Hotshot (39 page)

“Go for it.” I hand her the phone and wait, knowing my brother has known this for months.

She dials and waits, then I hear him answer.

“Merry Christmas, Nicky.”

His response is muffled, but she lowers her eyes and I start to get nervous.

“Yes, he showed up. I didn’t kick him out. But I have something to tell you.” She pauses and takes a deep breath before she starts talking again. “Remember when we got drunk in college and swore we’d always be each other’s family, no matter what?”

I go still, hearing this for the first time.

“I wanted to be the first to tell you, we are going to be family. Shaw and I are getting married.”

She holds her breath. I hold my own, waiting for his response.

There’s a soft whisper as tears start to build in her eyes, and then a loud whoop, causing her to jump in my lap. She starts to laugh, her whole body shaking as she sniffs and wipes her eyes, looking at me.

“Yes, he’s here. You can put us on speakerphone. I wanted to tell you first.”

There’s a pause, and she looks at me with a small smile.

“I love you too, Nicky.”

I return her smile and feel a slow burn. The next ten minutes are filled with lots of congratulations and cheers as my family celebrates in Miami. At one point, Bizzy gets up and comes back from the kitchen with champagne and two glasses. We all toast from almost a thousand miles away, and the celebration continues. Bizzy grills Mom about the gift exchange last night and gets quiet as Mom tells her about the children that asked about her. I watch the sadness starting on her face and insist we change the conversation.

“Nicky, great game today,” I interrupt, completely changing the subject.

“Fire! I was on FIRE!”

“We know.” Bizzy pours us more champagne. “We saw.”

That’s the only time we weren’t tangled together. I argued when Bizzy turned on the TV, but she silenced me with her mouth then forced me to watch Nick dominate the field. I tried several times to turn it off and resume our personal celebration, but it was useless. I learned she can be persuasive, too, and fortunately, I benefited.

“Can we not blow up his head more than we already have?” Mathis grunts. “He’s about to sink the house with his ego.”

“I agree,” Dad says, and Bizzy starts to giggle.

“I miss you all,” Bizzy tells them, clinking her glass to mine. “But we’ll be home soon.”

“Bizzy…” My mom’s voice grows serious, and we both freeze mid-sip. “I’ll accept you’ve been through a lot. I’ll even give you leeway because of the situation, but if you go another long period of time without calling me and giving me my ‘Bizzy Time’, I’ll cut you out of my will. You’ll no longer be the sole owner of my precious rooster collection.”

Bizzy gasps and looks at me, horrified, but I can’t help the howl that escapes. My dad, brothers, and I have given my mom some of the tackiest rooster trinkets for years to add to her beloved collection, each of us trying to outdo the other with the worst. She knows what we are doing but proudly displays them. Bizzy knows the joke, but when asked if she’d like them one day, she politely said yes because they mean so much to Mom.

Mathis, Nick, and Dad roar on their end, fueling my humor. To me, this is not a threat. It’s a relief.

“Maria! You wouldn’t!” Bizzy sputters, giving me the evil eye.

“Oh, yes, young lady. I am serious!”

“Mom, I’m gonna draw the line at upsetting my fiancée, because her face is turning red. But you have to know, that’s not much of a threat,” I tell her through my laughter.

“Crenshaw Bennett, Lizbeth loves my roosters. She appreciates the sentiment.”

Bizzy starts to chew on her lip, her shock disappearing and her own humor building.

“Okay, guys, Merry Christmas! We are hanging up… I’m going to enjoy my fiancée until she has to get up and go to work. Nicky, sorry we missed today, but we’ll try to be there next week.”

“Both your asses better be there. It’s the last game of the season before playoffs, and it’s New Year’s. I’d expect—” He starts to get riled up, but we don’t hear the rest because I hang up.

“That’s enough calls.” I lay us back and position her close then top off our drinks and put the bottle on the floor.

“What about Claire?”

I know she wants to share with her best friend, but I’m too greedy to share her anymore. Tomorrow, life goes back to reality, so I take out my phone and snap a picture of her ring, sending it to Claire. Less than a minute later, we get a response with a picture of her wrist and the Rolex.

I smile, and Bizzy leans into me, sipping her champagne.

“I still feel bad your present is in Miami.” She cuddles closer.

“I told you, you are my present.”

“I can’t believe this is us.” She moves so she can gaze between the tree and me. “But I think after we drink this champagne, there’s still some making up to do.”

“Gladly.” My dick starts to stir.

I’m ready, she’s willing, and I have a lifetime of fuckups to make up for. Luckily for me, she’s willing to forgive.

Bizzy

I hold back tears as I give my last patient a hug and rub my hand over her bandana-covered head. She squeezes me tight and cries silently into my chest.

I let her cry as I whisper reassuring words, making her promise to email me and keep me updated on her life. It’s the same thing I’ve told all the patients, making sure they had my personal email address.

Once she’s calm, I squeeze her once more and head to the nurse’s station where Shaw is waiting for me. When I see who he’s talking to, I give a little squeal. Claire turns around and smiles, reaching out her arms.

I rush to them and throw myself at her. “What are you doing here? I thought I was picking you up at the airport later tonight?”

“Your fiancé helped me get in early, so we could have more time together before you leave tomorrow.”

I move to him and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” He takes my hand and slips my engagement ring on, kissing my finger.

“Holy Shit! Let me see that!” Claire semi-whispers and yanks my hand to her face. “The picture didn’t do it justice. This is incredible.”

“Thank you.” Heat creeps up my neck.

“Shit, Shaw, this is a bit much, don’t you think? She’s a nurse and can’t wear this at work.”

“Nothing is too much. And I’ll be sure to pick out a band she can wear to work.”

“Not quite so ostentatious?”

“Claire!” I snap at her.

“I didn’t say that. It’s going to send a message that she is taken, but it’ll be appropriate for work.” Shaw flashes a cocky grin and wiggles his eyebrows.

“You two are ridiculous!” I tug my hand back from her and go behind the desk to work on my charts. “Especially coming from a woman who got a fancy new watch.”

She leans over the desk and shoves her wrist in my face. It really is beautiful. Gail did an amazing job. “I love it,” I tell her honestly.

“How much longer do you have?” Shaw asks, looking at his own watch.

“About thirty minutes of charts then a few quick goodbyes. I already talked to most of the staff.”

“Okay, I’m going to head downstairs where it’s more private. It’s time for me to call.”

“Good luck.” I lean in and give him a quick kiss.

“What’s that about?” Claire asks when he steps into the elevator.

“He tries to call Sasha every day around this time.”

“How’s that going?”

“Well, besides the fact that she texts him at least ten times a day and calls at random times with loads of personal questions, it’s been fine. We’re convinced she knows he’s with me, but he refuses to get into any arguments with her.”

“So, if she calls all day, why does he call her?”

“He’s keeping the peace. It’s his way of showing he’s thinking about the baby and wants to check in. She may call him all the time, but that doesn’t mean he answers. Most of the time, he drives the call to voicemail. Believe it or not, he’s been slammed with work, so he can honestly tell her he’s busy.”

“What a mess.”

“Yes, but he’s dealing. I’m dealing. We have about thirteen more weeks until the baby is due then comes a new round of challenges.”

“How are you feeling? And don’t hand me any bullshit.”

I glance around and notice a few nurses wandering around, but no one is within earshot. She comes around the desk and props against the counter, facing me. Her expression is full of concern as her eyes roam over my face.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t have some trepidation about what we’re facing when we get back to Miami, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. We’re going to have to find a way to move forward. I’ve known for a long time, staying with Shaw would mean mine and Sasha’s lives would be interconnected. There was some resentment on my part, but it’s gone now. The truth is the truth. I may despise her, but I love that little boy.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s hard to explain, but he’s a part of Shaw, and Shaw loves him, so I do, too. It’s hard not to. There’s no denying we’ll have to finesse this. She’s likely to go bat shit crazy, but my things are being moved to the condo next week. We’re getting married. We’re in love. She can’t change that, so we’ll have to find a way to come to terms.”

“How the hell are you so calm about this?”

“Because Shaw won’t let me discuss the fallout. He’s spoken to Caldwell and is ready to deal with whatever comes our way. He plans to continue all classes with her, attend all appointments, and participate in anything dealing with the baby. He’s even agreed to attend one baby shower with her family. All we hope is that she comes around when she finds out about our engagement. I’m not holding my breath, but he’s prepared.”

“How are you going to tell her?”

“I have no idea.” I shrug and look down at the ring on my finger. “It’s kinda hard to miss the ring.”

“No fucking doubt about that.” She chuckles.

“For the first time since this whole debacle started, I think it’s going to be okay. He’s going to take care of me, and I’m going to take care of him. Together, we’ll get through this, and in the end, we’ll have a beautiful baby boy to love.”

“I’m available for you, anytime you need me.”

“I know, and you’ll be home in two weeks.”

“Shaw does know that because you’re moving in with him doesn’t mean he gets you to himself, right?”

“He’s well aware of our rituals and is letting me decorate the guest room any way I want. You’ll have acceptable accommodations.” I wink at her.

A few nurses and techs crowd around the area, ending our conversation. Claire asks about their Christmas as I start my documentation. Since I’ve handed over almost everything to the permanent staff, there’s not much to do. When I’m done, I grab my bag from under the station and say my goodbyes again.

Claire and I walk to the elevator, and the earlier sadness starts to drain away. It was hard when I turned down the opportunity to stay and even harder to say goodbye. But my life is in Miami, and tomorrow I’ll be back home.

“It’s only five hours, Shaw.”

“I’m still not happy about it. If it wasn’t for Nick, we’d still be at home, watching this game on TV,” he grumbles, tightening his grip on my hand.

I stop in front of his Corporate Suite and step out of the way of the people walking by. “Listen, I’ve missed eight weeks of games. We promised we’d be here. It’s New Year’s Day, and our families are behind this door. Can you stop pouting long enough to have some fun?”

“I’m not pouting. I’m pissed. There’s a huge difference.”

“Well, get over it. For me?” I lift up on my toes, brush my lips across his, and turn to open the door.

“Surprise!” the crowd in front us screams, and Shaw tugs me into his body protectively.

Maria rushes over and hugs us. “Let her go! You’ve had her an entire week!”

He doesn’t listen to her and cradles me closer. My mom gets to us next, and somehow manages to wedge herself between Shaw and me. She kisses us both, pries my hand out of Shaw’s, and gasps loudly when she sees my ring.

Maria beams with pride and claps, looking at the two of us. I glance around to find the entire suite decorated with balloons and bottles of champagne chilling at the bar. There are trays and trays of elegantly displayed foods and desserts, including my favorite, chocolate covered strawberries. This is nothing like our normal Sunday suite with casual food and drinks.