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- J.J. Watt
Nervously rapping my knuckles against Tyler’s front door at the football house, I wait for one of the guys to answer. I was going to call but thought it might be better to have this conversation in person. It’s time I tell him about my father and find out what his issue was on the field the other day.
We can’t go one like this, separated and not communicating. I miss him already, and it’ll only get worse with the more time I waste waiting around for him to pick up the phone. I don’t want us to let our chance of being together slip away.
“Kadence?” Niner gazes down at me confused. His brown hair’s rumpled like he’s been running his hands through it a million times. “Owens didn’t say you were coming by or I would’ve kept the PlayStation volume turned down. I never would’ve heard you knock if I wasn’t fixing a snack real quick.”
“It’s okay; I wasn’t out here long. Ty’s playing video games?”
“No,” Niner steps back, out of my way so I can come inside. Noticing his wrinkled shirt and basketball shorts he has on, it looks like he’s in full on bum mode. “He’s in his room. Want me to let him know you’re here?”
“No, that’s okay. I can just go to his room myself; it’s no biggie.”
“’Kay, cool, I was waiting for my new game to load so they should be waiting for me by now.”
“Are the other guys here playing too?”
“Nope, it’s just Owens and me right now. I play online with my little brothers. They’re twelve-year-old twins, and I don’t get to see them much with me being away at school. Plus, it keeps them busy and gives my mom a few minutes of downtime.”
“Oh wow, that’s a good idea, and nice of you. I didn’t know you had brothers.” Which means most of the other guys we hang out with, probably do as well. I need to find out more about these people now that I have actual friendships with them. Sometimes I think I’m a selfish asshole for growing up as an only child, but I don’t do it on purpose.
“It’s weird being away from them, but what can you do?” He shrugs, grabbing his sandwich from the counter as we walk through the kitchen. He veers off to their designated game room, and I continue down the hallway to the third door on the right. It’s Ty’s.
My stomach’s full of flutters as I knock on his closed door. Two days is the longest we’ve been apart for nearly three weeks; maybe I should’ve thought about it a little more before just showing up here uninvited. What if he’s not ready to see me? I hope he’s missed me as much as I have with him. I haven’t stopped thinking of him.
“Just a sec,” he yells, and it sounds like he’s hopping around. After a few moments, he opens the door, peeking out while shirtless.
“Kadence?” He squints, his voice raspy and hair in every direction.
“Are you sick?” It’s the first thing that comes to mind. He looks exhausted.
“No, I was just taking a nap. Come in.” He steps to the side and lets me into his dark room, his covers halfway on the floor as if he jumped out of bed in a rush and was tangled in them.
“But it’s the afternoon.”
“Yeah, I know. But yesterday and today’s practice have been sorta rough.” He limps over to relax on his bed while I take his desk chair.
“I can imagine.”
“Please don’t sit so far away from me.”
“Okay.” I give in and move beside him, sitting on the comfy mattress. “So why are you limping?”
“Again, rough practice,” he answers, and I nod.
“They didn’t hurt you did they?” Instantly growing concerned for his well-being and ready to visit my dad’s friend, good old Coach Stratton, if needed in Tyler’s defense.
“Not anything more than what I deserve. You run up and down the stands enough and your calves eventually seize up. I’ve been soaking them in ice water, but they’re still cramped really bad.”
Nodding like a bobble head again, I stay quiet. This is a piece of the game I understand well, after watching my dad practice for many years and seeing the other players get reprimanded for screwing up. Physical punishment is readily accepted in the form where they usually burn out your body in some way. In Ty’s case, his legs will probably hurt for a week to two weeks if they keep making him run up and down the stairs like that for God knows how long each day. One thing’s for sure, though; he won’t forget about it.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No. Thanks, though. Why are you being nice to me? You looked horrified the other day.”
“We’re going to get straight to it, huh?”
“I want to get it out of the way. I hate feeling like this around you,” he mutters while staring at the carpet. He hasn’t tried to grab my hand yet, and it makes me sad to know our relationship could already be reaching its first hurdle.
“Good idea. Okay, truthfully you did freak me out. I thought you were going to murder your teammate. You were so out of it; they had to lift you off the ground and carry you away. That’s not at all the way I’m used to seeing you act. But then I started thinking about the other fight before, and it made me wonder if it’s the type of person you really are and if I know you at all.”
“You do know the real me, Kadence. I promise.” Running his hand over his face, he continues, “There’s so much more to that guy than you know about. I hadn’t told you because I didn’t want you to worry about him. I see now that it was a mistake keeping it from you. I should’ve spoken to you about everything going on out at the ranch.”
“Well, you can tell me now.”
He nods. “That guy’s name is Briggs. You remember when we first met and you told me that you knew about the rumors floating around?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Well, he’s the cause of them—all of them. Then JJ and Chandler busted him at the party the other night trying to slip something into a chick’s drink.”
“No way!”
“Yep, they took care of it with Nate’s help, but it still infuriated me. And then when I saw him that close to you at practice the other day...I completely lost it. I couldn’t stop thinking about him hurting you, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
That explains so much, and I almost feel like an idiot for getting as scared as I did. I should’ve known he’d have a good reason for his actions.
“And the fight that happened before?”
“He was talking trash about my mother. I can usually block it out, but he was able to break through.”
Another answer that I can understand. I would probably freak out, too, if I had a set of amazing parents and they were taken from me, and people thought it was okay to blast it everywhere. This is why it was so important for me to come over, to see with my own eyes that he’s telling me the truth. Not that I’ve doubted his honesty before, it’s just growing up with a celebrity as your father; you tend to be quick to mistrust. Tyler doesn’t deserve that from me, though, and the next time that there’s an issue I have, I’m going to trust he has a valid reason behind it.
“I’m sorry,” I admit softly.
“It’s not your fault.” He reaches for my hand—finally.
“I mean for questioning you about it. I should’ve trusted that there was a serious reason behind it. You’ve never given me any reason to think of you as anything other than a good guy.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. I have something that I want to discuss with you also.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me who your father is?”
“Who told you?”
“Coach. He said I better get my shit together if I wanted to keep seeing you.”
Shaking my head, I apologize again. “I’m sorry for keeping it from you. I was planning on telling you today actually. My dad’s not the same person as he used to be. He wasn’t that outgoing when he played football, but now he’s pretty much gone in the opposite direction. Some people want to get closer to me thinking it’ll get them near my dad, so I have to hold back for a while to see if the person is really into me or just wanting to use me.”
“Of course, I want you for you. Are you crazy? I’m gone over you.”
“I love hearing you say that and knowing you feel the same way I do.”
“Why is your dad different now?”
“I don’t really know. I’m not sure if something happened that made him decide to retire and move nearly across the country or what. It’s like one day he loved nothing besides me and football, then next thing I know, we’re moving to Texas, and he’s becoming a biker.”
“Biker, as in he likes to ride in the marathons or whatever they’re called?”
“No, like vroom, vroom—biker gang—equipped with leather jackets and all.”
“Holy shit, that’s what Stratton meant about Chaos not being afraid to rip through me. Your dad really is a badass.”
“Yeah, that’s not his football name anymore, but his road name. I trust you; that’s the only reason why I’m telling you all of this. Please keep it to yourself.”
“Of course, anything you tell me is private. So, that explains why you know more about football than me on some days, huh?”
“Oh, you caught that?”
“I’m pretty sure we all did.” He grins, and I smile in return.
“I didn’t think I was being so obvious. I figured you guys were used to talking about it all the time so you wouldn’t pay attention to me doing it too.”
“Baby, you’re a beautiful woman discussing the ins and outs of football with a group of guys that breathe football. You have every one of my friends’ respect. I think a few of them even believe that you’re a goddess at this point.”
That makes me snort and then laugh. “So you’re not mad at me then for keeping it from you?”
“I was shocked to find out and also surprised that you hadn’t said anything, but it filled in a lot of blanks for me when Coach said something. But no, I’m not mad. We need to be up-front in the future, though, both of us.”
“I will, I promise you.”
“Good, I do too.” Pulling me close he presses a few chaste kisses against my lips and then one to my forehead, before sitting back again.
“Why didn’t you call or text me the past few days, I felt like I’d done something wrong and you didn’t want to talk to me. I know you care for me, but did it not bother you that we didn’t speak?”
“Of course, it did, are you kidding? I was going crazy inside not talking to you, but I needed to give you some time to yourself. I didn’t want to overwhelm you even more than I did the other day. I knew I had to have scared you and I wanted to give you a little time away from me, so you didn’t think I was smothering you especially after seeing me so pissed. I wish you’d never witnessed any of it. Truthfully, I was ashamed that I let you see that side of me. The jealousy and anger, that’s not the type of person I want you to think of me as.”
“I make you jealous?”
“Knowing what I do about you, I know what I have to lose and what others have to gain. So in a way, I guess yes, my jealousy comes out around you. I try to push it down, but parts of me can’t help it, you’re amazing, and I don’t want anyone else ruining that or taking it away from me. I’m so fucking selfish when it comes to you, Kadence.”
“I’m selfish when it comes to you as well, Tyler,” I admit. Inside it drives me bonkers thinking of all the females constantly after him. He’s mine and just like him, I don’t want anyone to take that away from me either.
“You are?” His eyebrows rise, hope appearing in his irises, and I giggle.
“It makes you happy hearing that?”
“Hell yeah, sweetheart. I like knowing that you feel possessive over me, at least a little bit anyhow. It makes me feel important to you.”
“You are, Tyler, probably more than you should be already.”
A grin overtakes his mouth. Clearly, he likes what I’m saying. I find it mildly amusing that he likes my jealous side rearing its ugly head.
“Now what?” I mumble.
“Well, I want to make love to you like no other, but my entire body hurts every time I move, so we’ll have to raincheck it.”
Damn it that would be perfect right now. Not only have I missed him, but so has my body. I’ve tossed and turned at night, thinking about the way he feels against me.
“Maybe you should take a hot bath to help? And we can come back to the making love part.”
He presses another kiss to my jaw, a low grumble escaping as his lips meet my skin, “God, I want you. How about instead of the bath, you just lay with me?”
“I think that sounds like a good plan,” I agree, and he brushes a soft kiss on my mouth again and edges his way up to the pillows. I would happily lie here all day long and allow him to kiss me all over. I can never get enough of him and that skillful mouth.
Following along, I toe off my flip-flops and try not to jostle him too much as I get comfortable, partially lying on him with my head resting against his chest. The side of his bed’s littered with melted ice packs, the poor guy must’ve hurt too bad to take them to the sink. No worries, I’m here now, and I’ll make sure he has everything he needs. I’m not planning on going anywhere. I should’ve been here the whole time, helping him.
“Want me to turn on the TV?”
“If you want to watch something, then go for it, but I’m fine either way. I just want to lay here and feel you against me.”
“You are so much more, Kadence,” he mumbles making my heart melt a bit more with his meaningful words.
I love him.
“So are you,” I whisper and eventually fall asleep, happy once again to be by his side.
“Hey Pumpkin,” my dad rumbles through the phone. He called at the perfect time. I ended up staying with Tyler all night long after our talk and I barely made it to the dorm when my phone started ringing. Ty went to practice and came back to bed, all without waking me up. I must’ve been more tired than I thought, napping the afternoon away on his chest yesterday. We cooked a late dinner together, and then I was out again, oversleeping this morning.
“Hi, Dad.”
“So, how’s school going?”
“Oh you know, just the usual.”
Brianne overhears me reply and yells, “Tell him about Tyler!”
Bitch says it loud enough that my dad no doubt heard her. I’ve been planning to tell him, just maybe not today, but it looks like that’s changing.
He clears his throat, “So who’s this Tyler?”
“He’s a guy I’m friends with,” I answer slowly, and Brianne yells again.
“It’s her boyfriend!”
Pulling the phone away, I mouth at her, “Shut up!” And the traitor grins.
“You have a boyfriend? Since when?”
“Well, we’ve been friends for a while, but it’s been official for about a week now.”
“And you didn’t think you should tell me about it? You haven’t mentioned anyone in the past.”
“He’s a good man, and I like him, a lot.”
“Maybe I should plan a trip.”
“But you never visit here, how about I come see you on break instead.”
“You’re right, and I think it’s time that changed. I need to visit you more, and that’s going to start happening, now.”
“I love it that I’ll get to see you more, but why now?”
“Because you’re at the age where men become significant in your life, and you need another man there to scare them away.”
“Dad,” I mutter, knowing he wants to come see how far he can push Tyler before he gives up.
“Look Pumpkin, the last time you told me you really liked someone of the opposite gender, it was a ferret that Nan smuggled into your bedroom. This is a big deal, and I need to come check it out for myself.”
“Okay fine,” I huff. “You win, like always.”
“It’s what I do kiddo; you know this.”
“Yeah, just...”
“What?”
“I like him. I want you to promise me you’ll give him a fair chance.”
“If he’s good to you, then there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”
“So when do you plan to visit then?”
“I can be down this weekend.”
“Wow, already?”
“Is that a problem?”
Yes. It’s way too soon. “No, of course not, just wasn’t expecting you to come until one of my school breaks.”
“I’m not waiting until Thanksgiving. I need to meet this guy now.”
“That’s only like a month away.”
“Not happening, Kadence. I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Great, we can go to his game on Saturday.”
“Game? He plays football?”
“Why do you automatically assume it’s football?”
“Because they play on Saturdays.”
“Oh yeah.”
“So, he’s a football player? I thought that wasn’t your type?”
“You know I have a type?”
“The last guy was artsy or something, wasn’t he?”
“Holy shit, you knew about him?”
“Of course, I’m your dad.”
He says it so surely like I should expect him to know about my past boyfriends.
“Okay, so are you flying?”
“Of course not. I’ll be on the bike.”
“All right, see you in a few days.”
“Sounds good. Love ya, Pumpkin.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
We hang up, and I immediately think that I should start calling him Dad. I’m in college. Maybe if I call him Dad instead, he’ll realize I’m not some teenager who needs her father as a bodyguard warding off the opposite sex.
“So your dad’s visiting?” Brianne asks and takes a bite of her apple.
“Yes, thanks to you blabbing about Tyler.”
She starts giggling because even though she knows I love her, she’s also evil.
“I’m not amused.”
“Oh come on, Kay! He needs to meet Ty. It’s been awhile, and you guys are getting all hot and heavy, practically attached at the hip.”
“It really hasn’t been that long. Plus, what if my dad scares him off?”
“He won’t. You’ve dated boys in the past. Ty’s a man and a big one at that. The others would’ve been scared shitless, but your beau is buff, plus he’s an athlete—a good one—and he’s smart. The two of them already have something huge in common.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. My dad is well aware of how shallow a lot of football players are. He’s going to have a preconceived image of Tyler before he even meets him.”
“Maybe you should have him watch the game first. Would he be excited about it and go easy on Ty?”
“I don’t know. Tyler’s so thrilled about eventually meeting my dad. I hope he’s not let down because my dad decides to be a jerk to him.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Give them both a chance, you never know. You were hesitant with Ty in the first place with your own preconceived opinions, and they turned out to be completely wrong, right?”
“Right. Okay. We’ll just roll with it and hope it doesn’t go too badly.”
“Good plan.” She winks and tosses the apple core in our small trash bin. “What ended up happening to the guy Ty punched out the other day anyhow?”
“From the brief version he gave me, I guess the guy needed a few stitches and his jaw may be dislocated. Tyler wasn’t too sure because they’ve been keeping them separated.”
“Geez, he did all that with just a few hits? I can only imagine what he’d have done given more time.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Thank God they were pulled apart. I’d hate it if Tyler got into serious trouble because of some asshole.”
“Asshole, huh? So you know why he went after the guy then?”
“His name’s Briggs.” I shrug, not wanting to tell her all the details of why Ty really lost it. He told me not to say anything about it right now because he didn’t want details floating around campus. “Tyler didn’t say much about it; I was more concerned about him being sore from practice. He did warn me that Briggs isn’t a good person and we need to be careful around him.”
“Weird, but good to know.”
I nod. There, at least she’s warned to watch out for him, but doesn’t know the entire story. I kept my promise to Ty and still protected my friend.
“I’m going to lunch with Kash, wanna come with us?”
“No, I don’t want to party crash on you two.”
“Are you sure? You’re always welcome.”
“Thanks, but I’m good. I need to reserve a room for my dad for this weekend or else I know he’ll forget to. Are you and Kash a thing, now?”
“We’re working on it, I think.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, chick. So I’ll see you later then?”
“Yep, if I’m not here then I’ll be with Tyler. I already missed my class so may as well do the next assignment and find something new to read.”
“You work too hard, Kay. Take some time to relax.”
“I will. Have fun.”
“See you later.” She smiles and heads for the door.
“See ya.” I smile back and pull on my headphones. If my dad’s coming, I want to be ahead on all my schoolwork, so he doesn’t think Tyler’s had any effect on that as well.
