Page 17 of Playing for Keeps
“Be nice,” I whispered, before turning back to Hannah, who was still sitting on the couch. “Hannah, this is my friend Lana. Lana, this is Hannah.”
“Hannah,” Lana spoke with a smile. Hannah stood and made her way beside me, pulling at the bottom of her shirt. I placed my arm around her waist. “Nice to meet you.” Lana continued.
“Hannah Marshall,” I added.
Lana, with a raise of her brows and a shocked expression, looked at me. “As in Coach Marshall?” I licked my lips with a nod; Lana’s stare locked on me; I knew that look better than anyone. The ‘did not approve’ glare.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Hannah said, breaking the awkward moment.
“Likewise,” Lana said, returning her attention briefly to Hannah, until the sound of a little girl squealing came into the room, followed by Easton.
“I won!” She said with a giggle.
“You cheated,” Easton said, his attention lifted to Lana, Hannah, and me. “Well, morning.” He said with a cheeky grin. Shaking my head, I stepped from Hannah and moved to the little girl, lifting her in my arms, giving her a hug and kiss, as she did the same.
“Who’s that?” The little girl asked. I looked at my brother, then the young girl in my arms, and took a few steps back to Hannah. I knew I’d have to introduce them, though I didn’t think it would be this quick, let alone in front of Lana and my brother.
“This is an important friend of mine, her name is Hannah.” I watched as Hannah smiled at the girl, taking her hand in a gentle shake.
“Nice to meet you,” Hannah said happily. “What’s your name?”
“Sofia.” She answered.
“My daughter,” I added, Hannah, with a surprised expression as she brought her attention back to me.
CHAPTER 17
HANNAH
He was a father. How did I miss that? I had been so worried about the pictures of him and Lana that I missed the articles about him having a daughter with an undisclosed woman, and photos of him with Sofia all over the penthouse. The small toys neatly placed in the corner of the main room, or the small cups on the kitchen counter. I wanted to say it was hard to picture him as a father, but seeing how he looked at the small girl, seeing how she looked at him, I saw such beauty. He wasn’t a man who stepped away from his responsibilities. Seeing them together, you instantly knew that the little girl was his world.
After Lana and Easton left the penthouse, I thought I would go after them, yet the day turned into something I couldn’t have expected. He asked me to stay, to get to know his daughter, and to spend more time with him. She and I played with dolls while Cameron cooked us lunch, Sopia’s favorite, peanut butter and jelly with a pickle on the side. It was a strange combination, one I would have never put together, but I ate it happily next to my new friend.
After lunch, I sat at the counter watching, mesmerized by how they interacted. She stood next to him on a stool, helpinghim wash the lunch dishes, both singing Disney songs. Cameron was different, so much more than a football player. I could have missed this, the chance to be close to a man who, from what I could see, was as close to perfect as one could get. I knew better than to believe he was perfect, but I allowed myself to live in that blissful ignorance, even for the day.
I played back the words he said to me, the declaration he made, and until that moment, I hadn’t admitted to myself that I felt the same. Even if I could stay away from him, I no longer wanted to. Cameron, being a player, didn’t bother me; being a father didn’t scare me. It would be hard to keep our secret, not openly showing how we felt, but it was necessary if we wanted to see just where or how far this would go. With a smile as they finished the dishes, Sofia ran to her room. Cameron, tossing the towel onto the counter, made his way to me.
Stepping between my knees, he gripped the stool's hands, leaning close. “She likes you.” His statement made me smile, my hands on his side.
“I like her.”
“Stay the night tonight.”
“You asking or telling?” I teased back, Cameron, with a grin.
“Pleading.” He replied. Leaning in, I kissed him softly. I didn’t want to leave. “That's a, yes?” He asked as I sat back.
“I don’t have any of my things,” I replied, as if that would stop me. Cameron, with an arched brow, stood up straight and grabbed his phone. “What are you doing?” I asked swiftly. He looked at me but never replied directly.
“This is Cameron. I need you to go pick up a few things for me.” I smiled as he continued, not even caring who he was talking to, as he listed a few personal items for me and gave my home address. “Tell the lady at the home that her roommate will be unavailable for the next twenty-four hours.” He paused witha grin directed at me. “Thanks.” Ending the call, he tossed his phone to the counter, both of us with a playful stare.
“You have just anyone at your beck and call?” Cameron shrugged. “Marty will want more information, you know?”
“Give it to her tomorrow.” He replied, leaning in until our lips connected. He took my breath away, made me lose my bearings; he was all that existed. Our lips moved in a powerful dance, not fighting for dominance but as though one. I had dreamed of kissing someone in such a way all my life.
“Daddy.” Sofia’s small voice broke our moment, Cameron, with a turn as he wiped his mouth.
“Yeah, baby girl.”
