She chewed on her bottom lip. “I was wondering what you thought about buying a Christmas tree.”
My brow furrowed. “What?”
She exhaled. “Christmas is a few weeks away and you don’t have any decorations here. I can bring some over from my place. But, have you thought about giving Hunter a real family Christmas? The tree, stockings, presents, cookies? All that stuff?”
“Yeah, but I guess not enough. I’ve been preoccupied. I’ve got a game today, baby.”
“I know. I know. And I can take care of the tree if you’ll just say it’s ok to put one up here.”
Fuck. What kind of a hardass did she think I was? That I would deny a kid a tree? I wasn’t some kind of Grinch. I didn’t want Hunter to have the kind of thread-bare holidays I did. He deserved better.
“We’ll go after the game. Together.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Really. The whole damn thing. Wreaths, that stupid green stuff.”
“Garland?” She giggled.
“Yeah, whatever the fuck it is. Ornaments. Lights. Anything you and Hunter want.”
She threw her arms around my neck and squealed. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you said yes to all of this.”
“Who doesn’t like Christmas?” I shrugged.
Truth was—I didn’t. If the Sharks played on Christmas Day it meant I could ignore the fact that all around me people were spending time together with their perfect families. Perfect presents. Perfect meals. I focused on football and nothing else.
But this year all th
at was different.
“He’s going to be so excited,” Julie said.
My hand slid to her ass. “And what about you?”
Her breath hitched. “Very excited.”
“You’re killing me in this jersey. I want to do so many dirty things to you right now.”
“You do?” Her eyes lit with desire.
“Fuck, yes I do. I love seeing my number stamped on your tits. Everyone in that stadium needs to know you are mine, baby.” My hand roamed under the shirt, sliding to her breasts. “But I’ve got to go.”
I couldn’t be late. I had press. Coaches meetings and then I needed to meet with the team.
She nodded sadly. “We’ll have to celebrate after Hunter goes to bed.”
My mouth landed on hers with a hungry kiss. She had no idea how we were going to celebrate. For the first time in my life I had everything I wanted. It was worth an epic, unforgettable celebration.
36
Julie
This game was more nerve-wracking than the last one. My dad was on one side of me, Hunter on the other, and Pops paced behind us. He had the hardest time watching. Every time there was a play he looked up and then started grumbling.
The Sharks were down by a touchdown with only six minutes left in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t looking good.
I had successfully downed two beers, which was two beers more than I ever drank. It still didn’t take the edge off. I was a complete wreck.