his dominance the past five years and what he thought attributed to that. He couldn’t answer that. Having Mia in his life didn’t seem to be the appropriate answer.
Then Kristen threw him an unexpected spiral square in the chest—retirement, specifically his. He hadn’t really thought about it, but he guessed he should. He’d be forty-one this season. Retirement was coming sooner than later.
The time went by quickly and before he knew it, Kristen was thanking him for his time. As the crew started tearing down the set, Kristen came up to him. “Do you want to get a drink to toast your future retirement?” she asked with a gleam in her eye.
“Haha … very funny. I’m not retiring yet.”
“I was kidding about the retirement, but not about the drink.”
“Sure,” he said, walking out of the room with her. His wife wasn’t home. Luke and Allie were out of town this week with Kaitlyn. He was lonely. Something that he had felt way too often the past couple of years and he was tired of it.
They found a table in the crowded bar downstairs and sat down on the wooden stools. A waitress came and took their drink order and what seemed like with a snap of her fingers the drinks were in front of them.
“So, I said a toast … how about to a season just as great as the last five,” Kristen said, raising her glass.
“Sounds good. Thank you,” he said, clinking his drink with hers.
Talk then turned to his upcoming mini-camp and the new players he was excited to see. They drank and refills appeared pretty automatically and frequently.
Being with Kristen was easy, just like before. He could talk to her. He had fun. He laughed, something he hadn’t done much of lately and he really needed that.
Quite a few drinks in for the both of them, the atmosphere changed. There was still a whole lot of laughter, but there were also more casual touches. And as he drank more, he didn’t mind them, or the looks she gave him.
“How’s Witty?” she asked. Crew ‘Witty’ Witner had been Ethan’s center when he and Kristen had been going out, but he’d retired the year Mia came back into his life. He was one of the funniest men Ethan knew.
“He actually was just hired by Platte Pointe University to be their head coach.”
“No way!” Kristen exclaimed. It was a small school but was known for producing quality football players. “He’s going to be a coach? How is anyone ever going to take his wise-ass seriously?”
“Did you say wide-ass?” Ethan asked, trying not to laugh.
“No!” she said, putting her hand to her mouth, trying to control the laughter, but it didn’t work and a loud burst bubbled out of her. She laughed so hard that she fell from her seat.
His side hurt from laughing so much, but it was a good hurt. He felt lighter than he had coming here.
Kristen attempted to get back on her stool again and they both chuckled when it didn’t happen. She turned towards him, her hand resting on his thigh. “Thanks, Ethan. This is probably my cue to go back to my room.”
He spun in his seat and faced her. She now stood in between his legs—eye level with him. And she stared at him with longing in those watery eyes. “Eth—” she said before placing both hands on his legs and leaning in to kiss him. The moment her lips touched his, he froze. He shouldn’t be doing this. He had Mia.
Sensing his uncertainty, Kristen pulled back just enough to speak. “I know you. I know you’re hurting, Eth. I can make it better. I’ve done it before. I can do it again,” she said before brushing her lips against his again. Her lips were more persuasive than he cared to admit and he found himself kissing her back, opening his mouth to her exploring tongue when he pictured the last time he saw his wife … with Todd’s hands on her ass and then that fucking dream he had with Todd fucking her.
His hands reached out and grabbed Kristen’s ass, bringing her closer to him. Her arms snaked around his neck, her large breasts pressed against his chest.
Ah, fuck, he thought when her stomach made contact with his hard dick. Things were getting out of control. Kristen pulled back, a smile on her face as her eyes raked all over him. She stepped away and turned towards the exit. Without a word, just