Page 163 of Steeling Her
“Good morning!” She pokes her head in the door with a beaming smile. Her ebony skin is always smooth and shining, it always makes me jealous. And don’t get me started on her hair and makeup, it’s always fresh and pristine when she arrives. She’s the bubbly woman who all the clients adore thanks to her quick sense of humor and wittiness.
“Good morning! You’re in a little early?” I check the clock on my desktop, seeing it’s not even eight yet. We all start at eight-thirty, and she typically arrives about ten minutes after.
“I know, Marcus said he’d drop the kids to school, so I came in early for a little alone time with my girl!” She winks and I push myself up to join her as we walk side by side to the canteen.
“That’s nice of him.” I smile at her, nudging my shoulder into her slim build. You wouldn’t think she had two kids with that figure.
“It’s only because I gave him some last night.” She rolls her eyes, joking with me as she pushes through the door.
“Well, it’s all about compromise, right?” I tease her, making her laugh raucously. Not that I would know about relationships. This is only my second one.
Putting the coffee pot in for her, she sets the bag of food on the table and picks them out one by one. A fruit platter with some yogurt and nuts. We treat ourselves with greasy food on Fridays but try to be good every other day of the week.
The temptation is everywhere in this place. We have fast-food joints surrounding us and are open twenty-four-seven, so we always try to avoid leaving for lunch unless it’s absolutely necessary.
As we start to eat our breakfast, my mind drifts back to the text Haley had sent us yesterday about dinner tomorrow. No details were given, just where, when, and “Don’t be late.” I can’t help but think about what she’s up to? Why the urgency?
What are you up to Miss Jackson?
***
Nick
I swear if, that baby doesn’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to throw it out the window of the plane that’s travelling twenty thousand feet in the air. I won’t hesitate, I really won’t. I can’t sleep and I’m fucking exhausted. I stayed up late last night so I could get a sleep on the flight, but thanks to this squealer three rows down, I can’t have any of that.
I sigh to myself and pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.Just a few more hours, Nick.
Give it a sleeping pill or something. Knock it out cold. I don’t care, I’ll do the honors if that kid’s parents can’t. It’s annoying, and I’m cranky right now.I have it in my mind to say something to the parents but I can’t find the energy to actually get up from my seat. That, and the fact that the woman beside me has been flirting with me since ever I’ve stepped into the flight. I don’t want another reason for her to start conversing with me again.
She’s so not my type too.
“Excuse me!” I signal the stewardess who is walking down the aisle far too many times to count. Her eyes light up when I talk to her, like she needed something to do to pass the time.
“Yes, Mr. Jackson?” she asks me.
“Can I get a triple scotch on the rocks with lime?” I request. “Make it two actually,” I order from her and she nods quickly, scurrying off to make order as I rest my head back to get comfy again.
I thought first class was supposed to be quiet?I think to myself as I gaze out of the window, looking at the passing clouds on the blue skies. The sun has come up fully. I watched the sunrise only moments ago as it fills the space with orange, pink, and yellow saturates. It was a beautiful sight.
“Nervous flyer?” the voice beside me asks, taking me out of my thoughts.
“No, I just need to sleep but it’s too loud up here.” I stare at her almond-shaped eyes. They’re dark brown and flirty.
“I have sleeping pills if you want one? They’re legit, I sometimes have trouble sleeping on flights too.” I shake my head, denying her request. That shit shouldn’t be in my system unless I’ve been instructed to take one by a medical professional. She’s not, so I can’t get pulled up on that or I’ll be banned from future games.
“No thank you, I’m fine. But if you don’t mind giving it to the baby down there, that would be great,” I joke dryly, pointing my head to the frequent screams coming from the child not too far away from us.I’m still serious when I say it though.She laughs loudly, placing her manicured hand in her chest to stop herself. I arch my eyebrow as I watch this play out.It wasn’t that funny.
“Oh, you’re too funny!” She slaps my arm. “Wow, and strong too. Do you work out?” she asks in awe, and I know she’s trying to strike up a conversation with me. I’m so not interested.
“Here you are, Mr. Jackson.” The stewardess saves me from answering that question I usually get from women. Yes, I do in fact work out, hence my build and profession. Now, the stewardess, I would fuck right here, right now. She’s more of my type. A little petite body with brown hair tied tightly into her bun.
“Thank you.” I smile at her and watch her turn red. She straightens herself up and fixes her uniform, continuing to walk down the aisle.
“So, I’m Jody.” The woman beside me holds out her hand trying to secure my attention once more. I’ve been raised to be polite to everyone I meet; today will be no exception.
“Nick,” I mumble back, taking the first glass of scotch and chugging it back. She watches me, wide eyes, as I drink from the plastic cup holding the amber liquid. I know I shouldn’t be drinking so much because I’m under contract with the Chargers now and they check each player nearly every day.Or so I’m told.That’s where I’m flying to now.
I graduated college with a first and got drafted with the Cowboys for two years before I got traded to the Seahawks. Now, I’m playing for the Chargers for a four-year contract. It’s just what I wanted. I’ve always wanted to play for them, but I needed Austin Steel to move first. The team wasn’t going to let him go without a fight, but he got a much better offer. Now he’s the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, with Jason Sterling as second, followed by me.
