first cousin and a lot more like my could-have-been mother-in-law. And frankly, I’m sick and tired of being stepped on. I am not plain Nikki from the block, or Jenny—whatever. And I can date whomever I want to.
I step forward. “You guys have convinced me. Does anyone have his number? I’d like to text him.” I look up at Nellie, daring her to say a word.
“He was our coach last year! I have it!” The blonde calls his number out loud as Jenny hands me my phone. Quickly, I put him in my contacts.
First name: Raff.
Last name: Rich Prick
And then I look at Nellie, again, daring her to speak. She presses her lips together, her voice silent—for now.
Rule Number Nine
Never bet on a game you’re playing
Raff
Beckett gives me a speculative brow raise. I laugh, knowing exactly where he’s going with that look.
Beckett Hawthorne is one of my oldest and dearest friends from our days at Oxford. We used to be wild together, drinking and partying at pubs, finding women for a night. When I fell face first in love, got married, and settled down, he continued to live and thoroughly enjoy the bachelor life. One that I’ve been enjoying thoroughly, as well. Until now, that is.
Still, we’ve remained friends through all of life's changes. He's in town for business but is in Colorado for an undetermined amount of time since taking over his family's US hotel and resorts chain. Coming to watch Nathaniel play football, I mean soccer, is a perk.
“And what was that all about?” He points to Nikki on the other end of the field. “Bloody gorgeous.” He looks at her appreciatively, and frankly, I don’t blame him. She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
“That, my friend, was a challenge.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. “And you know how I love a challenge.”
“True. But lately, you’ve seemed to like the easy wins. And it’s been working for you. Why change that? Remember last month when you came for a visit?” He shakes his head, smiling with the memory. Those two blondes, one right after the—”
Cutting him off, I explain, “Well, this one isn’t easy. Or blonde. But if you saw her smile, you’d know she is worth the chase.” I look over to Nikki on the other side of the field. Among thirty women, I can spot her in an instant. And it isn’t the thick, gorgeous auburn hair or her deliciously curvy body. It’s something in her mannerisms that just calls out to me. I can’t stop searching for her with my eyes, and it’s both incredibly frustrating and yet, impossible to shake. Add to that Nathaniel’s ‘gift’ on Hope’s birthday, right after he saw her, and it’s clear to me that she’s something special.
“So, you’re not planning to add her to your fuck buddy circuit?” His voice is a little too loud while using the term “fuck buddy,” and I look around, making sure none of the other parents heard his remark. I elbow him in the side before shushing him, not unlike my grandmother would have at church.
He throws a heavy arm over my shoulder, bringing us close. He whispers in my ear, “Love fucking with you in front of the good old parents of Holiday Springs.”
I throw his arm off, and he laughs louder. “To answer your question, no. I do not plan to add her to my...circuit. She’s not like that.” I walk to the bleachers and pick up a stray soccer ball. Bringing it back to the sidelines, I bounce it on my knee a few times in an effort to pull my attention from her and back to the game. Love this sport.
My eyes catch Nathaniel as he takes the ball from a teammate. The pregame practices are important for warming up their confidence. I clap loudly, urging him on, yelling, “Move left!” He follows my directions easily and dribbles before passing to a teammate.
God, I love my son.
“He’s really quite good.”
“Yes.” I nod proudly, feeling my chest puff out. “He’s a good kid.”
“My Godson? The best.” Beckett lifts the ball from the ground in front of us with his toe and dribbles it between his feet. “Where does the challenge live?”
“Her name is Nikki.” Quickly, hoping he doesn’t hear me well, I add, “Holiday Springs.”
He stops playing around, gawking at me. “What happened to never dating anyone from Hope’s hometown?”
“I said that prior to meeting Nikki, and before finding out she and I