Page 76 of Fumble

Chapter Twenty-One

HUNTER

The press isin love with Faith. They see her quirks the way I do—endearing and refreshing. From the moment she stepped up to the podium, they were completely beguiled by her every word. She didn’t hold back. Any question they threw at her, she answered with the blunt honesty I’ve come to admire so much.

If I’m honest, I thought I’d have to forfeit the Hall of Fame to be with Faith, and I was happy to do it. She’s worth whatever I had coming, but yet again, the universe has seen fit to give me better than I deserve.

She’s stepped up her game as my personal assistant, and with every public appearance, the journalists spend more time talking with her than they do me. She’s fascinating. From a fumbling drive-thru confession, whispered ridicule in every corner of the media, she’s become the NFL’s princess. Our story has become the stuff of folklore.

I’m not the knight in shining armor, I’m the one hopeless in the tower, saved by the love of my fair maiden. The trending hashtag for Faith is #LadyFumble. I don’t think we’ve managed a single public appearance without incident from spilled drinks, to foot-in-mouth comments, dancing faux pas, to shutting her dress in car doors, multiple times, but like me, the press finds it strangely endearing. It’s amazing to watch her blossom.

She’s always been confident and ballsy as fuck, but she always felt the need to apologize for being the white flamingo in a sea of pink elegance. I fucking love that she is learning to embrace that side of herself with the same confidence she displays in the rest of her life.

Tonight, we have a black-tie dinner before we leave for the Hall of Fame festivities. I have plans for her in the coming days. She’ll be by my side as I accept the greatest accolade of my career, ready to step into the next phase of life with me. I just need to get her through tonight without incident. But first, I have a quick errand to run. Coop and Zee are going to swing by and pick Faith up at my place and meet me at the hotel.

Strolling out of my closet, I’m rewarded with the sight of Faith in nothing but a skimpy satin robe, her hair in rollers, and her makeup half-done.

“Holy smoke. That tux is mouthwatering on you, babe. Can we skip dinner?”

“It would be a damn sight better if my tailor didn’t have to butcher the sleeve to accommodate these stupid bandages. I can’t wait to get rid of them. I want to be able to rip that robe off with two hands.”

“Tomorrow. The pins were the big part. Now that they’re gone, you just need to take it slow. You know it wouldn’t be wise to go out tonight without some kind of protection on. If you get hurt, it could set you back weeks.”

“When did you become the voice of reason? You don’t like me ripping your clothes off?”

“I prefer it when you use your teeth.” Holy fuck. The last thing I need to be sporting right now is a boner. She looks up at me from beneath those long lashes, licking her lips, knowing how hard she’s making me.

“Fuck. I wish I had time to use my teeth right now, but I seriously need to go do something before this dinner.”

“Vague much?”

“It’s a surprise.” I lean in, pressing my lips to hers in a fervent kiss, my hand sliding down the front of her robe. The swell of her breasts has my cock swelling until it aches for her. “Fuck. I really have to go, love. I’ll see you at the hotel. Coop will be here in an hour to pick you up. I love you.”

“I’ll be ready.” It pains me to leave her when we’re alone. If I could keep her all to myself twenty-four seven, I would.

“Later, love.” As I head to the door, she calls after me, and I turn to the most incredible sight. Dropping her robe to the floor, she stands before me, naked and hot as fuck with nothing but a diamond necklace adorning her soft curves.

“Just wanted you to know this is all I’ll be wearing under my dress tonight.” I literally have to bite my knuckles and force myself to take a step away when every inch of me is desperate for her touch.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Miss Fairchild.” It takes all my self-control to walk out the door, but this is something that can’t wait.

* * *

Sitting in the driveway,phantom pain pulses in my ribcage. This place has so many warm memories for me, but they were wiped out the last time I was here with Faith. Coach hasn’t spoken to her since we were here. She puts on a brave face, but I know it weighs on her.

The girl has a gritty determination. She’s standing her ground with her family, and I respect her for it, and I know it isn’t all about me as much as my ego would protest to the contrary. As close as she is with her folks, it was a pressure cooker. If it weren’t me, it would have been another guy. I just thank my lucky stars every day that she picked me. If she hadn’t had the determination of an Olympian, I’d have walked away out of obligation because the optics wouldn’t look good for me. And that would have been the biggest travesty of my life.

Switching off the engine, I’m left with uncomfortable silence—the calm before the storm. I’m more nervous than I was getting out of my car on prom night. I’m about to face-off with a father who is deadlier than some random high school date, and he knows with alarming certainty that I have done all kinds of unspeakable things to his daughter.

Steeling myself as I walk the steps to their door, I take a deep breath, an inmate walking the green mile. The doorbell echoes in the surrounding trees. Agonizing moments tick by until the sound of the key turning in the lock causes my balls to shrink up inside my body. Those boys aren’t coming back down any time soon. Fuck, I’m nervous.

Faith’s mom peeks her head out the side of the door.

“You shouldn’t be here, Hunter. You’re not welcome. Dennis won’t be happy.” Her gaze goes to my car. “Is Faith with you?”

“No, ma’am. I need to speak to Coach.” Her eyes well with tears, her shoulders slump.

“Is she okay? I miss her, but what she did… what you both did, Dennis is angry. He’s my husband, and I want to respect his wishes, but I think about her every day. I see how happy she is in pictures with you. I just need to know it’s not an act for the media. Is she happy?” My heart aches for her.

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