36
VALENTINA
Me: Hey Nico. Any problems since the statement was released?
Nico: Hi gorgeous. No, everything is pretty chill. I’ve had a few photographers stalking me and some “fans” volunteering to fill the spot of my girlfriend, but I let them know my girl is safely by my side. Right?
Me: I’m glad that it all is coming to rest. How’s Nick?
Nico: He’s fine. No fallout with him and Scottie, no additional digging. Your statement really covered it all and I think, for the most part, people have moved on. Have you? Are we okay?
Me: Let me know if you need help with anything else.
Nico: Baby, I miss you. Please forgive me.
Me: Thank you for the beautiful necklace. I wish you wouldn’t have spent money on me. It wasn’t necessary. Especially since we aren’t together.
Nico: It was necessary. You deserve spoiling and I’m happy to do it. And you can’t say we aren’t together if we’ve never broken up. We’re simply on a break.
Me: Okay Ross. Whatever you say.
Nico: Who’s Ross? Do I need to kick his ass? Did he touch you? I swear to god Valentina, I’ll pull his fingernails out with pliers, slowly and painfully.
Me: It’s from a show. Don’t worry your crazy little head. Thanks, again. Good luck on Sunday. Are you guys in the playoffs?
Nico: Aaaa. Looks like someone’s been watching. Yeah, we’ve secured number one seed. I wish you would come Sunday. Monty and Killeen have asked for you.
Me: I know. Monty has bombarded me with calls. He said now that you’ve healed, you’re needing your “lucky charm”.
Nico: He’s right. Those touchdowns just don’t feel the same without you watching.
Me: I’m watching.
Nico: I knew it!! Just get it over with and tell me you love me already. This game is just silly, Valentina San Ramón.
Me: I need to think.
Nico: With the amount of “thinking” you’ve been doing over the last couple weeks, you should be a ranking member in MENSA.
Me: You’ve got jokes, kid.
Nico: And you’ve got my heart in your hands.
Nico: VAL!! The gift! This is the best thing I’ve ever received. I wish I could hug and kiss you right now.
Me: I’m so glad you like it. It took a little bit of searching, but the equipment manager was able to find your first official game day jersey.
Nico: It’s amazing. Mom and Dad are wowed. Mom cried…as usual. They miss you. Want to come say hello?
Me: I’m in Cali and won’t be back for two more days.
Nico: Right. I forgot.
Nico: image attached Found the perfect spot for it.
Me: That’s a mighty big picture. Maybe you should just highlight the jersey and get rid of the pic.
Nico: Never. I’d get rid of the jersey first. Your pictures will hang on my walls and live in my mind forever.
Me: Merry Christmas Nico.
Nico: Merry Christmas mi Reina. I love you.
Nico: I hear you’re going to the Drillers New Years Eve party with Chase and Lucy.
Me: Yeah. She guilted me into it. Be safe with the guys. I’m happy to hear you three finally made up.
Nico: I don’t know that I’m going to NY anymore. Too many people. I just want to stay in and cuddle up.
Me: Oh. And who are you cuddling up with?
Nico: You, if you say yes.
Me: Well if you end up in NY, be safe. And try to stay out of the headlines.
Nico: I love you, Valentina. My new year’s wish will be to have you back in my arms.
“ L ucy, I really hate you right now. Why did I let you talk me into coming to this damn thing?” The crowd of football players, their significant others –or not so significant– and Drillers donors is growing by the minute.
Monty and Killeen really went all out, yet again.
Gold and red decorations touch every surface of their luxurious home, and an abundant amount of waitstaff walk around with trays of food and drinks for guests to gorge on.
Apparently those are just the apps because they have a fabulous meal planned for everyone.
“Because I was not about to let you stay home by yourself and pout into a bowl of spicy dill pickle chips, wishing you could be with Nico but being too bull ass stubborn to do so.” We walk side by side, cocktails in hand and searching for Chase who disappeared into the sea of people.
“I would not be–” She pans me a knowing look. “Okay. I’d probably be sulking. But at least I wouldn’t have to be stuffed into this dress.”
I look down at my body and run a hand over the velvet fabric but can only feel the inside of my matching red gloves. Somehow I let Lucy not only talk me into coming to this party, but she also convinced me that a wine red strapless velvet gown with matching elbow high gloves were necessary.
Like the last over the top party the Montgomery’s had, this one had a theme for the night.
And while it’s not as creative as All That Glitters , Royal Gold is pretty impressive.
Gold being that of oil, and royal being the color red.
Since I already wore a gold gown, I thought it was only fitting to wear red this time around.
However, the dress I originally had in mind was nowhere near this extravagant.
“Once that clock strikes twelve, I better see some smiles from you or so help me Valentina, I will sock you right in the vagina.”
I clench my thighs and cover the area with one hand. “Ouch. Why so hostile? Geez.”
Lucy sticks her tongue out at me and we continue to move through the crowd until we spot Chase
And Nico.
“Did you know?” I grit through clenched teeth.
“Know what? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” She sashays in their direction, ignoring me and sipping her drink.
With a heavy sigh, I follow her and continue to squeeze my thighs for and entirely different reason.
Nico stands next to Chase, eyeing me from head to toe as I do the same to him.
A three piece suit in a very familiar deep red paired with a black button down shirt makes him look like we were cut from the cloth.
The top few buttons are open and he fingers the gold chain that always hangs from his neck.
When I reach his face he licks his lip then bites it to really drive the nail into the coffin that is my sanity.
When I finally come to stand toe to toe with him, Lucy grins and exclaims, “Oh look! There’s…someone we know. Let’s go talk to them, Chase.” She grabs his hand and tugs him away before either Nic or I can blink.
“Wow. You are ravishing.” Nic takes my hand in his and kisses the back of it. “You take my breath away, mi Reina.”
I smile and hide my face, turning it down, to disguise the buzz that flows through me. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”
When I look at him again, he reaches out and touches my necklace. The one he gave me that matches the earrings he gave me. The pulse in my neck jumps from his touch and I’m sure he can see the goosebumps that roll across my shoulders.
“So I guess you didn’t make it to New York,” I joke.
With a small shake of his head he says, “How could I go to New York when the only place I want to be is next to you?”
I gulp down the squeal and stomp on the girl who is kicking her feet inside of me.
She’s jumping on the bed in her nightgown and begging me to please let that boy sneak in our window and do naughty things to us.
I try to put up a fight and tell her now is not the time to give in, but my voice is sounding a little more like Charlie Brown’s teacher and less like that uptight woman that I’ve known for so many years.
My knees quiver and my thighs quake. What am I waiting for?
“Nothing,” I whisper and Nic looks at me confused. That quickly changes when I say, “Fuck it,” and wrap my arms around his neck.
One hand balances the martini glass, trying not to spill it down his back, and the other hand palms the back of his head as I dive into a kiss.
He wastes no time in grabbing me and returning it with fervor.
His hands glide up and down my back, and his moan into my mouth is pure music.
Our tongues reunite, missing the way they danced with one another.
No one else kisses like Nic. He makes my heart race, my knees weak, and turns my mind to mush.
It’s the best feeling in the world.
We kiss like we aren’t standing in the middle of a crowded room with a captive audience, and we fade away into our own world where nothing can break us.
“Awww. You guys made up.”
Except Lucy with her cooing and tears. Our foreheads press together and we share the same smile and adoring eyes.
“Attention everyone,” a voice booms through the room and we all fall silent. “The dining room is now open. Please eat and drink and dance to your hearts delight.” Killeen stands at the top of the double winding staircase, Monty next to her and a drink held high.
The guests clap and begin moving towards the tent where lavish tables have been set up. A band already plays, putting everyone in a jovial mood, and the four of us look for a table to occupy.
“There’s one,” Chase points out and waves to Bash, letting him know to save us a seat.
Nic twines our fingers together and he tucks me close to his side. We only get a few steps when a hand on his arm stops us.
“Nico,” a woman purrs. “I thought that was you. It’s so wonderful to see you again. I was hoping you’d be here.” We face the woman whose voice drips in allure and malice, and Nic turns stiff. “We’ve missed you. Where have you been?”
His jaw clicks with anger and his eyes shoot fire at her. “What are you doing here Sonja?”
“I was invited.” She points to an older gentleman that looks about fifteen years her senior and filthy rich.
Sonja? The bitch from the club ?
When her hand reaches out once more to touch him, I grab her wrist and squeeze it painfully.
“Do not touch him.” Her face blanches before taking on the appearance of the Devil’s mistress.
“You must be the girlfriend.” Her voice is low and threatening, but she has no idea who she’s fucking with.
“I am. And I’ll be your worst fucking nightmare too if you touch him or even breathe in his direction again.” She tugs on her hand, trying to snatch it away from my vice grip.