Chapter 18
JAMESON
We’re late in arriving at Candy Cane Key, and waiting for us as we step off the plane is, of course, my fan club. I laugh as I see Jackson and Mark holding signs that read:
‘Congrats on your early parole’
and
‘So glad the infection cleared up.’
I’m surprised Francesca isn’t here, ready to fight off the paparazzi and defend quotes left and right. There is a small crowd gathering; it’s a given at any time here in Candy Cane Key, but the town generally leaves the team alone. They’re used to the college team and scouts flying in and out.
“My boy!” Dad quickly walks toward me and grabs me up in a bear hug.
I’m bigger than him, not by much, but he still manhandles me like I’m six years old.
We clap each other on the back and hold on for a moment too long, despite just seeing each other last weekend.
No matter how often we see each other, being as close as we are, it’s hard to leave each time.
Letting go of Dad, Mark and Jackson bum rush me, circling me and jumping around, signs thrown to the ground.
“Are you two for real?” Dad picks up both discarded posters, his face twisted up in horror.
“Dash, come on, have a sense of humor!”
“It’s going to be your wife making you sleep on the couch when she sees these in the paper tomorrow, you idiot!”
Jackson only laughs. “I’ll handle her.”
“Hmm, sure.”
I pull Penelope to my side and squeeze her hand. “Dad? Mark? Jackson? I want you to meet Penelope Presley.”
Shyly, she says hello and holds out her hand. But because two-thirds of my favorite guys are complete fools, they wrap her up in a hug.
“Oh!”
Dad pushes them both away from her. “I’m sorry about them, Penelope. I hope my son warned you about these two morons that never grew up.”
“Oh, come on, Dash, we can’t all be permanent grouches like you. Someone’s gotta show everyone how to have fun!”
Shaking my head, I step in, but Penelope cuts me right off.
“I’ve heard all about the dynamic duo, and I can’t wait to meet the women who’ve captured them!”
Silence.
Then laughter.
“Oh, she’s got you two pegged!”
Mark throws his arm around me. “You chose well, kid.”
We walk to the front of the airport. We’re big guys, so we get looked at, but people are being very respectful. The town knows the CCK Ball is this weekend and is probably expecting a lot of players to come in.
We have a meet-and-greet the day after, so I’ll see most of them then.
“Where’s Summer?”
“She’s doing last-minute preparations, then she’ll be at the front door welcoming all the donors as they arrive.”
We stand by the Yukon that is waiting for us and begin loading our bags.
“Gotta make sure no one hits on the Dean’s wife.” Jackson guffaws, and Mark punches his arm. Penelope’s eyes go wide at that comment.
“Total misunderstanding. But Mark always knows how to land himself in hot water.”
“Whatever. That flirtation scored me my girl.”
My hand is ripped from Penelope's as we’re torn apart, and I’m pulled into the truck with the guys.
“Hey!” I yell before realizing Francesca and Mackenzie have grabbed Penelope.
“Don’t worry! Your girl is in good hands!”
Penelope looks a bit shell-shocked, but they all let us loose for a moment. We both move towards each other instinctively, and she wraps her arms around my waist, and mine go around her shoulders. I kiss the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you at the ball, Pip.”
“I’ll be waiting, Jame.”
“Now this is what a professional quarterback looks like.”
“I’m standing right here.”
“Jackson, stop making everything about you.” Chuckling at my dad’s dig at my former coach, I watch his eyes drift over my shoulder, and a smile curves his lips. I can tell by the way they're lit up that he's only looking at one person.
The fixing of my tie is quickly completed, and he walks past me.
“He just spotted Summer, didn’t he?”
“Catch you fools later!” he yells as he walks off, tossing up the peace sign in the air.
Jackson claps his hands. “There’s my cue!”
Mark follows right behind him. “Love you, bro, but my woman is much better looking than you.”
I turn, and my breath catches. It’s like a scene straight from a movie. I’ll admit it’s cheesy. But that’s me. I’m a lover. A romantic. And this is my moment.
My girl.
She looks different, but I’d recognize her anywhere. Summer, Francesca, and Mackenzie all steady Penelope, and I smirk to myself. She’s watching the floor as she takes baby steps, holding her dress. But when the guys crowd her and the girls, she comes to a stop and looks up.
And when our eyes connect, I know I’ll never want another woman like I want her.
“Stay where you are,” I mouth to her, and she smiles. Her glasses are gone, and her wild hair is in elegant curls. Her dress is hunter green and clings to every curve that I cannot wait to get my tongue on later.
I make quick steps to her, pulling her by the waist and into my space. Not caring who’s watching, I bend down and kiss her shoulder, her other shoulder, her forehead, then her lips. In a “this should be saved for later” moment, I cup her cheeks and capture her lips.
I’m completely lost to her, and I don’t think she realizes it.
“Hey! Hey! You’re gonna lose the QB next-door image if you don’t control yourself. No parent wants to see their kid’s idol tonguing down their date in the papers.”
“Mark! Jesus! Can you ever just tone it down?”
“Dash! Come on, bro. You’re not used to me yet?”
I pull away, ignoring Mark and my dad. “You are spectacular. Just absolutely perfect, Penelope.”
She blushes. “I’ve got contacts in. But not sure how long that’s going to last, and the girls insisted I leave my glasses, and if I have to take these out, I’m blind as a bat, and I won’t be able to see where I’m walking or who I’m talking to—”
I place my hand on her lips. “I’ll guide you wherever we need to be. I won’t leave your side. That’s the truth.”