people rush around us, and the crowd thins. “I won’t let anything happen to you if I can help it. I didn’t want to hurt you. And I’m sure not going to let anyone else do it.”
As his hands rub in a circle on my back, I step into him. “I love you.” I shake my head in constant disbelief of my good fortune. “I still can’t believe this is real. I didn’t think you would ever notice me. At least not as anything more than Jenna’s pesky friend.”
“I would have told you ages ago that I wanted to date you, but you were as sweet as cotton candy. Hell, you never even cursed. I was sure you thought I was an oaf and not good enough for you.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I cuss plenty, and always did.” I waggle my eyebrows. “But never in public. I didn’t want my mom’s shoe upside of my head. I’ve never been as wholesome as you made me out to be, and I never thought you were an oaf. You’re sexy, smart, hardworking, and so hot in your fireman’s gear. How could I ever resist you? I don’t want you to be anything other than what you already are. I want you to be you because that’s who I fell in love with.”
“If I ever need a cheerleader, I know where to find one.” He laughs and lifts me off the ground. “I love you, Sugar.”
I reach up and grab his shoulders before I plunge forward and land on him. This time, I don’t mind being in the air. He lowers me and as I return to my feet, I’m plastered to him from head to toe.
“I love everything about you from your heart of gold to your sweet mouth.” His lips land on mine, and I whimper at the contact. It’s hours until we’ll be alone. And that’s way too long. His erection presses into my stomach, signaling I’m not the only one who’s suffering. Maybe we can skip the locker room. I can see half naked guys any time.
Hold the phone. There are half naked football players. There won’t be other opportunities. And Jenna will want a play-by-play. Just because she hates one of the players doesn’t mean another one might not interest her. It’s my civic duty to scope out the landscape.
I pull back. “We should get this over with so we can get out of here.”
“Hussy.” He glares and smacks my ass. I squeal and try to wiggle away from him. “I think there’s an ulterior motive in your quest to get away from me. Are you hoping to catch a glimpse of Gunner in the buff? ”
“Do you really think he’ll be naked?” I bite my bottom lip to keep from giggling.
“You’re rotten. And don’t even think for one second that I’m not going to make you pay for teasing me.”
When he tries to step away from me, I grab his hand. “Don’t go too far. You saw what happened the last time. Some guy felt me up.”
He spins around. “He felt you up?” His jaw flexes as his eyes dart around the empty concourse. The only people remaining are the janitorial staff, who’re pushing brooms and tossing trash into the bins.
“No.” I press my lips together. “But you were getting upset, and I wanted to use an unfair advantage to get back into your good graces.” I wrinkle my nose and give him an innocent look. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you.”
He cups my face and rubs his thumbs over my cheekbones. “I’m not worried about you running off with someone else. I know you love me. I should have always known, but I was too afraid to believe it. You can tease me anytime you want. I want to have that type of relationship with you. One where we can play around–whether we’re in bed or not. Okay?”
“Yes.” I swallow. “I’ve never been in a relationship, and I don’t want to do anything wrong, and ruin what we have. If I do something that hurts your feelings or makes you question us, please tell me.”
“This is what I mean. You’re too good for me. But I’m not letting you slip through my fingers again. I’ve never been in a relationship either. I’ve dated, but I’ve never wanted anything to work. Everyone was a poor substitute for you.”
“Like applesauce when you don’t have vegetable oil?”
“Exactly.” He lays his arm over my shoulders and kisses my temple. “Let’s go see the guys so you can ogle them, and I can take you home.”
As we walk side by side, a row of cars honks down below in the parking lot as they crawl along the street. He smirks, and I elbow him. “You wasted all this time, so they’d be showered and dressed by the time we get there, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “Maybe. ”
I shake my head and wrap my arm around his waist. How did I get so lucky? Just a few weeks ago, I was dating a total pig out of sheer desperation. Thank God I never went all the way with him. For one thing, he was gross and for another, our escapades would have been on some social media platform for everyone to see. Disgusting.
When we make it to the locker room, Tony steps out of the door and waves. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey.” Rich waves back.
“What took you so long?” He glances at the Rolex on his wrist.
“Chloe wanted to see Gunner naked, so I took her the long way around the stadium.”
“Ahhhh….” He nods. “Good play. He’s made a celibacy pact for the season, but Chloe’s sugar is a mighty big temptation for those who eat baked goods.” He steps toward me, and I walk into his embrace. He smells clean like soap and aftershave. The man is one of a kind. I know Jenna hates him but he’s one of the good guys. I just wish she could see it .
“Great game.”
“Thank you.” He squeezes me, steps back, and gives Rich a bro hug.
“Damned good catch, man.” Rich pats his back, steps away from him, pulling me back to his side as if he’s afraid the next time the door opens, I’m going to sneak inside and start stalking the locker room. He has nothing to worry about, I’m all his.
“Thank you. We’re going out to celebrate at Jules’ Italian Restaurant. Do you want to come?”
“No.” Rich shakes his head. “We’re headed home.”
“Stop.” I glare at him. “Tony invited you out. You should go. I told Jenna I’d help her find a place to live anyway. I can scan the–”
“Jenna’s moving back?” Tony’s face is pale as if he’s seen a ghost.
“In a couple of months.” Rich eyes Tony up and down as if he’s evaluating the threat on his sister.
“I see.” He swallows as if he has a lump in his throat, then quickly blinks away the haunted expression on his face. “The invitation was for the two of you. Come on. Gunner’s sister, Veronica, and her daughter, Joselyn, will be there. She’s a cute little pipsqueak. You’ll love her, and it’ll be practice for the future babies.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Are you sure?” Rich asks.
“Yes, I’m sure. I don’t want to take away from your time with your friends.” And it’ll give me the chance to feel out Tony and whether there’s something more between him and Jenna because the reason they hate each other can’t be true.