Line of Scrimmage: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (Pass To Win Book 2) (3 page)

M
y throat was hurting
me from all the shouting. My voice was like sandpaper going across wood. A headache was piercing through my head like a knife through my brain. Undoubtedly, this was the worst day ever. I was still immensely furious with Kayla for blaming me and shouting all those bad words. She made me a villain while she was the hero. Wasn’t it always like that? She made it all look like I was the one doing all the wrong things, whereas she was clean and only thought about us and our future together. Bullshit.

Thinking about our unfinished fight irritated me even further. How did she dare to walk out on me? What was I? A fool? On my way back to the living room, I kicked some furniture and banged a vase against the wall, breaking it into a thousand pieces.

“Damn it!” I screamed, slamming my fists into the wall. “Screw you! Screw you, damn it!”

This headache was killing me and I couldn’t fully open my eyes. My eyelids were involuntarily falling down. I went to the bathroom and put my head under the faucet again. What was wrong with me? I hadn’t been this drunk since prom.

Eventually, my vision cleared and I sat down on the couch. The very one that Kayla had sat in just a few moments ago. I could hear her red Honda’s engine driving away and I closed my eyes. What were we doing to each other? Oh, God!

I took a detailed look at the apartment. There was one living-room with a couch and an armchair, white walls and a TV hung on the wall across from the couch. Several paintings decorated the empty space and they were all picked by Kayla. She had an excellent taste with those kinds of things. I had to give her that. And the white porcelain vase in the corner was hers, too. Staring at it now, it reminded me
s
adly of my babe and how she wouldn’t be here for much longer. The thing we had feared the most was now happening. I knew it. She knew it. We both knew it and did nothing about it. I learned that there were some things that you just couldn’t fight against.

Grabbing the remote control from the table, I turned on the TV. The channels broadcasted the usual stuff—politics, deaths, crime and a little bit of entertainment gossip. But then as I browsed through, I stopped. My face was on the screen. I was staring at myself all sweaty, in a green jersey talking to the reporters. I was muted, for a journalist’s deep voice was covering me. How dare he cover such a wonderful voice?

“Sean Coleman is the new star of the football world. We’ve heard his name many times before, but after last night we’re sure that we can expect a lot from this guy. Last night we asked him about his future plans and thoughts on the game. He was very secretive and didn’t give much to us.” The journalist went silent and they played my statements. Damn I was good!

Then after the videos ended they showed a slideshow of pictures they managed to find on the Internet and in the magazines. The journalist’s deep bass returned. “But who is Sean Coleman really? Rumors tell us that he’s in talks with a professional football team, but we haven’t been able to confirm which one if any. He currently finished university and dates Kayla Vaughn, also a student from his university.” Kayla’s Facebook profile picture popped on the screen. How did they know all that stuff?

I got irritated and switched the TV off. Useless thing. They were dissecting every piece of me, every moment, and every fragment of my being. It wasn’t fair. It was ruthless.

A sigh tore from my chest as I gazed into nothingness. I reached for an aspirin to calm myself and after several minutes I started to feel the pain receding in my head. My thoughts again went to Kayla and our relationship. We’ve found ourselves at a crossroad. She was heading left and I was heading right. Our paths didn’t even intersect. And that was what was worse. We couldn’t continue like this. We had to end it and that fact loomed above us like a black cloud. It was going to be hard, for we had grown accustomed to each other. We lived together, for God’s sakes! Didn’t that count for anything? And now all of a sudden—poof! Gone.

A long distance relationship may have solved our problems. I could go to her and she could come to my place. We would chat on Skype constantly. We would celebrate our birthdays and anniversaries together. Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well. Maybe we would write letters to each other like in the past. It would be romantic, there was that.

But who was I fooling? Kayla and I in a long distance relationship? No. We would definitely not last like that and plus it would be so much more painful for the both of us. We would feel like a burden to each other, not being able to date others or have fun just because we were in a so-called relationship when in reality we would be nothing. A real nothing! I ran a hand across my short black hair. There was only one way out. It stood there in huge, fat, bolded, neon letters. We had to break up. Everyone would have to go their separate ways and be done with it already. We had to put an end to all of the torturing. We didn’t deserve this at all. Oh, no!

I was nervous at first, but as the reality of it settled in, I relaxed. If there was some other solution, we would have found it. And then an idea came to me like a bolt of lightning. It flashed in my mind and was gone the next second.

I stood up, put on some sneakers placed next to the door and was out of the apartment. After climbing down the stairs I stepped out into the street. The hot air instantly filled my lungs and it made me cough. Finally, something to help me fully wake me up. The sun was beating down on me, but I continued nonetheless towards the nearby supermarket. It was a nice, pleasant day, a bit too hot for my taste, but I knew that I could manage. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t manage, duh!

The cool air of the air conditioned supermarket hit me as soon as I stepped through the door. It dried the sweat on my nape and back. I wiped my forehead and got a basket. Roaming across the stalls, stands and shelves I finally found what I was looking for. I put several broomsticks, detergents, huge black plastic bags and other cleaning equipment into my basket.

There was a long queue on the checkout, but I waited nonetheless. I wasn’t the one to skip the line just because I was a famous person.

While waiting I checked my email which was flooded with all kinds of messages other then the usual spam mails. Some were from close friends, some from people I had studied with in elementary and middle school. I read emails from my relatives and my teachers and was amazed to find out that I had gotten marriage proposals in my inbox. I chuckled and went on to browse the net and the social networks. The sports sections all over the country were raving about us and I checked out some interesting articles about me and the team. Seriously, we all looked like a winning team, not to brag or anything.

Then I realized that it was my turn.

“How much?” I asked the cashier.

She looked up and froze. “Are you that…?” A smile crept up on her chubby face.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I said and gave her my well-known smile. Of course she recognized me.

“Can I take a picture with you? So that I can show it to my daughter. She absolutely loves you. And my son looks up to you as well.” She was in her late forties, with graying light brown hair and brown eyes that shone.

“Yes, of course,” I said as she took out her phone. Many in the line started speaking in low, inaudible voices and some were taking photos with their phones. The woman wrapped her arm around my waist and took the picture.

“Thank you so much,” she said.

“No problem,” I replied. “What’re your kids’ names?”

“Paula and Aaron.”

“Please say hi to them from me. And tell them to reach for the stars and dream big,” I said picking up the bags with the cleaning equipment in them and paid.

“Aww, thanks so very much. They’ll never forget that,” she said.

I waved to her and said goodbye. I was out of the supermarket and back out on the hot concrete that poised to burn my feet. The temperatures were as hot as if we were in Africa.

When I entered the apartment again I realized that it was a total wreck. I was already sweaty, so I took off my shirt and got busy. First of all, I turned on the coffee machine and the microwave. My stomach was grumbling for some food. Several sips of the black coffee were more than enough to chase away my drowsiness and grogginess. Combined with two sandwiches it was perfect. I washed the plate and the mug and unpacked the bags.

Room by room, I cleaned everything. I put all the empty bottles in one bag and was blown away by the number of them. I wondered how I was still alive after drinking all of that. Anyway, the other food wrappers immediately found their spot in the other black bag. Among the waste I found several of my teammates jerseys which I folded and put in my wardrobe. I would give them back to the guys once I saw them.

I also vacuumed the floor and put everything back where it belonged. The chairs were standing on all four legs, the paintings were straightened and the remains of the vase I had broken were in a bin.

I sighed, putting my hands on my waist. Then, I took my cell in my hand and dialed the only restaurant in my contacts list. Because it was incredibly important.

“Hello,” a pleasing voice said from the other end.

“Hello, it’s Sean Coleman here. I would like to book a table for tonight,” I said, putting my other hand in my pocket.

“Okay, sir. Which table? For two or more?”

“A table for two, please, around 8 o’clock. And please make it a bit more romantic and intimate, it’s a special occasion,” I said. And oh, boy, it was special.

“All right, sir. We’ll be ready for you.”

I hung up and smiled.

B
eing
with my parents gave me the energy I needed so badly. That jerk had made me so furious. I had needed some rest and thankfully I had gotten it.

I felt my body calm as I drove in silence. I had needed some peace and quiet. The concrete was creaking under the wheels. I liked it. It was something I had never really paid attention to. Now it was impossibly calming.

Twilight was slowly settling over the city I had so loved and lived in for so long. The dying sun made a true spectacle in the sky; the colors ranging from red, yellow and orange to purple and blue at some places. It was one of the best sights I had seen in all my life. It seemed like the whole city joined in my tranquility. Everything was so eerily quiet. Goosebumps trickled down my skin.

Unsurprisingly, I still had strong feelings towards Sean. He had been such an idiot today that his actions made me question why I had fallen for him in the first place. Even while I had been talking to my parents, weird thoughts had circled my mind. Why would he say all those things to me? Yes. I came to the conclusion that he was dead drunk and had a terrible hangover. Typical men stuff. But something else was weighing on the two of us as well. We had to find a solution to our relationship crisis, damn it! Why the heck did everything have to be so complicated for the both of us?

I hit the steering wheel in frustration. Moments later my mind again drifted into a state of tranquility as I drove home. Suddenly, I didn’t care about anything. I wasn’t going to waste my life on worries and tensions. No, sir. That wouldn’t happen to Kayla. Never ever. No, siree.

Finding a parking spot close to the building was a miracle. I parked my Honda and stepped on the ground. My heels clicked on the asphalt and I felt like I was starring in a movie with the twilight scene and everything. I laughed to myself. I was so silly.

I couldn’t put it into words, but I sensed something when I climbed up the stairs. For the second time that day, I slid the key into the lock and opened the door. What I saw left me breathless for the second time that day.

“Oh my God! Seriously? OMG! This is beautiful!” I shouted as I took it all in.

Sean Coleman was standing before me dressed in a black suit. His gorgeous face lit up as soon as he saw me. I liked that. The formal clothing really suited him and I had always told him that. That perfect body and his ass and his abs and his muscles… They all begged to be put in such fine clothing like this suit. He was so cute that I wanted to eat him right there, as he stood there abashedly like a child who had broken a window.

“Surprise, babe,” he said with flowers in his hands.

“OMG, you cleaned all of it. You’re such a sweetheart, baby,” I said, instantly forgetting my bad feelings towards him. At least for the time being I wanted us to be normal again. Like any other couple on the planet. Except we couldn’t be like any normal couple on the planet. It was already too late for that.

“What do you think?” he asked me, spreading his hands to show his deed.

“I’m spellbound. You caught me unprepared. I haven’t seen the apartment like this in so long, I forgot how it had looked when we bought it. Wow! I don’t have anything to say, really. You’ve left me speechless, that’s all I can say,” I said, still looking around and admiring every corner.

“Did I?” he said and came close to me. His masculine cologne tickled my nostrils. It was the most beautiful smell in the whole world. He wrapped his arms around me, making me feel safe and secure. I liked when he did that. “I’m so sorry for today. Do you want to go on a date with me?”

“What for? I’m a little taken aback by all of this, you know. It’s so much to process,” I said.

“Just to celebrate everything we’ve done. Our achievements and accomplishments. I’m proud of you, babe,” he said and kissed me. His lips found their place on mine and we locked in a passionate kiss. He slipped his tongue in my mouth, joining with mine.

“Oh, really?” I replied, biting his lips. He growled like a wild wolf. “When did you become such a hopeless romantic?” I teased him, chortling.

“When I fell in love with you, I think,” Sean said and kissed the tip of my nose. “Come on, let’s go.”

“There’s more? Wow, babe! You’re full of surprises,” I told him, my heart beating fast.

“You should know that by now.” He winked at me.

“No, but seriously. I can’t wrap my head around all of this and you say there is more. Where to, my macho man?” I said still in his embrace.

“That’s a surprise, babe. Prepare to be left breathless,” Sean said and that was when he took me by the hand and we were out of our clean apartment. I still couldn’t believe that Sean had thought to get rid of the mess he had made. Finally!

Luckily I had a dress on and I played with my hair to look a little bit more presentable. Sean wouldn’t let me go up and dress more nicely.

“You look beautiful even with your pajamas on,” he said.

“But much better without them, right?” I teased him.

“Hmm… You’re right.” He squeezed my hand and winked at me. I giggled.

Finally, I checked myself out in the mirror of the car. I reapplied some make-up and fixed a stray lock of hair. I made a gesture as if I was kissing someone and decided that I liked how I looked. It could be better, but these were the circumstances.

“You know, I like surprises,” I confessed. My whole being was dancing with excitement and thrill.

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m doing this.” He kissed me. “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

He started the engine and we were off into the night.

“It’s a place, right? Please, a hint!” I screamed, laughing.

“Well, it’s a place. You got it. And that’s all you’ll get from me.”

“Have we been there?”

“No idea.”

“Tell me!” I was laughing now, curiosity killing me from the inside. This man was truly stubborn. I hadn’t realized that he was that stubborn. Just like a mule.

“I’m not going to.” He was laughing, too. “Unless you guess, you won’t find out until we get there.”

“Do I like it there? Do I know it?” I pestered him with questions.

Sean started whistling some tune and that drove me up the wall. I finally gave up and enjoyed the moment. The muscles on my face were hurting me from laughing so much.

“Are we there yet?” I asked when we were waiting for the green light.

“Nope,” Sean said and gave me that adorable half smile of his. Sexy!

He turned left, heading down the main street. There were so many places he could take me to.

“Are we there yet?” I asked again.

“You’re seriously not doing that, little curious baby,” he said and chuckled.

“Are we there yet?” I said again and couldn’t help but laugh. “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”

Sean sighed in resignation and kissed me passionately on the lips to shut me up. I cherished the moment and locked my hands on his nape, devouring his lips and kisses. He was such a great kisser! The best one in the world!

We drove some more until the car stopped.

“We’re there,” he said, smiling. “You satisfied?”

As I climbed out of the car, my eyes popped open in surprise. “Is that
…?
”

“It is,” he said, chortling.

“Oh my God! You brought us to the restaurant where we had our first date!” I yelled, joy and adrenaline running through my veins.

“The very one.” He laughed.

“Oh my… We’re going to have dinner here?”

“Yup, just like the old times,” Sean replied and took my hand. When we entered the waiter immediately asked us whether we had a reservation. Sean gave his name, the waiter showed us to our table for the night.

“This is the very table we sat at, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Sean said. His smile was strapped to his face for the entire night it seemed. “I’m glad you noticed that.”

“Thanks, Sean. We really needed this. It’s amazing. I-I-I have nothing else to say. I’m beyond happy.” I finally let myself be carried into the moment. “Everything is just as I remember it. The decorations, the flowers, the tables, the chairs, the people. It’s almost like nothing has changed.”

“Yeah… Everything except us,” Sean said sadly and lowered his gaze to the menu in front of us. What did that mean? My inner feelings were already telling me, but I pushed away the evil thoughts infiltrating my mind. Not today. Not tonight.

We ordered some wine and the waiter suggested the meal of the day. After seeing Sean’s and my puzzled face, he explained that it was beef in an Italian sauce. It sounded delicious, so we ordered two portions of that. He smiled and left us alone.

Sean took my hand. What a sweetheart! “So, how are your parents? You went to their place, right?”

“How did you know?” I asked him, bewildered.

“I heard your Honda. I can recognize it anywhere. And I figured that you’d go to them. Who else would you go to? I know you all too well, Kay-Kay.” He chuckled.

“That was seriously my nickname in kindergarten. Thanks for bringing that up.” I laughed. “You know that I hate it.”

“It’s precisely why I’m using it, Kay-Kay,” he said and I threw my napkin at him, laughing.

“The things I’ll do to you are not suitable for public. But once we’re in private, you’ll see.” A wicked grin appeared on his face.

“Can’t wait for that,” I said, licking my lips. He only giggled.

We talked some more. He told me about today’s newspapers and the social media sites. His eyes sparkled when he talked about the game and the posted pictures. The whole world was watching him. I smiled.

“You deserve all of it, babe. You’re my hero.” I fondled his hand and he squeezed it.

“Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll remember that. And by the way, they mentioned you on the news,” he said, his whole face lighting up.

“Me? Why me? You surprised me there,” I said, raising my eyebrows.

“They put your picture on the screen and labeled you as my girlfriend. You’re famous now.” He chuckled.

“Oh my God, those people are ruthless.” I laughed. Some attention wasn’t something evil after all. However, paparazzi were. And I couldn’t stand them. Despite my studies, I definitely didn’t want to have to deal with them. Oh, no, never, babe.

The food came and it was then that I realized how hungry I was. Yummy! I could lick my fingertips. “This is insane. My stomach is grumbling. I’ll be able to eat all of this in a minute,” I said through laughs.

As we ate, we talked about everything and anything. I told him details about my interview and managed to recall almost every question. Sean stared at me in amazement, throwing in a word or two. Then, we chatted about our memories together, the beginnings of our relationship, memorable events and stuff like that.

“Baby, I have to tell you something.” Sean’s face grew all too serious and that scared me. What was happening now?

“Is something wrong?” I asked, surprised by the sudden change of attitude. I saw his teeth clenching and his jawline pronounced. Something was torturing him. I had to know what.

“We both have our dreams and careers and that’s completely fine. We can’t stand in each other’s way,” he said in a low voice that was barely audible to my ears.

“Where are you heading with this?” I asked, interrupting him. What did all of this mean? I was completely nervous and frustrated.

“I don’t want you to give up on your dreams and your post-grad education…”

“And I don’t want you to give up on football. So what?” My voice was harsher than I had originally intended it to be.

“Yes. And that’s why we should split up. I’ve been thinking and that’s the only solution. Think about it…” he said taking my hand in his.

I retrieved it and put it in my lap. “What about a long distance relationship?” My voice was shaky. Why was it doing that, damn it?

“It won’t work, babe. You and I both know that. We’ll destroy each other even more and we’ll be limiting our other choices,” Sean said. I envied him for the courage to tell me all that. I wouldn’t have been able to do that for the world.

Tears welled up in my eyes and at first I thought that I could conceal them. I was wrong. They poured down my cheeks one after the other. The possibility of a conversation like this lingered in the back of my mind and it finally came true. It wasn’t possible! I couldn’t accept this! We-we… But then, my senses whispered to me that denial was the first stage of grief.

“Kayla, baby… It’s hard. It’s hard for me, too,” he said, fondling my hand. His fingertips ran across my skin and that made it even worse. My tears were falling like a waterfall without my approval.

“It’s all too much, Sean,” I sobbed. “I already feel empty. Like there’s something missing.”

“Honey, it’s the only way. My heart is in pieces as well. I don’t know how I’ll live without you,” Sean said; his voice was emotional like mine.

“I can do nothing but agree. Yes, it’s the only way. We should break up and be done with it,” I said and wiped the tears from my eyes. Ugh, I hated myself for saying that. But once the words escaped my mouth, I felt liberated.

“Babe…”

“I’ll always love you, Sean. That’s all I know. Despite this… Despite everything… I’ll always love you,” I said, wiping my nose.

“You’ll have a special place in my heart also, baby. I love you,” he said and I could see that it hurt him. It hurt the both of us. We were broken without repair. And we were emotional about it.

“Do you want to go home? To have our last night together?” I suggested. My soul was crying and splitting in millions of pieces.

Sean nodded. “Yeah, come on.” He clenched his teeth again to conceal the pain. That broke my heart even more.

We drove home in complete silence.