Chapter 28
Fin
My Monday morning alarm came too early, especially considering the team’s plane didn’t return to Lexington until nearly two in the morning. Though I didn’t want to wake Vee last night, I went to her place not mine. There was a pull to spend time with her I couldn’t resist.
When I arrived, Vee was sound asleep. Even the beeping of the security alarm didn’t rouse her. Images of our secret rendezvous Saturday night were playing in my mind, mixed in between memories of her on the sideline. Despite my desire to touch her, I couldn’t make myself wake her.
“Make it stop,” she said sleepily at the chime of the alarm.
Reaching for my phone reminded me that I’d been run over by a bus yesterday.
After I turned it off, Vee curled her body into mine.
Kissing the top of her hair, I wrapped my arm around her.
Ignoring the tenderness in my side and chest, I said, “This seems like a recipe for being late to Maker’s Mark. ”
Her warm hands came to my bare chest as she blinked her gorgeous eyes. “I didn’t know if you’d come here or go to your place.” Her lips curled. “I approve of your decision.”
“You were out last night. I don’t think you even heard the security system beep.”
Vee rolled away. Staring up at the ceiling, she sighed. “Leigh and Hayden brought me home last night.” She lifted her fingers to her temples. “I think Hayden drove my rental and Leigh brought me home.”
I widened my eyes. “You think?”
“It’s all a bit fuzzy.”
My laugh filled the bedroom as I sat up, leaning over her. “Ms. Hubbard, were you drunk?”
Her gaze met mine as she grimaced. “I mean, legally—possibly. Let’s just say that it was a good choice not to drive.”
I brushed my lips over hers, inhaling a sour vodka aroma. “Cosmos?”
Vee nodded.
“How many?”
Pressing her lips together, she shrugged. Then her eyes opened wide. “Shit, what time is it?”
“My alarm was set for six.”
Shoving me away, Vee threw back the bed covers. “I’m supposed to meet with Don at seven this morning.” She hurried toward the bathroom. “I’ll shower fast, and I should make it.”
My torso made its presence known as I sat up on the edge of the mattress.
I was reminded of what I told Vee after her car accident.
The next day is always worse. Shrugging it off, I followed the trail of Vee’s sleep clothes into the bathroom.
My cheeks rose in a grin at finding her naked at the vanity brushing her teeth.
The shower was running, no doubt warming the water.
Lifting my arm to the door jamb, I stared at her round ass.
Her stunning green stare met my gaze in the mirror and she shook her head.
“I just wondered why you’re meeting Coach Tilson so early.”
Vee spit and rinsed before turning toward me, completely nude, disheveled, and sexy enough to harden my already-hard morning wood.
Her smile dimmed as she looked down at my chest. “You’re bruised.”
I rubbed my fingers over my breastbone. “I keep telling you big guys want to knock me down.”
“But you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. They checked me out in the tent. Why are you meeting with Coach Tilson so early?”
“He told me last week that he and Dad had standing Monday morning meetings where they discussed the game without anyone else. He said he’d be to my office today at seven.
” She walked toward the shower and opened the glass door.
“I need to hurry.” Her eyebrows arched as her eyes pointedly looked down to my erection, not well hidden under my nylon shorts.
“If not, I’d help you with that problem you have. ”
I walked toward her with a grin. “I’m sure you could explain to Coach that you are going to be late.”
Vee shook her head. “Past experience tells me that you’ll be erect again. This is my first day-after-game meeting as owner, and I don’t want to be late.”
Leaning down, I brought my lips to hers. The vodka scent was replaced by minty freshness. “Let me get you some coffee.”
“Only coffee,” she said, stepping into the steamy stall. “I’ll worry about food after my meeting.”
I let out a long breath and watched as she stepped under the warm spray.
I feared the familiarity Vee and I shared in the past would never be resurrected, yet it had, as effortlessly as slipping on a glove.
We missed fourteen years of each other’s lives.
Watching her lather her long hair, I wondered if maybe as devastating as it had been all those years ago, perhaps the end result was better.
We both had our lives on our own terms. We were no longer children with ideals.
We were adults who knew life’s ups and downs.
It was time to find out what life could be together.
Her silhouette through the glass and steam was perfect. The Greek goddess Aphrodite, renowned for her grace, allure, and supreme physical perfection, had nothing on Vee. “I could join you,” I offered with a grin.
“No.” Her answer was immediate.
Chuckling to myself, I wondered if my day would get better or worse after starting out with a full-out rejection. On my way to the kitchen, I decided the view I’d just enjoyed was a sufficient consolation prize.
Vee was dressed and blow drying her hair by the time the coffee brewed. Stepping into the bathroom, I was bombarded with the sweet aromas of lotion, shampoo, and perfume.
“I found a travel cup,” I said, setting the hot Coopers’ cup on the vanity. “I figured you could take it to go. Cream no sugar.”
She turned off the dryer and turned to me. “Thank you. I didn’t get a chance to tell you good game.”
“Yeah, you did.”
Vee tilted her face in question. “We haven’t spoken since Saturday night.”
I reached for her waist and brought our hips together. “Every time I looked at you during the game. You were all sexy in that dress and cowboy boots.” My smile grew. “Every time I made eye contact with you, you were telling me what you thought.”
“I think I was more nervous about winning than I’ve been all season.” She took a ragged breath.
“Why was that?”
She shrugged. “It was the first game without Dad. I was afraid if the Coopers lost, it would be held against me.”
“By whom?”
Vee shook her head. “We can talk tonight.” Her eyes opened wide. “Unless you’re ready for some alone time. I’d under—”
My finger landed gently on her lips. “I want to be with you.”
Her smile returned. “Good. That’s what I want.”
“It’s 6:35 a.m.”
“I’m hurrying,” she said, turning the blow dryer back on.
I was sitting at the kitchen island with my tablet as Vee came out of the bedroom looking beautiful and professional.
Her hair hung in a long braid over her shoulder.
The little bit of makeup she’d added and the emerald-green blouse caused her eyes to pop.
The bruise on her cheek was almost invisible.
Black slacks and high heels and a soft white button sweater completed her look.
A light cloud of sweetness engulfed me as she came close and kissed my cheek.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“I could drive you if you’re still tipsy.”
She swatted my shoulder. “I’m not. Don’t tell secrets.”
I lifted my right hand. “I solemnly swear.”
Vee’s cheeks rose and her green orbs shone. “I trust you.” She turned around and grabbed her leather bag off the sofa and disappeared out the front door.
I wasn’t needed at the football center this early, but that didn’t mean I shouldn’t get ready.
It was closer to eight thirty when I pulled up in the line to enter the parking lot.
Shaking my head, I saw the news trucks and reporters standing on the side of the road. “Give up,” I said under my breath.
“Graham,” Coach Tilson said as I entered the locker room.
“Yeah?”
“Lacy Reynolds is expecting you in the trainer’s office.”
She was a certified athletic trainer and a physician’s assistant who had completed my physical when I first came to the Coopers.
“I’m fine. I was checked out on the field.”
The coach lifted his eyebrow. “Go see her before film at nine.”
Exhaling, I acquiesced. “Okay.”
After hanging my jacket and tossing my duffel bag into my locker, I saw Troy Dennison coming toward me. “You ready to retake the spotlight?” I asked.
He flashed me with a million-dollar smile. “You know it. How about you?”
“Front seat to legend making.” I meant what I said. The warrior in me wanted to start. The man nearing thirty-seven years old was ready to take the back seat. “Tilson is sending me over to Lacy. Apparently, they’re worried about me.”
“That’s a good thing. The Coopers give a shit about all the players. I was upset when I was placed on the IR, missing four weeks.” He nodded. “But now I’m back and I feel good.”
“Glad to hear it. I’ll see you in films.”
The large room in the training center was buzzing with various players who were feeling the aftereffects of our tough game.
“How are you feeling, Fin?” Lacy asked as I entered.
I flashed her my best smile. “I feel too good to be examined.”
She pressed her lips together. “Well, I’m not asking. You took a big hit yesterday. We need to run a few tests. What about soreness?”
“You’re not asking,” I said with a smirk. “Are we talking about nonconsensual examinations?”
“You consented when you signed your contract. Soreness?”
“A little. My chest and side are bruised.” I lifted my right arm, showing Lacy the underside of my forearm. “Some abrasions.”
“Come back to an exam room and let me see your chest.”
“I can strip right here.” I looked around. “Most people in this room have seen me naked.”
“I don’t need you naked, Fin. Come with me.”
I did as she said. Once she closed the door, I removed my shirt. “I’m fine.”
She came closer and lifted her fingers to my chest. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the contusion. “Any trouble breathing?”
“No.”
“How about pain?” She pushed on my sides.
I winced in one spot. “Okay, that spot is tender.”
Lacy reached for my wrist. “Your pulse is rapid.” Looking at her watch, she continued to hold my wrist. “It’s ninety beats per minute.”
“That’s within the normal range.”
“Not for an athlete like you. It could be a symptom of something else.” She pressed her lips together. “I’d like to do an x-ray and CT scan.”
“Why?”
“You could have a broken rib. The CT scan will look at your lungs and heart.”
“Lacy, I’m fine.”
“That’s what we’ll find out.”