Chapter Thirty-Two
Jake
Samantha Conway is talking about something.
I’m not even listening. Monday afternoon, sitting on the opposite side of a conference table from her and I’m trying to curtail the rage that’s swirling deep in my gut.
Rage that’s been there since Dalton pulled me over, still on the field in the final moments of the fourth quarter, the Titans defense weary from the pounding they just took, and told me that Serenity had been fired.
Brody Conway couldn’t resist, and he threw her under a bus.
It had felt good there, for a brief second, still inside the stadium after the win, thinking Serenity and I might just have gotten away with it.
But then there I was, on the sideline at forty yards, smashing my helmet to the ground, for which the NFL has slapped me with a violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The team flew back from Tennessee this morning. Now I’m in a conference room at the Danube, flanked by Dalton on my left, Harmony Rees to my right, and facing off with Samantha Conway, Kathleen Lafferty and Coach Holland.
‘The matter will be handled internally,’ Sam Conway is saying.
She’s trying her darndest to be civil, because she knows I’m the reason we beat the Titans by the margin that we did, and the Mutineers can’t afford to have me giving anything less than my best right now if we wanna make the playoffs.
‘Since you have not broken any terms of your contract, you will be given a small fine, and we will leave it at that. Miss Harper has resigned her position—’
‘You fired her,’ I interrupt in a low growl. ‘You fired her personally and you had her remove her uniform in your presence. You demeaned her on purpose, and because you knew you could, and she was helpless to do anything about it.’
She levels her eyes on me. ‘Mr Walsh. Would you speak to my father in that way?’
‘I would if he’d had the balls to show up to this meeting, yes.
As I would your son. But he seems to have been conveniently removed from this picture, when you know, whether you’re prepared to admit it or not, that he was your so-called anonymous sender, and that he was the one continuously harassing Serenity these past few weeks.
How hard did you have to beg the Jaguars to give him a job? ’
She might not be squirming on the outside, but I can see it in her face. ‘My son is going to Florida to gain valuable experience—’
I open my mouth to make a cutting remark, because I’m through with her grinding my gears, but Dalton interrupts me, loudly clearing his throat, to ensure that I don’t.
We agreed before this meeting took place that it wasn’t a good idea for me personally to burn too many bridges, and not just because I’m signed with the team for the next four years.
‘Ms Conway, perhaps we should address the elephant in the room,’ Harmony says to my right.
‘The matter of clause five in the CMC contract. We’re all adults here.
It shouldn’t matter if a cheerleader and a football player fraternize with one another, or date, so long as both parties are consenting, and they behave in such a way that doesn’t bring the Mutineers brand into disrepute.
Jake and Serenity have done nothing wrong, surely, it doesn’t—’
‘She broke the rules, Ms Rees,’ Sam Conway snaps. ‘There are expectations. On all of the girls. Especially you.’
Harmony doesn’t hesitate. ‘How about we start by referring to them as women?’
Samantha grits out every syllable. ‘The girls uphold and maintain a certain standard, which is in line with the Mutineers brand. There are expectations about how they carry themselves, and that does not, and will never include, cavorting with football players.’ She looks to me and adds, ‘No matter their worth.’
‘What about your standards?’ I query. ‘Your chosen theme song for the CMC? The music video takes place in a strip club. And how about calling on the paparazzi when you’re trying to force me to date your daughter? How about you try holding yourself to account?’
‘Enough!’ Samantha Conway hollers, hammering her balled fist down onto the glass surface of the table, in a way that reminds me of Kale McCoy.
‘You may date Miss Harper, Mr Walsh, if you so wish, now that she is no longer a cheerleader, though given her history, I’m surprised that you would want to.
She will not be getting her job back as a member of the cheerleading squad.
There is no appeals process in such circumstances.
She knew what she was doing. And you, Mr Walsh, are fined one thousand dollars for misconduct.
You were aware of the terms of the CMC contract. You defied them anyway.’
‘One thousand?’ Dalton says and shakes his head. ‘The NFL fined him more than five grand for tossing his helmet. Let’s face it. You’re afraid of pissing off your MVP. And clearly anyone here who’s not a football player is expendable.’
‘I agree,’ Harmony echoes.
‘Rules are rules, Mr Briar,’ she says tersely. ‘Like it or not.’
My rage hasn’t abated. My gaze shifts to Coach Holland.
He can’t look me in the eye. This guy eats, lives and breathes football.
He’s coached here for more than ten years.
He knows that Samantha Conway could fire him in a hot minute.
He has a reputation for never getting involved in players’ personal lives.
Kathleen Lafferty, too, hasn’t said a word, maybe for similar reasons. Fear of the Mutineers’ matriarch.
I get to my feet and the chair legs scrape across the floor. Dalton and Harmony follow suit.
‘Then we’ll consider the matter closed?’ Samantha says.
I fix her with my stare. I can’t remain in her presence a moment longer, else I’m gonna lose it.
‘Guess there’s not a lot more I can do,’ I say, and head for the door.
I head straight from the Danube to The Bounty parking lot.
At just after four, I watch as Serenity walks out the door.
I get out the pickup and she comes running straight into my arms. I capture her lips in mine, not caring who’s watching.
Her arms go around my shoulders. I’m starting to think I should have arranged for my own paparazzi, specifically for this moment, just so it’s clear to the whole of Canyon who I’m interested in.
We talked last night on the phone, for the first time since she was fired, and again this morning.
‘How did it go?’ she says, breaking the kiss, glassy eyes searching mine.
My mouth set in a grim line, I shake my head.
Her shoulders slump. ‘I appreciate you trying for me.’
‘It’s alright,’ I say. ‘I spoke with Cap and Harmony after. We’re moving to plan B.’
She raises concerned eyebrows. ‘You’re sure about that?’
‘With what the CMC has planned, it should send a clear message.’
She swallows hard. ‘I don’t want you to lose your job for me.’
I stroke her hair. ‘You lost yours for me.’
‘I’m not the one headed for the playoffs.’
‘That’s not the point.’ I kiss her again. ‘I do know where you are headed though.’
Her eyes widen again. ‘We’re going right now?’
I’m taking her to meet my parents and River. Gramps headed home already. Mom’s cooking dinner, and I’ll be damned if Serenity’s not staying over. ‘Are you cool with that?’
She smiles and nods her head, holding onto my waist. ‘Is your Mom…?’
‘She’s excited to meet you.’
‘Am I gonna pass the Mom test?’
‘I told her I’m crazy in love with you, so I think you already did.’
She bites her lip. She’s so cute when she’s worried. ‘Can I pick up some flowers on the way over? Just in case there’s a chance she doesn’t like what she sees.’
I open up the passenger side door. ‘That’s impossible. But okay, if you insist.’
‘You think Serenity’s passed the Mom test?’
I watch as River leans her head back, away from the sink, both her arms immersed almost elbow-deep in the suds. I follow her gaze. Dinner over, Serenity is still at the table, talking animatedly to Mom and Dad. Riv and I promised we would share the task of washing the used pans afterward.
River lowers her voice. ‘I think she’s surpassed any kind of yard stick that might have existed for the Mom test. In fact, I think she just obliterated the Mom test altogether. Look at her. She adores Serenity already.’
I pick up the pan that River just placed in the dish rack and dry it. I can’t help but smile. ‘You think I’m ever gonna get her back?’
‘I hate to say it, but you might have a job on your hands. This might be the first of your girlfriends Mom’s actually liked.’
I glance back. My heart swells just watching her, because I knew Mom and Dad would take to her immediately.
‘Seriously,’ River continues. ‘She’s really something. You guys make a very cute couple. I’m so happy for you.’
‘Thank you.’ I wrap my arm around her shoulders and plant a kiss against her hair. ‘When you next seeing Wylder?’
‘He’s video calling me in, like, fifteen minutes.’
‘So, you guys are serious now?’
River blushes. ‘I like him. I like him a lot.’
I’m happy for her too. And that she’s finally settled into school. ‘Did I hear Dad say you’re bringing him to the game Sunday?’
‘Already organized the wheelchair access. Is there gonna be a game to watch?’
I raise my brow. ‘I wouldn’t wanna speculate.’
‘You realize Sunday night your golden boy era comes to an end?’
I laugh. ‘Thank god. ’Bout time I embraced my wild side.’
River sobers. ‘For the record… I think that what you’re doing for her… well, it’s special. It takes balls. Standing up for somebody less powerful than you like that. And it’s gotta be worth a try.’
‘Even if they fire me?’
River punches me in the arm, sending soapy water everywhere. ‘Especially if they fire you.’
It’s warm in my room. Even with the air con at full blast, Serenity lies naked with me atop the bed clothes, our limbs intwined, breathless post-climax, our bodies radiating heat in the darkness.
The fact that she just fell apart for me twice in quick succession – the first time the result of me just using my tongue – fills me with a deep satisfaction.
We lie there for a few minutes, coming down, cradling one another, our heart rates returning to normal.
‘Jake?’ Serenity says after a moment as she traces a line down my face with her finger.
‘What is it?’
‘I’m scared.’
I draw back and search her face in the shadows. ‘What are you afraid of?’
‘Everybody’s sacrificing so much for me. I’m not sure I deserve it.’
I kiss her. ‘I want you to know,’ I tell her, ‘that you come first. Above everything. I see you, and I see the rest of my life stretching out before us. And we’re happy.
Whether or not I remain in the NFL. I don’t see it as a sacrifice; I see it as choosing to live my life the way that I want to.
With you by my side. And you deserve everything.
Your entire life, you’ve hustled. You’ve given and given.
You don’t have to do that anymore. It’s just a simple fact that everyone else agrees with me. ’
I feel drips of moisture on my fingers, and I realize Serenity is crying. She pulls me to her. ‘Thank you,’ she whispers against my mouth before she grants me the sweetest kiss. ‘I know I said I didn’t need a hero, but I’m glad that I have one all the same.’
I rub my thumb across her cheeks to dry her tears. ‘I’m here. No matter what happens. I love you. You own my heart.’
‘I love you,’ she says with a gentle sniff, and I feel another surge of tears wet my fingertips. ‘My heart belongs to you. I promise that it will, for always.’
That same heart that she’s referring to, well it sings.
I roll her onto her back, one hand pressing against her inner thigh, coaxing her to open her legs so that I can nestle between them.
My dick swells instantly, pressed up against her pussy that’s still warm and wet for me from before.
I kiss her deeper this time, loving the way she moans and writhes against me, wrapping her legs around my waist. It’s so easy to lose myself in her.
‘I knew from the moment I saw you at that grocery store that I was never gonna want anybody else,’ I whisper.
She strokes my face. ‘I knew from the moment you came to my house that night and decided not to judge me. You’ve never judged me. You always accepted me for me.’
I don’t wish to make light of the intense moment, but I can’t help it. ‘I mean,’ I say with a smirk, ‘I did think you were a virgin at one point.’
Sweet laughter escapes her lips. ‘Other than that little blip. Nobody’s perfect.’
I lean down and kiss her, slower this time. There’s an electric current between us that has desire shooting up my spine. The little sounds that escape her lips only make me harder.
‘Jake,’ she murmurs, all needy, and once more I’m reaching for the box of condoms on the nightstand.
When I slide inside her welcoming warmth for the second time tonight and our lovemaking begins again, I know that I’m home.
Because home is where Serenity is. And I know nothing about that will ever change.