Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 95019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“That’s not why I’m telling them. I want to bring my boyfriend around whenever the hell I feel like it.”
His lips curl into a smile.
“You know,” I go on, “it’s not gonna be as easy with holidays now that we’re a couple. We’ll have to start sorting out when to take turns with each other’s parents, and then birthdays…probably get on each other’s nerves because you’ll want to go on a family trip without me.” I kiss his neck some more, and while I enjoy the scent of his cologne, he tilts his head, stretching his neck so I have more to cover.
“You keep doing that,” he says, “and I’m not gonna be able to spend many vacations away from you.”
“That’s the plan.”
He snickers. “And you know we have to finish this chicken at some point, right?”
“Give me a kiss, and I’ll let you go,” I say like it’s a stick-up.
He offers the kiss, and I grunt, prying free of him, when I detect a smell that isn’t his cologne.
And suddenly I realize we might have been kissing for a little too long.
I glance over at the chicken. “Uh-oh…”
So my great date-night idea goes south real fast, and despite attempting to save the chicken, we wind up with only a salad, which we enjoy before lying on the couch, rewatching Alien while we wait for pizza.
Mart uses my chest as a pillow, the way he usually does. He stirs before angling his head to look up at me. “Should have known I would mess up date night.”
But with my boyfriend pressed up against me, gazing up at me with that beautiful smirk across his lips, I know there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing right now. “It was actually a perfect date night.”
*
These past few weeks—staying with Mart at Dax’s and working with him on the build—have been amazing. And I’m having a great time down at the shop with Troy and my coworkers, working on cars and goofing off.
If I’d gone on to the NFL, this wouldn’t be my life. I’d be too busy training, gearing up for the season. Not goofing around, enjoying a carefree date night, and having lengthy fuck-and-cuddle sessions. I’m sure other guys would trade it all for the NFL—hell, at one time, I would’ve done the same. But today, this is right where I want to be. Living a much more relaxed life with my guy.
My guy?
Something I never thought I’d be thinking. I never could have imagined I’d be so hung up on anyone, let alone a dude, but I’m totally fine with admitting he’s got me.
And I’ve got him.
Now I want to share this guy with my parents, who I have no doubt will be happy I’ve found someone who makes me as happy as he does.
My parents meet me halfway between Peachtree Springs and our hometown, at a restaurant where we’ve had brunch before. As soon as I spot Mom, she’s already on her feet, hurrying to me. She has a bounce in her step that takes me by surprise, and when she gets close, I catch the bronze tones in her usually fair complexion, how the highlights in her hair are a little lighter.
“Wow, someone got some sun in Europe,” I say as I draw her in for a hug.
“It was a great time to be in Lisbon. The beaches are absolutely incredible. Don’t worry, I have plenty of pictures to bore you with.”
“You won’t bore me,” I assure her.
As she pulls away, she wears a tooth-filled grin, and while I want her to be happy, I can’t help but know it’s because of the time she’s spent away from Dad.
“Come on. Sit down, champ,” Dad says as he tackles me for a hug. “Feels like it’s been forever. I’m fine with you walking away from the NFL, but I’m not fine with not seeing you for this long.”
He’s trying, I can tell, but I know he’s not fine. Hard to blame him either. When he releases me, I observe how he looks completely different from Mom. His eyes are red, like he’s on the verge of tears. He looks as tired as he used to get when we’d be out training through the day or when he’d have to wake up before dawn after a busy day at work to haul me across town for a game.
We settle at our table on the restaurant balcony, overlooking the lake. It’s a gorgeous view, and Mom practically glows in the afternoon light while Dad looks like the life has been sucked right out of him.
I’m trying not to think too much about it, but the way he keeps eyeing her, it’s like he knows the woman he fell in love with all those years ago is getting away from him. And how can I blame her when I don’t think I’ve ever seen her looking this happy since I was a kid.