Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Luke

I hover outside Amelia’s office trying to get a hint of what’s going on, but I can’t hear a damn thing. What a fucking mess. A stressful mess.

At first I thought Hayley was calling to tell Amelia I was cheating, and maybe that would have been better because at least I could have explained that I’m not. Whatever’s going on with Preston and Jake seems so much worse, and the concern etched into Amelia’s features is freaking me the fuck out.

I should be in there, telling her it’s all okay, but instead I’m stuck out here, helpless. Again.

I’m not sure how much time passes as I pace the halls, but when I’m almost at my breaking point, my agent calls.

“Brett, any news?”

“They’re not going to take the article down, but they won’t print anything else unless they get new information.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Unfortunately not. It’s how the world works. Rumors make the news every day.”

“Yes, but that wasn’t a rumor. That was three women saying they had proof.”

“But they don’t, right? And thankfully the reporter they spoke to works for a college buddy of mine. So we’re good. Unless…”

“We’re good. They don’t have any proof.”

“Then sit tight, and hopefully after your Super Bowl win, it will all blow over.”

“Yeah. Hopefully.” I fall back against the wall opposite Amelia’s door and stare, unmoving, somewhat dejected until Brett sighs. “You’re really worried about this, aren’t you?”

“I can’t hurt her again.”

“Maybe you won’t.”

“Thanks, man.”

As I hang up, I hear voices and freeze. Tom walks out first, his face red, anger marring his features. He glares my way and huffs before shaking his head and continuing on his path.

The second he rounds the corner, I rush to Amelia’s door as she’s stepping out, her expression drained.

“What happened? Are you okay?” My hands settle on her waist as I study her, making sure her breathing is calm.

“Jake pitched the fire to Tom and Jim,” she says as she pulls me back into the room. “They want to feature it in the show.”

My heart seizes but I can’t think about me right now. I promised I’d protect Amelia and Jelly Bean with whatever it takes, and I’m not backing down now.

“Let them,” I say firmly while my stomach knots. “They don’t have permission to feature you, and if they find out about me, so be it.”

“What if the team drops you?”

“They won’t,” I lie. The team might be forced to drop me if the truth comes out.

“Tom says that Jake has statements from our old classmates and they’re willing to be interviewed on camera.” Fuck. All for goddamn ratings.

“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say.

“You’re not worried?” The calmness in her tone suggests that she’s not, and since I need it to stay that way, I lie again.

“No, because one…we’re not supposed to let anything stress us out. And two…I don’t believe anyone came forward.” They would have done it by now if that was the case.

Amelia’s shoulders drop and she huffs out a sigh. “I didn’t want to believe that either. Preston said something similar. But Tom was pretty convincing and I don’t know.”

“Amelia, no matter what happens—if this comes out or doesn’t, or hell, even if I’m dropped from the team—you are not allowed to worry about it. As hard as that is, I need you to promise me that. Okay?”

“Luke, you’re being ridiculous. That’s not just something I can switch off.”

“I’m not worried.” I put on a smile for the sake of her health. “And if I’m not worried, neither should you be.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“What did you say to Tom?”

“What?”

“He was pissed off when he left. What did you say?”

“Exactly what Preston told me to say. That it was a party that got out of hand and a fire started accidentally. No one was to blame.”

“And?”

“And I quit.”

“What? Amelia!”

“I told him that Jake was lying and that the fire wasn’t a newsworthy story, but he mentioned articles from back in the day. I refused to give him anything. Even when he said it would help my career significantly, and that I needed to consider myself and my baby's future. No one else. Basically he was saying that I shouldn’t be lying for you. Oh, and it turns out, they knew I’d gone to school with you and Thomas. And they knew of some controversy surrounding Thomas that he hoped I’d explore. That’s why they gave me this specific project. They thought I’d be able to get extra information out of you. That’s why I quit.”

“Amelia, I mean this in the nicest of ways but… Are you crazy ? This job was your dream.”

“Exactly. It was. And I still have grand plans to be a director one day, but I refuse to play their games. I really thought they were decent people but—”

“This is my fault.”

“What? No, it isn’t.”

“How can you say that? They’re right. You had no loyalties to me or Thomas. Maybe if things were different, you could have used that connection to get ahead. But then—”

“Are you hearing yourself?" Her hands fly to her hips. "And do you really think I’m that type of person?”

“No. I don’t." I inch closer and grab her hands, easing them off her. "But I—”

“Wanted to share in my burden.”

“I want you to be happy." I press a kiss to her fingers. "To be a mom and live your dream, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.” I don’t want to hurt you more than I already have.

Amelia’s gaze softens, though I wish it wouldn’t. When she finds out that I’m holding back, it’s going to break her. But I need to wait until she’s better.

“I am happy, Luke. You and Jelly Bean make me happy. And I will still be getting a director credit on the show. They can’t take that away from me. I have no doubt I’ll be able to find another job when the time is right. For now, it’s a blessing. I can focus on Jelly Bean and my health.”

“That is a positive, but you were sad when I first came back in. No, not sad, defeated.”

“I was. I am. But only because I’m going to miss this. Either way, I’d be finishing up soon, right?”

“Right,” I confirm but her sadness seeps into my chest.

“Cheer up.” She laughs. “This is a good thing. Now, help me pack up my stuff.”

T hings are calmer for the next few days. Amelia doesn’t hear anything more about the fire, telling me that Adrian’s keeping her in the loop. And I have to believe he’d tell her if he knew something. He seems like a good guy.

As for my little issue, it went away. People stopped commenting on the article and there hasn’t been another one since. I know this because I followed Dylan’s lead, putting an alert on mine and Amelia’s names, and so far, I haven’t come across anything that’s not football related.

When Saturday comes around, I try to get myself in the right headspace for tomorrow’s final game before the playoffs. But it’s a struggle. While Amelia’s stress has thankfully lessened, mine has increased and I’m at a loss for what to do.

Amelia’s already up when I get out of the shower morning, and when I get downstairs, she’s got a huge smile on her face, the sight of it easing my tension until she speaks.

“I want to come to the game,” she announces, and I freeze as a million thoughts run through my head.

“Amelia, I don’t—”

“Lainey called and invited me to go with her. And before you say no, I’ll be in the box, not down among the chaos.”

My eyes drop to Amelia’s hand gently cradling her stomach and I shake my head. “It’s still a no. We were told not to stress. Watching football is stressful.”

“Only if you care,” she sasses.

I stare at her deadpan until I picture her in my jersey—the material pulling over her beautiful tummy as she cheers—and emotion wells in my chest. I never really stopped to think about what it would be like to have someone there for me. Yes, my parents often come to my big games, and Lainey’s usually there now for Thomas. But this is different. And I really fucking like it.

But I have to say no.

“What’s that look for?”

“Just thinking about how amazing it would be to have you there.”

She hits me with a beaming smile until she registers my expression. “But it’s still a no?” She frowns, her eyes full of so much sadness it burns in my chest.

“Fuck, Amelia. You’re killing me.”

Her expression shifts before her eyes well with tears and she steps forward, and just when I think I’m going to have to give in, she wraps her arms around my waist and smiles. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I wasn’t thinking. But I’ve been feeling better and I just wanted to be there for you.”

“I know.” I press a kiss to her brow and rock her slightly. “And it would mean the world to me, but I can wait. Your health means more to me than having you at my game.”

She nods with a smile, before burrowing farther into the protection of my hold.

“Thank you,” I say, a wave of relief running through me before the longing hits.

I’d love to have her there, to be able to play for someone I care about, but I wouldn’t be able to keep my head in the game.

Amelia rests her chin on my chest and stares up at me. “For what?”

“Everything,” I repeat her words back to her.

“What about the bad?”

“ Everything . Because it all led to this. I’ve got you. We’re about to have a little girl. The playoffs are coming up. Life is good.” And I’m praying it fucking stays that way.

Amelia blushes and it makes my heart happy. She never blushes, but I’ve managed to elicit that reaction a few times now.

“I agree.” She smiles brightly. “Life is good and oh… Jelly Bean agrees because she’s kicking with force this time.”

Amelia grabs my hand and places it over her stomach in time for me to feel Jelly Bean kick again. “There you are, Angel.” I smile as my heart races. “Not long now.”

“You know what else isn’t far away?”

“What?”

“Your practice. You have to go.”

Shit ! “I do. I’ll be home later. I love you both.” I kiss her softly on the cheek and stomach before taking off toward the hallway, grabbing my keys, pausing momentarily when Amelia calls out, “We love you too,” making my chest swell, giving me the extra strength I need to focus.

Our practice goes well but I’m mentally exhausted by the time it’s finished with everything catching up with me. We’ve been pushing ourselves to the limits, but God do we mesh. I don’t know what’s different about this year, but we are working in sync like I’ve never experienced before. And it’s addictive. The better we play, the better we want to be. We’re unstoppable.

I’m feeling good when I get home, but when I walk in, it’s silent, sending a small spark of disappointment through me. I spent most of my adult life coming home to no one, but now that I’ve had a taste of it, I like having Amelia around.

After dumping my bag, I tiptoe up to the bedroom, expecting Amelia to be napping. But when I find the room empty, I panic until I hear movement from the en suite, spinning around as Amelia steps into view, wearing my jersey. Nothing but my jersey.

“I didn’t think you’d want this to go to waste.” She waves her hands in front of her body as I swallow a lump in my throat, my eyes drawn to the apex of her bare legs.

And God, is she beautiful.

“Amelia. Fuck. Get over here.”

She giggles as she sashays my way, swaying her hips as she moves, her playful gaze locked on mine. And the second she’s within reach, I pull her into me, one hand slipping under the jersey while I grab her chin with the other, tilting her face to mine.

“I have to admit. I pictured this. But seeing it? Fuck, you’re a vision. Don’t ever take it off.”

“Ever?”

“Ever. Ever.”

“Noted.” She laughs and the sound runs through me before I lean down and press my lips to hers, exploring her mouth in a slow kiss. Without parting, I walk her back to the bed and spin around until her legs hit the mattress, but before I can lift her, she breaks away and sits down, reaching for the band of my sweatpants.

“Amelia.”

“I’m not on my knees so you can’t say no.” She pulls my pants and briefs down in one go, watching as my cock springs to attention, already hard from me picturing sliding into her with my name branded on her back.

She licks her lips and I stifle a groan as my cock twitches.

“Am—”

She cuts me off when she circles her hands around my legs and pulls me forward before gently wrapping her fingers around the base of my shaft and pressing her lips to my tip. I bite back another groan as she licks away the pre cum and sucks my length into her mouth.

“Jesus Christ.”

She works in a perfect rhythm, her hand pumping me as she alternates between sucking and licking, all while staring up at me, her wanton gaze boring into mine as I fight to stave off my release.

“God, Amelia. This is heaven, but I want to come inside you. No, I need to.”

She gasps against my cock, and the vibrations make me jolt until I pull out of her mouth and lift her to standing. “Onto the bed,” I demand, watching her eyes widen before she does as she’s told, turning around and crawling on, the jersey lifting to reveal she’s completely naked underneath.

She pauses with her ass in the air and glances over her shoulder, a coy expression in place. “Like this?”

“Hell no.” As much as I would love to take her from behind, she’s seven and a half months pregnant, so that can wait. “You need to lie down and get comfortable. I want to make you feel good. What’s best for you?”

“Oh. Um…lying on my left side?”

“Done.”

She lies down as I crawl in behind her, positioning myself with my cock resting against her ass. She jumps at the sudden intrusion before wriggling her ass to burrow into me while I picture negative thoughts to stop myself from coming.

Wrapping my hand around her, I cup her pussy from behind and find her already wet, my fingers easily slipping between her folds. She cries out as she bucks her hips, and I’ve barely had time to rub her clit when she stills my hand.

“I’ve been thinking about this since I put on your jersey an hour ago. I don’t need teasing. I’m ready. Fuck me, please.”

Jesus fucking Christ. “Okay.”

I angle her hips until my cock sits at her entrance and then slowly glide myself inside, clenching my teeth as inch by inch she takes me. The second I’m buried, she uses my finger to pleasure herself, and my cock pumps on its own.

“Jesus. You are ready.”

“I told you. Now move.”

“With pleasure.”

As we both rub her clit, I rock into her from behind, my speed increasing as she pushes against me, meeting my fervor. My balls twitch and I almost come without her until her walls tighten and she cries out my name, her hips bucking uncontrollably.

“Yes, Amelia. Come for me.”

“Oh God, Luke.”

I release into her as she screams for me, her body convulsing as she shakes her head. “Slow, slow,” she rushes out and I do as asked, slowing my movements while our bodies jolt against each other.

This is fucking heaven.

I smile while my body relaxes, but the second I’m able to think straight, I panic.