His eyes get wide and a blush runs up his neck as he takes in my appearance. I smile at him. "You decided to come. I was wondering if you'd show up. I'm glad you're here.""I…um…" he seems to have a hard time figuring out what he's trying to say. "I'm sorry. I should leave you alone to get dressed."He turns around but I call out to him. "Wait!" He stops but he doesn't turn back around. "It's okay, Rowen. I'm not embarrassed or anything.""No, but I kind of am." It never occurred to me that he would be so modest. Most of the players just see a naked girl at a party and go for it. I mean, that's kind of what we're here for. It stumps me. And confuses me. And I find it kind of sweet."I didn't realize this would make you uncomfortable." I shift my feet over the edge of the bed so I can stand up. "Just give me a second." I take a minute to throw my jeans and red Mutiny jersey on. Once I'm sufficiently covered up, I let him know. "Okay, you can turn around now."He turns slowly to look a
"Rowen!" My dad's voice booms through the computer. "What's the craic, boyo?"I smile as he sits back and comes on the screen, his flaming red hair sticking up in all directions. No one has ever questioned my paternity. From our bright blue eyes to our lily white skin to the hair…the famous hair…there is no question who my father is. But our looks and our soccer skills are the only ways we're similar. Our personalities are very, very different. He's loud and boisterous. I'm quiet and some think shy. He's the life of the party. I'm the one who observes the party from the outskirts. When he was in his prime, he got lots of press and reveled in it. I'm happy to watch my teammates take the glory. So yeah, personality traits…those I got from my Mam.Despite all our differences, in a lot of ways my dad is my best friend. We used to tour with him when he was in the European league so he was always around. Once he retired and we moved to Detroit, he coached every single one of my teams until
I sigh and rub my hand down my face. When I look up again, my mom is getting up from the couch and walking away. She's always been good about giving us privacy to have our "man talks" as she calls them. Normally, I don't care if she knows what's going on. But in this case, I'm kind of glad she leaves."Dad, I know how you met Mam. But…did you have to deal with groupies hanging around when you played?""Aiy. Even after your mother showed up they were always around. Ready for a good shag and whatever else we could think of. Rowen," I look back up at him and see concern written all over his face. "Have you gotten yerself in trouble with a cleat chaser?""No! Ohmygod, Dadaí," I say, the residual brogue bleeding through my words like it always does when he says something that surprises or shocks me. "Yer such an ass. You've preached to me since I was born about how I'm not to give it up to just anyone. It's gonna take someone special to get in these pants."He chuckles. "I know ye aren't as
The door clicks and unlocks as I put my key fob up to the electronic pad. I push my way in and head straight for the assignments desk, toting my messenger bag and lunch kit with me.Dropping it on the floor next to the oversized cubicle, I greet my friend Caleb."Why is it so quiet in here? Where is everyone?" I ask as I grab a handful of papers from my company mail box and begin to sort through them.He doesn't look up from his computer. "It's been a strange day. Almost all the reporters had stuff set up for tonight so they're out shooting already. And there are a couple photogs downstairs waiting for something to happen, but the scanners have been really quiet."I snicker as I toss some random press releases in the recycle bin. "You know what that means for tonight....""Do. Not. Say it." He swivels his chair so he can face me. I open my mouth like I'm gonna say it. "Don't say it!""Breakingnews," I say as fast as I can with a laugh.He groans and puts his hands over his face. "I hat
I clear my throat. "There were a lot of whispers last night about a certain rookie being groomed to take over as a starting mid-fielder next season." I try not to change my expression as Rowen crosses my mind. I haven't stopped thinking about him since the other night. I've never had anyone turn away before when I've been naked. I was surprised by how nice it made me feel.Steve raises his eyebrows and turns towards me even more. "So who's getting cut?""Mack Shivel." I lean back and clasp my hands together, resting them on my stomach. Steve whistles his disbelief softly."I bet that's going over like a ton of bricks.""Mack hasn't figured it out yet.""Are you sure?""Oh yeah." I nod my head. "The Rookie was at the party. No way he could have gotten that drunk and not thrown down if he knew."Steve scratches his shoulder. "Yeah, that Mack Shivel is kind of a dick.""Hey!" I say in protest. "He's not that bad. He's always been nice to me."He rolls his eyes. "Yeah. Because you're young
I rap my knuckles on the door of the apartment twice and wait for it to be answered. I'm late. I know. But I needed extra time to ice down my legs after today's practice. Practices seem to be getting harder, not easier. I understand, though. We're in the middle of a season and playoffs are coming up. I have to be in tip-top shape in case one of our starters gets injured.Looking around, I make a note of the area. It's a pretty nice neighborhood. Inside the loop. Close to the stadium. It's actually not that far from where I live, which is information I'll keep to myself.While most of the newer teammates, like myself, have at least a thirty minute drive to work and have at least one roommate, I live alone in a garage apartment just ten minutes away. Having a dad with lots of connections comes in handy sometimes. Which is not something I will fess up to tonight.The door swings open to reveal Daniel, my team captain, grinning widely with a lit cigar in his mouth."Welcome to poker night,
Christian ignores him, instead looking over at me and pointing at Daniel with his thumb. "Our captain here decided to take Quincy to his mama's house for dinner. Have you ever had her fajitas?"I shake my head."They're to die for. I could go for some right now." He turns to Daniel. "Make sure to tell her I'm coming over next time we have a Sunday off." Daniel rolls his eyes.I furrow my brow. "What am I missing?"Daniel groans. "Can we not talk about this? I just need time to sort it all out."Christian ignores him and keeps talking to me. "Apparently it didn't go over so well when one of the brothers accused Quincy of dating him for his money. So our captain here hasn't spoken to his family in over a week. Which is why he's been a whiny little bitch lately. Haven't you noticed?""Enough," Daniels cuts in. "We're not talking about this anymore. I don't need my personal business floating around the locker room."Christian snorts. "It's not like the rookie makes a habit of spouting off
There's nothing like the smells in the stadium. The hot dogs and chalupas and nachos. The vinyl on a brand new jersey. The fresh cut grass. It's where I feel most comfortable. It reminds me of my childhood, my high school years, my college years. It gives me a feeling of nostalgia and joy. I love it.I wave off the person handing out noise makers when she tries to give me one. I love the concept, but I never use them. When I watch a soccer game, my eyes never leave the field. I become almost mesmerized. So there's no reason to waste the plastic.I make my way down the stadium steps, heading toward my normal section. The Mutiny players are all allowed to give out two tickets per game. Sometimes more if they have special permission. Except for family which sits in the team box, the tickets are right here. In section one hundred. Center field. Right on the field. Best seats in the house.Considering how many of the players I party with, I'm usually able to get my hands on a ticket. I've b
"Oh my fucking… uuuggghhh… You are never allowed to give me a blow job again this is so much better…" My words are practically incoherent. There's nothing I could possibly say that could even describe how it feels to make love to my wife."Rowen," she whispers and her breath catches. I realize she has tears in her eyes. I immediately still."What's wrong, baby," I ask as I kiss the tears that begin sliding down the sides of her face. "Why are you crying?"She tries hard to hold in a sob, but she can't hide the emotion from me. "Nothing's wrong. Don't stop," she says and I start moving slowly again. "I just never knew it could be like this. This… connection.""Oh baby." I smile at her. "This is what it's supposed to be like."A laugh bursts out of her and I kiss her again. I kiss her while I thrust in and out of her, feeling her hands touch me everywhere. I kiss her while I feel my orgasm building, and building quickly."Tiff…" I groan. "I want you to come with me. But I don't think… o
I groan deep in my throat and wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me. After several minutes of a lewd make out session that we'll see pictures of later, courtesy of our photographer, we break way and catch our breath."Are you ready for me to de-flower you?" she asks with a grin. I smile back."I've been waiting for it my entire life."We say our goodnights to the photographer and make our way back to our bungalow. She gives us a knowing smile as we walk away. Normally, I might be embarrassed by someone knowing what Tiffany and I are up to. But not tonight. Tonight, I'm going to make love to my wife.As we walk through the doors, I turn to close them. And if I'm honest, I'm trying to keep my hands from shaking with nerves. I want this to be good for her. Will she compare me to the others?No. There is no place for them here. She is my wife. She is mine. I turn around and see her standing next to the bed. Her long dark hair flowing over one shoulder. She lo
"This… " I say pulling it out of the box. "…was my grandmother's engagement ring. She wore it for fifty-seven years, until she passed away. And now, I'm hoping you'll wear it for fifty-seven more."She slowly moves her sunglasses to the top of her head, like she doesn't want to make any quick movements. "Tiffany, I love you. So much," I continue. "I love your brain. I love your beauty. I love your resting bitch face." A giggle bursts out of her and she quickly slaps a hand over her mouth. "I love your strength and your wit and your love of sports. I love that you work so hard at your job because you love it so much. I love your loyalty. I love your heart.""I… how did you get this ring?"I smirk. "My mam sent it te me a few weeks ago. When I told her I wanted to marry ye. My Maimeó gave it to her a few months ago, before she passed away, so I could give it ye."She looks up at me. "Your accent is coming out.""I'm a little nervous.""Why are you nervous?""Because I don't want ye to t
8 months later…The warm breeze blows through the open balcony doors, making the sheer white curtains billow out. It looks like a picture you would see in a magazine. But I barely notice. My focus is on the beautiful, naked creature in my bed.Tiffany is sound asleep on her stomach facing me. Her beautiful brown hair fanned across the pillow her head is on. I can't stop staring at her, listening to the puffs of breath coming from her as she sleeps peacefully. This is what we needed. To get away from everyone and everything. The season had been stressful. Not just on me, but on Tiffany as well. After the picture scandal broke, she couldn't sit in the stands anymore. Anytime she did, people would surround her, taking pictures and making comments. It'll eventually die down, we hope. But soccer fans never forget anything. It'll take some time before she will feel comfortable in Section 100 again.In the meantime, she sits in the box with Quincy and the other WAGS. She says it was a little
"I promise, Mom, I'm doing great," I say into the phone as I grab my last minute script changes off the printer to take downstairs. "It was rough at first and I still have my moments. But I feel stronger every day."She sighs. "I just wish you had come home instead of gone to Detroit. I would have taken care of you.""I wouldn't have even gone to Detroit if Rowen hadn't practically man-handled me into the car." Grabbing my head seat, I make my way to the stairs and the newsroom. "Besides, I didn't want you to see me like that. I was too ashamed.""Honey, you should never be ashamed around me.""That's easier said than done and you know it. I never wanted you to find out those things, Mom. I know you and I have a good relationship. But some things your mother never needs to know.""I know, I know. Just promise me you'll come home soon to visit. It's been too long.""I promise. But hey, I have to go. I've got about five minutes until my show starts.""Okay dear. I love you.""Love you, t
We spent four more days in Detroit. Tiffany rested and relaxed. I, on the other hand, got my ass kicked by my Da on a regular basis. I was grateful, though. I had royally fucked up and let down my team. I wanted to be in tip-top shape when I got back on that field to make up for it.I discreetly monitored the sports news while we were there. I didn't want Tiffany to see anything that would throw her back into a tailspin but I needed to know the worst was over. Things got very quiet, very quick. It actually surprised me who fast it was over. The biggest news after Daniel's interview was Shivel's suspension and subsequent demotion to the practice team.I wanted to laugh at the mess he's created for himself. His skills were already declining. If he'd wanted to stay on top, he needed to spend less time worrying about sabotaging others and more time working on his game. But he didn't. And it caught up with him.We finally made it home about a week ago. A rode out my last days on suspension
"Absolutely not. And neither did Ryan. We would never violate Rowen's trust like that. Or yours. Actually," she says as she throws some butter into the potatoes, "I never look at those pictures when they are leaked. If I'm going to subscribe to the belief that it's a violation of someone's privacy, I need to give anyone in this situation the same kind of respect."I clasp my hands together in my lap and look up at her, tears in my eyes. "Thank you," I say quietly. She smiles.Suddenly the back door opens and the guys walk in, faces flushed from the cold."Hey! Close that door! You're getting my food cold," Denise scolds.Ryan slams the door behind him, stalks over to her and wraps his arms around her. "Bangers and mash," he says as he kisses her on the neck, making her squeal from the chill. "I knew there was a reason I kept you around, Mo grá."She smacks him on the arm. "I didn't do it for you, I did it for your son.""Then he needs to come home more often.""How was your work out?"
I stretch my arms over my head and realize I've been asleep. Really asleep. No nightmares, no interruptions. I feel a lot better.I reach my arm to the other side of the bed and find it empty. I wonder how long I've been out.I rifle around in my bag until I find a light jacket and pull my pants back on. Padding down the stairs and to the kitchen, I find Rowen's mother cooking again."Good morning," Denise says brightly as she drains some potatoes in the sink. "Did you sleep well?""Yeah, I really did. How long was I out?""Uh, I'd say about four hours.""Really? I haven't slept that well in a few days.""That means you feel safe here. That's good."She sets the pot on the stove and begins mashing the potatoes. There's a sauce simmering and I can smell some sort of meat cooking as well. "Can I help you with anything? It looks like you've got your hands full.""Oh I'm doing just fine, but thank you. Why don't you have a seat? Do you want something to drink?""I really could use some wa
Da lets out a deep belly laugh. "Yer mam is right. Yer getting' married."I throw a napkin at him as my mom laughs."What did I miss?" Tiffany asks as she walks back into the room."Nothing. My dad just thinks he's a funny guy." I push back my chair and stand up. "Come on. It's only five thirty our time. Let's go take a nap."We trudge up the stairs and I take her to the guest room because my old room still has a single bed in it and this one has a queen."Your parents are okay with us sharing a room?" she asks."This time, yes." She furrows her brows at me in question. "Normally my mam would object because she wants to make sure we don't 'have any temptations we can't control'." I use my fingers to make the quotations marks and Tiffany begins to giggle. "But they're making an exception under the circumstances. Come here."She steps over to me as I sit on the bed. I put her hands on my shoulders to steady herself while I undo her shoes and take them off. Her socks and pants go next. Fi