“You guys played hard and gave it your all for sixty minutes. That’s what it takes week in and week out to get to the big game. I know we came close last year, but this is a new season. And you guys are not the same as you were then. You’re better now. You’re a true team and you function together like a well-run machine. When the offense is lagging, the defense steps it up and vice versa. Every single one of you did your job today and that needs to be the case every time we play. I’ll see you guys on Wednesday. Be smart about your time off,” Coach finishes his speech, looking pointedly at me.
I give him a quick salute of acknowledgment. I want to reassure him I’m going to be on my best behavior, but there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to be. Even having my job threatened isn’t enough to curb the urge to let loose. Making bad decisions is more fun than making solid ones, and I seem to excel at it.
Taking a quick shower, I change into my clothes. I pack all my stuff away inside my wooden cubby and brush my damp hair back from my face. Glancing at my watch, I notice it’s time for me to meet up with Nadia. My mood improves as I picture her. I may not be able to drink to excess and find a woman who appreciates my company, but at least I won’t be alone. And Nadia’s cool. She’s easy on the eyes too. It’s a win-win.
I find her at our agreed meeting spot. “Hey, babe,” I say, smirking.
She puts a hand on her hip, staring up at me. “If you call me babe, the deal’s off.”
“Gotcha, no saying babe. Maybe you should make me a list of words to avoid.”
“Jeez, I hope it doesn’t come to that.” She pats my tie with her fingers. “You’re not a total loss. At least you clean up well.”
“I feel so objectified,” I joke.
“Now you know how women feel.”
“Hey, I love all women. You guys are the fairer sex and I’ll even go so far as to say you’re the stronger one too. In fact, I’m pretty sure all us men are good at is spreading our seed.”
“You won’t be spreading yours any time soon,” she retorts.
“Damn, you had to remind me.”
“That’s my job. I’ll be the angel on your shoulder for the next two months.”
“I can think of places I’d rather have you sit than on my shoulder.”
“Flynn,” she growls. “Behave yourself. Don’t make me back out before our time has officially started.”
“I can’t make sexual comments?” I ask.
“I’m sure there’s more to you than a dirty mind.”
I laugh. “Don’t be too sure.” I catch hold of her wrist and give a gentle tug, taking a couple of steps and propelling us forward before releasing her. “Let’s get out of here.” We walk toward the players’ parking area.
“Where are we going? I figured you’d just drop me at my place.” She took the train to the stadium, as she and I prearranged, to avoid traffic.
“I was thinking we should order take out and have dinner at your place. There are a lot of things we need to discuss before we make our public debut as a couple.” I click the remote on my key ring, unlocking my truck. I open her door and assist her inside.
“Such as?” she queries, settling on her seat.
“How did we get together?” Closing her door, I head around and climb into the driver’s seat.
“We can say feelings have developed over time,” she says as I start my truck.
“I don’t know anything about your family or where you went to college,” I tell her.
“I’m an only child and I was raised in Virginia. My parents still live there. I went to college at University of Virginia.”
“You have the advantage because you know a lot of my background. When was your last relationship and why did it end?” I throw the question out unsure if she’ll answer it.
“I was married for five years. We divorced six years ago.”
“You haven’t had a relationship since?” I do my best to keep the surprise from my tone.
“Nope. I’ve gone on some dates, but I’ve been too busy focusing on my business.”
“Why did you and your ex divorce?” I question.
“He wasn’t supportive of my career and he went out of his way to show me.”
“He sounds like an asshole. How could he not like his wife being successful?”
“I guess he felt threatened by my career. It was starting to take off.”
“And let me guess, his wasn’t?”
“Pretty much. He hated his job but wasn’t willing to put the effort in to figure out what he wanted to do instead.”
“What’s your favorite dessert?” I ask to lighten the moment.
“I love key lime pie. What about you?”
“Fresh-from-the-oven brownies or chocolate chip cookies. What’s your favorite color?”
“I don’t have one,” she replies. “The rainbow is my favorite.”
“How can you not have one you prefer above all others?”
She shrugs. “Why limit yourself? They’re all beautiful.”
She has a point. “If you’re curious about mine, it’s blue.”
Turning in to her driveway, I park the truck. “How did you know where I live?” she asks, looking surprised. I guess she was too busy answering my questions to realize where I was driving.
“I have resources too,” I say.
“I guess I’m inviting you in?” Her obvious hesitance turns it into a question.
“Only if you want to. I don’t want you doing anything that makes you uncomfortable,” I tell her.
“Flynn, you don’t make me uncomfortable. This situation is weird and a little nerve racking, but you’re fine.”
“Okay. I’m glad to hear that. But, if anything happens that upsets you, I need you to be honest with me. Can you do that without worrying what I’ll think?”
She nods. “Yeah, I can. Let’s head
