I swallow the sudden boulder in my throat, voice paper-thin. “I really like you too.”
But it’s more than that. I know he wanted to say more than that.
Ifeelmore than that.
But not yet.
There is still so much to talk about, to think through, and we can’t say it yet.
So he walks me to the door, offers me a sweet kiss on my mouth along with a caress of my cheek and waves as I step onto the elevator, both of us holding each other’s gaze until the doors close.
CHAPTER 21
NADINE
I informedMolly that Paisley and I would be at the game, so her look of surprise isn’t because I’m here. It’s because of what I’m wearing.
“It’s not a big deal,” I tell her, self-consciously tugging on my new jersey. I paired it with my most flattering jeans and simple flats because even if I’m here to be introduced to the wives and girlfriends of the players for all intents and purposes, I’m not very capable in heels. While I’d been sympathetic to Molly before and her anxiety about looking a certain way because of who she’s married to, I didn’t truly empathize until right now. Until I feel eyes on me, from all over the stadium, like I suddenly have some kind of reputation at stake.
Yet Camden and I aren’t even together. All we had was one hot-as-hell make-out session. Though now that I’m here, it’s as if I’m on display to be judged by the other women, the fans, anyone who might suspect why I’m here wearing his name and number, when none of the other WAGS are wearing jerseys. I stick out like a sore thumb.
That voice in the back of my head reminds me that I’m not good enough. I’m a quitter. I’m not smart, and I certainly don’tlook like the type of person the number one tight end in the league should be with. Let alone making out with.
Molly must recognize the terror suddenly tensing all of my muscles, because she takes my hand in hers, hugging me close to her side, Kai strapped to her chest between us. “You’re fine, and you look great. I was just shocked to see you in it.”
“So is everyone else,” I mutter, but she shakes her head.
“No. Literally no one is. No one knows you.”
I bark out a nervous laugh. Because, yes, that’s true. “Wonderful.”
She laughs too. Hers much looser than mine. “It’ll be fun! Come meet everyone,” she says, tugging me forward. I take hold of Paisley’s hand and drag her behind me as Molly introduces us. There are a bunch of wives and fiancées seated here, some with kids, some with other friends or family, all of them welcoming. None of them says anything about my jersey.
But they are quite interested in Paisley. They all want a chance to talk to her, get to know her more, bring her into the little family they’ve clearly made here. I spend some time translating for Paisley, but eventually, some of them bypass me and simply type notes on their phones. As usual, Paisley has that bored air about her, but she is a good sport as the only teenager in the entire group.
“See?” Molly flicks her hand out. “I told you it would be fine. Here.” She passes Kai to me. “I’m going to help myself to a glass of champagne.”
We’re seated right in front of a suite that is always reserved for the players’ families, and she scoots away for a drink while I pretend to eat Kai’s cheek so he shrieks in laughter—my favorite. On the field, the team warms up, and I try not to watch Camden, too nervous now that I’m here in person.
But I can’t avoid it when he and my brother are shown on the jumbotron, laughing about something before Camden holds his fist out for a pound. Erik knocks his knuckles then slaps the back of his best friend’s head. The exact place my hand had beenFriday night, my fingers woven into his hair as he nipped my throat, sending goose bumps racing over my skin when he’d groaned into my mouth.
I’m sunken deep into the memory of the way he curled his hips up so the length of his hard cock stroked me, and simply recalling it makes me overheat. I all but throw Kai at Molly when she returns, so I can get a drink myself. The largest ice water I can find.
One of the wives, Maureen, who’s married to the kicker, approaches me with a smile, effectively ending my panic attack of lust, and I fall into easy conversation with her. We chat all through the pregame and into the first quarter, until her husband is called out to the field. He puts the first points on the board, and by the time I go back to my seat, I feel more at ease. Paisley seems to be enjoying herself too. Her cell phone is actually away as she alternates between watching the game and playing with Kai.
By halftime, I’m more than comfortable, and I can actually see myself here in the future. If Camden and I continue down this path we’re headed, I wouldn’t mind being friends with these women. I wouldn’t mind exchanging numbers with them. Molly explains how they all help one another out. The more veteran wives each “adopt” a rookie wife or girlfriend to show them the ropes. There is, of course, some drama, one or two who don’t get along with the rest, but for the most part, it’s nothing like a reality show. I should have known because if it were, Molly would never be able to stand it. But I guess I had to witness it with my own eyes, to really look past the stereotype.
And I’ve never felt like more of a bitch.
Had I always been so judgmental?
I guess so.
First, Camden.
And now, these women.
“Am I a terrible person?” I ask Molly when the third quarterstarts, and the second glass of champagne must be hitting hard because she giggles uncontrollably.
