“He’s super hot… All of them are,” I say, hoping not to offend.
“Oh, yeah, Mathis is totally hot. That’s one reason it’s so hard to stay away. I had too much to drink at Bizzy’s wedding and told him the same thing.”
“Oh my God, what did he say?”
“He didn’t say much, because I jumped him, and we fucked like animals.”
Bizzy gasps, and I look between them, waiting for an explosion. Claire seems unfazed.
“I had to show him what he was missing. Now, the ball is completely in his court.”
“You are my new hero,” I say in awe.
“Enough about me. Let’s go back to you. Tell us more about this heavy petting. I agree with Bizzy; tonight’s your night.” Claire effectively changes the subject, but not without Bizzy giving her a look that plainly reads ‘we’ll be discussing this situation about Mathis later’.
Claire gets another round of drinks, and I commence telling them about my weekend with Nick. I give them detail-by-detail about Friday night and Saturday morning. Bizzy groans when I mention Shannon and her blog, telling me Shaw already told her what Nick shared. When I get to the part about Nick overhearing my conversation with my mom, Claire starts to cackle. Lastly, I tell them about last night.
“He took me to this Cuban restaurant for an awesome dinner. Everyone seemed to know who he was but didn’t intrude. We had an amazing dinner, talking, laughing, and joking about stupid things. It was so natural. Then he took me back to his place, and we went to bed. There was some fooling around until he stopped. Then nothing—absolutely nothing. No more fooling around, no more making out. We shared some really hot and heavy moments until he tucked me to his side to fall asleep. I woke this morning, still curled up next to him. We had a light breakfast, and he walked me to my car. I didn’t speak to him again until he came up here before the game.”
When I’m done, Bizzy’s eyes are shining, and she has a dreamy glow on her face. “He’s taking a trip home with you. That’s so awesome.” For a second, I think she may cry.
“Told you, girl. One week, one month… all that jazz. Time doesn’t matter.”
“I hope so,” I admit, knowing the intensity of my feelings toward him.
“Give me your phone.” Claire holds her palm out, and I drop it into her hand.
She tells me as she programs in her and Bizzy’s numbers, then calls her own phone so she has mine. “Let’s meet for dinner on Tuesday night. I have a feeling there will be a lot to discuss.”
The suite starts filling back up as the third quarter starts. Logan, Shaw, and Mathis return, explaining they went to the tunnel to try to find out what the game plan was for second half. Logan acts cool, but I can tell he’s enjoyed every minute of the game so far.
After several more cocktails, the girls and I alternate between watching the game and gossiping. I almost fall out of my chair when Bizzy tells me the story about her and Shaw. My heart physically hurts when she explains that he has a baby with another woman who tried to split them apart while they were dating. I’m not sure I could survive what she did. Even more surprising is the love that shines through when she talks about her stepson, Brayden.
Shaw must overhear her gushing because he looks at her, his own face growing soft, and his eyes dart to her stomach. She starts to blush and explains they are trying for a baby of their own now. Then the conversation takes a turn when she replays the events from Labor Day, when Mathis and Nick snuck on their boat and crashed their romantic getaway weekend to the Keys.
It’s my turn to howl as she gives blow by blow of the debacles, including the fact she unknowingly made a sex tape.
The rest of the afternoon flies by, and I can’t remember ever having this much fun. Not to mention the fact that Miami wins the game. This easily goes down as one of the best days of my life.
Chapter 15
Nick
I hear the water turn on and off in my bathroom as I hang up my suit jacket and wait impatiently for Grace to finish. If I had it my way, she’d be naked by now, but somehow, she slipped by me the minute we got here and locked herself in the bathroom.
After every win, I ride a high for hours, energy pulsing through my veins. But tonight, there’s a different energy driving me. Anticipation seeps into my bones, needing only her.
The door opens, and when I see her, my body goes solid. Thoughts of peeling her out of my jersey vanish as I stare at her in a short teal nightgown with orange lace covering her tits.
My team colors have never looked so sexy.
She strolls to stand in front of me, swaying with each step and keeping her eyes pinned to mine.
“You’re wearing my colors.”
“I am. Thought it would be appropriate if you won.”
My fingers glide across her collarbone and to the base of her neck where her pulse races.