Hotshot (40 page)

It doesn’t take long to see why. Gail stands next to her husband with an enormous smile on her face. She orchestrated this.

The next half-hour is a blur as Shaw and I are swept into countless hugs and congratulations. My dad and Seth manage to get me away from Shaw’s side, and both embrace me a little longer than usual.

Glass after glass of champagne is served, and I learn this is a combination of a welcome home and engagement celebration. Maria makes sure to tell me the real engagement party will be when Nicky isn’t on the field, because he would kill her.

Mathis walks over and lifts me into his arms, spinning us in a circle as I squeal. When he lowers me, he plants a kiss on my forehead. “Congratulations, Biz. Although, why the hell you agreed to marry my brother is beyond me.”

“If we’re being honest, he didn’t really ask me.”

“Sounds exactly like him.”

“Sounds like who?” Shaw’s hands slide around my waist, and he gives a push to Mathis who is still hugging me.

Mathis stumbles a step back, and I try to hide my giggle.

“I was about to tell our sweet Bizzy that you must have brainwashed her to get her to marry you.”

Shaw doesn’t find this comical and lets out a throaty rumble.

Mathis and I burst into laughter as I drag Shaw away to find Gail. She and her husband hand Shaw and I a fresh glass of champagne when we get to them.

“Happy New Year, welcome home, and congratulations to both of you.” Gail raises her glass.

“You arranged this, didn’t you? It has your stamp all over it.” I wave around the room.

“I may have made some special requests once Maria confirmed you’d be here today.”

“It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

There’s a loud roar behind me as the team takes the field, and we all move to the seats.

The game is a lot closer than any of us are comfortable with, and Nicky’s star receiver gets hurt in the second quarter. By the time halftime comes, Nicky has thrown three interceptions and leaves the field without a word to any of the waiting reporters.

The mood in the box changes as we all worry about what this will do to Nick’s mental state in the second half. He’s had bad games all his life but never three interceptions in one quarter. He’s going to be pissed.

I make my way to the dessert table and try to eat a strawberry, but my nerves are shot. Shaw paces on the other side of the room on his phone, barking at someone. After a few seconds, he raises his head and gives me a smug grin then finishes his call, coming to me.

“There’s a little chocolate on your lip.” He leans down and licks along the corner of my mouth.

Even with all the anxiety, a shiver of desire runs through me. “Shaw—”

He cuts me off by placing another strawberry at my lips. “Take a bite.”

I do as he says and watch his eyes start to glow the honeyed hazel that makes my insides melt.

“We’re taking some of these home,” he says so low only I can hear.

I nod, in a trance with his seductive tone, the worry completely gone. “How do you do that? Thirty seconds ago, you were irritated beyond belief, and now, you’re standing here turning me on.”

“I didn’t like the worry and tension on your face, so I decided to relax you.”

“You’re being cocky.”

“You’re being beautiful. Now, let’s go. We’re going to the field. I got us three passes. I tried to get in the locker room, but it was impossible.”

“That’s why you were on the phone?”

“Yes, I need to get down there and talk Nick out of his head. I think it’ll help to see Mathis, too. You’re an added bonus.”

I smile, glad I decided to wear the newest jersey Nicky gave me for Christmas. But this one was modified. He had the letter ‘C’ stitched in front of the ‘Bennett’ at Shaw’s demand. “Let’s go.”

Shaw motions to Mathis, who is already on his feet waiting. On our way out the door, he tells his parents where we’ll be, and drags me behind him in a rush to get through the tunnel before Nicky gets back on the field. A staffer meets us at the restricted access entrance to hand us our passes and escort us to the field.

The atmosphere is electric when we get to the sidelines. The New Year’s celebration is in full swing, even with the poor performance. We watch the team come back through their tunnel, and Shaw guides us to a spot out of the way.

“Mathis, don’t take your eyes off her.” He points to me and gives his brother a strong glare. “I’ll be right back.”

“That was entirely unnecessary.” I think I mutter the words to myself until Mathis starts to chuckle.

“Get used to it. He’s very protective of you. Look at all these men around us. I’d be the same way.”

“That’s because you’re all barbarians! I’ve been on the field many times before. I can handle myself.”

He purses his lips and does a terrible job of trying to hide his amusement.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“I’m pretty sure, every time you’ve been on this field or any other, someone has kept an eye on you.”

“Barbarians, a band of barbarians!” I cross my arms and turn to find Shaw and Nicky.

They’re off to the side, and Shaw is talking directly in Nicky’s ear. The quarterback coach is with them, listening closely. After a few minutes, I see the side of Nicky’s mouth tip up, and he pats Shaw on the back. Shaw says something else, and Nicky’s head snaps to the side, his eyes landing on mine.

His grin grows into a smile, and he jogs over. The crowd above us starts to go wild, thinking they are headed to them. Mathis puts his hand on my lower back and guides me forward, so we aren’t so close to the raving fans.

“Hey!” He kisses me quickly on the cheek and slaps Mathis on the shoulder.

“You okay?” I search for signs of worry or tension.

“Yes, made some adjustments in the locker room. Went over some plays we’re more comfortable with the other receiver. It’ll get there. Shaw straightened me out, too.”

“Good, I’m ready to see you light up like last week.”

He puts on his helmet and gives me a wink full of arrogance. “Don’t worry, it’s coming.”

He jogs back to the team, and Shaw joins us again.

Whatever they did worked, because the second half is a totally different ball game. Nicky and his receivers are in sync and find their rhythm. Shaw and Mathis analyze every play as I join the crowd going wild, not taking my eyes off the field.

“What the fuck?” Shaw hisses, and I spin to see him staring at his phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sasha and her family showed up at our suite. Apparently, Claude got his own invite to a private suite, and they decided to stop by ours to watch the game. Dad sent me a text to warn us.”

Dread washes through me. She’s the last person on earth I want to see today.

“How does she know you’re even here?”

“I don’t know that she does. When I called her yesterday on the way back, I was vague about my plans. She never mentioned coming to the game.”

“Well, I’m staying here. She’s not going to ruin my day.”

“I agree, she’s not going to ruin mine either. I’ll go be polite then get rid of her.”

“I’m staying with Bizzy. I have no interest in seeing that woman or her family,” Mathis states with hatred.

“You have no choice. I wasn’t leaving her down here alone.” Shaw looks at his brother like he’s stupid.

“I’ll be back soon.” He kisses me quickly, then bends to my ear. “Don’t get any ideas and promise our families we’ll hang out after the game. As soon as I get you home, we’re going to celebrate New Year’s naked with those strawberries and lots more champagne.”

My whole body shivers as I watch him walk away, and Mathis cusses besides me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask innocently, trying to hide my smirk.

“That shit has got to stop.” He clips in disgust.

There’s a deafening roar in the stands, and we all watch as a receiver sails past on the field toward the end zone. He doesn’t make it, but the excitement and energy of the game returns.

By the middle of the fourth quarter, we haven’t heard from Shaw, nor has he returned to the field. Any other time, I’d worry, but I know he’s taking care of things in the most politically correct way he can.

Nicky has the ball and shouts out his play calls then looks over and locks eyes with me. I watch the cocky, boyish grin form on his face through the facemask and brace. Mathis sees it, too, and moves closer, placing a hand on my elbow.

I hold my breath as Nicky falls back and looks for a receiver, right then the perfect hole opens up. He runs for it. His teammates block on each side as Nicky hustles down the field and into the end zone for a touchdown.

A high-pitched shriek sounds through the air, roaring over and over, and I finally realize it’s me. I’m screaming like a banshee, jumping up and down and pumping my hands in the air like a madwoman. Mathis is beside me doing the same. I grow hoarse as I take off running down the sidelines behind the reporters and into the corner, so I can get a better look at Nick celebrating in the end zone.

He sees me and rushes over, lifting me in the air and pumping his own fist. He and Mathis give multiple high fives as I beat on his helmet in celebration. The crowd is insane, which fuels our excitement. It seems to go on forever, but in actuality, it’s only about ten seconds.

But in that ten seconds, I forget everything.

I forget my jersey reads ‘C. Bennett’.

I forget I’m wearing an engagement ring the size of Texas.

I forget the cameras and live television coverage.

I also forget who is watching and how much she hates me.

Shaw

“Man, I’m sorry. It slipped out. The energy was fucking unreal. It was unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced.”

“Nick, you solidified your place as the number one quarterback in the league yesterday. My phone started going crazy the second we got home last night. You’re about to be big time, brother, so get ready.”

“No shit?”

“No shit. I’ll have my PR team get started on fielding the offers, and we’ll sit down at the end of the week. Until then, push anyone who contacts you to my office. We need to space this out and make sure your popularity grows through the playoffs. If we go to the Super Bowl, this will be a huge chance at marketing.”

“There is no ‘if’, it’s when we go to the Super Bowl.”

“Keep that attitude, kick ass, and ride the high. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Seriously, I’m sorry about announcing to the whole world you’re engaged. Like I said, it slipped out.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not a secret.”

“Yeah, but Bizzy probably wants to kill me.”

I chuckle and pick up the sports section lying on the seat beside me. The stories all reference Nick’s turnaround performance yesterday. “No, she doesn’t want to kill you. She may be a little embarrassed, since the video of you two is being spotlighted on every local news station and on the recurring replay on SportCenter. She’s not used to seeing herself on TV. Not to mention the headlines in today’s paper.”

“I haven’t even picked up a paper today. What’s it say?”

I scan the stories and choose my favorite. “I quote
‘During a critical fourth quarter play, Nick Bennett looked around for a receiver, and when he saw an opening, he ran for it. His team held back the defense as he sailed into the end zone, effectively giving Miami the game-winning touchdown. But it was what happened after the play that left the nation with the burning question. Who is the woman he ran to?

There was no denying the love between them and speculation flew as they celebrated. With his name on her back and an enormous sparkling diamond, we were left to wonder if the bachelor quarterback was off the market.

When asked about this mystery woman, Nick responded with this remark:

That is my best friend and my inspiration. She’s been my rock for so long and overcome so many obstacles, especially recently. I can’t exactly explain it. I had the play in my head, but before the ball snapped, I looked over and saw her smiling at me, and I knew I had to make the touchdown. When it was done, I went to her. The best part of it all is she’s agreed to marry my brother so, in a way, this was for both of them
.’ End quote.”

“Damn, I’m smooth.”

“You’re lucky is what you are. I should kill you. Brother or not, I’m still a jealous fucker. Fortunately, she made it up to me.”

“Fuck! You’ve got to stop that shit. I’ve accepted this, but I don’t need visuals.”

“Learn to keep your hands to yourself.”

“Where is Bizzy this morning?”

“I just left her at her apartment after we met with the packers. I had a driver come get me and bring me into the office, so she could have my car.”

“I’ll head over there in a while to see if she needs anything.”

“I’d appreciate that. Her mom is going, too, but I’d be more comfortable with you there.”

“Good, I’ll have both of them to tell me how awesome I am.”

I chuckle and start to respond, but my attention gets stuck on the sight in front of me. The driver stops in front of my building, and Sasha is leaning against the wall with her phone in her hand.

“Fuck!”

“What’s wrong?” Nick’s mood changes.

“Sasha is here.”

“It’s not even seven-thirty yet.”

“Which means my office is officially closed, so she’s waiting to ambush me.”

“What the fuck for?”

“Only one thing I can think of.”

“Son of a bitch! I didn’t even think about her. Shaw, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

“Not your problem. I wasn’t going to hide it. Let me go handle this. Call you later.” I disconnect and thank my driver then grab my laptop.

She straightens and glares as I approach. Even with the distance, I can feel the anger radiating off of her.

“Good morning, Sasha.” I greet her coolly. “Twice in two days you have shown up to surprise me.”

“We need to talk.”

“Is the baby okay?” My eyes drop to her stomach.

“Yes, he’s fine.”

I thumb through my calendar and see nothing on my schedule for the day. “Did I miss something? There’s nothing on my calendar.”

“No, Ren, we don’t have anything planned today. I’m here to discuss something entirely different. Pretty sure you know what that is.”