The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“It means everything, Jennifer. This season wasn’t easy by any means. It doesn’t surprise me we had to fight every step of the way through this game, until the very end.” The reporter laughs. “It was a team effort. It tested every one of us, but we came through in the end.”

The reporter moves on to her next question. “It’s public knowledge that you’re in New York on a one year contract. Can you tell us your plans for next year?” I want to say I’m not going anywhere, but the truth is contracts haven’t been discussed formally yet, so I have to go with a politically correct response.

“There are definitely a lot of decisions to be made, but I have some priorities I need to get to first, starting with finding my girlfriend, Olivia, and kissing the heck out of her. Then I’m going to celebrate with my team and thank God we won so Coach Harper doesn’t have a reason to ban me from family holidays. After that, I’m taking my girl and son on a much needed vacation.” I glance over at Coach Harper who throws his head back in laughter, shaking his head in understanding. I just went on record, on live television, and admitted to the world that Olivia is my girlfriend.

Jennifer and I go through a few more questions and once we’re done, I make my way down the field to meet up with the rest of my team, so we can celebrate our win.

Twenty-Three

Olivia

Nick and I are cuddling on the couch at his place, watching shit television while Reed is napping. I’m laying horizontally across the couch, my head resting in his lap, and Nick is running his fingers through my hair. The last two weeks since we’ve returned from the Super Bowl have been spent with Nick either at my place or Reed and me at his. The team is on break until the end of June when their training camp begins, and we have somehow created our own schedule of pure laziness. Nick and I haven’t discussed his plans in regards to his contract with New York, but I think he’s just basking in the glory of his win right now—he’s had to make appearances on several daytime and late-night shows—and enjoying the downtime. We rarely go out in public, and if we do, it’s to grab something to eat. My dad and Corrine are away in Italy. They left the day after the Super Bowl. Corrine is from there, and my dad surprised her with a romantic trip, just the two of them.

Nick pauses the show, and I turn over onto my back to look at him. “I have something I want to ask you, but I’m going to need you to be openminded.”

I sit up, intrigued. “Okay.”

“I want us to go away.”

“Where do you want to go? Somewhere warm would be fabulous, so Reed can wear less than three layers of clothing outside.”

“Actually, that’s where the open-mindedness comes in. I was thinking we could go away…just the two of us.”

I sit up, confused. “What would we do with Reed?”

“Giselle said she could watch him.”

“You already asked her?”

“I didn’t want to bring it up if she couldn’t. I was going to ask Shelby if Giselle said she couldn’t, but she said she can.”

I stand and begin to pace the living room. Reed will be two months old this week. Am I ready to leave him for the night?

“Liv, it would only be for two nights. It’s Valentine’s Day weekend.”

“Could we stay local?”

“Like stay at a hotel in the area?” He eyes me incredulously.

“My dad has a house in the Hamptons. It’s only a couple hours’ drive from here, so we wouldn’t be far if something happened.”

Nick chuckles. “How about I’ll agree to the Hamptons, but I’m picking the place. I’m not spending the weekend under Coach’s roof with his daughter.”

I roll my eyes. “Deal.” And then it hits me Valentine’s Day is this week, like in two days. “Wait! We’re going this weekend?”

“Yeah…we’ll drive up Thursday after Giselle gets off work and stay through the weekend.”

“That’s hardly any time to prepare.” I feel myself getting worked up.

Nick gets up off the couch and moves toward me. His arms encircle my waist, and he leans down and places a calming kiss on my lips. “Brown-Eyes,” he whispers. He moves his lips to my neck and kisses the sensitive flesh just under my ear. “There’s nothing to prepare for. You don’t even have to pack. If I have it my way, we won’t even be getting dressed.” He lifts his head, and with a wide grin, waggles his brows suggestively.

* * *

“Liv, we’re here.” I feel Nick gently shake me, but my eyes refuse to open. “Liv, baby. You have to wake up.” Reluctantly, I open my eyes and stretch my arms as I remember where I am. One minute I was talking to Nick about Reed’s growth spurt and the next I’m waking up in the car. I sit up and glance around. We’re in the driveway of a beautiful three-story cottage. I can’t see the ocean from where we are, but I know it’s back there because the home is sitting on top of a dune.