Page 43 of Making the Call
Luke
As I driveto the stadium for my meeting at noon, my thoughts linger on Danika. She’s the most sensual woman I’ve ever experienced. It’s harder than I thought to leave her at my house and come to work. I convinced her to stay until this morning, assuring her she’d have plenty of time to write yesterday because I wouldn’t be home until at least eight. Knowing I have a full day ahead of me, and I’ll pay for my time off this morning later this evening, I wouldn’t have traded a second with Dani.
By the time I get to the office, it’s nearly eleven. If Harlow had been at her desk as I whisked into my office, I know her eyebrows would have been at her hairline. I’m always here by seven, and I’ve already worked out. I’m predictable as the tide, and I chuckle aloud at the thought of changing my schedule on Harlow. She’d have a heyday.
Normally, I’ve responded to my emails by now, so when I boot up my laptop, I’m inundated with unopened messages. Harlow typically filters through some to answer anything pressing, so her absence and my tardiness is more than noticed.
Before I unbury myself from the mound of impending emails, I pull up the Hilton to make a reservation for my weekend in Seattle. I spare no expense and reserve a suite for our weekend away. I also reach out to the ticket office and reserve two tickets to have available at Will Call for Dani and Damien. The poor woman who took my call, nearly swallowed her tongue when she realized she was speaking to me directly. It’s unprecedented for me to call, and she let me know this. After getting the tickets taken care of, she politely thanks me and offers to help anytime I’m in need. I make a mental note of her name and remind myself to have Harlow reach out and thank her when she returns.
By the time I arrive at our coaches meeting just before noon, I feel unprepared. I’ve never stepped foot into a meeting without watching through the game tape at least once. Fuck. I need to figure out how to balance everything, since I’m obviously not walking away from Dani anytime soon. The timing might suck, but since I’ve never felt the way I do toward her, I know it’s not something that comes around often.Why couldn’t we have met during the off season?
“Hey, Luke,” Tyrell Yates, the defensive coordinator, greets. He holds the door open for me, and we walk through together. “Great game yesterday, wasn’t it?”
“Absolutely.” I nod in agreement. “What’d you think of Reynolds’ performance?” Brandon Reynolds is our kicker. He’s returning from an injury and did one hell of a job in yesterday’s game, but that’s not what special teams’ coaches are consistently saying in practice. “Have you heard from Mendoza?”
“He’s on fire. I’ve spoken with him before the game in Dallas, so if we want to make the offer, we need to do it now. Time’s a tickin’.” No shit, we have until midnight to make a trade offer. My gut says we should get both on the roster, but I’m not sure. If Reynolds returns like I hope he will, it will be a costly choice, should we keep them both.
“Let’s talk with everyone else, then make the decision before leaving the room.” He nods in agreement as I take a seat at the table in the conference room.
As soon as everyone arrives, I stand to congratulate us on our second win. We discuss the players on the bubble, the game yesterday, and how we want to run practice this afternoon. We’re an efficient group, so we’re done with our team meeting with plenty of time to spare.
By the time I get home that evening, it’s nearly eight. Entering my bedroom, I’m assaulted by Dani’s perfume. I take in a deep breath and relive the memories from last night and this morning. Damn, I miss her. We’ve texted a few times today, but nothing compares to having her here in person. She had to meet her grandparents to help them find something they’d left in the garage this afternoon, or I might have convinced her to stay a bit longer. Though it seems selfish to have her stay here all day, when I can’t spend any time with her.
My phone buzzes, and my face lights up when I see a text notification from Dani. Without even bothering to respond, I immediately hit dial.
“Hey, Luke.” Her breathless words make me wonder what she’s doing.
“Did you find what your grandparents wanted?”
“Yeah. I’m just rearranging a few things in the garage now.”
“We can talk when you’re finished,” I offer, not wanting to put her out.
Her giggle makes my lips quirk. “I just finished. They left about an hour ago, so I’m good. Who knew they’d be busier now that they’re officially retired. They want to get to my parents’ tonight, so they didn’t stay like I expected.”
“Get any writing in today?” I ask as I settle onto my couch. Having eaten at the cafeteria this evening, my only plans for tonight include talking to her and watching our next opponents’ game from this weekend.
“I hit two thousand words. I wrote while waiting for the ferry and a bit before my grandparents arrived. I’ll write more tonight.” I can’t even imagine writing that much in a week, let alone a few hours.
“You’re a rockstar. I made our hotel reservations and got your seats for the game in two weeks. I’ll text you the information.”
“I can’t wait,” she says with excitement but then sighs, setting my senses go on alert.
“What’s up?” My attempt at nonchalance is reached, though I feel anything but.
“With you traveling for the next two weeks to Philly, then Atlanta, I’ll miss you.”
Her words make my heart soar, but my stomach sinks at the reality of my life as a coach. “I know… I wish I could make it out to the island to visit you, but my schedule’s pretty tight.” A thought hits me. She knows she’s welcome, right? Fuck. Have I ever actually said the words? I haven’t ever wanted to before. So maybe I haven’t. Shit. “You know, you’re welcome here anytime. But… I have to warn you, I’m not home much.”
“Luke,” she chides. “You don’t have to entertain me.”
“I have to watch film in the evening and prep for the next day… but God, it was incredible waking up with you in my bed.” Just the thought of her lingering perfume makes me miss her more. Christ. How does she have this effect on me?
Wait. That sounds like I just want a booty call. Shit.
Before she can reply, I rectify the situation immediately. “You know…”How do I put this?“I love hanging out with you.”
Love? Did I really go there?
