The Quarterback's Baby: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (7 page)

Chapter Twenty

It was funny, because the whole time I’d been desperate to get out to Minnesota and spend it with Grandma. Find out how many weeks far gone I was, and just get some sort of normality into my life. Yet nothing works out like you dream. Especially so in my case.

Granddad was the first person I’d told that was actually excited. Dad hadn’t returned my calls or Grandma’s. She remarked and said, “He’s probably too busy trying to get Michelle to forgive him.”

I didn’t understand what she meant, since last time she’d said that Dad had a habit of picking the wrong women.

“But Dad said…”

She shook her head. “What your dad says and what your dad does when it comes to that woman are two different things. It’s as if she has him under her spell or something.”

That wasn’t what I needed to hear. That made me want to give up on him and I couldn`t do that. I needed him. Six months pregnant and not one parent was interested.

“You’ve got us.” Grandpa could see the sadness on my face.

“And us,” Trinity chimed in as she walked into the room.“And us,” Carly said as she waddled into the room and over to the sofa to practically lay down across it. I was in my comfort chair, and Grandma had started teaching me to crochet.

“Yes, but we’re all not lucky like you,” I said to Carly. It wasn’t fair that she had support, but I shouldn’t have said it to her like that, especially when she was scared.

“Well you’re carrying one baby and not two. Oh, oh,” she said as the words escaped her mouth. She hated the idea of being pregnant, and when she found out that she was carrying twins… let’s just say that Trinity and I managed to keep her sane for about two minutes before she had one of her moments. One of those were about to happen any moment now.

“Two cots. Two nappies. Two baths. Two breasts….” she was imaging her future and panicking about it.

I hoped that Grandma wouldn’t mention Mia, Noah’s sister, but I knew sooner or later she would want us to discuss the wedding invitation.

“Did she tell you that she got a card for Mia’s wedding?” Grandma said and I sighed thinking that I had hoped it would be a lot later.

Trinity shouted out as Grandma went to and from the kitchen getting us snacks and drinks.

“She did mention it.”

I wished I could cross my arms properly and crochet and forget that I was there, let alone part of the conversation.

“I’m due in July.”

Grandma nodded, “And the wedding is in September. That’s plenty of time.”

I shook my head. She was talking as if it was something that I wanted to go to.

“Which sounds like plenty of time to me,” Grandma appeared again, and looked at Carly for a minute as she said, “Two shoes, two packs of wipes, two baby chairs…”

She shook her head and then Grandpa said, “Oh no, dear, you forgot two babysitters.”

Carly nodded her head in agreement and added that to her imaginary list. Grandma gave him an air hit as if to say that he should leave her alone. It was above Carly’s head as she continued to count and look up in the air, thinking about all the things that she had missed.

“Besides, babies never come on time. You have a four week window. So, it may come in June.”

I corrected her and said, “Well it may come in August.”

Trinity stood up and said, “Okay, can we agree. If it’s June or July then you go. Any later, then you stay.”

It was a deal that I wasn’t willing to take, but as Carly shouted, “Yes, I have two of everything!”

I looked at her and thought about all the support she was getting and the fact that maybe, just maybe, Noah would give me a second chance, and I gave in. “Okay then.”

Grandma said, “Good, because I already RSVPd and said you would go with your dad.”

I shook my head; a minute ago she’d thought that he would forgive Michelle again.

“But you said that he was too busy playing happy families with Michelle.”

My head was spinning out of control. The whole idea of seeing Noah again made me feel both happy and sick at the same time.

“Yes, but that was before I sent the RSVP and then saw an email saying that he is coming to stay for a while. He says his separation has come through and he needs a break away from the house.”

I knew that Dad loved Michelle. The whole idea that he’d decided to separate from her must have been hard on him.

“At least now he won’t have to work so hard!” Grandma did a sign as if she was praising God.

“Why?” I asked as Grandpa nodded in agreement.

“Because she was bleeding him dry. Why do you think that your dad worked so much?”

Everything was falling into place. I felt so bad that I had been so conceited and worrying about myself all the time that I never took note of what Dad was going through, and for once I considered his feelings. Maybe this new grandchild wouldn’t be so bad after all. Maybe it could help glue back together all the pieces of our family that seemed to have fallen apart.

Chapter Twenty One

 
As the weeks rolled by, I tried to not think about them too much as I stood looking in the mirror wondering if going to the wedding was such a good idea. I had spent the last seven months avoiding any contact with Noah
. 
When
I’
d received the wedding invitation,
I’
d ignored it, thinking that it was for the best.

Mia was going to marry some guy that she had met in the Army, and claimed that it was love at first sight. I could relate to that feeling so well, and it saddened me that I used to think that Noah and I would get married after he graduated from college.

That had been a vision I had held on to for so long. Now we weren’t even lovers, let alone friends, and yet there was this one little person who connected us - and I hadn’t even told him about him, just so that he could pursue his career. I often wondered if I was too selfish and didn’t deserve him. All the time it felt as if I was looking out for my needs and not his.

“You ready for this, Ava?
”
Dad asked as he stood at the doorway
. 
His eyes glowed as he continued to say, “You look beautiful…
”

I felt anything but beautiful in my dress
. 
We were going straight from the airport to the wedding. I did think about changing as we landed, but there was little time
. 
I just had to hope that the pink dress I wore would remain the same way when we arrived
. 
It showed off the new shape of my body
. 
No longer a teenager, but an adult, with a crossover top that made my boobs look full and erect
. 
I hadn’t lost my baby fat, then again that was the least of my worries. I had only had my baby three months ago, and already I was leaving him for a night. I felt so bad, but then this had to be done. I should have told Noah from the start, but the idea of telling him now just scared me.

“Dad, do you think it’ll be okay?
”
I sighed as I thought about seeing Noah
. 
There was a part of me hoping that he had missed me as much as I had missed him, while the other part hoped that he had gotten on with his life and wasn’t hurting the same way.

He nodded as he came over to me and gave me the biggest hug in the world
. 
I needed that reassurance
.
 

“I’m so lucky to have a dad like you,
”
I said as I looked up into his eyes, knowing that he left Michelle because of me. H
e’
d realized that she was using him, and had stood up to her. That was a big thing for someone on their second marriage. Dad was lonely, there was no doubt about that, but he had met Sarah in Minnesota and I wondered if he was hanging around here more to be with his grandchild or because of her.

“You and me both.”

“Right, everything’s setup. Dad is ready to take us to the airport.”

“Can I—”

“No, let’s go,
”
Dad said as he urged me to get my things. Dad’s face said that I had to get in the car with Grandpa and be on our way.

They knew me too well. If I went back in the house, I would think twice about going to the wedding. Seeing Noah again was going to bring back a million memories. I just hoped that I was strong enough to be able to deal with them all
. 
One could only hope.

Chapter Twenty Two

The drive to the airport filled my head with so many thoughts
. 
I spoke to Mia to confirm that I was going to the wedding. I knew that I needed some reassurances from her. I asked if Noah was going to be there and she laughed and said, “Of course, he’s my brother.
”
That was part of what I had hoped she would say.

“And your mom?
”

Mia was quiet for a while, but then she said, “I’ll explain when you get here. But Mom’s not coming.”

That surprised me; I had asked about Michelle mainly for Dad’s sake, but I never expected her to say that she wasn’t coming. I didn’t know what to make of that.

I had become an Internet football stalker. After the first few games, Noah either lost or didn’t play. Then he was back on form. He started to get his head back into the game.I watched him speak like an obsessed teenager seeing their favorite player on the field
. 
His lips curled and, even though he was a few months wiser, he was still as good looking as he was in high school, even though it was only after a year since he left
. 
He ha
d
the same stern voice and boyish charm about him
. 
His hair had gotten darker, but his eyes were still green
. 
I got goose pimples just thinking about him.

 
“Ava, you coming?
”
shouted out Dad as Grandpa parked the car at the departure exit
. 
I couldn’t believe I was really doing this; butterflies started attacking my belly
. 

Dad opened the car door with a sympathetic look as I slowly got out of the car
. 
He held on to my arm and said, “You can do this
. 
You are a lot stronger than you think.
”

That was all I needed
. 
Some words of encouragement to know that I could do this and to concentrate on the real reason we were going to Jersey: for the wedding, not to be reunited with Noah
. 
I had to get him out of my mind, as the nerves were taking over my body, heart, and soul.

 
Chapter Twenty Three

All thoughts about Noah started going round and round in my mind
. 
I started taking deep breaths as I made my way into the Plaza
. 
Get Noah out of your head, Ava
. 
It was easier said than done
. 
I kept wondering what was going through his min
d-
did he still think about me? It had been months since he’d tried to get in touch
. 
The temptation to reply to his emails was greater every day since he had been quiet.

The wedding, you are here for the wedding…

 
I was thankful that practicality made it easier for us, with the reception and wedding being held in the same venue
. 
We had three hours to check into our rooms before the wedding started, and all I could think about was accidentally bumping into Noah before the ceremony.

 
I caught my reflection in the lobby mirror and carefully moved my bangs from my eyes
. 
I quickly turned around as I smelled his musk
. 
He was standing so close to me an
d 
I could hardly breathe
. 

“Noah!
”
I screeched
. 
He was there with me after all these years
. 
He didn’t hesitate in wrapping his arms around me
. 
I felt a tear escape my eye as I grabbed on to him for dear life
. 

 
I didn’t even notice if Dad was still in the lobby
. 
The gold chandeliers and tiled floor felt invisible, as there was only one thing that I could see right now
. 
The love of my life, standing in front of me, like he had last year.

 
“I’ve missed you so much
. ”
he whispered in my ear
. 
I pushed him away and looked into his eyes and saw that he was crying too
. 
I couldn’t believe it
. 
I had been selfish all this time
. 
I had thought that it was best that we kept our distanc
e
, bu
t
the answer was right in front of me
. 
The only person I had benefited was me, and no one else.

 
“Come.
”
He grabbed my hand and didn’t wait for permission as he dragged me to the elevator
. 
I wanted to ask him where we were going, but it was obvious he just wanted us to be alone
. 
I scanned the lobby and realized that Dad had left
. 
He probably saw Noah and didn’t want to interrupt.

 
I felt scared as the elevator doors opened
. 
Then, as we entered and they closed again, Noah pressed his lips against mine
. 
I responded with the same urgency, ignoring the doorman who was standing in the elevator as we entered
.
 

 
Our worlds were completely different
. 
We were brought up the same as kids, but he had ventured into a world that I could never afford
. 
Not only that, but he used to be my stepbrother
. 
The fact that he used to be for a short time made me feel comfortable with what I was about to say and do. Before it felt too close for comfort, but seeing him in front of me just made me want him even more.

***

My hands went up and down his hair as I took in his musk
. 
Feeling the softness of his skin while his tongue enveloped mine, and I gasped as his hands ran up and down my body
. 
The bell rang and he lifted me up and out of the elevator
. 
I wrapped my legs around his waist as he led me into the unknown.

My eyes were shut and I held on to him knowing that he would safely guide me in his arms.

“I missed you so much. Why did you not keep in contact?
”
he asked between his kisses
. 
As he stopped, I opened my eyes to see that we were in the bedroom
.
 

“You’re all
I’
ve thought about for months.”

He hungrily placed me on the bed as if I was a delicate flower, then he continued to kiss me as he had a few seconds ago
. 
He never waited for a response
. 
It was clear that we’d missed and wanted each other
. 
I thought about our last time and how inexperienced we had been then; I wondered if it was still the case
. 
As his fingers traced their way to my straps, it was obvious that I was the only naïve one
. 
He was experienced and had so much to teach me.

He paused before he took off my bra, exposing my breasts
. 
“Did you miss me? You haven’t said a word.”

I nodded and then I forced my tongue into his slightly opened mouth
. 

“Hmm,
”
he moaned as I moved so that he could unclasp my bra
. 
I took off his shirt to reveal the six-pack of a man that I once knew
. 
I loved the fact that we both felt the same about each other after all these months
.
 

“I love you,
”
I purred into his ears as his tongue started to explore my body
. 
He sucked gently on my nipples as he moved the rest of my dress below my waist
. 
I was within seconds of only wearing my thong.

“You’ve put on weight
. 
Your body is perfect,
”
he said as he started kissing my stomach, his hands making their way in between my thighs
. 
I had been too skinny when I was younger. Always obsessing over my body. I didn’t eat too much when I was pregnant, but I did keep an eye on what I ate and gave myself the odd treat.

He moved his head in between my legs
. 
He pulled off my panties and then he started to suck my pussy
. 
He gently bit on my clit and I screamed as he did it
. 
No man had ever been down there except him.

Then again, he was the only man that I had ever had sex with

“Oh, Noah, I’ve missed you so much.
”
I moaned as his tongue flicked in and out of my cunt
. 
His fingers gently stroked the sides of my legs, which sent me over the edge
. 
I knew I was coming, but I was shocked at how quickly I was responding to his touch.

“Don’t stop…
”
I purred as I started to shake and the orgasm became my reality
. 
It felt so good that I lifted up his head and wanted his tongue in my mouth
. 
I wanted to taste myself and him at the same time
. 
I felt his dick trapped in his pants and I wanted to release it like I had over one year ago
. 
I needed him inside of me
. 
The only thing I could think to say was, “Fuck me.”

He stopped and looked at me for a brief second and said, “With pleasure.”

We wrestled and undid his trouser
s 
and then his fat cock was mine as I lifted my legs up in the air and he pulsed inside of me
. 

“Oh my,
”
I breathed out, as if the world stood still at that precise moment in time
. 

How did I think that this was wrong? Everything about it felt so right, I thought to myself as I gripped his butt and rocked him harder inside of me
. 
I wanted him to fuck me as I had dreamed about every night, touching myself, imagining it was him
. 
Here he was, with his dark hair and green eyes, satisfying me in more ways than I had ever imagined.

Then, he started to thrust deep inside of me
. 
We were no longer just making love, he was fucking me
. 
The pace picked up as he started moaning harder and breathing like he was running out of time on the pitch
. 

“Don’t stop!
”
I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping that the afternoon would never end.

“I’m not letting you go,
”
he said as he held my hand tightly and looked deep into my eyes
. 
I held his gaze until I climaxed within a few deep thrusts and I hoped that he meant every word of it
. 
I had something to tell him, but it could wait until after the wedding
. 
What I had to say would change everything, and I needed to be prepared for that outcome
.