Sadie waited in the main terminal of the Mobile Regional Airport with a sign that read SEXY ALMOST BALD GUY. As soon as Lenny appeared, she waved, thrilled to see him. He smiled and rushed to her side, pulling her into a hug.
“Look at you!” he said, spinning her around.
“I’m so happy to see you, Lenny.”
After grabbing Lenny’s luggage, they were in her rental car and driving to the stadium.
“You made it in time for Family Night,” she said. “We’re unveiling the first video online tonight.”
The video clips had been taped around Mobile, at the hospital where Ty and Carson volunteered, at the local parks on Big Brothers Big Sisters play days, at a couple elementary schools, and even at the stadium. Sadie couldn’t believe how nurturing Carson was with the kids…like he had a dozen children of his own. As for Ty—there was more to that man than he let on. Sadie smiled—the big softie would make a great father one day.
“The production team did an incredible job, didn’t they?”
“That’s an understatement. They captured everything I envisioned for the campaign. Starting with Ty Baxley and ending with Carson was brilliant. And the kids…”
“I loved the little boy at the end,” he said.
“He’s adorable. I love that he asked Carson why he chose the Warriors.”
“Did you like Carson’s answer?” Leonard asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Hey, are you too tired to attend the event? I could drop you at the hotel instead.”
Sadie worried about Leonard because he never took time to rest. He was either at work or partying. Now that he was there, she’d encourage him to stay in a few nights and catch up on sleep.
“No, I’m fine. What about Carson’s answer?” Lenny asked.
“When he said it was all about Alabama? I loved it—really meshed with the slogan—‘Rediscover the Alabama in the Alabama Warriors.’”
“Charles suggested a series of videos.”
Sadie stared at Lenny, then back at the road. “I didn’t know he was keeping up with the project.”
Lenny nodded. “When he can.”
“Here we are.” She pulled into the vast parking lot of the stadium, driving up to a security shed and flashing a badge that gave her access to all the team areas.
The guard waved her through.
“Now that’s power,” Lenny teased.
“There’s a pass waiting in my office for you, too.”
“Really?” He laughed maniacally and rubbed his hands together. “Does it grant access to the locker room?”
“Should I be worried about Carson?”
“Afraid of a little competition?”
She parked the car and pulled the key from the ignition before raising her hands in mock surrender. “You’d win.”
Lenny grinned. “Glad you recognize my superiority where men are concerned.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is it difficult carrying that big head of yours on your shoulders?”
Lenny snorted as he climbed out of the car.
Sadie enabled the alarm and slung her backpack over her shoulder. “I’ll give you a quick tour of the administrative building, then we can get outside and start taking some pictures and video footage.”
They walked to a side door where another security guard was stationed. “Hello, Ms. Reynolds.” The guard smiled.
“Hello, Richard. This is Leonard, my coworker. I have a pass for him in my office.”
“No problem. I trust you.” He opened the door, and Sadie and Leonard stepped inside.
Sadie led the way down the hallway, then turned left. “There’s several offices on this wing,” she said. “Two media rooms, a conference room, and classrooms.” She opened the door to her office and flipped on the light switch. “Small but functional.”
Leonard set his briefcase on the desk and loosened his purple tie. “You’re comfortable here.”
“What do you mean?”
“The way you carry yourself, more relaxed than I’ve seen you in a while.”
She shrugged. “Blame Carson.”
“Blame me for what, Kitty Kat?”
The sound of Carson’s deep voice aroused her, and she could read the excitement on his face. He was wearing full pads and leaned against her office door.
She gazed at the wall clock, surprised he’d cut it so close to the practice game time to see her. “Aren’t you supposed to be on the field warming up?”
“Sure,” he said. “But I wanted to check in and make sure Leonard got here okay.” Carson turned to Lenny. “Heard a lot about you. I’m Carson.”
Sadie held her breath, hoping Leonard wouldn’t drool all over Carson’s extended hand.
“I’m a big fan,” Leonard said, shaking his hand. “Looking forward to the exhibition tonight.”
“Thanks.” Carson stepped around the desk and kissed Sadie’s cheek. “Ready for tonight?”
Sadie nodded and scooped up the schedule for the featured activities. “I memorized everything. On-field football drills, six to seven; Care and Share Family Night Picnic in the west parking lot, seven to eight thirty; and the ever-important Fan Walk of Dreams, an interactive, confidence-building training area with a football toss, photo ops, obstacle course, and other fun for the whole family…” she read out loud.
“Someone’s been doing their homework,” Carson praised her.
“Well, it’s a great opportunity to make you guys look good. Plus, someone needs to set an example for the bad boy quarterback and his rowdy offensive line.”
Carson gave her a crooked smile. “Did you think about what I suggested last night? Attending the after-party together? It’s important to make a good impression on our new sponsor for the stadium. And I’m pretty sure you’ll charm him into a generous donation.” It was the best solution Carson could think of to show the world he and Sadie weren’t just a hookup.
She dropped the program on her desk. “Yes, I have.”
“You hesitated.”
“I did,” she admitted. “Though there’s no policy in my contract discouraging me from fraternizing with a player…”
“You should go,” Leonard injected.
Carson nodded in his direction. “You’re invited, too.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have some paperwork to catch up on and should probably get some sleep. You two have fun. I’ll grab a cab to the hotel after the game.”
“Are you sure, Leonard?” Sadie asked, not wanting him to feel left out.
“Stop worrying about me and go show the world how happy you are.”
Why did Leonard have to be so direct in front of Carson? She didn’t have any doubts about being with Carson, just about how everyone would react to them getting back together. There were so many things to think about—especially whether or not they could deal with a long-distance relationship.
Carson took Sadie’s hand and squeezed it. “No wonder you like him so much.”
Sadie couldn’t hide her smile. “He grows on you.”
“I just want what’s best for my girl,” Leonard said. “And I’ve always told her, run with the big dogs or stay on the porch.”
“Advice to live by,” Carson said. “I have to go, sweetheart. See you on the field.”
Sadie gave Carson a quick hug. “Good luck.”
The walk through the tunnel that led to the stadium field felt eerily lonely, the usual twang of excitement in his gut absent. Count that as a first. The reason he kept playing was because of the butterflies he always felt right before a game. Didn’t matter if his team was on a winning or losing streak or how many fans were in the stands. Carson loved the game. Plain and simple. When Sadie had been at his side during his high school career, it’d been that much sweeter.
He paused halfway down the tunnel, spotting his team lining up ahead. Looking in the opposite direction, toward the locker room, he wondered what it would feel like to march back inside, hang his jersey and helmet up, and then simply walk away—quit. The desolate feelings that thought provoked were similar to how his heart felt without Sadie. Carson was tired from teeter-tottering on the unknown. He wanted Sadie and wasn’t sure he could keep her if he stayed in Alabama.
“Carson!” Coach called.
Carson snapped out of his thoughts, shoved his mouthguard in, and then secured his helmet on his head. As he jogged the rest of the way to his team, catching the sound of the fans above stomping their feet to the rhythm of “We Will Rock You” by Queen, he couldn’t resist smiling. A man with half his heart full trumped a man with an empty one. That’s what he’d focus on tonight as he ran out of the tunnel and into the spotlight—thirty thousand fans jumping up from their seats, clapping and screaming his name.
Though tonight was only meant to showcase the talents of the offense and defense for the fans, Carson never threw a ball half-assed.
He stepped up to the line of scrimmage, placed his hands under his center, and yelled, “Red sixty, red sixty, alpha-omega, hut-hut.”
Jag Patera snapped the ball, and Carson dropped back, looking for an open receiver. He spotted Ty, throwing a perfect spiral that ended up in his best friend’s hands. With a grin plastered on his face, Carson raised his fist in the air, celebrating the forty-yard pass and equally impressive catch and run Ty had made.
Then he searched the sideline for Sadie. She was there, camera in hand, not missing an opportunity to take positive pictures for the Warriors.
Dressed in a navy blue mini dress and black heels, hair in a messy bun, Sadie decided to attend the party with Carson. She credited Leonard’s adage—run with the big dogs or stay on the porch—for giving her the final nudge she needed to just go and not worry about what anyone else thought. This was her life. And Carson deserved a confident girlfriend, not one who would run away every time she felt uncomfortable. She’d already let Jason get the best of her once, and that wouldn’t happen again.
She’d misjudged Carson and her own feelings. How long had she lived under the disillusionment that she didn’t need intimacy, that she could keep living by herself without opening her heart? Not that she was ready to surrender her heart quite yet, but the early signs of deeper feelings for Carson were emerging. It frightened her.
Leaning against his truck, she waited patiently as players started to file out of the team facilities. Family Night had been a success, and Sadie hadn’t missed a chance to take intimate photos and video footage of her players interacting with the public.
Ty had a way with children, and she’d already posted several pictures on his social media pages of him working one-on-one with boys and girls at the youth obstacle course. The response was overwhelmingly positive, hundreds of mom fans liking and sharing the pics. She checked his Facebook page again, smiling at the early results. It had been a week since the star tight end had posted any controversial content. Though he complained incessantly about keeping his bad boy image, she knew he wasn’t serious.
There were so many positives to concentrate on. However, that didn’t negate the darker elements of being a football player. The alcohol and drugs, wild parties, and the biggest risk—the gorgeous women who seemed to line up for any of the players.
“Hey, beautiful,” someone called out.
Sadie looked around, wondering who the compliment was for.
Jag Patera stopped in front of her, running his hand up her arm. “Did you enjoy the drills?”
Sadie took a step to the side and smiled. “I enjoyed the kids the most.”
“What are you doing in the parking lot all alone?”
“Waiting for Carson,” she said, hoping he’d show up soon. Jag didn’t exactly creep her out, but he had a predatory air about him that made her nervous. “Have you seen him?”
“Yeah. Still in the shower playing with his…” He gazed at her. “Never mind. Let me give you a ride to the party. That’s where you’re going, right?”
She nodded. “With Carson.”
“You two a thing?” Jag crossed his arms over his chest.
“We’re something,” she said.
Jag cocked his head. “When you’re done playing around with the quarterback, come see me.” Sadie shook her head as he walked away, wondering what in the hell that was all about.
“Looked for you inside,” she heard Carson say a couple minutes later.
She turned around, happy to see him.
Carson lifted her hand to his lips and planted a feather-light kiss on her palm, then twirled her about, whistling at her. “You clean up nice, Kitty Kat. I’m guessing by the way you’re dressed, you decided to step out with me?”
“Yes. I’m okay with the world knowing we’re together.”
He was silent for a long moment. “You sure?”
“I’m sorry for making you wait. I’m trying to overcome some of those old bad habits of mine, Carson. This is a big deal for me.”
“You don’t know how happy it makes me.” He tugged her into his arms and kissed her. “You’re beautiful.”
So was he. He looked edible in his charcoal-colored suit, the light blue shirt underneath unbuttoned low enough to show off his blond chest hair. His curls were damp and slicked back with a touch of polishing gel, the subtle citrusy scent of his cologne teasing her senses.
Maybe they could skip the party and go to her hotel or his house and make up for some lost time.
“You’re quiet,” he said.
Hooking her arms around his neck, she pulled him in for another kiss, nipping his bottom lip.
Carson growled, lifted her off her feet, and wedged her between his body and the door of his truck. “I’ve missed you,” he said near her ear.
“Can we skip the party?” Lust bloomed inside her.
Carson planted a hand on one side of her head, then raked his fingers through his hair with the other. “I wish we could, sweetheart. This is a private party—potential sponsor for the team. I promised Jack I’d make an appearance. Now, how long we stay…” He ran a finger between her breasts, stopping when he noticed the pendant she was wearing. “Sadie? Is this…?”
The first gift Carson had ever given her, the gold and jade carved dragon held special meaning to her. She always traveled with a jewelry box, and before she left South Carolina, she slipped the piece in with her collection of otherwise business-appropriate pieces.
“You kept it?”
“I have everything you’ve ever given me, Carson.”
He rested his forehead against hers, gazing into her eyes. “You never stop surprising me.”
Feeling vulnerable, Sadie averted her eyes. Carson cupped the base of her neck, massaging the anxiety away. “Ready?”
“Absolutely. It’s been a long time, going out like this with a man.”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Shh. I don’t want to know about your other men.”
She understood—Carson had been her first lover. “There’s not much to tell.”
Breathing in, Carson’s expression softened. “Sorry, Kitty Kat. I shouldn’t let my petty jealousy get in the way of letting you explain. God knows you’ve seen enough of my conquests in the news.”
She nodded in appreciation. “I dated David Hemmer my freshman year in college. Didn’t work out very well—he couldn’t live up to the Carson standard.”
“The Carson standard?”
“A term Barbi coined a long time ago.”
He rolled his eyes. “I miss that girl.”
“She’s one of your biggest fans.”
“Tell me more about this standard?”
She swatted his arm. “You’re such an attention hound. I’m trying to tell you something important. I felt so alone without you,” she confessed. “So, I tried to replace you. Blond hair and blue eyes were the primary prerequisites.”
His lips hitched up, the warmth of his smile as potent as his touch. “You’ve only dated one man in seven years, Sadie?” Why did he look so hopeful?
“No, I’ve dated a dozen men since we broke up—but only slept with two.”
“God, I love you.” He crushed her against his chest, stroking her head. “I’m afraid I haven’t been a saint, Kitty Kat. I regret what I’ve done on most days.”
The beat of Carson’s heart against her cheek made her feel safe. “You don’t need to explain. I may not like what I know, but I understand why, I think.”
“You do?”
“You were trying to do the same thing, replace us—searching for the same feeling but never finding it.”
His embrace grew tighter, his rhythmic breaths a sign that he was in deep contemplation over what they’d just shared with each other. “I used sex to cover up my true feelings.”
“Did you ever actually like any of them?” She pulled back so she could see his face.
“Maybe one or two, but it never went anywhere. My heart was desperate to get you back. Then I’d get shitfaced to cover up the pain.”
“I’m sorry, Carson.”
“You’ll never know how sorry I am, too, Sadie.”
Their gazes locked again, and Sadie knew there was a lifetime of things she wanted to share with him.
“We should go,” he said, walking her to the other side of the truck.
As she climbed into the seat, he paused. “Don’t run away again, Sadie. Promise me.”
Carson had remained a constant in her life, influencing the decisions she made, the people she dated, even the self-imposed misery her heart lived in. Could she trust herself to take this leap of faith and have a normal relationship? She took in his features, not missing the hope in his eyes. “I promise,” she said.