Tangled with the Tight End (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 19

nineteen

GAbrIEL

I grab her hand and squeeze it as my phone rings. My parents’ ringtone. “I need to get this.” I snatch my cell phone out of my pocket. “Hello?”

“I hate to bother you when we told you to enjoy your afternoon and evening, but Gino is burning up with a fever and–”

“I’ll be right there.” I scoot my chair back and catch Norah’s gaze. This was not how I anticipated ending the evening, but it can’t be avoided.

“I’m sorry, Son. I hope we’re not ruining anything.” My mother’s voice holds an edge of concern.

“It’s fine. I know you’re leaving on Sunday. I just hope you don’t come down with whatever he has.”

Norah stands and wipes her hands on the white napkin.

“I hope so, also. We’ve been planning this trip for four months.”

“I’ll be there in a second.” After I click off the phone, I walk around the table and stop in front of her. “I’m sorry. Gino isn’t feeling well, and my parents are going on a cruise on Sunday.” Now what? Call her an Uber? Ask her parents to come up to the mountain and pick her up? Drag Marco into the cold to drive her home? Shit.

“It’s fine. Dinner was delicious. Thank you so much for inviting me. I enjoyed both the meal and your company.” The sincerity in her eyes knocks the breath out of me.

“I enjoyed it as well.” I cup her cheek and swallow. I don’t want the night to end. But maybe she’s right. We need distance between us before things get out of hand. “I realize it’s selfish and irresponsible to ask but would you….” I rub my thumb over her cheek, loving the feel of her skin against mine. “Never mind.”

She licks her lips. “What?”

“I was going to ask you to come up to the suite and hang out with Gino and me, but if he’s sick with something, I don’t want you to catch it.”

Her eyes widen. “I’m not sure there’s much chance of avoiding it. Were you around your son today?”

“Of course.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yes.” I chuckle and rest my forehead against hers. “I get what you mean, if he has a virus, I’ve already gotten it and likely given it to you.”

“Most likely. It’s the fun of kids.”

I thread my fingers through her silken hair and place a chaste kip on her lips. “Well….” I grin. “Can I entice you to an evening of my son potentially vomiting? And the anticipation of feeling like shit in a couple of days?”

“That’s probably the most romantic date invite I’ve ever received.” Her eyes dance as she runs her hands over my chest. “How could I turn you down?”

“Yes, indeed.” I pull back, wrap my arm around her shoulders, and walk toward the exit.

As we walk side by side, I marvel at how right we feel together. How can something feel this perfect and be wrong?

Or is it the thrill of doing something I shouldn’t? Is this why people rob banks? And run from the police? Maybe that’s why Sloane cheated. She liked the adrenaline rush of doing something forbidden and teetering on the edge of getting caught.

That’s bullshit at least in Sloane’s case. She didn’t care if she got caught. She found another player with good knees and the potential to make twice as much money.

When we make it to my floor, I walk her to my door. “This is my suite. My parents are at the other end of the hall. If you want, you can go on inside unless you want to see my parents.”

She wrinkles her nose. “And tell them what? We’re hooking up on your vacation?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” I call it convincing her not to put labels on things and see what happens. But she’s not ready to hear that, and I don’t blame her. I’m not sure what I’m doing right now, either.

“I’ll go inside.” She waits for me to open the door and gasps. “It’s beautiful.” She walks inside and straight to the glistening tree and the twinkling lights of the town down below.

“Yes, it is.” Seeing her standing in front of the tree takes my breath away. She’s stunning. She’s everything I was looking for before the rug was pulled out from under me. Is it too late to start over?

She turns to face me. “Go get Gino and see how he is. I’ll be here enjoying the view. I think I made a mistake living down in the valley. This is divine.”

I leave before I say something crazy. Would it be horrible to live here? No. Everything I’ve needed, I’ve found. But give up football? It’s been one of the things that’s brought me joy since I was a kid. My shoes sink into the thick carpet with each step closer to my parent’s door.

I love playing with the guys and miss the team. And another three-year contract? That would set me up for life, and I’d still be young enough to enjoy a second career. Running a restaurant with Marco? It’s not the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. Even if he doesn’t have a head for business.

I tap my knuckles on the door. My mom answers with Gino in her arms. His head is on her chest as he looks up at me with glazed eyes.

“Hey, Buddy.” I snatch him to my chest and rub his back. “I’m sorry you feel bad.”

“I sick, Daddy.” He sags against me.

“I know, Buddy. Daddy will take care of you.” My heart swells as I inhale the scent of his shampoo and hold him closer. Playing a game doesn’t compare to this. This is real life, and nothing compares to earning my son’s trust. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll damn sure take it.

“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate you watching him, and I hope you don’t get sick.”

She waves her hand in the air. “I think he has an ear infection. Or he’s teething. Those three molars are bears when they come in. I remember how fussy you and your brother were.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She shuts the door behind us as I hitch Gino higher on my chest.

“Where does it hurt?”

He points to his ear. Well, that’s one point in my mom’s favor. Maybe it’s not a virus. As I walk, he rubs his head against me and closes his eyes while mine fills with stupid tears.

I fucked up not being there with him from day one. Whatever I do in the future, he’s not getting tossed aside again.

After swiping the passkey over the lock, I open the door and swallow hard. Norah looks at me over her shoulder, a smile playing on her lips, and the ground shakes. I want her, but it’s more than that. I don’t want to toss her aside, either. She’s already working her way into my heart–one smile at a time.