The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“Nick…this place is huge. Did you invite more people?”

He laughs. “Actually, I did…”

“Oh.” I had assumed when he mentioned clothing was optional he was implying we would be alone. Maybe he wanted Reed home because there would be a party going on…

“Not right now. For the next two nights, it’s just you and me. On Saturday, however, we’ll have a full house. Giselle is going to bring Reed over, and Killian is joining us. Shelby can’t make it because she has a birthday party to attend for her stepmother, but your dad and Corrine will be coming…and…” He pauses, worrying his bottom lip, nervously.

“And?”

“Well, Celeste mentioned she wanted to join, and since you guys seem to be getting along…texting and planning a night out, I said okay, and your parents said they’d have no problem watching Reed while we all go out. Is that okay?”

“Yeah! That sounds really great. How long are we here for?”

“Only five days…but then we’re going away on another trip, and Giselle and Killian will be joining us for the second half of that trip.”

Turning in my seat to face Nick, I place my palms on his cheeks. “You know you don’t have to take us away, right? I don’t need surprise trips; I just need you.”

Nick frowns. “I know, but I only have so long until football starts back up again.” He takes my hands in his and brings them up to his lips, kissing the inside of each of my wrists. “I want us to make the most out of it. It was only going to be us, but then Giselle mentioned she could help babysit, and once Killian caught wind of where we’re going, he begged and said if I didn’t let him go, I was choosing your best friend over mine.”

I laugh, imagining Killian pouting like a child.

“What are you thinking in regards to your contract?”

“It’s kind of out of my hands. I’m waiting to hear from my dad if New York wants to re-sign me. If they don’t, I have to hope another team will pick me up. I would like to think I’ve proven my worth this season.”

I hadn’t considered New York might not re-sign him, and if they don’t, he would have to move to wherever the team is that does sign him. Would he ask us to move with him? Would I be willing to move somewhere else? My thoughts go back to a year ago when Victor left me to move to Switzerland. Of course, him not asking me makes more sense now that I know he was cheating on me for a year with my so-called friend.

“Hey, I can see the cogs in your head turning. It’ll all work out. We’ll figure it out together. But first, let’s enjoy ourselves. We have this house”—he points toward the beautiful cottage—“and it has a hot tub and a heated pool.”

“Do you want me to talk to my dad? I know he’s not the owner but—” Nick leans over the center console and kisses me. His tongue darts out quickly, massaging mine, but then he backs up leaving me wanting more.

“No. One, all negotiations need to be done through my agent, and two, I want to keep us separate from business. I want to have a good time this weekend. No talking shop.” I nod in agreement.

After dropping our bags in the foyer, Nick and I take a tour of the cottage. It has at least seven bedrooms and even more bathrooms, a huge kitchen, and several sitting rooms. We find the bedroom we’re going to be staying in, and Nick brings our bags up.

Afterward, we make our way outside. It’s fifty degrees out today, so we’re both dressed comfortably in jeans and a hoodie. There’s a huge back patio with tons of seating and a humungous pool. Just past the pool is a wooden bridge that leads down to the beach. The sun is shining, and it helps offset the cool air.

“Let’s go inside. I brought a bottle of wine, and I was thinking we could go to dinner tonight.”

“Sounds good. I’m just going to go up to the room and freshen up. You pour us a glass, and I’ll be right back down.”

I start to walk away, but then remember something I wanted to tell him. “Oh, Nick…”

“Yeah?”

“Remember when I went to the doctor for my check-up?”

“Yeah.” He nods.

“He okayed me to have sex.” I shoot him an overly dramatic flirtatious wink, and Nick throws his head back with a laugh. I start to ascend the stairs when he calls out my name. I stop on the first step and turn around to find him right in front of me. He pulls me into his arms, and his lips brush mine softly before he pulls back and smiles, his green eyes shining bright. “Thank you for coming away with me. I know it was hard to leave Reed.”