Page 2 of Hell Hath No Fury
“Hell, no. I’m just waiting for the perfect moment.”
To ask her to move in. To ask her to marry me. To ask her to be my everything.
Reed, the asshole he is, wiggles his brows as if he can read my mind. “The perfect moment, huh? To ask her to move in?”
Grabbing my things, I shove him out of my way. “Shut up.”
His belly laugh draws a few curious stares in our direction.
“I’m going to shower.” With a shake of my head, I make my way to the bathroom. The image of my couch, a beer, and Facetiming with Callie firmly locked itself in my mind. It’s as close to perfection as I’ll get until I actually have her in my arms.
“We’re going out to celebrate. You coming?”
Bars really aren’t my scene. Yes, I still occasionally go out with my teammates, but when you’re up at the crack of dawn and spend the whole day either in the gym, on the field, or watching tape, by the time you’re done, you’re ready to crash.
I’ve been working my ass off since I was sixteen, but it all faded in comparison to playing in the pros. Back on campus, I was a big fish, but out here? I was nobody. Not until I could prove myself to the coaches and the team, and to even get achance to do that, I had to earn playing time on the field by working my ass off behind the scenes.
So no, the bars, partying, and drinking are definitely not my plan. What I really want is to call Callie and tell her everything about the game.
Reed must see me weighing my options because he stares me down, his hands propped on his hips. “C’mon, you can’t ditch us on your big night.”
“Hell no,” Sean, our other wide receiver, chimes in. “You know the team rules.”
“Team rules?” I ask skeptically. I’ve learned the hard way all about “team rules” and how they change based on who’s interpreting them.
“You’ve gotta pay up once you start for the first time.”
“Of course, I do,” I mutter and roll my eyes. “Fine, but I’m joining you for one drink.One. Then I’m going home to call my girlfriend.”
A few of the guys throw stupid comments, but I ignore them as I make my way to the showers. I was used to them talking shit. They couldn’t understand how I didn’t have any interest in the scene—going out, drinking, women. There were plenty of all three surrounding us on a daily basis, but none of it stood a chance, not when I had Callie.
Football wasn’t an easy business, and most of the younger guys and even some older ones were single. A few who had girlfriends and wives, but the season always takes its toll on the families and relationships. Some stayed faithful, some strayed. It isn’t my place to judge either way. But I know what I have, and I’m not planning to risk it for some no-name groupie, not when Callie and I’ve been through hell and back.
By the time I wash off the sweat and dirt, the locker room is much quieter. I quickly put on my suit, wishing I had some jeans and a tee instead, but Coach wants us to look presentable ongame days. How what we wear to and from the stadium makes any difference, I’ll never understand, but you won’t hear me getting into a discussion with the man who can make or break my career over something this stupid.
Grabbing my things, I make my way out of the building. There are still some fans gathered around, but thankfully most of them are gone by now, which suits me just fine.
I’ll drop off my stuff at my car and then make an appearance at the bar, have a dri—
The sound of running feet has me looking up just in time to see a flash of golden hair. For a split second, my heart stops before it starts beating furiously, and then the air is knocked out of my lungs as Callie launches at me. I open my arms just in time to catch her, her arms and legs wrapping around me.
“What the he—”
I don’t get to finish because the next thing I know, her mouth is on mine. Tightening my grip around her waist, I let my hand slide down to her ass, giving her a squeeze as I return every swipe of her mouth with one of my own. A groan rips from my lungs as her tongue slides into my mouth. Her fingers dig into my hair, tugging my head back and deepening the kiss.
Damn, I missed this.
I missed her.
Texting was good, talking was great, but nothing will ever be able to replace the feeling of her body pressed against mine. The way she fits so perfectly like she was made for me.
My breathing is ragged as I break the kiss and slowly blink my eyes open, unable to believe this is true.
“You’re here,” I breathe, my heart still thundering in my chest.
A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she gently runs her fingers through my hair. “I’m here.”
“What?” I shake my head. “How?”
