While I loved Andrea deeply, I wanted to be positive before I committed myself to her. I’d seen too many marriages break apart, especially those of my teammates and other football stars across the country. A little time apart would do us good. I was sure of it.
THIRTY-THREE
Andrea
New Year’s Eve
With Tony out of the house since Christmas, I’d actually finished my novel. Taking a week vacation helped considerably, but it was nice to step back from our relationship. The only problem? I found myself missing him, especially as the hours counted down until the new year.
I sent him a text message, asking if he had a few minutes to meet up before the ball dropped. If we kissed at the changing of the year, we would be blessed with an entire twelve months of bliss via kisses. With the novel finished, I was ready to celebrate. Surely he could take an hour to see me.
Ten minutes passed with no answer to the text message. I stared at his picture on the screen of my phone, debating whether or not I should call him. While I didn’t want to seem desperate or needy, I was both as New Year’s Eve ticked away before my eyes.
I sighed then tapped the screen and put the phone to my ear. It went straight to his voicemail.
What the hell? Why isn’t he answering? Does he have another woman? Is that why he rushed out of here on Christmas Day?
The questions piled up in my mind without answers.
He had sent me the hotel and room number where he was staying Christmas evening, but I hadn’t responded or called him. At first I had been upset, but as I channeled the emotions into my novel, I began to understand what he meant by taking a breather. It felt nice.
Except for the fact he wouldn’t answer his damn phone.
“Screw this,” I said out loud, determined not to be alone on New Year’s Eve.
Before rushing over to the hotel room he had rented to supposedly prepare for the playoff games, I took time to print out a copy of my novel. It still needed to be edited, but it was getting closer to being complete with each passing day.
As I waited for the printed sheets to pop out of the machine, I wondered what Tony might be doing. Had I done something wrong to drive him away? None of it made sense to me. Well, except for the fact I found myself falling in love with the bad boy sports star.
I picked up my phone and called him again. It went straight to voicemail.
What the hell?
I set the phone down on my desk. With each printed page that came out, I became more upset about him ignoring me for almost an entire week and then ignoring my calls.
He has to have someone holed up over there with him
. I had no proof to back-up my fears and suspicions, but it all made sense. If he was back on top, why would he need someone like me? Self-doubts infiltrated my brain and caused havoc as I waited.
When the novel finally finished printing, I stacked it up in a neat pile and placed it on the top of my desk. Staring at it, I almost didn’t believe I had finished an entire novel. I had always read romance novels since discovering them in my teen years, but this was different. It was my book.
I sat at my desk another moment or two, wondering if Tony had simply used me. It wouldn’t have been the first time a man took advantage of me in my life. Almost all my previous boyfriends had done so in one way or another. With a sigh, I stood up.
I’m going. I have to know.
After stuffing the manuscript into my oversized purse, I headed outside. I got into my car and waited another few minutes, wondering if I should just show up at his hotel room unannounced.
Maybe something happened to him
, I reasoned.
If he’s hurt in his room with the phone off, I’ll be saving him not checking up on him.
After backing out of my driveway, I slowly headed toward the hotel where he was staying.
It’s not wrong to want to not be alone on New Year’s Eve
, I told myself. The closer I got, the more enraged I became.
Why am I worried about what he thinks of me? He’s the one not answering
.
Block by block, my anger ramped up. By the time I parked in front of the hotel downtown, I was fit to be tied. Anger raged through my mind as I stormed to the entrance. Inside the lobby, I headed straight to the bank of elevators on the far side. A few employees looked at me, but they said nothing.
On the way up to his floor in the elevator, I ran through a few things I might say to him if he answered.
What if he doesn’t answer the door? What if another woman answers? What if a man answers?
As I neared his room, my questions got even more ridiculous.
A bell rang and the elevator door slid open. I stomped out then looked to the left and right, trying to figure out which way to go. I knew his room number, but not where the numbers started. I decided to go left, walking quickly down the carpeted hallway while checking room numbers on doors.
When I reached his room, I stopped and took a deep breath.
Is this the right thing to do? What am I going to find behind this door? Am I ready for it? Can I handle breaking up with Tony on New Year’s Eve?
I reached out and knocked on the door twice, loudly, before my righteous anger died down.
THIRTY-FOUR
Andrea
I heard faint laughter behind the door.
Screw this!
I banged even harder.
“Open up, Tony. I know you’re in there, you dog!”
The lock clicked and the door slowly swung open. I saw Tony, dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, standing with a smile on his face.
“Hey, Andrea. What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” I asked angrily. “What are you doing here?”
I barged into the room, ready for anything except what I saw.
Instead of naked women or men lounging on the bed, I saw a half-dozen people sitting around the living room area of the extended-stay room.
“Are you okay?” Tony asked, putting his hand on my back.
“No,” I said, twisting away from him. “You wouldn’t answer my calls. Is this some type of swinger party or something?”
Tony laughed.
“No, it’s my anger management group. We’ve been meeting all week, and I think I’m making a breakthrough.”
“Anger management group?”
All the hysterics and animosity toward Tony went away in an instant, whooshing out of me like air from a punctured balloon. I put my hand over my mouth, suddenly more embarrassed than I’d been at any other time in my life.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, backing toward the door.
“It’s okay,” Tony said. “I’ve had my phone off because it helps us concentrate.”
I turned and bolted for the door. Tony stepped out of the room after me.
“Hold on,” he said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m so embarrassed. When you didn’t answer and I didn’t hear from you all week, I thought…I thought…”
He put his strong arms around me and held me tight, not caring who saw us in the hallway.
“It’s okay,” he said in a soothing voice while rubbing my back.
“I’m such an idiot,” I sobbed.
“No, you’re not. I should have called, but I’ve been wrapped up with this and getting ready for the playoffs.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “You can come and join us. We were almost finished.”
“No, I shouldn’t…”
“It’s okay,” he interrupted. “I’d like to have you in there with me.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please?”
“Okay,” I relented then sniffed.
“I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ve just been super busy.”
“Me too. I finished my novel.”
I patted my purse.
“You going to let me read it?”
“Not yet,” I said.
“Okay. Let’s get back. We were about to stop the meeting anyway.”
“I’m proud of you for doing this.”
He kissed me again, a quick peck on the lips, then took my hand and led me back into his room. The six others sitting inside smiled as we walked over.
“This is Andrea,” Tony said. “The woman I’ve been telling you about.”
“Oh no. Only good, I hope.”
“He loves you so much,” an older woman near the sliding glass door leading to the balcony.
I sat down on the only spot left on the couch. Tony took a seat across the room.
“Sorry everyone,” I said.
“It’s fine,” Tony said. “We were just finishing up. Anyone have anything they would like to share?”
I glanced around the room. Everyone shook their heads.
“Great.” He clapped his hands together. “We’ll meet again next year or in a week, whatever comes first.”
As the others stood, I did the same, feeling so out of place. Two groups formed in the room. Three people stood around Tony, talking to him, while I found myself standing next to the other three.
“I had no idea he was doing this,” I admitted.
“You’re fine, dear,” the middle-aged woman who had spoken earlier said.
She put her hand on my arm briefly, making me feel at ease.
“Have you guys been meeting long?”
“No,” she continued.
“I have to get going, but nice to meet you, Andrea,” a man in a white, button-up shirt said and held out his hand.
I shook it, smiling. The others took their leave, also shaking my hand. After they left, I walked over to Tony and the other group, who were all laughing.
“See you guys next week,” Tony said then waved.
As they walked toward the door, I looked at Tony, loving him even more than I had before.
“When did you start doing this?” I asked.
“This is our first meeting, actually. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to get this room for a month or two.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “When you didn’t answer, I jumped to conclusions and thought…”
I stopped, not wanting to say it out loud.
“That I was cheating on you?” he said, finishing my sentence.
“Yeah,” I said then frowned, tears forming in my eyes again.
“Come here…”
He put his arms around me, holding tight. I stared up and into those magical hazel colored eyes. This is the man I’m going to marry. The thought didn’t need to be spoken out loud. I would show him my love.
After assuming the worst, I wanted to give him the best blowjob he had ever received. As a star quarterback, I knew it was going to be difficult, but I was going to try my hardest.
I stepped over and put my palms on his chest before kissing him. Still staring into his eyes, I dropped to my knees in front of him. The only thought in my mind was taking his cock into my mouth and making him feel good.
THIRTY-FIVE
Tony
When she dropped to the floor, I thought about stopping her for about half a second. As soon as she had her hands on the waist of my pants, I took a deep breath, anticipation building up. She fumbled to undo my pants and belt, all the while looking up and into my eyes.
Hers were open wide, so beautiful and giving. She pulled my pants and underwear down together. I stared down at her. She brushed her soft, silky cheek against my limp dick as I watched, captivated by the sight and feelings together. A grin spread over her face.
“Let’s get you comfortable,” she said, standing up.
I moaned as she pressed her body against mine and stood on her toes to kiss me on the lips. As we kissed, out tongues dancing together, I stepped out of my pants and reached down to pull my tee-shirt over my head.
“There we go…”
She stepped back to examine my body better. I loved the way she looked at me – so hungry and filled with lust. I trusted her enough to spend the rest of my life with her.
“Turn around.”
I obeyed, loving the feeling of her being in control, at least for the moment.
“Nice,” she said in a sexy voice. “Go sit on the couch.”
She watched my every step as I made my way across the room. When I reached the leather couch, I sat down and leaned all the way back.
“Touch yourself,” she said.
“I don’t…”
“Do it,” she interrupted.
I reached down between my legs and wrapped my fingers around my cock, wishing they were her fingers. As I gave it a few playful tugs, she undressed. The meeting and everything else faded away. All that existed in the universe was her naked body.