Page 60 of Catch
I laughed. “That’s probably not how it’s done, but it would be nice to have a girlfriend.” Sienna was quiet, nice, cute, but she wasn’t my dream girl. For years I had a description, but never a face. Not until Parker O’Neal showed up with her long blond hair, bold blue eyes, and quiet disposition. I turned to Hayley. “This feels weird. I’ve always wanted an organic meeting. Like I see this girl across the football field and she’s stunning. And she’s impressed that I’m a football player. She doesn’t care that I get banged up and bruised because she knows it’s my passion.”
Hayley looked crushed. She leaned her head against my shoulder. “I can’t wait until we’re older. We’re going to be so fucking happy and married and our kids will play together and be as close as we are.”
“It sounds so far away.” I wasn’t desperate for a girlfriend, but I was ready for one. I knew Hayley meant well, but it was different for me. Since we were thirteen, Hayley had dated at least a dozen guys. Not only was she an incredible person, but she was straight. I was just going to have to wait until a girl walked into my life who was ready to start something with me.
Chapter Twenty-four—First Touch
Present
“Hey, how are you?” I couldn’t tell Hayley anything about what was happening, and I hated it. I knew she would be hurt, but she would understand. It had been ten days since the Moatses dropped their bomb on me, and honestly, Grayson was doing better. An obvious weight had been lifted and he had done a one-eighty on the field. I texted Parker regularly to see how she was doing. I kept my texts short, but with feeling.
“I haven’t heard from you in forever. Are you okay?” Hayley asked.
“I’m good.”
“You’re great! I swear you’re going to the playoffs.” Hayley was always my biggest cheerleader.
I wanted to believe her, but I also didn’t want to jinx us by thinking that far ahead. “I hope so. We still have a lot of work to do. We have five more games until the playoffs and we have to win four out of five.”
Hayley sighed. “Three and two will give you a wildcard. Listen, I called because I wanted to find out what you’re doing for Thanksgiving. Are you able to get away?”
I inwardly groaned. How could I forget about one of the biggest holidays? “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Well, we would love to have you and your dad and Judy. Or just you, or just them. Somebody to watch the kids, really.” Hayley laughed. “Also, I miss you. I know football season is busy, but I need you.”
I missed her, too, and my mental health needed rejuvenating. “I’ll be there. I’ll call Dad later and invite him as well. I can’t promise I’ll stay all day, but I need to wrestle with some kids.”
“They would love that. And so would I. Are you driving home?”
I clenched the steering wheel tighter. I was on my way to see Parker, but I couldn’t tell Hayley that. “Yeah. Me and Crowbar are going to watch games and fall asleep on the couch.”
“Sounds perfect. Trust me. The boys are driving me bonkers. I’m living vicariously through you for the next ten years,” she said.
“I’ll send you a text when I talk to Dad. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Thanksgiving is for family and friends. You’re always invited. You know that.”
“I love you.” I did and it broke my heart that I couldn’t share a massive part of my life with my best friend right now.
“I love you, too, and I’ll see you soon,” she said.
I hit the end button and a wave of guilt washed over me. I cracked the window for fresh air. What was I doing? Who did I think I was? I wasn’t a professional who should’ve been doling out advice in a very sensitive situation. I was inserting myself because I still cared for Parker. I didn’t want to admit that maybe there was still something between us, but here I was, making a beeline for Parker’s since Grayson sneaked over to his apartment with Matt. It was 9:04 p.m. and like I told Hayley, I should’ve been home watching films, but instead I was in fresh clothes, my hair down, and pulling into Parker’s driveway.
“Hi, come on in.” Parker’s eyes lit up when she saw me.
“How are you doing?”
“You know what? I feel good. I’m at peace.”
She looked incredible. Worn, comfortable jeans hugged her hips and tapered down to black booties. The black V-neck sweater showed a hint of cleavage. I kept my eyes on her face, but myperipheral vision picked up the smooth, creamy skin of her neck and bit of her collarbone. She was sexy without even trying. “That’s good to hear.”
“Come on in.”
I knew they had met with a lawyer, and I was dying to find out how it went, but I didn’t want to ask.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asked. She plucked a wineglass off the table with her slender fingertips and motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen. “This is a merlot.”
I needed a clear head. “No, thanks. I need to be sharp for tomorrow.” I knew that if I started drinking now, I would continue until my excitement of being close to Parker dulled and that would take at least a bottle. I couldn’t afford to drink that much tonight. She handed me a glass of ice water.
