Chapter Twenty-Two
Viktor
Winning the semi-finals is incredible.
We’re going to the championship.
This is unheard of for an expansion team, but here we are. The excitement, both on the team and in the city, has been out of control. People have been showing up at closed practices, just waiting outside for a glimpse of any one of us. We’ve all had to do multiple interviews, and the days leading up to game one of the finals are busy.
Luckily, my parents understand the pressure I’m under and have given me some space. Tonight, we’re all going to Holly’s parents’ house for dinner but after that, I’ll be somewhat sequestered with the team.
So, I’m a little surprised when Holly’s up early and tells me she has a surprise for me, promising it will be relaxing.
I ask her multiple times where we’re going, but she just smiles and directs me. We left home forty-five minutes ago, and I’m in a part of Georgia I’m unfamiliar with.
“You are taking me to see birds?” I ask finally.
She laughs. “The birds will be there, but no, I know that’s not your thing.”
“I think I would like to meet…Elvis.”
She grins. “And if we have time, you can. But that’s not what I have planned. Okay, you see that red mailbox? Turn into that driveway.”
I follow her directions and there, set deep into the property, is an old but well-kept farmhouse. There are red shutters on the windows, two white rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, and flowers everywhere.
“This is your grandmother’s house,” I say.
She nods. “Yes. You can park there.” She points and I slow down my SUV.
She jumps out before I can stop her and she goes around to the back, opening the hatchback and taking something out.
“What is that?” I ask curiously.
“A picnic.” She smiles and hands me a large, heavy basket. “If you can carry this, I’ll get the rest.”
“Of course.” I take the basket, which is heavier than it looks, and watch as she pulls out a big bag that seems to have a blanket in it. She closes the back and leads us around the house, down a hill and onto a clearing between some large trees.
“This will give us some shade,” she says, putting the bag down and pulling out a large blanket.
I help her spread it out and then sink down next to her.
“I thought this might help you relax,” she says. “Get us away from the house and the chaos.”
“This was very thoughtful.” I look around. “It is beautiful here.”
“I think so too.” She starts pulling plastic containers out of the basket. “So, I have some special food for you here. Some of your favorites. According to your father.”
“Yes?” I look down with interest.
“First, we’re going to start with blini and red caviar.” She opens a bag containing the thin, pancake-like discs and my mouth waters.
“Then there’s Olivier salad, pirozhki with meat, and borscht.”
I stare at the spread in front of me, and then at the beautiful woman sitting across from me.
She looks adorable today in denim shorts, a blue and white T-shirt, and blue sneakers. Her hair is in a ponytail and she has on a white baseball cap, but the only thing I want to do is kiss her.
I’ve forced myself to resist, waiting for us to get to know each other better before we have a repeat of some of the best sex of my life.
