Page 33 of Playing for Keeps
HANNAH
Iwas getting married. The very idea of that was foreign to me, let alone the fact that I was marrying Cameron Walters, a professional football player. Each day felt as though I had stumbled into someone else’s life. Someone else’s love story. Cameron and I were two of the most unlikely pairs to not only find one another and connect, but in such a way that it led to marriage. Not just marriage, I would be his daughter’s stepmother. A mom, I would be a mother. Overnight, I would have my own family, and I would no longer be seen as simply the coach’s daughter.
After he proposed, wedding planning went into high gear. My mother couldn’t have been more excited not only to marry me off to someone like Cameron, but also to plan the wedding of the year. She took care of nearly everything, from booking the church, the hall for the reception, the limo, flowers, and catering. All I had to worry about was my dress and getting there. My father, though it was hard to tell most days, seemed happy about the upcoming nuptials. He and Cameron spent a lot of time together, and football was never mentioned. For the first time in my life, he was there for me and what was happening in my life. I came before the game.
Though Cameron’s ex and I didn’t fully like one another, we did come to a friendly union for the sake of Sofia. I explained to her that I would never try to take her place with Sofia. She was her mom, but she could no longer try to take my place with Cameron. I had watched many friends torn apart by dueling parents and new marriages through my life; I never wanted that with Sofia. I would never fully trust Lacey, but like it or not, she was part of our unconventional family.
One week before the wedding, I had fully moved into the penthouse, and Marty and I spent a final night together at the house talking about how so much had changed. I had worried about her being lonely; however, that fear quickly went away when Easton gave up his place and moved in with her overnight. I loved that she had found someone, even if at times I wanted to slap him for his immaturity. Though if he treated her well, I would tolerate any of his quirks. Marty was more than my best friend; she was my sister, having been there with me through so much in my life, and I knew this was only the beginning for us both.
As the day of the wedding arrived, I stood in the dressing room before the full-length mirror, in my white Justin Alexander Sweetheart Satin A-Line Gown. My nerves had been on overdrive since that morning, not because I was nervous about marrying him, but because I would walk out, and he would have changed his mind. No matter how much he reminded me, how often I felt it in the way he touched me, kissed me, or even looked at me, I still couldn’t believe he had picked me.
Turning as the door opened and my father walked in, dressed so handsome in a black tux. “You look so, wow, dad,” I said with a smile, stepping in his direction.
He took my hands, with a look in his eyes I’d never seen before. “You are the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen.” That voice, I’d never heard that voice. It wasn’t stern, it wasn’t cold,it was soft, loving. Closing in the gap between us, I pulled him in for a hug, with his hold around me stronger than he had ever held me before. It had taken me this long to have his full attention, to have him show me that he truly loved me.
“HEY!” Marty’s voice was loud as she burst into the room. “Shit, sorry.”
My father cleared his throat with a turn toward her, me with a laugh. “You do realize we are in a church, right?” He asked.
“Shit, sorry,” Marty said again with a wink and a laugh.
“I can’t deal with you today, young lady.” Both Marty and I, with a chuckle, as he turned his attention back to me. “You sure you want to marry this football player?” He spoke the last with a fake sickened tone.
“Beyond sure,” I assured.
“Good, because it’s time.” Marty reminded with a quick dash, leaving the door open.
“Well then, may I have this honor?” My father turned and held out his arm, a kind smile pulled across his face. I wrapped my arm around his, inhaled, and exhaled with a short pause. It was time.
When someone speaks of a storybook wedding, that is the only way I could describe mine with Cameron. He was dressed in a black suit; he looked smooth and handsome at the same time. I found it hard to hold my control with each step I took toward him. The ceremony, although brief, was perfect. Security had been tight surrounding the church and hall; reporters, as predicted, attempted to get any photographs they could. I wanted to be upset at them, but I found myself enjoying the attention. I was finally able to scream from the rooftops. I was with Cameron Walters; we were in love, we were married. After the wedding and reception, Cameron and I made our way to the airport, where, of course, he had chartered a private jet.
“Welcome to St. Barts, Mr. and Mrs. Walters.” The young blonde spoke to us with a slow back step. “We do hope you’ll be happy here at Eden Rock.” She continued. “We have ensured your time here at Villa A View will be uninterrupted and secure. If you need anything during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.” She held out the key to Cameron. “Enjoy your stay, and on behalf of everyone, we give you congratulations and a lifetime of happiness together.” Both Cameron and I gave the woman a nod and smile in gratitude for her greetings, though I wished she’d leave so I could devour my husband.
The villa Cameron had rented for the next month was something out of a movie, perfection. Located on a hilltop, overlooking St Barts, I took in the fresh air that surrounded us. There would be no reporters, no pictures taken, no questions asked, no phones dinging, no unexpected visitors, no football…just him and me in paradise. I stepped to the edge of the infinity pool, taking in the beauty before us: the skyline lit up by the glow of lights, the waves from the sea, even though dark and unseen, were loud as they crashed below, causing tranquility. I felt his fingers trace the side of my neck, moving my hair to the other side with gentleness.
My eyes closed at the touch of his lips against my skin, and my body erupted in bumps from the electricity. He had always done this to me, though now it felt different. He was no longer the secret lover, and I was no longer the forbidden fruit; we were together forever in every possible way. His arm wrapped around the front of my body, pulling me back into him as his lips moved to my earlobe. I lay my head back against his shoulder, melting in his arms.
With such gentleness, love, and devotion, Cameron and I undressed one another after moving to the master suite, and the harmony of sweet music played in the background. The room glowed with candles. He rested his body over mine, my legspressed against his sides, his forearms rested on the bed, and his fingers lightly brushed through my hair. We were in love. It was the most magical feeling I could have felt. One I thought only existed in movies, books, and songs, until I met Cameron. There was no eagerness that night, our first night as husband and wife. We had a lifetime together, which started with us making love.
CHAPTER 30
CAMERON
Returning to Sandusky felt like a culture shock after spending a month in paradise, although we were both ready to get back to living our lives together. As our plane landed and we made our way through the airport, we were greeted by reporters. I should have planned better for that. We had a few photos taken during our honeymoon, but they made sure to keep their distance, unlike what we got in our city. I took hold of Hannah’s hand and walked her through the rapid fire of questions and flashing of cameras.
She kept her head down, secure against my backside as I pushed through the closing-in group. I was used to this life, and I knew Hannah thought the collection at our wedding was fun; that moment had been her first experience truly in the limelight. I grew angry, feeling the grip of my hand, at how overwhelmed she must have felt. We neared the security checkpoint when, finally, two guards hurried to us, helping to keep the press at a distance. I hurried toward the door; a grin pulled on my lips as I saw Easton and Austin walking in with Marty.
“Whoa, BACK OFF!” My brother’s loud, forceful voice. “Fucking vultures.” He mumbled as he pulled me into a hug, me never letting go of Hannah’s hand. “Sis,” Easton added with achuckle, wrapping Hannah in a firm hold, lifting her from the ground, tearing her from my grip.
“Don’t break my wife,” I said with a laugh as I greeted Austin, then Marty. Hannah quickly moved to her friend, colliding in a hard embrace. Two baggage handlers approached through the crowd that had formed behind us. “Let’s get out of here,” I said. We were home, and with the football season over, I was ready to start my life with Hannah, our next adventure.
It was easy to get lost in life once we returned home. We quickly fell into parties, charity events, and restaurant openings, each coming with moments in front of the press. Hannah had adapted well to the lifestyle, yet I knew she wasn’t a fan of it. I had reached the point where I had promoted Chris to travel with her when I wasn’t free, to ensure she wasn’t overwhelmed by the questions or photos. Often bringing up past women in my life, or even probing into what we had planned for our family.
Hannah and I were the hot new couple in the city, the forbidden love affair turned into a fairytale. I understood more every day what her father had worried about, the mixture of backlash and interest. Eventually, it would die down, a new couple would emerge, and they’d forget about us, at least that is what I told myself.
Though Hannah often assured me she could handle it, I knew the pressures it put on her. Hannah had left her job at the bar. She had Marty come to the penthouse for quality time, as their everyday outings always seemed to get interrupted in one way or another. It wasn’t until she was returning from the park with Sofia that I knew a change needed to be made. Our home no longer a place of peace.
“You sure about this?” She asked, her head resting on my chest, her palm flat against my stomach as we lay in bed.
