I finally decided I had to call Hal. Not because I wanted to. Not because I was ready to. But because I missed my period.
Three home pregnancy tests later, I was convinced of the truth. There was no avoiding it. Hal had been on my mind for weeks, and now I was out of excuses. I picked up the phone and found Hal's number. He still hadn't given up on me, as evidenced by the missed calls I still got every few days. He'd also sent flowers, chocolates, and a giant pink teddy bear to my office. My coworkers had been talking about it for weeks, trying to figure out who the mystery man was who was sending me so many gifts. I never let them see the name on the card.
I was ready to dial the number, but I couldn't make myself hit the call button. This sort of news really couldn't be delivered over the phone.
I'd have to talk to him in person.
I checked the schedule of Hal's games. Next Sunday, he was playing in New York. That was about a two hour drive from where I lived, but I could manage. I wasn't sure how I'd get in to see him once I was there, but I knew I had to do it this way. He deserved to hear the news from me face to face.
I spent the days before the game going over what I planned to say, over and over again. I couldn't find a way to get the words straight in my head, which was funny, considering that I was a writer. I thought about writing it all down so I could organize my thoughts, but that was too impersonal.
When Sunday finally arrived, I left early to beat the traffic, driving upstate towards New York. I got there with plenty of time before the game. I searched through the stadium, which held only small handfuls of people this early in the day, until I found a “Player's Only” area guarded by a large man wearing a black shirt that read “SECURITY across the back. I walked up to him and told him I was here to see Hal Masterson.
“Sorry, ma'am,” he said. “No fans beyond this point.”
“I'm not a fan,” I said. I pulled out my press ID badge and showed it to him.
“No press, either,” he said. “There's a press box reserved for...”
He paused and read the name on my ID. “You're Jane Edison?”
The scowl on his face told me that he knew about my scathing article and the effect I'd had on Hal.
“Just a moment,” he said. He stepped to the side and spoke into a radio. I couldn't make out what was being said, but I heard an angry tone coming from the voice at the other end.
Before the security guard said anything to me, the door behind him opened and Hal came bursting out. “Jane,” he said, breathless. It looked like he'd run all the way here. “I'm so glad to see you.”
I looked him over. He was only half-dressed for the game, his chest bare and glistening with sweat. He drew some looks from the other people in the stadium, a few of them whispering his name.
The security guard stepped up and leaned close. “Mr. Masterson...”
Hal glanced at the man, then looked around at the fans ogling him. He took my hand and said, “Come with me.”
He led me through the door and down a hall that lead to the locker rooms. He pulled me into a room to one side, filled with equipment for physical therapy.
As soon as we were in there, he kissed me.
He didn't stop at just a kiss. His arms reached around me, caressing my generous curves. I held myself stiff for a moment, then melted into his embrace. I'd wanted this, even when I'd tried to deny it. I still felt like I was a mess, that I would screw up any chance we might have at a real relationship. But I was aching for his touch.
“Hal,” I said, pulling back reluctantly. I touched my forehead against his as he held me. “We need to talk.”
“I know,” he said. “But you're here. That's a good thing. Right?”
I looked into his eyes. He seemed so carefree and eager. I hated to break the news to him.
Better to get it over with quick. Like a band-aid.
I kissed him again, then stepped back, taking his hands in mine. “Hal,” I said. I took a deep breath. “I'm pregnant.”
“Really?” he asked. His eyes widened.
I nodded. I held my breath, bracing myself for his reaction.
“That's wonderful!” he said.
I let out my breath and stared at him in shock. “Really?”
“Of course it is!” He laughed, squeezing my hands. “Wow. Damn. Pregnant?” He grinned, fidgeting where he stood. “Damn. I'm going to be a father!”
I watched him carefully, wondering if the news wasn't really sinking in. “Hal, this is serious. What are we going to do? A baby is a lot of responsibility.”
“Everything is going to be fine,” he promised me. “I'll take care of you and the baby. You know I can provide for it. Our kid is going to have a great life.”
“But...”
“But what?” he asked. He frowned in concern. “What's wrong, Jane? Look, I know you haven't been returning my calls, but...”
I sighed and stepped back into his arms. “I'm sorry about that. I was...I was just scared.”
“It's okay,” he said, stroking my back. “Everything's going to be fine. We'll make this work.”
Then he was kissing me again, and this time I let go of all of my fears. There was still a lot to think about, a lot to plan for, but he'd taken the news far better than I could have hoped for. If he had been my ex, the news of a baby on the way would have sent him running for the hills. But Hal was actually excited!
We didn't have much time before Hal had to start his game, but we seized the moment. Hal lifted me up onto one of the tables they used for medical exams, caressing my body with his athletic hands. I kissed him hungrily, feeling a rush at the forbidden idea of fooling around right here in the stadium. My body grew warm as I ran my hands across Hal's muscular chest. Then my fingers strayed down to his uniform pants, tugging at the laces.
Hal dropped his pants, still wearing his cleats and his knee pads. I tugged at my own belt in a rush, afraid now of getting caught, but unwilling to stop what we'd started. Hal kissed my neck and nuzzled my soft skin while he helped me get my pants off. Then he took me right there on the exam table with eager, frantic thrusts of passion. I buried my face into his neck to stifle my moans, certain that someone would catch us, but not caring if they did.
“Come on, baby,” I whispered in his ear. “I need you. You're going to be a father. We're going to be a family.”
He grunted in exertion and pleasure as I guided him to his climax. Pleasure swept over me, filling me with a forbidden rush of energy. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders, panting and out of breath. He held me close, trembling, and I could feel that smile of pure contentment on his face.
We heard voices from the hall and quickly got dressed. We were mostly cleaned up when the door opened and one of the coaches found us. “Masterson!” he shouted. “What the hell are you doing? We've got a game to play!”
“Yes, sir,” he said. “On my way.”
He turned and gave me another quick kiss, then hurried off to prep for the game. I was led to a VIP box where I could watch the game. Hal was in true form this time, showing none of the distraction that had spoiled his last few games. He was a warrior on the field, full of energy, showing all of his fans why they loved him. The crowd cheered, and I even cheered along with them. I didn't really care which team won or lost. But I was caught up in the moment.
I cheered for the father of my child, and I knew that we were going to have a great life together. I knew I still had a lot of baggage to get over from my past, but for the first time in a long time, I could look to the future with hope about what was to come.
****THE END****