Once Upon A Half-Time: A Secret Baby Romance (24 page)

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

He shrugged. “Sure, if you want to act like a spoiled fucking child.”

Well, this wasn’t as productive of a conversation as I’d hoped. “All right. I get your point.”

“You don’t.” Jack pointed to the bruise on his face. “
This
type of bullshit? That’s the temper tantrum of some cocky kid who forgets that he’s part of a team. You acted out because you’re a spoiled bastard who was never challenged on the field.”

He was right. Didn’t mean I’d admit it.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Jack said. “I was the same. Some loudmouth asshole who cared more about himself than the game. After the linemen let through a couple linebackers to sack my ass, I wised up and learned the truth.”

“Which was?”

“That we’re part of a
team
. There is no Jack Carson. No Cole Hawthorne. No Lachlan Reed. There’s a number on your uniform and a place for you in every play, but that’s it. And that’s good. That makes us work together. Keeps us looking ahead instead of behind. What happened in the past is done. We gotta keep our eyes downfield.”

I heaved a breath. “There’s a lot of pressure on me now.”

“Fuck the pressure. You think you’re the only one with problems?”

“No, but—”

“We all have our fucking issues. I’ve been fighting with the league for three years about my reputation. Last year, Cole was too afraid of his own strength to let anyone get near him. Know how we got through it?”

“I’m guessing the team.”

“You’re goddamned right. You are a part of this team. You’re in this family, and people are willing to help you.” Jack shrugged. “All you gotta do is ask.”

What the hell did I have to lose?

“I need your help.”

“No shit, rookie.” Jack smacked my head. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. I’m making you my go-to man. You’ll get open when I need to dump a pass. You’ll block when I got a linemen breathing down my neck. You’re gonna be someone I can trust, because, let’s face it, there’s not a lot of people on the team we can trust now. I’m counting on you.”

“That’s great, but I fuck up every time I touch the ball.”

“Believe me, I know,” he said.

“Thanks.”

He wasn’t worried. “We haven’t been in sync. It takes time to develop that trust, but we’ll work on it together. Figure this shit out.”

I liked his optimism. “Think I can pull it around?”

“You already have.” Jack grinned. “You came to me.”

“It wasn’t my idea. Elle’s the one who told me to pull my head out of my ass.”

His smile faded. “Then you better do everything you can to keep her. This scandal will be bigger than all of us, and she’ll need you to take care of her.” He nodded. “And when you’re on the field, we’ll take care of each other. That’s how this works. It’s how we’re gonna win.”

“Yeah, if we get a chance to play.”

Jack tensed. “You think we’re gonna get fucked?”

“Not us.” I hated to say it, the words pitting in my stomach. “I think they’re gonna go after Elle.”

But they’d regret it if they did.

She was my wife. The mother of my unborn child.

The love of my life.

I’d be damned if I let anyone hurt her.

S
ome good came
from the truth.

When I did my interview with Sports Nation, I was fully clothed…because I certainly wasn’t anywhere else on the internet.

I wasn’t used to being the target of a picture and not the photographer. At least I’d looked good. Not that I wanted the world to see the goods, but I traded my tits for my integrity. And it’d worked. The media had a juicier story in the Rivets’ cheating.

It made for one hellish weekend.

Interviews. Analysis. Investigations.

The only thing bigger than the revelation? Coach Thompson’s immediate response. I checked the time. Right on cue, they replayed it on Sports Nation. Every half-hour.

“
This is a grey area in the league rules…”
His voice was somber, respectful. “
But we never deceived the league or willfully acted in any way which would have given our team an advantage during a game. We may have misinterpreted the rules, but our organization will perform its own investigation in accordance with the league, and the personnel responsible will be disciplined.”

Which meant, Peter was fired.

Some people lost their jobs. Others? The voicemail on my phone didn’t offer me my position back.

It gave me Peter’s.

If I wanted it, I could become head photographer. I’d get a big raise, the travel stipend, all the responsibilities and acclaim.

It was hush money, but damn if I wasn’t considering it. I was part of the Rivets’ family, and families stuck together.

No matter how hard-headed the cockiest rookie in the league was.

Or how stupid and stubborn his wife had been.

I changed the channel on the television. It had been years since the Rivets played a game where I wasn’t on the field with them. I missed the crowds, the excitement, the
energy.

But…the couch was a good place to ward away the morning sickness. Or maybe it was just nerves? I could do nothing for Lachlan except wear his jersey and cross my fingers as the game started.

I didn’t have to worry.

The first series nearly gave me a heart attack, but he blocked one ferocious looking linebacker and kept the blitz off of Jack.

They gave him the ball in the second series—an easy screen pass that he turned into a seven-yard gain.

The third series was his best. He got open in the middle, dove for the ball, and came up with an impossible first down that led to a rushing touchdown.

And each and every time he touched that ball or flashed on the screen, I teared up. It was mostly the hormones twisting me, but that
pride
was something I’d never felt before.

For so long, I searched for the amazing—beautiful places in the world, landmarks, natural wonders. I thought I had to search to find the next biggest, greatest thing life could offer.

Turns out, I didn’t have to go that far.

What I felt for Lachlan was nothing I could capture in a picture or keep on my shelf. The best trinket of his was the little bit of him growing inside me.

And it was time he realized that.

The game ended, but it was late when he finally knocked on my door. It didn’t matter the hour. Our conversation was days overdue.

Lachlan greeted me with a tired smile. “Know how they say…a husband and wife should never go to bed angry?”

“Yeah?”

“Please tell me you haven’t slept for three days.”

“Actually…”

That only panicked him. “Christ, Elle, you’re pregnant, you’ve gotta—”

I pulled him inside. “I’ve gotten
some
sleep.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“It’s been…stressful.”

“That’s also not good for you or the baby.”

“We’re pretty tough. I think we can handle a couple interviews and depositions.”

“I want to be there with you.”

I believed him, but I didn’t answer. He followed me inside, dropping a bag at the foot of the couch.

“They offered me my job back,” I said. “Technically, they gave me Peter’s.”

Lachlan had the same reaction that I did—uncertainty. “Are you going to take it?”

“I don’t know. I might get more tangled in all these scandals. Who knows what other unethical things are happening.”

He went quiet. “We’re a team—you and me, Jack and Cole and the rest of the guys. Cole was right. The Rivets are fucked up. There’s cheating. There’s bounty-hunting. The only way we can heal is if we stick together—cleanse it from the inside.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like Jack talking.”

He shrugged. “You have a lot of reasons to stay with the team.”

“Name one.”

“Me.”

That’s the one I’d hoped for. But I didn’t rush into his arms. Not yet.

“You know…you were right,” I said. “You promised I’d fall for you before the sunset of our third date.”

“I’m irresistible like that.”

“You really should warn a girl.”

“And miss out on all the fun?”

I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, my smile fading. He wanted the truth, and I didn’t know if I could keep the secret anymore.

“I won’t lie to you,” I said. “I fell for you. Hard. But I’m not a girl who believes in fairy tales or fate or magic. These next few months are going to be insane—not just the investigations, but because of the baby.”

“I’m going to take care of you, Elle.”

“I just…want to make sure this is real.”

“Of course it is.” He pulled me close. “You know we fell in love the first moment we met.”

“If only I could remember it.”

He smiled, teasing me with dimples that I couldn’t resist. “Fortunately for you, I do remember. You came up to me and said something to the effect of…
We belong together. Let’s hook up in the hotel room all weekend, meet again in three months, fall in love, have a baby, and live happily-ever-after.”

“Hmm.” I nodded. “That doesn’t sound like me.”

“Well, that was the gist of it.”

“Are you sure
you
weren’t the one coming onto me?” I asked. “Because I think I remember you saying…
I’m gonna chase after you until you agree to date me, and then I’ll charm you, knock you up, and we’ll live a happily-ever-disaster.
”

“Sounds more like me.”

“Yeah, that’s about right. Remember what I said after that?”

“Tell me.”

“I told you…
If I ever keep secrets from you, it’s not because I don’t trust you, it’s because I’m in love with you and refuse to jeopardize your spot on a team.”

“Oh, yeah.” Lachlan smirked. “You did mention that. Right before you said…
I love giving blowjobs. Make sure I give you one a day or I’ll be really cranky.
”

“I must have been
really
drunk to say that.”

“Don’t shoot the messenger. And right after that promise was when I told you…
If I ever get mad because you called me out on my bullshit, know that it’s because I’m terrified of failure and disappointing the ones I love.”

“Yep. That memory is clear as a bell.”

Lachlan smiled. “And then I said…
The only thing I want in this life is to provide for my family, because you and our future unborn baby and Bast—who is actually my son, by the way—are the most important people in my life.
”

I knocked my forehead against his, unable to hide my smile. “I think that’s the one that made me drop the panties.”

“No. It’s the one that kept them off.”

“I’m sorry, Lachlan.”

He brushed my cheek. “No. It was my fault. I lost my temper. Hell, I didn’t even know I had one.”

“First time for everything.”

“Hopefully the last. I don’t like feeling like that. It’s not me.”

“And who are you?”

“A man who wants to protect you. Honor you. Help you.” His hand brushed low, settling on my tummy. “I’m not just some mistake from Vegas. I want to be the best decision you ever made. I love you, Elle.”

It was the kind of declaration a girl could get used to hearing. I smiled, but Lachlan didn’t let me speak. He grabbed his duffle bag and herded me to the couch.

“I know this is a whirlwind relationship,” he said. “That’s part of the fun. Our marriage isn’t a conventional one.”

“Not by any stretch of the imagination.”

“But, luckily for you, I have a good imagination.”

“
That
I really remember.”

“It’s time we start this again.” He pointed to the shelves behind me, full of knick-knacks and trinkets. “You need a couple additions to the Lachlan Collection.”

“I do?”

“Yep.
And
you need to start this marriage right.”

“How?”

He grinned, rifling through the bag before offering me a small package. “We got married, but you didn’t have any of the traditional luck for a bride. So there’s your something old.”

“You’re being a little sweet.”

“Ain’t seen nothing yet.”

I tugged on the packaging. The paper fell away, and I held a deck of playing cards, emblazoned with the insignia for the Bellagio in Vegas.

“Something old, from the first day we met,” he said. “Plus we can play strip poker later.”

“Only if you want me to kick your bare butt once I win your clothes.”

“I’ll take that challenge.” He handed me the second package. “This is your something new.”

I shook the box open. A spaghetti spoon wasn’t exactly romantic, but he sexy’ed it up with a curly bow.

“From our first date?” I asked.

“It has a silicon grip. Top of the line utensil right there.”

I giggled. “Now if we could just learn how to cook.”

“We’ll have plenty of time for that, Mrs. Reed.”

I was starting to love the sound of that.

The next package was soft and flexible.

“Something borrowed…” I murmured.

I ripped the paper off and clutched the blue baby blanket to my chest.

I didn’t care if it was hormonal or not. I let the tears come.

“Because I got pregnant on our second date?” I whispered.

“It was Bast’s when he was a baby.” Lachlan touched the blanket with a gentle finger. “I thought maybe our boy would like it as much as he did.”

“Or our girl.”

“Nah. I only make boys.”

“Sample size of one.”

“Call it a hunch.” He reached for the last present. “I’m cheating on this one.”

“You don’t have to do all this.”

“The pack-rat doesn’t want any more presents?”

I giggled, brushing away the tears. “I didn’t say that.”

“Then this is your something blue.”

I tore through the paper. The photograph was framed and lovely—me smiling and cheerful, but Lachlan looked like he swallowed his tongue.

“This is the picture I took when I told you I was pregnant,” I said. “Third date?”

“I think my face turned a good shade of blue there.”

“Maybe a little purple, but I won’t tell.” I cradled the picture. “Lachlan, this is amazing.”

“Wait. I have one more thing for you.” His eyes brightened. “But it doesn’t belong on a shelf.”

He wasn’t.

He couldn’t.

I held my breath.

Lachlan knelt before me on one knee, pulling a velvet box from his pocket.

Two gold wedding bands rested inside the box.

“I love you, Elle.”

I couldn’t speak.

Lachlan stared at me, his voice solemn. “This was never a three date bet for a crazy adrenaline rush. We are meant to be together. You made me realize the man I could be and the father that I was. I need you in my life, and I want to be a part of yours.”

“
Lachlan
.”

“You said one day I’d realize I wasn’t the center of the universe.”

“And you said you only wanted to be the center of mine.”

“Red, will you stay married to me?”

It was the silliest and best and most romantic question I’d ever heard. I pulled him close and dropped into his arms.

“I love you so much, Lachlan.”

“Is that a yes?”

I picked a ring from the box and slipped a band onto his finger. “Yes, I will stay married to you.”

He kissed my finger before placing the ring on it. “Can I call you my wife without you getting mad?”

“Sure…but you know it’s impolite to talk with your mouth full.”

“You’re absolutely right…”

Lachlan lifted me from the couch. I had no idea where he summoned the strength after a game that probably destroyed every last muscle that had already torn, frayed, bruised, and busted from training camp. He didn’t complain, only raced to drop me on the bed so he could tug off my clothes.

I did the same, but my hands stilled over his dark bruises. He shrugged me away, kissing me, despite his pain.

All the more reason for me to give him a little present of my own.

I didn’t stay on my back. I pushed him to the sheets.

“Elle…what…?”

I swung over him, my head at his waist and my panties inches from his face. He got the message.

“The last thing I want is my husband straining himself after such a
hard
game.” I squeezed his cock through his boxers. “Such a
big
game.”

Lachlan panted as I licked the head of his cock. He ripped my panties to the side and sunk his mouth over my slit. “Yeah. Really…uh…
wet
game.”

He was bad at this, but I couldn’t fault him. He used his skilled tongue for teasing, not puns. I shuddered as he explored every inch of me—sucking, flicking, slurping until I groaned.

“It was a really
tight
game…” I stroked him, licking his impossibly hard shaft.

“
Hot
on the field.”

I took him in my mouth, grinning as he throbbed against my tongue.

Lachlan bucked his hips. “Yeah…made me wanna
go deep
.”

“
All the way
?”

Lachlan sucked hard against me. “Fuck me, Red.”

“That’s not a cliché—”

The game was over. He shifted under me, but I didn’t let him up. Not with those bruises, and not when I still had so much to offer him.

I straddled him, touching his chest, his cheek, his lips. He kissed my fingertips, but not another word needed to be said.

We could tease all we wanted, be as dirty as we liked, but this moment was something serious, consecrating.