Page 133 of One and Only

Clarence—who was, in fact, the naughtiest cat that had ever existed—raced through the kitchen with one of Greer’s bras in his mouth. When he took a corner too fast, his paws got tangled in the straps and he pitched forward in an ungainly somersault, slamming into the back of the arm chair.

Olive stood on the couch, her hands braced on the back cushion, bouncing on her toes and giggling furiously at the scene.

Greer took advantage of his bound state, snatching him up in her arms. “You are such a jerk,” she breathed. “I love that one.”

“So do I,” I murmured under my breath.

Greer’s eyes met mine, bright and happy.

My wife had a penchant for pretty lace bras, and I found that I quite enjoyed them too.

Unfortunately, so did Clarence. If they were left out on the bedroom floor, as this particular item had been the night before, it was like he had a homing beacon built into that evil little brain of his.

She wrestled the bra from his mouth, huffing in exasperation when he batted at the straps when she pulled it away. Then he nuzzled up against the side of her face, butting the top of his head to her jaw, and Greer smiled. “Don’t act cute now. It’s too late.”

Greer set him back down on the floor, shaking her head when he darted up onto the couch by Olive, weaving through her legs and arching his back when she scratched his head.

The two of them left the family room to head upstairs, Clarence’s tail twitching happily as he followed Olive to her bedroom—where he was the proud owner of the most extravagant cat tower in the world.

“I swear,” Greer sighed, “that cat has it out for my lingerie.”

She approached me at the island and I turned on the stool, widening my legs so she could slot herself there. My hands slid over her hips as she placed a lingering kiss onto my waiting mouth.

“He has good taste,” I spoke against her lips. “I like ripping them apart too.”

Greer laughed, carding her fingers through my hair. “I know.” Her eyes were warm and soft. “What time do you have to head over?”

I glanced at the clock, tucking my fingers against the warm skin on her back under her shirt. “About twenty minutes.”

Greer didn’t ask me if I was nervous. She simply leaned back in for another kiss, slow and sweet, while her hands moved down my neck to my shoulders.

It was a big game—our divisional rival who’d always managed to sneak out the first spot in our division the last few years. We beat them the first time we met in the season, winning by a field goal as time ran out in their home stadium.

Greer had made it her mission to find a way to make it comfortable for Olive to attend games, so that I’d know I had them both there. She’d researched special headphones that would block out all the noise, but still be comfortable for Olive to wear. They arrived early, before the stadium filled, into the box I’d reserved for the family. And most of the time, Olive stayed happily tucked behind the glass.

But she was there. With Greer.

My family.

Most days, I couldn’t believe that this was my life. Couldn’t believe that I’d gone so many years without this type of happiness, this kind of love wrapped around all the moments that I’d never really paid attention to before.

Like breakfast.

Someone asking me what time I needed to leave for the game.

And in a few more hours, knowing that she’d be waiting for me at the end of it.

With my bag packed and the lapel of my suit jacket smoothed by a sharp-eyed Greer, my wife and daughter stood on the front porch and waved me off—clad in their Voyagers gear.

The energy at the stadium was potent, even before the fans filled their seats.

Our entire team knew what was at stake. If we could beat them today, it was almost a guarantee that we’d win our division and head into the playoffs with an advantage.

We warmed up, everyone’s eyes sharp and attention unwavering from what we needed to do.

Parker and I ran routes with precision, and he tapped my fist when we passed to line up again. We both had headphones on, as did most of the guys before we made our way back into the locker room to dress for the game.

Before I left the locker room, I glanced one last time at my phone before putting it away in my bag. My smile was impossible to repress.

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