“Wicked little thing, aren’t ya?”
“And don’t you forget it.” By the time I’ve reached Nick, Andres is back at my side, his arm around my waist possessively. It sends a little thrill down my spine, and I chuckle knowing I’m not wearing a bra and my girls are standing proud. Nick looks over his shoulder, realizing someone has stopped behind him. He turns back quickly, then does a double take and nearly falls over trying to face Andres.
“Mr. Abbott!” Nick holds out his hand, his expression more eager puppy than professional football player. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you. We never got to play against each other before you retired.” Andres glances down at the offered hand, shakes his head and accepts the handshake.
“I’m sorry, you are…?” Nick’s expression is crestfallen, but he rallies quickly.
“Nick Bakke. Before you retired I played for Detroit.”
“I’m not familiar. You didn’t start—”
“No, sir. I was, uh…backup quarterback.”
“I see.”
“It’s just such an honor, Mr. Abbott. I’ve followed your career since the start.”
“Thank you.” Andres replies politely. A little gleam in his eyes as he looks down at me with a bright smile. “Allow me to introduce my fiancé, Jenna Nemac.”
“JENNA?!?” Nick’s eyes finally register that I’m standing next to Andres. His eyebrows fly up his forehead and his eyes nearly bug right out of his skull. It’s quite satisfying to watch him run his gaze down my body and back up to my face, especially when he swallows hard lingering on my breasts. “What the fuck?”
I decide to skip over Andres’ use of the term fiancé, and give Nick a kind smile. “Hello, Nick. How are you?”
“You two know one another?” Andres’ is the least innocent man I’ve ever met and yet he pulls it off well enough to fool Nick. Boy always was stupid. He’s going toe-to-toe with a shark and doesn’t even know he’s in any danger. My pussy gushes, my eyes taking in my man in all his glory. Tall, dark and handsome doesn’t even cover Andres Abbott. And he’s all fucking mine. And all that is great, but it’s his heart that keeps me coming back for more.
“We dated years ago.” I wave my hand, my tone insinuating it was something casual.
“We dated for 7 years, Jenna.”
“Oh, that long?”
Andres smirks at me, then turns to Nick. “Then you know how wonderful my fiancé is. Jenna’s the head cheering coach at State. Several high schools and smaller schools send their staff to train under Jenna.” How does he know that? “She’s so wicked smart. Well, you know what I’m talking about. Nothing sexier than a woman with brains. The faculty love her, her students worship her, and I’m a little obsessed, if you can’t tell.” Andres leans in toward Nick, who’s looking a little green right now, and whispers, “Not to mention flexible and limber. Keeps an old man like me young.”
I smack him with the back of my hand, but I’m not mad. I might very well vibrate right out of my skin with how fucking happy I am right now. Vindictive, mean-spirited, catty. Don’t give a fuck, my man is serving a little comeuppance to the demons of my past and I have never been more attracted to him than I am right now.
“Stop it, baby.” I curl into his side and run my hand up and down his toned abdomen and over his chest. “You’re making me blush. You’re in better shape than men 10 years your junior.” I look pointedly at Nick.
“Sorry, Prickles.” Andres kisses me right there in front of Nick and God and it takes considerable effort to pull back once I remember we’re in public. “You’re my favorite topic of discussion.” He looks at Nick, his friendly demeanor slipping slightly. “Can’t imagine why you’d let her go, but I’m sure thankful you did, Nate.”
“Nick, sir.” I bite my lip and stare at my shoes or I’m gonna start laughing. “Uh, I’m glad I ran into you, Mr. Abbott. I think I would make an excellent addition to the Pittsburgh roster.” Andres stares Nick right in the eye and I take great joy inwatching my ex squirm under the dark stare. He’s all soft and gooey with me, but Andres is a hard motherfucker on the field and at work.
Andres sighs. “I know who you are now, and I don’t think you would. We value passion, dedication, and loyalty…and if I remember correctly, you stated that you wouldn’t be caught dead playing in a used up steel town like Pittsburgh. You were destined for somewhere big, bright, shiny, and new.” Andres sniffs like he’s smelled something rotten. “Well, you were. Now I imagine you’re destined for a fourth paternity suit and the unemployment line. Good luck, kid.” He points over Nick’s shoulder. “I see someone brighter and shinier than you I’d like Jenna to meet.”
I almost feel bad for Nick. Like maybe 2%. I don’t necessarily wish him ill-will, but I think I’m rather satisfied with that proverbial bitch-slap Karma just delivered via my man.
Hand on my back, Andres guides me away from Nick toward the bar. We find a few of his previous teammates and join in a rousing conversation about whose joints hurt worse. I laugh, smile, and lean into Andres, reveling in how wonderful my life is since he’s blitzed his way into it.
During a break in conversation, I tug on Andres’ arm and he grins down at me. “You are my beautiful dream come true. I love you.”
He throws his arms wide, tosses his head back and yells, “About fucking time!” Then his lips are on mine and I’m bent backward as everyone around us cheers and laughs. He pulls back slightly, his eyes darting between mine and my lips. “I love you, too.”
Andres 13.
“Alright, Haylee, you’re a ballbuster in the courtroom, spine made of steel.” Lilly points between Haylee and her husband, Cole. “How did he manage to get you down the aisle?” Haylee and Cole share a knowing look and grin. “Come on, Mr. Dalton, how’d you snag the woman with balls bigger than anyone I’ve ever met?”
“Spanner.” The table quiets at Cole’s one word response. “My name is Dr. Cole Spanner.”
“But you two are married, right?” Lilly rests her arms on the long table, her whole body leaning forward, as intrigued as the rest of us.
