Page 195 of The Surprise Play
She huffs, crossing her arms and glaring at him. “I just hate it when they screw up like that. They had gold, and they turned it into a pile of steaming cow turd.”
I quietly giggle, too scared to ask what movie they’re talking about. It’s obvious they’ve just been out running together, and they must have gotten into this discussion partway through.
Carson sighs, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Rubbing her sweaty back, he rolls his eyes at Wily, and you can almost hear him thinking,“Women!”
I cross my arms, boldly giving him a pointed look. He’s got an amazing woman in his arms, and I hope those red cheeks he’s sporting are to do with him getting my silent reprimand and not the fact that he’s recovering from a run.
“This is why we should just stick with the oldies,” he murmurs, his lips twitching as he pulls back and cups her cheeks. “So, why don’t we head upstairs, take a quickshower together, and then put a littleTerminatoron my laptop.” He waggles his eyebrows.
Nylah smirks. “You trying to get me hot with a sci-fi, alien, robot movie?”
“You bet I am, kitty cat.”
She fights a grin. “I should really hate that it’s working.”
“Should you?” He swings his arm around her shoulders and starts guiding her out of the kitchen. “Now I’m trying to decide if I should be worried that the thought of a movie about a killer robot from the future turns you on more than the idea of showering with me.”
She giggles, reaching up to peck his cheek. “They both do, caveman. They both do.”
“Yeah, right,” he murmurs. “Maybe we should start with the movie, and I’ll get you all hot and bothered. Then I can do you in the shower.”
My nose wrinkles as their voices start to fade away up the stairs.
Turning back to my man, I find him grinning down at me and can’t help a soft giggle. “Your friends are funny.”
“Yeah, they’ll grow on you pretty damn fast.”
“Most definitely,” I agree. “You live with very cool people.”
“I do.” He kisses the tip of my nose, then looks just a touch sad. “I’m gonna miss them when I leave.”
And the air around me suddenly weighs three thousand pounds. It’s impossible to keep my smile in place.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I nestle my head against his chest and murmur, “I’m gonna miss you when you leave. We all will.”
Kissing the top of my head, he rubs my arms beforeholding me close. “What are we gonna do when I’m drafted?”
I squeeze his back. “You’re gonna go and play football, and I’m gonna watch every one of your games.”
“Will you fly out to see me play?” His voice rises hopefully.
I lean back to take in his expression. I wish I could tell him yes, but I can’t afford that. Instead, I smile and promise him, “No matter what happens or where you end up, I will always support you. I know how much you love football, and I’m excited that you’re gonna follow your dreams.”
“But I love you too.” He looks pained as he cups my cheeks.
“You playing football doesn’t need to change that.” I rest my hand over his, knowing the answer is not that easy and not wanting to spoil what has turned into the most incredible day. “Let’s not worry about it now. We still have a few months before you graduate.” Stepping back up against him, I will myself not to cry when I think about him leaving me and how horrible that’s going to be. “Right now, we just need to focus on getting you ready for the Scouting Combine thing, and then the drafting in April. Who knows, maybe you’ll get picked up by the Broncos.”
I say it so hopefully and squeeze my eyes shut, wishing it with all my heart.
I don’t want this man to leave me!
But I love him enough to let him go when the time comes.
I can’t do anything else.
Because football is his dream, and I can’t stand in the way of it.
CHAPTER 60
