Page 62 of Catch
“That’s your social responsibility? Mac and cheese commercials?”
I pretended to be shocked. “We all eat it. Why wouldn’t I promote something so All-American?” This entire exchange was cheesy, pun intended, but I could see her shoulders relax and the worry lines around her mouth and forehead soften.
“My girls love it. And there are healthy options.”
“Or maybe I should work with a publishing company so I get free books donated to my charity.”
She sat up straight so fast that I leaned back. “You should ask your agent to look into that.”
“I should answer my agent’s calls more. I’m sure he fields a lot of requests. I’ve been spread so thin this year that it’s impossible to pick and choose. I need sleep, you know.” I finished my water. “It’s getting late. I should go.” I didn’t know if Grayson was coming home tonight and I felt guilty for being here. I darted to the kitchen and put my glass in the sink. I felt Parker’s body heat before I even turned around.
“Sutton.”
The way she said it made my weakened resolve fall apart. I pressed my palms against the counter for a moment to gather any strength I could before I turned to face her. Her eyes always told the truth when her guard was down. The last sixteen years weren’t easy on her. I hated that there was a part of me that hoped she was suffering. The woman in front of me was in agony.
I pulled her close and ran my fingertip along her jaw. She was still my first love. Still the woman I wanted most in this world. I could tell she was holding her breath, waiting for me to decide. The universe brought us together once and fate stepped in the second time.
“Parker.”
A slight whimper escaped her parted lips as she cupped my face in her hands and brought my mouth down to hers. The first kiss was tender and soft as we adjusted to one another. She was more assertive now. It was a massive turn-on.
“I want you. It’s always been you,” she whispered when we broke apart for air.
Our kiss went from gentle to explosive in the span of fifteen seconds. I couldn’t get close enough. Not only did I knock my walls down, but I kicked them out of the way to get to her. She felt so familiar in my arms, but I noticed subtle differences as well. Her breasts were fuller, her hips had widened, but her waist was still small and her skin so smooth. I kissed her neck and reached down to unlatch the button of her jeans. I was moving too fast after practically giving her a PowerPoint presentation of the reasons why we had to wait.
Instead, I slid my hand under her sweater and smiled at her body heat. I had touched dozens of women in my life, but I had Parker’s body memorized. The small mole on her ribcage, the way chill bumps followed my touch like it was a race to get to the sensitive spots first, and the way she bit her bottom lip when my hand got closer to her breast. She smelled like sweet orange blossom and a hint of vanilla. I slid both hands down the curve of her lower back, into the band of her jeans, and squeezed her ass. I pulled her flush against me, wishing our clothes were off and we were somewhere private. I wasn’t the shy teenager who worried if I was doing something wrong anymore. Parker’s body squirmed against me for friction and her small, breathless moans made every part of my body hum with desire and need. I was two seconds from pulling her into the study when a rapid, but low, insistent knock on the front door interrupted us.
“Why aren’t they answering the door?” a man’s voice asked.
Parker put her hand on her chest and stared at me in alarm. My imagination exploded. Grayson was in a wreck, or he got pulled over. Or it was Bill who had found out about Grayson and my involvement in his marriage. To be fair, other coaches had hidden worse behavior in the past. I followed Parker to the door. She opened it.
“You never answered your phone. We’ve been calling all night,” a woman said.
Fuck my life. The O’Neals stood in the doorway with suitcases in hand. I had no choice but to stand there and wait until the recognition hit them. Ginger O’Neal did not disappoint. Her lips curled back in a sneer. If I didn’t have the upper hand of having recognized her first, I would have cowered.
“Hello, Ginger. Hello, Samuel.” I grinned like the cat who ate the canary and leaned my shoulder against the wall as though I belonged there.
“What is she doing here? I thought she was out of your life, Parker,” Ginger said.
How did they not know I was the offensive coordinator for the team their son-in-law played for? The announcers said my name all the time during games. “I coach her husband now.” I returned her sneer with a smirk. She scoffed, huffed, and smacked her husband in the chest.
“Do something, Samuel.”
“Nobody’s doing anything, Mother. Sutton is a part of our lives now. She’s our friend, Grayson’s coach, and belongs here just as much as you do,” Parker said.
“It’s so good to see you both again after all these years. You look well.” I wanted to bolt, but I didn’t want them to control my actions anymore. I was an adult and everything Parker said was true. Maybe we were more than friends after what just happened a minute ago, but they didn’t need to know that.
Parker gently pushed me out of their way. “Mom. Dad. Come in. What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting you until the weekend.”
“Obviously.” Ginger scoffed.
I pulled myself up to my full height and looked down at them. Funny how they used to scare the shit out of me. “I was just on my way out. Good night, Parker. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Sutton. I’ll see you soon.” Parker’s voice was a full octave higher.
I could feel their stare boring into my back as I walked to my car. “We tried calling but apparently you were busy. Why is she here? Where’s Grayson?” Ginger asked.
I didn’t hear Parker’s answer as I shut the car door. I got out of the driveway as fast as I could without burning rubber. I called Grayson. “Sorry to interrupt, but your in-laws just showed up, presumably unannounced.”
