Page 22 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners
The team and I are in Salt Lake City, where we played the Saints tonight. We didn’t win, but it wasn’t a total shutout, either. My mind wasn’t on the game as much as it should have been, so I try to focus on that and not all the noise in my head about the stalker and if Alexandra’s pregnant or not, but I’m not quite successful.
I want to make sure I tie her down to me in every conceivable way. A ring already sits at home, waiting for the right time, and I’m sure she’ll love my house as much as I do once she sees it. I will even drag her to the courthouse if I must, to give her my name. The baby is it for us. I know she wants one, and I’ve wanted kids with her for longer than not.
After having dinner across the street, I walk into our hotel and notice a few of the guys in the lobby bar. I decide to join them. It’s something I know I should do but haven’t in the past.
“Hey, guys.” I thump Rex Winston, our star kicker. He’s a nice guy, but still green, even though this is like his fourth season. He is blond and built, almost as big as I am. He’s not astall, so he focuses on building muscle and strength, rather than bulk.
“Hey, Murray,” they say in unison. Markus “Jet” Wilson, our running back, is seated at the table. A couple of rookies, too.
“Call me Brayden,” I offer, realizing that I’ve never told them to call me by my first name. I’ve always used my last name with these guys.
The rookies all smile and are excited, while Jet and Rex just stare at me, uncertain.
“Want a drink?” one of the rookies asks, and I decline.
“No, thank you. I don’t drink while on the road anymore.”
Jet nods his head. He’s in his eighth season with the Westerners and is familiar with my past. “I get that. I do the same. Too many risks out here.”
As if on cue, a redhead saunters over to us. I do a double-take for a moment at that hair color, thinking of Alexandra, but this woman is too petite to be my girl, and the red looks fake. When she gets close, I catch the brown eyebrows, giving away that she dyes her hair.
“Hello, sexy. Can I buy you a drink?” she purrs while trying to touch me. I step back, not wanting another woman’s hands on me.
“Not interested,” I bite out the words, pissed off at her forwardness.
“Aww, come on, lover boy. I can make you forget about your loss.”
That right there tells me she knows who I am, and this time, she turns, giving me her back and attempting to rub up against me. When I step away, she begins to fall, and one of the guys grabs hold of her, so she remains on her feet. Something feels off, and I want this woman nowhere near me.
I turn as a soft click sounds; there it is, a photog watching us. I’m in the clear because she didn’t get near me, but still, a part of me worries what Alexandra would say if she saw this.
“Again, not interested. Maybe another guy, but not me.” I don’t mention that I have a girl, which would lead to questions from the guys, but it usually gets these women to leave us alone.
“I’ll buy you a drink, handsome, and then we’ll talk.” She moves off, and I know this is my moment to escape.
“Guys, have fun with her. I’m out of here.”
I rush off, taking the elevator up to my room. We fly home tomorrow, but my girl won’t be there; she’s still in New York. I talked to her earlier, and she told me she was going to bed early because she was tired.
When I do climb into bed, I dream of Alexandra and her being round with my baby.
Chapter 10
Alexandra
Sitting in a new exam room, waiting on a doctor I know nothing about, I shift around, crinkling and tearing the awful table covering.Ugh, why can’t they figure out something other than flimsy paper?The door opens, and I already know what the doctor will say based on how I’ve been feeling lately.
Dr. Grands is supposedly one of the best perinatologists in Seattle. She smiles at me as she looks at the tablet in her hand, then sets it down and folds her arms across her chest, leaning back against the counter.
“How about we start with getting to know each other? I’m good friends with Dr. Jarvis, and she contacted me personally about you. At this moment, we’re unsure if you are carrying multiples, but based on the injection you were given, we should treat you for any risks.” She pauses for a moment, and I let her continue. “I’m aware of what happened down in Portland. I’ll let you know that we keep our pharmaceuticals behind locked doors, and never do we have more than one patient’smedications ready on the counter. Do you have any questions for me?”
“The million-dollar question is, am I pregnant? I’m terribly sorry for the incident at Doctor Jarvis’ office. I liked her and have seen her for several years now, but it’s understandable why she doesn’t want to see me anymore. Unfortunately, whoever did this keeps winning.”
“Let’s get some facts straight before we move on to the test results. Dr. Jarvis didn’t want to stop seeing you but chose to for your safety and well-being. Naturally, you’d worry that another mistake could be made after that one. Plus, she wouldn’t have been able to see you if you’d gotten pregnant. You need to be with a local physician unless you plan to move to Portland.”
“No, I don’t. I have an amazing job that I recently fought hard to keep, so I have no intention of leaving. However, there’s no promise that this person won’t try to come to this clinic too.”
“I’m only available by referral and personally screen every one of my patients. Don’t worry.”
