Page 39 of The Silent Count
Lea
Let’s hear it.
Coach’s daughter and wide receiver caught sneaking out of a dinner party and seen getting in the car to go home together.
Scandalous.
Let’s get out of here.
SIXTEEN
LEA
Beep.Beep. Beep.
Fortune’s alarm clock blares from his nightstand. The annoying screeches leave me with no choice but to pull his comforter over my head to drown out the treacherous noise. I don’t know what time it is, but I know it’s far too early to be awake right now.
My brain feels like soup, still trying to recoup from the chaos of yesterday as I planned for how we’re going to address Gonzales’—situation? if that’s what you would even call it—during media for tomorrow’s game. The two women had already taken to social media to share their accounts of the story, which were perfectly crafted with screenshots and all.
Then there was the part where he was sobbing with his head hung low in his hands, trying to wrap his head around how he was going to become a parent to not one, but two children at the same time.
I make a mental note to pass him off to one of our veterans if he tries to come looking for parental advice again. Most of them have a handful of children already and are far more fit to give fatherly advice than a childless woman.
I groan internally, not ready to take on what the day is going to bring me.
Sleeping over at Fortune’s house last night wasn’t in my plans, but when one thing led to another after Friday night dinner, it was inevitable.
The ear-piercing noises finally come to a stop, so I peel back the gray comforter and finally open my eyes, which burn from the morning sunlight spilling through the window. I wish so badly that I could curl up next to him and the two of us could go back to sleep for hours and hours. I don’t want to get up and face the cold, rainy day that awaits us. Saturdays are meant for lying in bed and being lazy, not walkthroughs and flights to yet another away game.
An elongated sigh escapes my lungs at the thought of having to spend another day pretending like the two of us aren’t a couple. It was hard enough being around each other when we were in denial of our feelings. Now that we’re officially together, keeping the secret under wraps is going to be ten times harder.
A warm hand snakes around my waist, and Fortune tugs me against him, pressing my back to his chest. Heat radiates down my spine as he intertwines our legs, and I sink into his touch. Any cares I have about being late dissolve from my mind. I’ve been an upstanding employee for years.
Being late one time can’t hurt, right?
“You know we could both call out of work,” he whispers against my ear, and a small smile pulls at my lips. “We could spend the whole day in bed together.”
It’s like he can read my mind.
“Do you ever think about what it would be like if we could actually be together?” It’s a sobering thought to say aloud, especially this soon after waking up, but it’s one that’s riddled my mind long enough that I feel like it needs to be asked. “You know, if my dad wasn’t a factor. If we could just, I don’t know, be together like normal people.”
Fortune eases out a breath, and when he doesn’t respond, I continue spilling my thoughts. “I know we can’t get all touchy feely in the hallways at work or anything—not that I would want that to begin with—but take today, for example. In an alternate universe, we could carpool to work together. Ride home together. We wouldn’t have to pretend like we don’t know each other during meetings and we could have dinner together tonight without worrying if anyone will catch us.”
“Sounds like we should take a trip to your alternate universe,” he teases.
“Or maybe we should tell my father.”
“Lea…” My name rolling off his lips feels like a punch to the gut.
“I know. I know. We agreed to wait until the end of the season.” I mumble as Fortune wraps his hands tighter around my waist, which helps ease some of the doubt going on in my head. “I just hate hiding from him. Having to sneak around. I don’t like that our relationship feels shameful.”
“Why don’t we focus on what we can control right now? Like staying in bed a bit longer.” I can feel him smile against my neck as he pivots back to the playful conversation we were having earlier.
“Wouldn’t it look suspicious if the two of us didn’t show up to work on the same day?” I pause, stretching an arm over my head to let out a yawn. “People might get ideas.”
Fortune trails innocent kisses over my neck, but each one lights a spark underneath my skin. “Let them talk.”
“Solid plan until we miss the flight to the game in Nashville, and my dad questions why his wide receiver and daughter couldn’t make it to the same game.”
