Page 18 of Baller's Surprise Baby

I’m seated at an outdoor table in the garden when she arrives. The moment I catch sight of her, I immediately stand. Her eyes are covered with a pair of shades, and she’s got on red ankle-length slacks below a white sleeveless blouse with ruffles and tassels covered by a blazer and silky scarf. Today’s a warm November day for Texas, and her outfit is airy, chic, and sophisticated. Everything about her makes me feel more alive, and I’m glad I managed to clean up after practice to don a silver-grey suit for the occasion.

I pull out her chair for her, and she slides her shades off before settling back, folding her hands in her lap and leveling me with a look. The moment I lay eyes on her all of my fears fly out the window, and suddenly I know everything’s going to be fine. I hold her gaze and then feel myself relaxing into a smile.

“Hey there, Merlot.”

Her eyebrows quirk, but her eyes crinkle when she responds, “Hey there, Coke and Rum.”

“I wasn’t sure you would show.”

“Hmm, I thought about skipping out,” she answers honestly as she taps her nails on the table. We’re sitting in dappled sunlight and there’s a mild breeze blowing, so I watch as the wind lifts small tufts of her hair in a rippling effect. She seems to shake off the negative thought and leans forward to peak at the menu on the table. “I’ve never been here before. What’s good?” And with that we jump right back into normal. We give our orders, and a few minutes later she glances around at the greenery before asking, “The indoors was crowded, and it’s such a beautiful day. How come no one else is eating outside?”

“I just wanted a little privacy with you.”

She turns wide eyes on me, “So…you rented the whole garden?”

“Something like that.” I’m gratified at the impressed look on her face, but that’s not why I brought her here. Reaching forward, I rub a finger lightly over the back of her hand. It’s a tiny gesture, but the connection is immediate and intense. Glancing up, I feel something akin to satisfaction when I see her pupils dilate and her nostrils flare. It’s not just me. She feels it too. Thank God!

“Everly, I’m sorry.” I hold her gaze as I say it, letting her see my regret, letting her know how much I mean it. My voice goes husky with emotion when I continue a few seconds later, “You turned my world upside down in one night, and I swear I touched heaven…” She’s staring at me arrested, perfectly still with a small, guarded look in her eyes.

“I don’t ever want you to think you’re not important. You’re like a boulder in the middle of a rushing river. You’re steady, strong, and unmoveable. You made me want things I’ve never wanted before. I’ve spent all my adult years as a rolling stone…but you make a man want to stop rolling.”

She drops her eyes and taps her fingers on the table again before setting her jaw and lifting her gaze back to me.

“You have my number now.”

I nod my head slowly.

“Don’t ghost me again.”

“Yes, ma’am”

“And don’t think I’m jumping back into bed with you just because you apologized.”

“I would never dream it.” I move my hands to gesture as if I’m crossing my heart even as I feel a victorious smile spreading from ear to ear. She squints her eyes at me with some kind of schoolteacher look, but a second later I see the corners of her mouth twisting into a small grin and her body relaxes more fully into her chair.

The server brings our drinks, and we chat about game schedules, photo shoots and upcoming holidays over lunch until our time is up. On the way back to the American Airlines Center she hitches a ride with me and my driver, and I find myself staring at her, basking in her presence, suddenly feeling that same sense of awe that hit me in the hotel room. I can’t believe this is the kid I grew up with.

When we reach the project room where a lot of the documentary editing is taking place, she waves to Dustin, and I stop at the door. She’s got a soft glow on her face when we say goodbye. She turns away and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, I snag her wrist and pull her back. She turns to me just as I swoop in to plant a firm kiss on her lush lips.

It’s more than a kiss. It’s a branding, and I feel her meet me in the middle as we let our bodies say everything our hearts aren’t yet ready to voice. I breathe her in as we mesh in a dance of give and take and her scent takes me back to our night at the hotel. When I pull away her hand falls loosely to her side. I drink in the intoxicated look on her face only inches away from mine, then gently I ease back as I whisper for her ears alone.

“Just wanted you to know how I feel.”

And with that, I turn to make my way toward the locker room while butterflies dance inside of me and I will my erection back into place.

I’m scheduled to meet up with Daryl, and it doesn’t take long for him to spread the word I’ve made up with Everly. By the time we’re wrapping up for the day, I’ve heard it all, from lewd jokes about getting whipped to congratulations on sealing the deal and finding “the one.” I laugh it off as a matter of course until I’m saying my goodbye to Coach.

“So, you got yourself a lucky girl, huh Ryder?” Coach asks. I’m checking my bag and glance up at the man, surprised. Normally Coach sticks to game matters.

“Ryder, come over here, would you?” Coach waves me over. “It wouldn’t happen to be that photographer working on the documentary, would it?”

I don’t like the direction this is going. Not once have I ever seen Coach ask anyone about the woman (or man) they are seeing, so I answer hesitantly.

“Yes, sir. Her name’s Everly.”

He nods his head thoughtfully as he flips through papers on his notepad.

“I like you, Jones. So, I’m going to tell you straight. You need to dump her, or you’ll be the reason she loses her job. For HR reasons, they can’t have anyone with a personal interest working on the project.” I stare in disbelief at him, horrified at the thought. What the hell? I just got her back! But Coach is still talking, and his next words ring in my ears for hours afterwards.

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