The UN Series Complete Box Set (42 page)

We start to move forward as we enter the stadium. We go to find our seats first then the guys leave us to go get us some beers and hot dogs. Courtney and I start talking about how much we are going to miss each other since she has to go back tomorrow.

The guys come back with hands full of stuff as they hand us our hot dogs.

“Here, baby.” I reach over, letting him take a bite of my hotdog. He doesn’t even take it from me. He has a beer in each hand. He just bends his head down and takes a big bite out of it, making me laugh.

I think about how far we’ve come since that first phone call. I have fallen in love with someone who has changed my life for the better. I would never admit it, but I like fighting with him. It tells me that what I feel is real. That this love I have is never going to go away, even when he walks away. When I’m pissed off at him, I still love him. The thought of him walking away makes my breath catch and my chest tighten.

As soon as I say the words ‘I love you’ he will leave. He will leave because I would be giving in. I know he loves me somewhat, but the only reason he’s still with me is because he wants to win. Maybe he finds this relationship as a challenge. He’s challenging me to give up first. Well, I have news for him. I can hold my tongue and not utter those three words that will destroy us. I will ride this train until it comes to a stop. And when he walks away, I will keep my head high and my broken heart to myself.

“Slade, where’s my beer?”

“Oh sorry, I forgot.” Slade leans over to hand Josh his beer.

“You forgot you were holding two beers?” I ask as I smile at him. His eyes are on the field and I see his eyes slide to look over at me. When he looks back to the field, I continue staring at him. He turns his head to look back at me. “What?” he smirks.

I shake my head. He leans down, placing his now free hand on my face. I jerk back. “What?” he asks with a serious look on his face.

“Your hand is freezing,” I laugh.

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, they feel kind of numb. Here...” He rubs it real fast on his pant leg, then places it back on my cheek. “That better?”

I nod. Although it’s still freezing, I don’t mind. It was just that initial shock that made me react. He leans down and his eyes search mine as I lean into him and push my lips to his, closing my eyes. I feel his tongue meet mine. I love how sweet his kisses can be.

Everyone starts screaming, but he doesn’t stop. He moves his hand to the back of my neck and holds on tighter, like he thinks I might pull away.

Not a chance!

“I could never get enough of that.” He pulls his face a few inches from mine.

“What?”

How does he make me breathless from only a kiss?

“Your soft lips.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “How you taste. How gorgeous you are.”

I can’t take my eyes away from his. I feel my walls coming down with every word he speaks.

This may be harder than I had ever imagined.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SLADE

“What the fuck was that? Are you blind?” Courtney yells to a ref.

Angel was right when she said they were rowdy. They are extremely rowdy. Angel is just as loud and screams just as much as Courtney does. She just does it without all the curse words.

We are all on our feet, cheering for the Rams. Its fourth quarter with a minute and a half left. We are up by twenty points. I’m trying to get into the game, but it’s been hard since I kissed Angel. I don’t know what was different about that kiss, but I’m still thinking about it. I swear when I pulled away I could see it in her eyes. She wanted to say it. She wanted to tell me she loves me.

When I had looked at her the look on her face was a look I had never seen from her. Something so soft it made my heart swell. I want to be gentle and show her that it isn’t all about the fucking. I know I say things to her about how I want to fuck her, and I know she likes it. She likes that I talk dirty to her and demand what I want from her sexually.

She can’t hide her feelings forever. She will slip up and the words will come out eventually.

And I will be there to say them back.

The girls jump up and down as the Rams beat the Seahawks. Josh and I walk back toward the truck as the girls skip along in front of us, acting like little kids. Josh and I just laugh.

We aren’t even on the highway driving back to my house from the game when I look in the rear view mirror to see a passed out Courtney leaning on Josh’s shoulder as he looks out the window. Angel is leaning up against her window, passed out as well.

“They are worn out,” I chuckle.

“Yeah. It has been a long day. Especially after all they had to drink last night.” He runs a hand over Courtney’s hair.

“You can stay at my house tonight. You don’t have to go home.” I have plenty of rooms, and Courtney leaves tomorrow afternoon. I know he wants to spend some time with her.

He nods. “Yeah, I’ll stay.” He looks down to Courtney and I know he’s already regretting having to let her go back to Tulsa.

I pull up to the house and park the truck in the garage. “I’m going to take her to bed, then I’m going to pass out.”

“Okay. Thanks again for letting me stay.” He picks up Courtney as he gets out of the truck.

“Anytime.” He knows he doesn’t even have to ask.

I reach over and pull Angel away from her window so that she doesn’t fall out of the truck when I open her door. She moans as I move her and it makes my dick grow hard. I take a deep breath and get out of the truck.

I walk over to her and open her door. I step up on the Nerf bars and pick her up in my arms. She doesn’t move as I cradle her to my body and shut the truck door.

I walk her into the house and take her to our room, then lay her down on the bed. I pull off her shoes, then I unbutton her jeans and slowly pull them down her legs before I lift her up and discard her shirt.

I want to wake her up and show her how gentle I can be. I want her to show me what it’s like to feel someone physically love you. I won’t, though. She is exhausted and I know she needs her sleep.

I undo her bra and pull her panties off. I go to the bathroom, get ready for bed then climb in next to her. I pull her body against mine.

“Good night, Angel,” I whisper to her face. I place a soft kiss on her forehead and close my eyes.

*****

SAMANTHA

“So…fill me in?” Courtney and I are in the truck on our way to the airport.

“I didn’t sleep with him. If that’s what you’re asking,” she laughs.

“What?” I ask, obviously surprised.

“We slept in the same bed.” She lays her head back, sighing. “I really like him. We stayed up all night talking. Well, I talked. He just listened,” she laughs.

“I bet he hated to say goodbye.” Slade had left for work this morning, but Josh went in late to spend some more time with Courtney.

“Yeah. I gave him my email, cell and home number.”

I laugh at her. “Well then, when you decide he’s boring you, you won’t be able to ignore him.”

“No, I really like him. He’s different. He wasn’t trying to get down my pants. We kissed. He’s such a good kisser, but other than that he was a perfect gentleman. He even told me this morning he wants to come down to see me in Tulsa.”

I pull up to the airport where I have to drop her off. I turn to her. “I’m glad. I hope it turns into something. Josh is a good guy and deserves someone to treat him right and I know you would.”

We give each other a hug and shed a few tears. I tell her goodbye and head back to Slade’s house. My phone rings as I walk into Slade’s house. I dig it out of my purse and stare at the caller ID.

My heart stops.

Mom!

My mom is calling me. I’ve called her every month for five years and she has never answered a single call.

Now she’s calling me.

I let out a breath and answer. “Hello?” I whisper. I can’t manage much more than that.

“Samantha.”

My eyes well up in tears, hearing her say my name like she just called to discuss the weather.

“Yes, Mom.” My voice cracks.

“Oh, Samantha. It’s so good to hear your voice.”

I can’t speak. Tears fall down my cheeks, and there’s a silence that lingers between us before she speaks.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispers.

I can’t say anything.

“Will you come home? Please?” she pleads.

“What?”

Can I come home? Of course I can. I’ve always thought about her. Always missed her.

“Honey, I want to see you. Can you come home? I…I really want to see you. I want to apologize for everything and do it the right way.”

“Yes,” I whisper, still not able to speak properly.

“I want to see you as soon as possible. It’s been too long.” She starts to cry.

I’m standing in the walkway of Slade’s house, crying on the phone while my mom cries on the other end.
What is happening?

“Okay. I’ll book a flight out for tomorrow.” I swallow hard.

“Are you going to come alone, or is Slade going to come with you?”

Slade? How does she know about Slade?

“I’ve heard things in town, honey. I know Courtney was just there and I’ve heard you’re beyond happy with a man who thinks you’re the world.”

What? What would have been said for her to think that?

“I don’t know.”

“You should bring him. I would love to meet him.” She sounds happy about that thought.

“Oh. Okay.”

“I have to go, honey. Call me tomorrow and let me know when your plane will arrive.”

“Okay. I love you, Mom,” I breathe out.

She takes in a deep breath. “Love you too, Samantha.” Her voice is shaky. “I can’t wait to see you.”

I sniff a few times, not able to speak past the lump in my throat.

“Be safe and I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispers before she hangs up.

I still can’t move. It’s like I’m paralyzed.

She wants to see me.
Me!

She said she loved me. It’s been so long since I’ve heard those words from anyone. I don’t count Jax.

I stand there and close my eyes, remembering her dark hair that she kept long. She always wore it in big curls. That’s why I wear mine in curls. She would fix hers and then curl mine, either with the curling iron or hot rollers.

I remember her letting me play dress up in her makeup and clothes. Courtney was right when she said I was always grounded, but it was because I was always getting into trouble. I did what I wanted, when I wanted meaning I got grounded for pretty much everything I did.

I don’t know how it went so wrong.

Why does she want to see me?

With my eyes closed, I can hear her voice and picture her standing in front of me. Tears continue to run down my face.
What if I get there and all she wants from me is money?
It will break my heart all over again.

“Angel?”

I open my eyes slowly. Slade is standing in front of me with his hands on my hips. I didn’t even feel his hands on me.
How long has he been standing here?

“Why are you crying?’ He releases my hips to wipe away the tears that still flow freely.

“My mom called me,” I say shakily

He grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s sit down.” He pulls me to the living room and sits next to me on the couch. “What did she say?’ He pushes a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

“She wants us to come to Tulsa as soon as possible.”

“Us?” His brows draw together.

I shake my head. “I don’t understand what she wants. You don’t have to go with me if you don’t want to.”

He shifts so he’s facing me and a smile forms on his lips as he takes my hands in his. “I wouldn’t let you go without me.” He smiles, but frowns when I don’t. “Talk to me, Angel. What are you thinking?”

“I don’t know. I’m nervous. She said she wants to apologize the right way, but I can’t help thinking she has an ulterior motive. Why would she want to see me all of a sudden? I’m going to jump on a plane tomorrow and drag you to Tulsa with me.” I look to the floor. “She asked me to come home. It hasn’t been my home for a long time.”

I look up to him as he stares at me, still holding my hands. “I left everything, Slade. Everything. All I took with me were two suitcases of clothes, a bag of bathroom stuff, and one photograph of the three of us. I left everything else. She probably trashed it all.”

“I doubt she did that, Angel.”

“Why would she keep stuff to remind her of a child she couldn’t stand?” I shake my head as I feel my chest get heavy.

“I’m actually going to
see
her tomorrow, and I don’t know how to feel about that. I’ve wanted to talk to her for so long, but now that it’s happening I want to turn her down. I want to be strong enough to reject her. Let her feel the pain I’ve felt for so long. I can’t do that, though. I’m too weak to do that. She’s my mom and I love her,” I whisper.

Slade leans over and pulls me onto his lap. “Angel.” He pulls my face out of his shirt to look at him. “You are the strongest person I have ever met. There is nothing weak about you. Remember that. You’re not going alone, I’m going with you. She obviously needs you for something. You’re the better person for going to her when she needs you.”

I nod.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed. I have a feeling you’re going to need your rest.”

“It’s only six o’clock, and I still need to get online and get our tickets.” I go to get off his lap, but he holds me tighter.

“I’ll get them. Don’t worry about it.” I go to say no, but he leans down and kisses me. “I’ll get them,” he repeats softly when he pulls his lips away from mine.

“Okay. Thank you, baby.” I bury my face in his chest as he stands up and cradles me like a child, taking me to bed. As I undress, I can hear him on the phone getting our tickets.

He crawls in next to me once he undresses. “We leave at six in the morning. We need to be at the airport by four thirty.”

I nod. “Thank you, baby.” I lean over and set my alarm for three. As I lay down, I cuddle up with him.

Tomorrow is probably going to be the longest day of my life.

*****

My hands are sweaty, my heart is racing and I keep bouncing my knee up and down as I sit in the passenger seat of our rental car. Slade is driving us to my old home and I’m a nervous wreck.

As we pull up to the circle gravel drive, I start to have trouble breathing. Slade parks the car in the driveway and turns to me. “Wait here for a second and let me get our bags, okay?”

I reach out for his arm. “No,” I almost shout. “Leave them in here. Just in case….I don’t know. In case we decide to leave. We can always come get them later.” I have a death grip on his arm as I ramble.

He nods slowly. “Okay.” he takes my face in his hands. “I’m here for you, Angel. You’re not here alone. I’m here.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Come on.” He releases me and gets out of the car. I watch him walk around the front of the car and open my door for me. He helps me out and doesn’t let go of my hand as we walk to the door. I take a few breaths before I decide to knock instead of just walking in.

This is not my home anymore.

I hold my breath as I hear the door unlock. I can’t move. Mom was always small, but she seems to look even smaller. I don’t know, it’s hard to tell with the baggy man’s t-shirt she is wearing and black baggy sweatpants. She’s wearing a white ball cap with her hair pulled through the back. I notice her hair is a darker brown and shorter than she used to keep it.

She seems like my mother. The same woman. Yet different in a way I can’t explain.