Play Maker(68)

It had taken a while for Mikey to forgive James, but they seemed to be getting back to their old friendship. Sometimes Mikey even went with James to some of the charity events, like the one I was going to tonight. Mikey said that he liked helping kids who were like him. Especially if he got to do it with Red Nose Doctor, which was what he called James sometimes.

I gave Mikey’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad too.”

He gave me a swift hug and then hurried out of the room, most likely heading to the guest house where my mom lived.

I wondered if it was possible to be too happy.

Then I saw my husband in the doorway to our bedroom. He let out a low whistle.

“You look fantastic,” he said, giving me a wolfish grin.

“You’ve seen this dress a dozen times,” I reminded him, noticing that he was carrying two champagne glasses.

James winked. “Are you sure we have to go to this event tonight? Because I wouldn’t mind seeing that dress on the bedroom floor.”

I rolled my eyes, but my heart skipped a beat when he came over and kissed me, his lips lingering on mine. When he pulled back, he looked as dazed as I felt. I placed a hand on his chest, knowing that if he kissed me again, he’d get his wish – the dress would be on the floor, his pants would be on the chair and I would be on him. And we’d miss the charity event tonight.

“You know we have to go,” I informed him, though I was seriously considering a quickie. No one would notice if we were late, right?

James passed me one of the champagne glasses. “You’re right,” he sighed. “That’s why I married you. To keep me out of trouble.”

“And how’s that working out for you?” I asked.

“Dunno.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “We’ll see how much trouble I can get into later tonight.”

I laughed.

“Shall we toast?” James asked, raising the champagne glass.

“What should we toast to?” I asked, knowing that if there was a perfect time to tell him, this was probably it.

“To a great fundraising year?” he suggested, referencing the reason for the event we were headed to.

“Or…” I put my glass down on the dresser. “We could toast to something else.”

He paused, his own glass halfway to his lips. “Like what?”

“Like…” I put my hand on my stomach and took a deep breath. “A new addition. Due to arrive in a few months.”

His eyes went wide and then downward, settling on the same place where my hand was before shooting back up to my eyes.

“You mean—? Are you saying—” he was stuttering, and it was the most adorable thing I had ever seen.

“I’m pregnant,” I confirmed, all my nervousness vanishing when he swept me into his arms before immediately putting me down as if I was made of porcelain.

“When did you find out?” he asked, his hand over mine.

“This morning,” I told him.

“A baby.” His eyes went all starry. He got to his knees, his ear against my stomach.

“I don’t think you can hear anything yet,” I told him, resting my hand on his head.

“Don’t you worry,” he was saying to my stomach. “Daddy’s going to teach you all about football—”

“Soccer,” I corrected.

James shot me a look and rose to his feet. “I will not have you calling it ‘soccer’ in front of my child.” He was only half serious.

“So you’re happy?” I asked him, even though it was pretty clear what the answer was.

He took my hands. “I have never been happier.”

James kissed me and I knew that our lives would never be the same again. And I couldn’t wait.





If you liked PLAY MAKER, check out the first chapter of my first book, GAME ON!



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Chapter One




Austin was hot as balls. I yanked my broken suitcase towards the doors of the Driskill Hotel, sweating like a sinner in church. Maybe I could afford a new one after this assignment. A fancy suitcase, with actual wheels and a zipper that didn’t need to be duct taped to stay closed.

“It’s got personality,” I could hear my mom say. It had been a gift from her. A really good find in her favorite thrift store in South Houston.

“Inanimate objects should not have personality,” I muttered to myself. “Personality is just another word for cheap.” I was tired of things with personality. I wanted something with class. With style.

The whoosh of the automatic doors greeted me, as did the orgasmic rush of A/C that filled the hotel lobby. I let out a whistle under my breath. It was the most beautiful hotel I had ever seen—gleaming white floors, a chrome staircase curving down the middle, and above me, a beautiful crystal chandelier. The Register had spared no expense with this trip—a hotel with A/C and a chandelier? I had arrived.

Now I just needed to make sure I stayed arrived. I had worked too damn hard to get to where I was, I needed to knock this interview out of the park and prove to them that I was worthy of the promotion they had given me. Perhaps my future held more than just a new suitcase.

I was dragging my old one towards the front desk when my phone—also in desperate need of an update—rang. I fished it out of my pocket. Nick. Of course. He probably wanted to know where the peanut butter was. I ignored it and flashed the patent “I might be annoying, but I’m also adorable” smile at the hotel clerk. Something else I had gotten from my mother.