Copyright © 2026 D.E. Haggerty

All rights reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Playing It Forward is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The incidents depicted are pure imagination.

Contents

Introduction

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

5. Chapter 5

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

8. Chapter 8

9. Chapter 9

10. Chapter 10

11. Chapter 11

12. Chapter 12

13. Chapter 13

14. Chapter 14

15. Chapter 15

16. Chapter 16

17. Chapter 17

18. Chapter 18

19. Chapter 19

20. Chapter 20

21. Chapter 21

22. Chapter 22

23. Chapter 23

24. Chapter 24

25. Chapter 25

26. Chapter 26

27. Chapter 27

28. Chapter 28

29. Chapter 29

30. Chapter 30

31. Chapter 31

32. Chapter 32

33. Chapter 33

34. Chapter 34

35. Chapter 35

36. Chapter 36

37. Chapter 37

38. Chapter 38

39. Chapter 39

An Excerpt from Lowering His Guard

About the author

Introduction

The pregnancy was unexpected. The quarterback who arrived with prenatal vitamins, snacks, and a plan was even more unexpected.

I should have kept my hands – and mouth – off Nolan Allen.

But the star quarterback's blue eyes, cocky grin, and broad shoulders were impossible to resist. One reckless encounter left me with a positive pregnancy test and questioning everything I thought I wanted.

Most men would panic. Nolan starts researching prenatal vitamins.

Suddenly he's attending every doctor's appointment, taking notes like he's studying for the biggest game of his life, and bringing me more snacks than a football team could eat in a season.

But I've spent my entire life watching people leave. No matter how much I want to believe in Nolan, I can't shake the fear that one day he'll do the same.

Too bad the stubborn quarterback refuses to stay on the sidelines.

Playing It Forward is a spicy small-town sports romance featuring surprise pregnancy, football chaos, meddling teammates, a fiercely independent heroine, and a caretaker quarterback who has already decided they're a family.

Training camp brings all the Steel City Seals to Smuggler’s Hideaway at once, which means overlapping timelines, familiar faces, and football-player chaos. Read in any order.

Chapter 1

Terri – a woman about to prove cardio is useless when a football player is chasing you

Terri

“Holy mermaids swimming in the sea.” Ava sighs. “Have you seen the men the smugglers dragged in?”

I have seen them, but I use her question as an excuse to glance over my shoulder to have another look. Five football players from the Steel City Seals are sitting in a corner of the beach bar drinking beer. Every single one of them could be a front page model for a sports magazine.

The blond catches my eye and winks. I quickly turn away before I give him any ideas. Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to give him a whole bunch of sexy, sweaty, tangled in the sheets, ideas. But I can’t jeopardize my job.

I wag my finger at Ava. “Be careful. Hudson made himself perfectly clear.”

Hudson is the owner of the Hideaway Haven Resort where we work. He held a meeting to lay down the law before the football team arrived for training camp.

There will be no flirting with the football players. There will be no snapping pictures and sharing them on social media. There will be no gossiping about the team to outsiders. And there definitely – no exceptions allowed – will be no relationships between the staff of the resort and the players.

She sticks her bottom lip out in a pout. “Boss man is boring.”

I snort. “You didn’t think he was boring before he got married to Nova. As I recall, you chased him around the resort like a prohibition officer chasing a bootlegger.”

Her nose wrinkles. “Nova is one lucky duck. If she wasn’t such a nice woman, I’d hate her.”

“Liar. You don’t think she’s nice. You’re afraid of her because she and her friends who own Five Fathoms Brewing are famous for pulling pranks.”

“I’m not afraid of being pranked.”

“And you didn’t spend a year using a mirror to check above the door of each room you entered for a glitter bomb either.”

She grunts. “It’s not my fault the Backchannel Blonde from Five Fathoms turned into bottle bombs.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I guess it wasn’t your fault when you decided to have a bottle bomb contest either?”

“Oh, please. You’re just mad because you lost in the final round.”

“I didn’t lose. You cheated.”

“You can’t cheat in a bottle bomb contest.”

We’re getting off track. We’re supposed to be discussing an upcoming wedding happening at the resort. Not bringing up old news.

I’m the event coordinator at the resort, and Ava is the hospitality manager. We often work together to ensure weddings, birthday parties, retirement parties, and other events held at the resort go off without a hitch. And on Smuggler’s Hideaway – the island where we live – that often means ensuring there’s enough alcohol for the guests.

I tap my pen against my clipboard. “Let’s get back to this wedding. Did you get my email about the drinks I require?”

Ava swipes open her tablet. “I got the email, and I think we have everything except I don’t know what a Love You to the Moonshine drink is.”

“How could you? The bride made it up. According to her, it’s blackberry moonshine and honey whiskey mixed with pink lemonade, cranberry juice, and a splash of pineapple juice with sparkling rosé. She wants edible glitter and a cotton candy garnish as well.”

Ava blinks at me. “Who’s getting married? Ariel and Captain Jack Sparrow?”

I giggle. “I forgot to mention she wants heart-shaped ice cubes.”

She makes notes on her table. “It’s a good thing the boss man pays us the big bucks for these weddings.”

“You love the challenge and you know it.”

“I do love trying to figure out how to make cotton candy garnish that doesn’t melt when it’s ninety degrees out.” Her voice is dry as bone.

“You’ll figure it out.”

She bristles. “Of course, I will.”

“Do you have the supplies or do you need to order them?”

She consults her tablet. “I have everything except the blackberry moonshine, honey whiskey, and cotton candy. Buccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery can supply the booze. And I’ll ask my friend who works at Mermaid Mystical Gardens who their cotton candy supplier is. Although, I could probably make my own.”

I groan. “No.”

“What?” She bats her eyelashes. “I can make candy.”

“You can also forget to switch on the refrigerator and cause a river of chocolate mermaids to flow through the bar and into the ballroom.”

She waves away my comment. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? We had to rip up the hardwood floors.”

“They needed replacing anyway.”

I raise an eyebrow. “At a resort that’s less than ten years old?”

She shrugs.

I open my mouth to berate her but a shadow falls over our table. I glance up to find the blond football player grinning down at me.

Smirking smugglers! He’s even better looking up close. He has bright blue eyes, the color of the ocean. Considering I live on an island, I’m a sucker for anything ocean colored. He’s clean shaven allowing me a glimpse of the dimple on his left cheek. A dimple I find myself wanting to lick.

My gaze travels lower to his broad shoulders that appear strong enough to carry me through the highest ocean waves. His t-shirt strains against his chest and biceps. My fingers tingle at the idea of touching those muscles. Are they hard? Is his skin soft?

I’d love to find out, but I can’t. He’s off limits in all caps and flashing blue lights.

“Hi. I’m Nolan.”

“If you want a drink, the bartender will be happy to help you.” I point to the bar and the bartender waves at us.

“I don’t need a drink, but I do have a question.”

“The bartender can help you with any questions.”

Ava kicks me under the table. I glare at her. “Knock it off.”

She smirks before standing up. “I’m leaving. Why don’t you take my seat?”

Before Nolan can sit, I stand. “I’m leaving as well.”

He scratches his chin. “But you haven’t told me your name yet.”

I give him one of my customer service smiles. “It’s Terri. I’m sorry I can’t help you, but I really do need to get back to work.”

“Work? You’re on the beach.”

“I’m aware since I live on an island.”

“You live on Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

I open my arms wide. “I don’t see any other islands around, do you?”

He chuckles. “Funny and cute.”

I roll my eyes. “I bet you tell all the women that.”

“Only if it’s true.”

Whatever. I scoot around him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“But you haven’t let me ask my question yet.”

Ugh. He is not letting this go. “What’s your question?”

He grins and those blue eyes sparkle. I glance away. A woman could get lost in those eyes and forget her own name.

“Do you want to go out with me, Terri?”

“Sorry. No can do.” I scurry away before I forget all about Hudson’s warnings. Before I say screw it and say yes. It’s not often a handsome football player asks a small town girl out after all.

Unfortunately, Nolan follows me. Considering he’s an athlete and I believe working out is a form of torture, he easily keeps pace with me. I quicken my steps but he sticks with me. Probably because he’s well over six feet tall and I’m barely five-feet-five. Okay, fine. Five-feet-four inches and a half.

“Why not?”

“What do you mean, why not?” I wheeze out.

“Why don’t you want to go out with me?”

My lungs burn, and my legs protest at the pace I’m setting. I give up. I can’t outrun him. Maybe I should reconsider my stance on working out. Would it kill me to go to the gym once in a while? The gym at the resort is excellent. And, as an employee, I get free access.

I reach the bar and stop. I place my hands on it as I catch my breath.

“I don’t have to explain myself,” I finally say when I can speak without wheezing. Hudson would throw me to the pirates if I told one of the precious football players about his rules.

Nolan’s brow wrinkles as he stares at me. “This has never happened to me before.”

He’s adorably confused. I giggle but slap my hand over my mouth to hide the sound. It’s not nice to make fun of someone.

“Terri,” Ava calls, “can you help me carry these glasses inside?”

Thank you, I mouth to her before tucking my clipboard under my arm and accepting the tray she hands me.

I beam up at Nolan. “Duty calls.”

I scurry away. This time he doesn’t follow me. My stomach drops. I want him to follow me.

No, I don’t. Nolan is one sexy specimen of manhood. But I’m only allowed to appreciate him from afar.

I’m not risking my job at the resort for a summer fling with a football player. And, let’s face it, a summer fling would be all it is. The Steel City Seals team will be gone at the end of the summer as soon as training camp is over.

I have no desire to be the notch on one of the player’s belts.

Chapter 2

Nolan – a quarterback dangerously close to making bad decisions

Nolan

I stare after Terri with my mouth gaping open. She shot me down faster than I can throw a football, and considering I’m one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, I can throw a football pretty fucking fast.

“You owe me twenty bucks!” Tanner shouts from across the bar.

I glare at him. He’s one of the fastest wide receivers in the NFL. And my teammate on the Steel City Seals. If he weren’t, I’d probably throw him in the ocean for being an ass.

I make my way back to our table, where he’s sitting with our teammates Gage, Brock, and Corbin.

Tanner holds out his hand and I slap it.

“I don’t owe you shit.”

He grins. “I bet you twenty bucks she’d say no.”

“I didn’t bet with you.” I never bet with Tanner. He’s a goofball who makes up his own rules and is in trouble more often than not. In other words, there’s no way to win a bet with him.

“Good call,” Brock grumbles.

I’m not offended by his grumbling. Brock is always grumpy. He’s also a fullback on the Seals and has taken more hits for me than anyone else on the team.

“Did she not know who you are?” Gage asks.

Gage is a running back on the team. He’s also handsome and charming. He’s used to women falling at his feet when he says his name.

Corbin sighs. The tight end doesn’t speak much. He’s quiet and reserved. I’m surprised he’s at the bar with us tonight. He’s not staying at the Hideaway Haven Resort with the rest of the team during training camp.

Although, training camp is still a few weeks away. We came early to hang out and have fun. But not too much fun. Speaking of which…

“I’ve drafted a workout schedule,” I say. “I emailed everyone a copy.”

Tanner scowls. “What the hell, Nolan? It’s off-season. Being the quarterback doesn’t give you the right to control our lives off the field.”

“Training camp is mere weeks away. Do you want to miss weight on day one? Coach Knox will not be impressed.”

He waves away my concern. “Coach Cha-Cha loves me.”

Gage snorts. “He especially loves it when you call him Coach Cha-Cha.”

Tanner grins. “It’s not my fault he decided he could cha-cha and ended up with a concussion.”

Brock growls. “Concussions are no joke.”

Tanner rolls his eyes. “I know, Mr. Grumpy.”

“My name isn’t Mr. Grumpy.”

“Enough,” I order.

Tanner glares at me. “You are not in charge of my life.”

“Someone needs to be.”

Corbin stands. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow in the gym at nine.”

At least someone read my workout schedule. “I’ll walk you out.”

It’s a good excuse to search for Terri. She couldn’t have gone far. She works at the resort after all.

The way she looked at me – her eyes wide and her breath caught in her throat – she was definitely interested. But she turned me down cold. Why? Did I offend her? Upset her? I need to know.

I scan the surroundings as we walk toward the main resort building. I catch a glimpse of chestnut hair and change directions.

“Terri!” I holler as I hurry in her direction.

She glances behind her and her eyes widen when she notices me. She increases her speed and I lengthen my stride. I’m four inches over six feet, and she’s probably a foot shorter than me. I easily catch up to her.

She smiles at me. I don’t know her well – or at all really – but I can tell it’s fake. “How can I help you, Mr. Allen?”

Mr. Allen? She knows my name. “You know who I am.”

She starts to roll her eyes but stops and clears her throat. “Of course. You’re a valuable guest at Hideaway Haven Resort.”

“And you work at the resort as a bartender.” I nod to the tray of drinks she’s carrying.

She blinks down at the tray. “I’m the events coordinator. But I help out where I can.”

“How nice of you.”

She shrugs and the tray of drinks wobbles.

“Careful.”

“Careful? Why? Is Ava sneaking up on me again?” She glances behind her – oblivious to the tray in her hands – and the tray wobbles again. I try to catch it, but before I can, it tips over, and the glasses crash into Terri’s chest.

“What the mermaid!” She drops the tray, and the glasses shatter on the floor.

She stares down at the mess for a moment before hurrying into action. “Stay here. I’ll get a broom.”

She scurries away and I follow her. She opens a closet and grabs a broom. When she turns around, she bumps into me. I steady her with a hand on her shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

I nudge her backwards into the closet. I switch on the light and shut the door behind me.

“I’m not going to assault you.” I raise my hands in the air and back up as far away from her as possible in a tiny closet. “But I thought you should know your top is soaked and it’s see-through.”

She gasps. “See-through?” She glances down at her blouse and cringes.

“Flying pirates. I never should have worn this to work. It’s not work appropriate, but I thought…”

I don’t know what she thought because my brain can no longer follow her words since she’s unbuttoning her top. My mouth waters to touch her skin. Is it as smooth as it appears? My cock twitches. It wants to more than touch. It wants to sink into her.

I whirl around to face the door.

“What are you doing? Don’t just stand there. Help me.”

“How am I supposed to help you?”

“This is a supply closet. There must be towels somewhere.”

Of course. I should have thought of the towels myself. But there wasn’t enough blood flow to my brain for thoughts of towels.

I search the shelves. I don’t find any towels. But I do find some napkins. They’ll have to do.

I face Terri and freeze. She’s now standing in her bra – her white, lacy bra that does nothing to hide her nipples.

“Um… you’re…” I motion toward her chest.

“Oh, please. You’ve probably seen more women’s chests than a gynecologist.”

I bristle. “I’m not Tanner Long. I’m not a player.”

“Whatever. Are you going to help or what?”

I hold up the napkins. “I have these. Do you want me to…?”

I blot her shoulders with the napkins to dry her. She giggles. “I didn’t spill any beer there.”

I hand her the napkins. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I’m coming onto you. You said no.”

She begins to blot her chest with the napkins. “And yet you followed me and shoved me into a closet.”

“I didn’t…” I trail off when she bursts into laughter.

She points to my face. “You should see yourself.”

I groan. “Fantastic. I’m getting roasted by a woman who’s holding cocktail napkins against her boobs.”

She wiggles her eyebrows. “To be fair, you did trap me in a closet.”

“I was trying to help. Clearly, I should leave helping to professionals.”

“You’re leaving?”

I pause. The question slipped out too quickly. Did she not mean to speak aloud?

My gaze catches hers. There it is again. The spark from the beach bar. Does she want me as much as I want her?

This is dangerous territory. I retreat a step when all I want to do is rush forward.

“You already turned me down once tonight,” I say quietly. “I’m not going to push.”

For the first time since I followed her across the resort, she doesn’t sass back at me. The silence stretches between us in the cramped closet.

Her eyes drift to my mouth. Mine drop to the tiny strip of skin visible above her bra.

“I should go clean up the glass,” she says softly, but she doesn’t move.

“Probably,” I agree, but I don’t move either.

She laughs. She sounds nervous. “This is ridiculous.”

“A little.”

“You’re standing in a supply closet staring at me in my bra.”

“I’m trying very hard not to.”

“Sounds difficult.”

“You have no idea.”

Her glance drops to below my belt where my cock – hard and heavy – is pressing against my zipper. It’s impossible to miss.

She steps closer and touches my shirt. “Maybe I changed my mind.”

With her gaze focused on my mouth, she pushes up on her toes. I meet her halfway. My mouth crashes against hers. She sighs and I thrust my tongue inside. She tastes of beer and strawberries and something sparkly.

I groan before lifting her up and pressing her against the door. The moment her arms slide around my neck, something inside me snaps. Suddenly, nothing matters except the feel of her beneath my hands, the soft gasp against my mouth, and the way she clings to me. She wants this as desperately as I do.

Chapter 3

Baked potatoes are significantly less complicated than football players.

Terri

I peek around the corner. Once I ascertain there are no handsome blond football players, I accidentally had sex with in a closet in the reception area, I scurry through the area to the exit.

As soon as I’m seated in my car, I pause to catch my breath. This is ridiculous. I’m a grown woman. I’m allowed to have one-night stands – closet or no closet.

Except I’m not.

Not when the man is a member of the Steel City Seals – the quarterback no less – and my boss warned us he’d fire anyone who has a relationship with any of the players.

I’d argue a one-night stand isn’t a relationship, but Hudson made himself perfectly clear. No sex with the players. I’m surprised he didn’t have a sign made with the rule and hung it up in the employee breakroom.

It doesn’t matter. I plan to keep far away from Nolan from now on. My body protests. It wants another taste of him. Wants to feel his strong arms lift me up and prop me against a door. Wants to feel how he makes me explode in ecstasy.

I file those thoughts away. I’m on my way to visit my dad. I don’t want to think about sex when I’m around him. Ew.

I drive out of the parking lot at the resort and turn left toward Rogue’s Landing. There are three towns on the island of Smuggler’s Hideaway. Smuggler’s Rest is the largest one and where most of the tourists and attractions are. Rogue’s Landing is smaller and is mostly filled with locals, although there are a few rental cottages scattered around the town.

Pirate’s Perch is the smallest town of them all. It’s more a hamlet than a town. The only people who live there are natives from before the island became a tourist destination. They avoid the tourists like a mermaid avoids a pirate.

I arrive in Rogue’s Landing within minutes. Dad’s house is a bit out of town toward Pirate’s Perch.

I park in the driveway and study the house. The Cape Cod could use some work. The paint on the outside is peeling, and one of the shutters is hanging off. I’ll add the work to my to-do list. Although, how I’m going to fool Dad into letting me do the work is another challenge.

I climb out of my car and Dad steps onto the porch.

I wave. “Hey, Dad.”

I open my trunk to gather the food I brought, but before I can pick up the first bag, he’s there, grabbing them.

“Dad.”

“Don’t you dare dad me, kiddo. I’m old, but I’m not an invalid. I can carry the damn groceries into the house.”

“You’re not old.”

“Tell that to my bones,” he mumbles as he walks to the house.

I shut the trunk and follow him. I hurry to open the front door for him. He brings the groceries into the kitchen and I begin to put them away.

“I don’t need you to buy my groceries.”

I roll my eyes. “You can’t live on canned soup and frozen ready meals.”

He crosses his arms and grunts. “Who says?”

“Everyone.”

“Asparagus.” He scowls as I place the vegetables on the counter. “I hate asparagus.”

“Liar. You love it when it’s fresh and grilled.”

He perks up. “Does this mean I can start the grill?”

I giggle. “Go ahead. We’re having flounder with grilled vegetables for dinner.”

His eyes narrow on me. “What about potatoes?”

I sigh. Dad would lose his mind if we didn’t have some sort of potato with our meal. The first time I met him, he warned me he couldn’t handle it if I was a vegetarian. And if I was a vegan? He was prepared to return me.

He’s a liar. He would never have returned a young girl into the foster care system. By the time I arrived at his house, he already had one girl and two boys he was either fostering or had adopted.

I shake the bag of potatoes at him. “Baked potatoes or wedges?”

“Is there sour cream?”

“Of course.”

He rubs his hands together. “Baked potatoes. I’ll get the grill started.”

He rushes out the back door to the porch. Some things never change. My foster sister and brothers might have left the island without a second glance. And I might not live with Dad anymore. But he’s the same person he’s always been. A sucker for a baked potato and a sad story.

When the food is ready, we settle at the table on the back porch to eat.

“How’s work going?” Dad asks.

“It’s going well. Busy.”

He leans forward. “Is it busier since the Steel City Seals have arrived?”

My heart races at the reminder of the football players. Knock it off, heart. There is nothing happening between me and a certain quarterback. We’ve had our fun and now it’s over. My stomach dips but I ignore it.

“I can’t believe Hudson managed to get the team to stay at his resort during training camp.”

Dad is a football fan through and through. I spent every Sunday during football season while living in this house watching games and pretending to listen to him analyze every play, every step, every decision.

Dad played in college and loves the sport. I love him, so I sat on the sofa across from him every Sunday.

“Hudson used to play on the team,” I remind him.

“It was a damn shame when he was injured.”

The entire island mourned when our local hero had to retire early due to his injury. When he came home, the smugglers tried to embrace him. He was having none of it. He practically became a hermit at his resort. Until Nova shoved her way into his life.

“Have you met any of the players yet?”

My hands shake at the question. I set my fork down and fold my hands under the table until the shaking stops.

I go for nonchalant. “They’re around.”

“I should come for Sunday brunch at the resort. Maybe I’ll meet one.”

I perk up. I’ve been trying to get Dad to come for brunch since I started working at the resort a few years ago. He always declines. No brunch is worth fifty dollars unless they serve steak.

“You can come next Sunday. We’ll have brunch instead of dinner.”

“Maybe.”

“It’s my treat.”

He scowls. “I’m not letting you spend your hard-earned money on me.”

“What else am I going to spend it on?”

“You should go out more. Have a good time. Buy yourself pretty dresses. Maybe escape this island once in a while.”

I reach across the table to pat his hand. “I love this island. I have no desire to go anywhere else.”

But I do have a reason to stay. And he’s sitting across from me. Dad isn’t in the best of health, and he doesn’t have anyone else to care for him. Scott and Ricky, my foster brothers, left the island as soon as they graduated from high school. They visit for holidays and summer vacations but not enough to care for Dad.

And Olivia, my foster sister, isn’t around either. She joined the military and is often in places she can’t tell us about. She visits once a year, but she can’t care for Dad either.

Which leaves me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not resentful. Dad was there for me when no one else was. I refuse to abandon him.

And I truly do love living on Smuggler’s Hideaway. I’ve loved it since the first time I travelled over the bridge to the island when I was twelve. I belong here. It’s my home. And I don’t plan to ever leave.

“You don’t have to stay here for me.”

“Who said I’m staying for you?”

He points at me with his fork. “You come here for dinner every Sunday, bring me groceries, and do repairs on the house you think I don’t notice.”

I widen my eyes. “How do I do repairs you don’t notice?”

“Don’t play innocent with me, young woman. I saw you eyeing the shutters and paint when you arrived.”

Busted. I don’t give up. I don’t care how he caught me.

“The house could use a new coat of paint.”

He frowns. “I won’t have you climbing on a ladder painting.”

“Why not? You didn’t seem to mind when I was a teenager.”

“That was before I realized you have balance issues.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t have balance issues.”

“And you didn’t break your arm either.”

“It was a hairline fracture. It doesn’t count.”

“You were in a cast all summer and complained about not being able to swim the entire time. It counts.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. “I wouldn’t paint myself anyway.”

“Hire someone to paint? It’ll cost a fortune.”

I groan. Dad is kind and sweet and always there for me, but he’s also a penny pincher who thinks spending money is a sin.

My phone pings. I quickly read the message and frown. “Sorry. I should get back to the resort.” I love putting events together, but mermaid save me from bridezillas.

He shoos me away. “Go ahead. I’ll clean up.”

I kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you Wednesday for your doctor appointment.”

“I can drive to my doctor appointment by myself.”

I fist my hands on my hips. “And will you ask your doctor follow-up questions? Will you ask what the side effects of any medicine she prescribes are?”

“You get dizzy one time,” he mutters. It’s his way of giving in without admitting it.

“See you Wednesday.”

I hurry away before he can complain again. He gave in. I’m winning. It’s time to go.

Chapter 4

I was supposed to warm up my shoulder, not my obsession.

Nolan

“Come on, Nolan,” Tanner whines. “We already followed your schedule and worked out.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You can’t go visit your friend now anyway.”

He glares. “What friend?”

I snort. As if I don’t know he’s been chasing after the cute bartender at the Bootlegger bar. The whole town knows. Tanner does love to entertain his fans.

Brock shoulders him as he passes. “Are you afraid of getting your ass kicked?”

Tanner rushes after him. “You can’t kick my ass, Mr. Grumpy.”

I grunt. All I want to do is throw the ball around a bit. I rub my shoulder. It’s stiff and sore. I need to throw some passes to warm it up a bit.

And maybe playing around on the beach is a great excuse to find Terri. My cock immediately twitches. It wants another chance to bury itself in Terri’s heat.

But she ran faster than Gage sprinting for the end zone after we finished our tryst in the closet. And every time I’ve seen her since, she’s ignored me. One time she ducked behind the reception desk and didn’t emerge for fifteen minutes. I timed her.

“Let’s go,” Corbin says. “I don’t have all day.”

“You don’t? What are you doing? Did you get kicked out of another apartment?”

“I didn’t get kicked out of any apartment.”

“Oh, sorry. Your landlady didn’t kick you out. She merely said you’re an oversized gorilla who should be kept in a zoo for observation. She didn’t actually kick you out.”

Corbin is quiet and reserved. I’m curious to know why his landlady called him a gorilla. But he’s not telling.

We reach the beach. I stand ankle-deep in the sand and rotate my shoulder before firing a pass toward Tanner.

“That all you got?” he shouts after catching it one-handed. He’s such a show-off.

I ignore the jab and launch another spiral. My shoulder protests immediately – I feel a sharp ache beneath the joint – but I roll it once and keep throwing.

Gage cuts across the sand. “Stop flirting with Tanner and throw to someone attractive.”

Brock snorts. “That eliminates everyone here.”

Corbin catches the next pass against his chest and tosses the ball back. “You’re throwing high.”

“Sand,” I claim.

I rub my shoulder before aiming the ball Brock’s way. But he’s not paying attention, and the ball lands at his feet. Gage snatches the ball and darts off with it. Tanner chases him. They’re evenly matched. Tanner’s a tad faster, but Gage had a head start.

“Touchdown!” Gage yells when he crosses some arbitrary line in the sand.

Tanner scowls. “We’re not keeping score.”

“Because you can’t keep up.”

Tanner’s eyes narrow. “You can’t keep up to me.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Stop bickering and throw me the ball!” I yell.

They ignore me as they often do.

“First one to run to the lifeguard chair and back is the winner,” Tanner says before sprinting away.

“No fair. You didn’t count down!” Gage shouts as he chases Tanner.

Brock sighs before making his way to the ball and throwing it back to me.

“Go long,” I tell him but he isn’t paying any attention to me.

“What’s up with him?” I ask Corbin.

“Jace has surfing lessons.” He points to the water where Brock’s son is laying on a surfboard. Next to him is a petite Asian woman.

“Is he staring at his son or his son’s instructor?”

Corbin shrugs. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

While most of the team members enjoy gossiping as much as a touchdown, Corbin never participates. He listens and knows what’s happening with everyone on the team, but he doesn’t spread gossip.

Tanner and Gage race toward us. Tanner is slightly in the lead, but Gage adds speed until they’re neck and neck. No one’s shit talking now.

They pass us with Tanner slightly ahead.

“I win!” He puffs out before bending over to prop his hands on his thighs.

“Cheater,” Gage says, but he’s too out of breath to sound mad.

“Are you two done fooling around?” I ask. “I want to practice throwing some passes.”

Tanner bounces on his toes. “Put me in, coach.”

Lucky man. He recovers fast. We’ll see how fast he recovers when he’s my age. My shoulder twinges to remind me why I’m out here.

“I’ll run a route,” Gage says and takes off. Tanner chases him.

I throw the ball and watch as they push each other to catch it. Usually, Gage isn’t as much a goofball as Tanner, but he’s competitive and can’t let Tanner beat him.

They throw the ball back, and while I wait for them to return, I scan the beach for signs of Terri. It’s Saturday afternoon. Unless she’s preparing for an event, she should be off. Does she spend her time off at the resort? According to Hudson, the beach at the resort is the best on the island.

As soon as Gage and Tanner are ready, I spiral the ball into the air.

I catch a hint of chestnut hair. A woman wearing a tiny black bikini is lounging on a chaise while chatting with the woman next to her. It’s Terri. Her creamy skin, I know, feels soft as silk is on display.

I growl before marching toward her.

Thwack.

The ball hits me in the chest and I fall to the ground from the force.

“Nolan’s down!” Brock yells.

Brock, Corbin, Tanner, and Gage gather around me. I wave them away. “I’m fine.”

Gage winces. “I’ve gotten balls in my chest before. It hurts like a bitch.”

Tanner cocks an eyebrow. “You’ve had balls in your chest before?”

Gage shoves him away. “What are you? Twelve?”

I ignore them. I’m too busy watching Terri to pay attention to them. She’s standing, chewing on her lower lip as she stares at me.

I wave and she frowns before picking up her things and hurrying away. She’s running from me again.

I want to chase her. I want to ask her why she’s hiding from me. What did I do wrong?

I swear I didn’t pressure her in the closet. I made sure she said yes loud and clear before I buried myself in her wet heat.

Does she regret what we did? I need to find out.

I stand to follow her but Corbin steps in my way.

“I wouldn’t.” He nods toward Tanner and Gage, who are pretending not to watch my every step.

Crap. He’s right. Tanner hasn’t shut up about how the pretty little brunette shut me down since last week. I shouldn’t give him any more ammunition to tease me.

I don’t mind being teased by Tanner. But the wide receiver has a big mouth. He’ll broadcast my love life to the entire world without a second thought.

I don’t know what’s going on with Terri, but I do know I don’t want the world to know about her. Not yet.

Chapter 5

Great. Seals, melting mermaids, and quarterbacks are all determined to ruin my day.

Terri

I review the to-do list on my clipboard as I hurry down the hallway. Photographer? Check. She’s here. Cake? Check. It arrived. Flowers? I pause with my pen poised above the item. Have the flowers arrived?

I snatch my phone from my pocket and dial the number for the florist. I don’t allow her to say hello.

“Where are you?”

Iris sighs. “We’re here.”

I frown. “I don’t see any flowers.”

“Sammy is blocking the service entrance to the resort.”

I growl. Don’t get me wrong. I love the seal as much as the other smugglers on the island. But he can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.

“Did you try moving him?”

She snorts. “Of course. He’s not budging.”

Crap on a seafood cracker. “I’ll be there in five minutes.” Because I have nothing else to do this morning.

I hang up and make my way to the ballroom. I’ll quickly check the setup for the reception before going to deal with Sammy.

I flip to another page of my checklist. Table settings? Done. Centerpieces? The little pirates are still chasing the mermaids. Good. Signage? Candles? Linens? Gift table? Everything is looking good.

I start to walk away, but something feels off. My nose wrinkles as I scan the room again. What’s off?

There! The mermaid ice sculpture is melting. I check the time. The ice sculpture shouldn’t even be outside yet.

I dig out my phone but it rings before I can answer it. Bridezilla 1 calling.

Yes, I have more bridezillas programmed into my phone and have numbered them. Welcome to event planning at the most sought after wedding location on the East Coast.

“Hello, Tiffany,” I answer the phone in a bright voice despite the dread rolling through my body.

“It’s a disaster. Everything’s ruined.”

Everything’s been ruined at least ten times since she arrived at the resort yesterday.

“What’s a disaster?”

“The ice cubes for my signature drink.”

“Nothing’s a disaster. We have hundreds of heart-shaped ice cubes ready to go.”

“Which is the problem!” she shrieks and I pull the phone away from my ear before I end up with permanent damage to my ear.

“I’m not understanding the problem. Your ‘Love You to the Moonshine’ signature drinks are ready. They are adorable with the cotton candy and edible glitter garnish. And they’re yummy.”

“You’re not listening to me.” I can practically hear her stomp her foot.

I tighten my grip on my phone until I’m crushing it, but my voice is perfectly pleasant as I speak. This is not my first bridezilla and it won’t be my last. “I’m listening. Go ahead.”

“It’s ninety degrees outside already, and it’s barely noon. By the time the reception rolls around, it’ll be one-hundred.”

Is this supposed to explain why she’s panicking? I warned her how hot it was going to be. June isn’t usually this warm, but we’re in the middle of a heatwave.

“Don’t you get it? The heart-shaped ice cubes are going to melt and RUIN EVERYTHING!” Her voice increases until she’s screaming.

“We don’t have to use the ice cubes.”

“But the aesthetic!”

I could kill the person who invented the whole aesthetic vibe. Between Pinterest and Instagram, brides now insist their weddings are picture perfect. Literally.

When I get married, I don’t want any fuss. Just me, my family, and the groom on the beach.

“We can use plastic heart-shaped ice cubes.”

Unfortunately, Tiffany is not the first bride to have a meltdown over heart-shaped ice cubes melting.

“Plastic? Ugh! No plastic. I want heart-shaped watermelon instead.”

I stare at the ceiling and pray to the mermaids for patience. “You want me to come up with five-hundred heart-shaped watermelons within a few hours?”

“Exactly. Thanks for understanding.” She hangs up before I can explain sarcasm to her.

“Great.”

“What’s great?” Nolan asks, and I startle so hard I stumble. He steadies me with a hand on my elbow. “Careful there.”

I wrench my elbow away from him. “Excuse me.”

I hurry away but he easily keeps pace with me. Stupid football players and their long legs. Stupid short legs. Stupid everything.

“We need to talk.”

I screech to a halt to properly glare at him. “Does it look like I have time to talk?”

“You’ve been running away with me since…um…”

“Since I made the stupidest decision in my life,” I fill in for him.

He growls. “Stupid decision? Do you regret being with me?”

With him? A quickie in a closet is hardly with him! I open my mouth to tell him as much, but his blue eyes are full of hurt. Hang a smuggler! I can’t be mean. Dad always says if you can’t say anything nice, shut your pie hole!

“No, I don’t regret it.” He smiles and steps closer. I hold up a hand. “But it can’t happen again.”

“Why not?”

“Ugh! I don’t have time to discuss this now. I have a mermaid ice sculpture to rescue, a seal to move, and five-hundred heart-shaped watermelons to make.”

He blinks. “I’m waiting for the punchline.”

“You can keep waiting. There isn’t one. Bridezilla number one is going to lose her mind if she finds out about the mermaid or seal. And she’s already teetering on the brink of insanity about heart-shaped ice cubes.”

“Your job is crazy.”

“I love my job, and I refuse to lose it.”

His brow wrinkles. “Refuse to lose it? Why would you lose your job?”

I guess we’re doing this now. Melting mermaids be damned!

“I can’t date you or hook up with you or be friends with benefits. Whatever the cool kids are calling it. I can’t do it.”

“Why not?” His eyes heat. “I thought you enjoyed our time together.”

I more than enjoyed it. Somehow Nolan brought me to orgasm faster than any man has before. And we were in a closet with our clothes mostly still on. How much pleasure can the man give if he has time and a bed?

Tingles travel from my stomach down to my core. What I wouldn’t do to find out? Nope. I shove those thoughts away. I can’t find out.

“I can’t lose my job.”

He frowns. “Explain.”

“Fine. Hudson has a strict policy. None of the staff at the resort are allowed to date any of the players on the Steel City Seals team.”

He scowls. “I’ll speak to Hudson.”

He starts to walk away. Is he going to speak to him now? I grasp his wrist to stop him.

“You can’t. I can’t lose my job. I have people depending on me.”

“What people? Are you married? Do you have kids?”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for proving you know nothing about me.”

“Which is why I want to date you. To learn more about you. You fascinate me.”

I fascinate him? He’s a famous quarterback and plays for one of the best teams in the NFL. I’m nobody. A small-town girl who wasn’t enough for her mother to stick around for.

Pain lashes through me at the memory of my mom. Of finding her. Of realizing she was gone.

I place a hand on my stomach and inhale a deep breath to calm myself. I refuse to break down in front of Nolan Allen.

“Did you not hear me? Hudson doesn’t allow relationships between staff and guests.”

“And you can’t risk losing your job.”

I nod. “Exactly.”

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I’m certain there’s a solution here. Hudson was probably trying to protect his staff from players like Tanner.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Tanner? He’s the player? Not you?”

“I am not a player,” he grumbles.

I want to berate him. Remind him how he had me pinned to a door within an hour of meeting me. But I’m not a hypocrite. I was a full participant in our tryst.

My phone beeps with a message. The flowers are beginning to wilt.

“I need to go. Sammy the seal is ruining the flowers.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

I snort. “Can you form watermelon into five-hundred heart-shaped pieces?”

His nose wrinkles.

“I thought not. Nice chat.”

I hurry away. This time he doesn’t chase me. Is he giving up? My stomach drops.

Knock it off, stomach. I am not jeopardizing my career for an affair with a football player who’ll leave the island at the end of the summer anyway. No matter how much I long to touch him. To taste him again. To dip my tongue into the dimple on his cheek.

Not happening.

Chapter 6

Watching playoff footage should qualify as psychological warfare.

Nolan

I glance around the conference room where we’re meeting to review footage from the play-off game we lost last season. Most of the offensive team is here. Except Tanner. I check the time. The little shit stirrer is late. Again.

Coach Knox isn’t here either. Good. Maybe I can save Tanner’s ass. Again.

I dig my phone out and call Tanner. It rings five times, but he doesn’t answer. I scowl.

“What’s wrong?” Gage asks.

“Tanner’s not here, and he’s not answering his phone.”

“Probably got home late from the bar,” Brock grumbles.

Damnit. Tanner’s supposed to be getting his shit together. Which is why he started fake dating the bartender, Alaia. But closing the Bootlegger bar down doesn’t sound as if he’s getting his shit together.

I stand. “I’ll go get him.”

Corbin grunts. “Let him dig his own grave.”

I can’t. I’m the quarterback. It’s my job to lead this team.

“The same way you dug your own grave with your landlady, Siena?”

His nostrils flare, but he doesn’t answer my question. No surprises there. But I’ll keep on digging until I figure out what’s happening between him and his landlady. It’s my obligation as the leader of the team.

I hurry out of the conference room. I skip the elevator and bound up the stairs to the second floor where Tanner’s suite is.

I knock on the door but he doesn’t answer. “Tanner!” I shout. “You better be in there alone!”

The last thing he needs is another scandal. His career is hanging on by a thread as it is. Thus, the need for a fake girlfriend.

The door opens and Tanner squints up at me. “Why are you banging on my door in the middle of the night?”

I tap my watch. “It’s ten in the morning. You’re supposed to be in a meeting to review footage from our play-off game.”

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “It can’t be ten. I set my alarm for 9:45.” He finishes with a yawn.

I shove my watch in his face. “It’s ten. Get your ass moving.”

He starts to shut the door but I stick my foot in the door jamb to stop him.

“What are you doing?”

“As if I trust you.”

He clutches his chest. “You hurt me.”

“Knock it off. You have thirty seconds to get ready before I haul you downstairs the way you are.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “I should have slept naked today.”

I groan. He’s not joking. He’d parade around naked at the resort if we let him. Ask me sometime about when he streaked through the downtown of our rival’s city.

“You have thirty seconds. Hurry up.”

“Thirty seconds. I need thirty seconds to brush my teeth.”

“Thirty. Twenty-nine. Twenty-eight…”

“Fine.” He sprints into the bedroom.

“Five. Four…”

He reappears. “Enough with the counting! I’m ready.”

I herd him out the door and down the hallway. He aims for the elevators but I elbow him. “Stairs.”

“Who died and made you my leader?”

“Quarterback Berg.” He was the quarterback before me. When he retired, I took over.

“Whatever,” Tanner mumbles.

When we arrive back at the conference room, Coach Knox is already standing at the front of the room. He frowns at me.

I point to Tanner. “Had to pick up a straggler.”

He nods before beginning.

“Nobody in this room wants to watch this film again. Including me. Especially me.” Knox plants his hands on the table at the front of the room. “But if you want to become champions, you don’t hide from the ugly stuff. You learn from it.”

Silence settles over the meeting room.

“We were favored to win the playoff game. Hell, people were already printing Super Bowl predictions with the Seals logo on them. And then we walked onto the field and played soft, sloppy, and selfish football.”

His gaze sweeps across the room. I cringe. I got sacked and threw an interception during the playoff game. Not my best performance. My shoulder aches as a reminder, but I ignore the urge to rub it.

“This film isn’t punishment. It’s a reminder. Talent means nothing if you don’t execute when it matters. Nobody in this room gets a free pass. Not the rookies. Not the veterans. Not the coaches.”

He nods toward the screen.

“Watch the mistakes. Own them. Then decide whether you’re willing to do what it takes to make sure this never happens again.”

“Someone get the lights.”

The room darkens and the footage begins to play. Gage leans forward as he studies the footage. As do Corbin and Brock. Tanner, on the other hand, digs out his phone.

I swipe it from him. He opens his mouth to protest but I glare at him. “You need to pay attention. Or did you forget about the pass you missed that got intercepted?”

He winces. “I didn’t forget.”

We’re barely five minutes in before Coach Knox stops the footage. “Nolan, your timing is off.”

“Disagree,” Coach Wilson grumbles. “His timing isn’t off. His mechanics are.”

I scowl at the quarterback coach. “I’m fine.”

Coach Knox studies me for a moment. Shit. Does he not believe me? Does he know about my shoulder? Does he realize I’ve been lying about my recovery?

I give him a thumbs-up and he motions for the footage to continue.

I can barely watch. I know what happens next. But I force myself to stare at the footage. To not cringe and glance away.

“Fuck,” Gage murmurs when the sack occurs. “I never should have let you get sacked.”

I want to tell him it’s okay. It wasn’t his fault. Football is a team sport after all. But like Coach Knox said, we can’t improve if we don’t work on our errors.

“We’ll work with Coach Knox and Coach Wilson to improve.”

And improve we must. I can’t survive another hit like that one. I won’t be able to play again if I do. My shoulder’s barely hanging on as it is.

“I’ll schedule some time,” Coach Knox calls.

I salute him. “Yes, Coach Cha-Cha.”

The players laugh and the tension breaks, which was my intention. Knox shoots me a glare and I mimic dancing the cha-cha. Tanner jumps to his feet and begins dancing in earnest.

Knox lets the team have a moment before clearing his throat. “Sit down. Back to work!”

“Whatever you say, Coach Cha-Cha. But whenever you’re ready, I’d love to teach you to dance.” Tanner winks before settling back in his seat.

We watch the rest of the game in much the same manner. Knox pauses the footage again and again to point out our mistakes. Coach Wilson doesn’t hesitate to agree.

By the time we finish, I feel raw from all the negative commentary. I should be used to it. Between the press, social media comments, and the team, I’ve heard all the negative comments possible about the playoff game we lost.

But each comment slices through me worse than a knife. It badgers at my confidence. It reminds me of the injury that’s lingering. The injury I’m terrified isn’t ever going to heal.

“All right,” Coach Knox says when the lights switch back on. “Get out of here and get some lunch. We’ll reconvene this afternoon.”

Tanner sighs. “Awesome. Can’t wait.”

Gage elbows him. “Do you not want to improve?”

“How can you improve perfection?”

Brock growls. “Do you ever shut up?”

“Are you ever not grumpy?” Tanner shoots back.

Corbin grunts. “Lunch.”

“I’m hungry,” Brock says.

Tanner does a dramatic eye roll. “When isn’t Mr. Grumpy hungry?”

“Careful,” I warn. “One of these days I’m not going to save your ass when Brock goes after you.”

Tanner waves away my concern. “As if he can catch me.”

We file out of the room past Coach Knox. I avoid his gaze, but I can’t miss how he’s studying me. I barely resist the urge to rub my shoulder.

This season is not beginning the way I’d hoped.

Chapter 7

I was doing perfectly fine until a certain quarterback showed up.

Terri

“Thanks for helping out with the Mermaid Lagoon Races this year.”

I smile at the mayor. “Of course. The money we raise is for children without families.”

Her face softens. Lana knows my history. How I arrived on the island after my mother died. How strongly I feel about ensuring kids don’t grow up being shuffled from house to house with a garbage bag as their luggage.

She pats my hand. “Still. I appreciate you taking the time. It must be busy at the resort with all those young strapping men to cater to.” She waggles her eyebrows.

I giggle. Lana is a die-hard flirt. “I thought the third husband was sticking.”

She sighs. “Ronald is wonderful, but I can always look.”

Looking is all I’ll be doing as well. I’m not risking my job over some football player. No matter how deep blue his eyes are. Or how much I want to lick the dimple on his cheek. Or how much I know those broad shoulders are strong enough to lift me up and—

Lana’s squeal cuts through my thoughts. “I need to know what that face means.”

Mermaids save me. Mayor Lana is the biggest gossipmonger on Smuggler’s Hideaway. The entire island will be debating which Steel City Seal I’m sexing up before the end of the day.

I open my mouth to set her straight but snap it shut again. Denying involvement with a football player will convince her of the exact opposite.

I tap my clipboard instead. “We need to get the mermaid tail booth set up and they’re not finished raking the bottom of the lagoon yet.”

“Terri!” May waves to get my attention. Speaking of the lagoon bottom.

“Sorry. Duty calls.” I rush off with my fingers crossed Lana will forget all about whatever face I was making.

“What’s up, May?” I have to shout since she’s in the middle of the lagoon on a paddleboard. I’m surprised she’s not on a surfboard since she’s the surfing instructor at the Hideaway Haven Resort and lives for the waves.

Her hand dips into the water and pulls out a sparkly bikini top. “What do you think? Trash or treasure?”

My nose wrinkles. It’s a used bikini top. Easy answer. “Trash.”

“Yes!”

She jumps up and down on the paddleboard. If she were me, she’d fall off and be splashing around in the water. But she’s May, the incredible surfer who can balance one legged on pretty much any surface. Trust me. I’ve seen her balance one legged on a barstool while drinking shots of moonshine.

She sticks her tongue out at the old smugglers across the lagoon. “Told you it wasn’t treasure!”

The old smugglers never help out with the actual cleaning of the lagoon. But they always show up to ensure any treasure found in the lake doesn’t get thrown away.

I still say the mannequin leg should’ve been dumped. But no. It’s in a display case at Barnacles & Barnyards instead. The thing terrifies the kids who visit the petting zoo. Especially since the teenagers who work there in the summer claim it’s haunted.

“Are you nearly finished?” I ask May.

She throws the bikini top over her shoulder before paddling my way. “I’ve been done for ages, but the old smugglers were bored.”

“Let me guess. This is your bikini top and you dropped it in the water to entertain them. Please tell me you’re not topless under your t-shirt.”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s black. You can’t see anything.”

In other words, she’s topless. I groan.

She jumps off her paddleboard into the water. “You’re such a fuddy duddy. Topless isn’t a big deal.”

“Says the woman who’s spent most of her life at hippie beaches surfing.”

She smirks. “Surfing topless is an experience everyone should have before they die.”

“I don’t have time for this. I need to make sure the mermaid tail booth is set up.” I glance around. “Alaia was supposed to work at the ticket booth but she’s off with her ‘boyfriend’ instead.”

May snorts. “Boyfriend? Right.”

We both know Alaia isn’t really dating Tanner Long, the wide receiver for the Seals. Our friend didn’t tell us the truth, but she’d never jump into dating Tanner. She’s too serious about her career to let it be tarnished by the NFL’s favorite bad boy.

I frown. “The situation is going to bite her in the ass.”

May wiggles her eyebrows. “Biting can be fun.”

“It’s not going to be the good kind of biting.” The kind that makes your entire body explode. I shiver.

May pats my arm. “Don’t worry; those twin sisters of hers won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

“What about you? Who’s going to make sure nothing bad happens to you?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Why would anything bad happen to me? I’m not the one in an arrangement with an NFL player.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You aren’t?”

Brock Porter, a fullback on the Seals team, has a son, Jace, she’s been teaching to surf. She’s also spending a lot of time with Jace out of the water. With his dad around.

“This is your fault,” she mumbles before splashing me.

“Splashing me doesn’t change the truth,” I holler as I hurry away.

I scan the area as I make my way to the mermaid tail booth. There’s no trash to be seen. Good. Picnic tables are scattered around the lagoon for spectators. Good. Food and drink vendors are set up and ready to start selling. Good.

My lips purse when I notice the mermaid tails scattered on the ground. Siena is typing on her phone instead of sorting out the mermaid tails.

“How are participants supposed to choose their mermaid tail if they’re laying all over the ground and not organized by size? We can’t have a Mermaid Lagoon Race if the women aren’t wearing mermaid tails.”

Siena glances up from her phone. “Sorry. Emergency.”

Mother of moonshine. I can’t yell at her if she’s dealing with a legal emergency. She’s the island’s favorite defense attorney. I won’t be responsible for someone spending the weekend in jail.

“Fine. Go. I’ll find someone else to work at the booth.” I don’t know who, since all the smugglers who volunteered to help out today already have jobs, but I’ll figure it out. Maybe I can work the ticket booth and the mermaid tail booth at the same time?

“It’s not a legal emergency. My apartment is flooded.”

“Son of a bootlegger. I’m sorry, Siena. You can stay with me until it’s fixed.”

“It’s not my apartment. It’s my rental.”

“Where’s Corbin going to stay?”

Everyone knows Corbin Cox, a tight end for the Seals, rented her apartment for the summer. How could we not after they had a shouting match the day he arrived?

“I’ll figure it out.” She shoves her phone into her back pocket. “But not now. It’s time to raise some money for charity.”

“Do you need help?”

She shoos me away. “I’ve got this.”

I don’t believe her. Organizing the mermaid tails is a lot of work. I help her until my alarm chimes to let me know it’s time for the ticket booth to open.

When I reach the ticket booth, there’s already a line waiting. I check in the participants and accept entrance fees from spectators until the line is gone. I plop down in a chair and roll my neck.

I’m exhausted. I didn’t sleep well last night. And I’ve been here since dawn. At least I don’t have an event tonight. My assistant is handling it. But I’ve got a brunch tomorrow morning. I won’t be getting much sleep tonight.

A car door slams and I glance toward it. Nolan climbs out of a red sports car. There’s a man I wouldn’t mind missing sleep for.

I shove those thoughts away. He’s off limits.

That didn’t stop you last time.

I’m not thinking about last time. Not thinking about how hard his muscles felt. How good he tasted. How his hands felt on my body. How his tongue felt as he traced my skin. My nipples tingle.

He smirks as he approaches me. I want to roll my eyes at his cockiness. But cocky looks good on him.

“The entry fee is twenty dollars.”

His eyes widen. “Twenty dollars to watch women swim?”

“The women wear mermaid tails.”

“Will you be swimming?”

“Nope.”

“Too bad. I’d pay a lot of money to watch you swim in a mermaid tail and bikini top.”

I motion to the lagoon. “There are plenty of women in mermaid tails and bikini tops to watch.”

“But it’s you I want to watch.”

He smiles down at me and his dimple makes an appearance. A dimple I’ve tasted. A dimple I want to taste again.

But there will be no dimple tasting. Because Nolan Allen is off limits.

“Sorry. I’m working the ticket booth today. It’s twenty dollars.”

He digs a fifty-dollar bill out of his wallet. “I’ll give you fifty if you go out on a date with me.”

“Are you serious?”

He winks. And I lose control over my anger. It bursts out of me.

“I told you Hudson will fire me if I date you. But you don’t care. You’re some hotshot quarterback. You don’t care about anyone else but yourself.”

He scowls. “I’m not an asshole.”

“And yet you insist on asking me out when I told you I’d lose my job if we date. Classic asshole behavior if you ask me.”

“Shit. I…”

He trails off when a group of teenagers arrives.

“I don’t have time for this. I have a job to do. Please pay or get out of the way for the next customers.”

He hands me the fifty. All trace of flirting is gone from his face. “Keep the change.” He walks off without another word.

Good. It’s what I wanted. For him to stop flirting with me. For him to stop asking me out. But then why do I feel empty inside?

Chapter 8

No one warned me denial isn’t a viable treatment plan.

Nolan

I squeal to a halt in the parking lot at Coastal State University. Although we’re staying at Hideaway Haven Resort on Smuggler’s Hideaway, training camp is actually happening at this college on the mainland.

Training camp won’t start for a few more weeks, but Coach Knox has the offensive team here early to get us focused and rebuild chemistry after the playoff collapse.

You won’t hear me complaining about arriving early or staying at the resort. Not considering a certain sexy events coordinator works there. Terri, who smells of strawberries and tastes like my newest addiction. I long to taste and touch every inch of her. Preferably not in a closet this time.

I smile as I fold out of my Porsche 911. I love this car. Especially when the weather is nice and I can put the top down. But it’s not the roomiest of vehicles. I roll my shoulder to relieve the tightness.

I was hoping the months off after the play-off loss would be enough to heal the injury. But I’m still experiencing too much pain. And sleeping is rough. Which isn’t good. I need to sleep to heal.

I grab my bag and make my way to the locker room.

“Good morning, Captain!” Tanner whips out a salute.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What did you do?”

He blinks and widens his eyes. If he thinks I believe he’s innocent, he’s lost his damn mind. Tanner Long is never innocent.

“You hurt me.”

I shoulder past him and immediately regret it when my shoulder protests. I bite back my grunt of pain. But when I catch Coach Knox’s eye, I fear I haven’t done as good a job as hiding my pain as I’d hoped.

I tuck my chin into my chest and continue to my locker. I open it and peanut butter crackers fly out. Laughter erupts from the team. I knew Tanner was up to something.

Tanner starts humming The Eye of the Tiger and I stalk toward him. “You’re not funny.”

“I’m helping you out. Making sure you have all the supplies you need for your pre-game ritual. Wouldn’t want you to be late and court Coach Cha-Cha’s wrath.”

I lunge for him but Brock blocks me. “He’s not worth it.”

Tanner peeks around Brock’s body. “What’s wrong? Can’t take a joke?” He sighs. “This is what happens when you fixate on a woman who doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Terri wants me. I know she wants me. She practically explodes with passion when I touch her. But she’s worried about her job.

He smirks. “Care to share with the class?”

“I’ll share when you tell Alaia the truth of why you’re ‘dating’ her.”

All trace of humor disappears. “You’re no fun.”

“That’s what she said!” Gage shouts, and the tension in the locker room eases as everyone laughs.

“Get your asses in gear,” Knox shouts. “Unless you want to get slaughtered in another play-off game.”

Everyone immediately sobers at his reminder of our humiliating loss.

I shove the crackers out of my way so I can reach my locker and get ready. Five minutes later, I’m jogging onto the field with the rest of the offensive team.

Within minutes I’ve forgotten about Tanner’s stupid prank. This isn’t the time for jokes. If we want to win the Super Bowl – and I plan to win this season – we need to focus.

We line up and move across the field for our dynamic warm-up. While the other players are doing high knees, butt kicks, and lunges, I do shoulder rotations and stretch my arm when nobody’s looking.

We move on to our position-specific warm-up. Tanner, Gage, and Corbin run routes.

I focus on short tosses before increasing the distance. Five and ten-yard tosses – hell, even twenty-yards – are fine. But once I start on the deep sideline throws, my shoulder pain worsens. The joint feels tight. And angry like some asshole shoved broken glass beneath the skin.

I ignore it. Knox wants to run some plays and I’m not letting him down.

By the time Knox blows his whistle to indicate warm-up is over, I’m ready for a break. But I don’t stop. I won’t.

“Line up!” I bark.

The offensive line resets. Tanner jogs back into position while Gage mutters something under his breath about quarterbacks with death wishes.

Sweat drips down my spine beneath the summer heat. My shoulder throbs hard enough to make my fingers tingle, but I roll it once and ignore it.

I take the snap. Corbin cuts across the middle. Tanner streaks deep. I plant my feet and launch the pass. Pain slices through my shoulder.

The ball sails high. Too high. Tanner leaps but the ball glances off his fingertips.

“Damnit,” I growl.

Coach Knox blows the whistle. “Reset!”

The players shuffle back into formation. I can feel Knox watching from the sideline with narrowed eyes. I avoid looking his way.

I can practically hear Terri’s voice in my head. You don’t care about anyone else but yourself.

Bullshit. Everything I do is for other people. The team. The franchise. The guys counting on me. The career I’ve sacrificed everything for.

And yet somehow one angry woman with chestnut hair has me questioning myself every damn five minutes.

“Focus, Allen,” Coach Wilson snaps.

Great. Between the offensive line coach and the quarterback coach, every movement I make is under a microscope.

“I am focused.”

“Then explain why your last three throws looked like they were launched by a blind pirate.”

Snickers ripple through the offense. I ignore them and clap my hands. “Again.”

The next rep goes worse. My timing is late. My feet are sloppy. My throw is weak.

Brock turns toward me with a frown. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lie. Pain burns deep beneath the joint now. There’s no way I’m sleeping tonight.

Knox blows the whistle. “You’re done.”

Silence crashes over the field. I straighten slowly. “What?”

“You’re done for today,” he repeats.

Every eye on the field swings toward me. Quarterbacks do not get benched during practice. Not veteran franchise quarterbacks.

Heat floods my neck. “I said I’m fine.”

“And I said you’re done.”

The offense shifts awkwardly nearby. Tanner suddenly becomes very interested in adjusting his gloves. Gage studies the turf. Nobody wants to witness this.

I stalk toward Knox. “You’re pulling me in front of the whole team?”

“I’m stopping you from throwing your damn arm off.”

“I can still throw.”

“Yeah?” He folds his arms. “Then why are half your passes trying to hit seagulls instead of receivers?”

A few players cough suspiciously into their hands. I clench my jaw. “You’re undermining me.”

Knox steps closer. “No, son. I’m coaching you.”

“I don’t need protecting.”

“Tough shit.” The curse snaps through the humid air. Of course, it does. It’s quiet as a church out here with everyone listening to every word Knox speaks.

He jerks his head toward the sideline. “Take your helmet off.”

I want to argue. I want to fight. I want to throw another pass to prove I can. But I can’t. Instead, I rip off my helmet hard enough to nearly crack the facemask.

“Beck! You’re up!”

Fuck! He’s putting in the rookie quarterback. The betrayal stings nearly worse than my shoulder.

I stand on the sideline with the trainers for the remainder of the practice. I pretend I’m not butthurt Coach Knox sent me off. I pretend my shoulder isn’t aching with every inhalation of air.

Knox finally whistles to end practice. I wait and watch the players drag themselves off the field and into the locker room.

When Knox walks past me, I follow him. I don’t speak until we’re in his office. “You embarrassed me out there.”

Knox shuts the office door. “You embarrassed yourself.”

I laugh, but nothing about this situation is funny. “Good talk, Coach.”

“You think I don’t recognize what’s happening here?”

My eyes narrow. What does he know?

Knox leans against the desk. “You’re overcompensating. Pushing too hard. Hiding pain. Getting sloppy because your head’s somewhere else.”

I glance away.

“Your shoulder bad?”

I grunt. “It’s manageable.”

“That bad, huh?”

I don’t answer. I refuse to. I can’t admit how bad it is. I’m not giving up. This is our year. The year the Seals go all the way. I will be a part of it.

“You don’t get to destroy your shoulder because you’re too stubborn to admit you’re hurt.”

I grit my teeth. I’m hurt, but I’ll recover. It’s not that bad.

Knox studies me and I do my best not to squirm under his scrutiny. “You thinking about retiring?”

I freeze. I’m not retiring. I’m not giving up. I’m not ready to give up. I want that Super Bowl ring Dad never won. The one he ignored his family for.

But what if I have to retire? What if my shoulder can’t handle the upcoming season?

I force those thoughts away. I can do this. I’m not retiring early.

Chapter 9

There’s nothing worse than realizing you were wrong.

Terri

My assistant peeks into my office. “I have a question.”

“Please tell me it’s not how to get egg stains out of tablecloths.”

Nadia giggles. “I didn’t expect women in cocktail dresses to have a food fight.”

It wasn’t a little food fight either. The women completely destroyed the buffet of food. I tried stopping them, but when I ended up with a yogurt parfait in my face, I phoned Hudson. By the time he arrived five minutes later, the women were lounging on the floor drinking mimosas and laughing like hyenas.

And when they were escorted out by the police? They started betting on whose husband would arrive first to bail them out.

“You never know what the super rich will do. They think normal rules of behavior don’t apply to them. I once had to send a courier on a private plane to fetch a baby monitor from California because the mom couldn’t live without it.”

Her nose wrinkles. “She couldn’t buy a new one?”

“Nope. And, trust me, I offered.”

“Rich people are crazy.” Her eyes widen, and she slaps her hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she mumbles.

I wave away her apology. “You’re fine. But don’t let them hear you calling them crazy pants. No matter if they ask you to delay the sunrise. Or ask you to import ice from Antarctica. Or request bottled air. Or want the sand removed from the beach. Or demand you lower the humidity in the air.”

She giggles. “This job is totally different than the one I had at Sirens & Saddles. The craziest thing to happen there was a bunch of bridesmaids drinking prosecco at ten in the morning and crying because they felt the horse judged their pink cowboy hats.”

“You gotta love Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“You’re so lucky you grew up here.”

“Yep,” I agree despite not moving here until I was twelve after my mom died. My youth was no picnic party at Prohibition Beach. But everything turned out all right in the end. “What was your question?”

She bites her lip. “Do you mind reviewing the setup for the retirement party this evening? I don’t know if I captured the boats, booze, and bad decisions theme. The cake is a whiskey barrel. It’s supposed to pour actual whiskey but it’s leaking everywhere.”

I stand with a sigh. “I knew when he requested the moonshine fountain, we were in trouble.”

“I’m glad you refused.”

“I should have refused a cake that pours whiskey,” I mutter as I start to follow her down the hallway toward the room reserved for the retirement party tonight.

“I’m worried about tonight.”

Tonight is the first event Nadia is handling all on her own. She was supposed to handle a birthday party last Saturday on her own. But she freaked when the generator for the bouncy castle failed and a dad and his kid got trapped.

I came to rescue them but ended up staying when the goat decided to steal all the cupcakes. Three adults chased the poor animal around the resort until some kid got trapped in a restroom stall with the goat. Everyone panicked, but the kid declared the goat was his best friend.

Things did not improve from then on.

I really need to speak to Hudson about banning birthday parties for anyone under thirty from the resort. He won’t. But at least I can bitch to him about a goat for thirty minutes.

Hudson gets all constipated looking when I complain. Which is why I do it as often as possible.

The door to the physical therapy suite opens and Nolan steps into the hallway.

“Thanks for the help, Hazel.” He waggles his eyebrows. “You can rub me down anytime.”

A pit forms in my stomach. What the hell? Nolan has been flirting with me, begging for my attention, for weeks now.

I’m such an idiot. It’s not about me. It never was.

The star quarterback is a player. He wants another notch on his bedpost. Not a partner. I should have known.

“We don’t have to tell your boyfriend,” Nolan says.

A haze of red covers my vision. What a pirate prick! It’s bad enough he’s a player, but Hazel has a boyfriend. A man she spent nearly a decade pining for.

I march to him. “What in the name of blazing pirates are you doing?”

He grins at me. “Terri. I’m happy to see you.”

“Happy. Right.” I snort. “You were literally flirting with Hazel five seconds ago.”

“It was all in good fun.”

I ignore him. “You have no idea. Zero. Zilch. None. Hazel moped around this island for years because Miles broke her heart. They’re finally back together and in love and you’re ruining it.”

“I’m not… I didn’t mean… It’s only a bit of fun.”

I fist my hands on my hips. “A bit of fun? Is that what I am? A bit of fun? You chased after me. You made me think you might actually care.”

He reaches for me but I retreat. “I do care.”

I motion toward Hazel’s treatment room. “The way you care about Hazel.”

He grimaces. “We were joking around.”

“Does Hazel know you were joking around?”

Hazel peeks into the hallway. “I do. Most of my patients use humor to mask their pain. And, trust me, I would never cheat on Miles.”

“I know. I’m not accusing you of being a cheat. Your brothers, on the other hand…”

She giggles. “Thomas and Ian are too busy causing mayhem to have time for romantic relationships that last longer than a night.”

“Are the sheep still pink?”

“Yep, and my brothers refuse to believe it’s their fault. If I hear Ian claim it was temporary dye one more time...” She trails off.

“At least they gave up their illegal sheep race betting ring.”

She rolls her eyes. “They didn’t have a choice. Mayor Lana lost her mind when the bridge to the island was closed for two hours while they rounded up the sheep.”

“In retrospect, using the bridge for an illegal sheep race was not the best idea.”

“I think I’d like these brothers. I’d love to meet them,” Nolan says and I whirl toward him.

“Uh oh,” Hazel mutters. “The vein on Terri’s forehead is about to explode. I’m out of here. If you need me to phone an ambulance, let me know.”

She shuts her door but I holler after her. “The police are more likely.”

“I’d never narc on you!”

Nolan smiles at me. “This island is fun.”

His words set me off. Fun? All we are to him is a bit of entertainment. Nothing serious.

“You aren’t a pirate prick. You’re the leader of the pirate pricks.”

“I am the quarterback.”

The quarterback? As if being the quarterback gives him the right to mess with people’s feelings. I stomp toward him and poke him in the shoulder. He flinches.

“You— Hold on. Did you flinch?”

He motions to the treatment room. “Why do you think I was visiting Hazel?”

“To flirt with her.”

He grunts. “I wish.”

My brow wrinkles. “You wish? You aren’t making any sense.”

He nudges me toward an alcove. “I prefer not to talk about this in the open.”

“Talk about what?” I groan. “Oh god. Please don’t tell me you’re seeing a physical therapist for some weird side effect of an STD.”

He rears back. “What kind of weird side effect?”

I throw my arms in the air. “I don’t know. You’re the one with an STD.”

“I don’t have an STD. I have a fucked up shoulder.”

“A fucked up shoulder? But you’re the quarterback. You need your shoulder.”

He purses his lips. “I’m painfully aware.”

“And you lifted me up and pressed me…” I trail off. I don’t need to give him a step-by-step reminder of what happened in the closet. He was there. “Did what we did aggravate your injury? Sweet suffering seahorses. Did I hurt you?”

I gulp. He’s not the selfish one. I am. Here I’ve been yelling at him for only thinking about himself when I’m the one who’s only concerned with myself.

He grasps my hands and I let him. It feels too good to have his skin touching mine again to pull away.

“You didn’t hurt me. Trust me. I was feeling no pain in the closet. Only pleasure. Unbelievable pleasure. Pleasure I’ve never experienced before.”

I gasp. Is he serious?

“Why do you think I’ve been trailing after you like a lost puppy? I want what only you can give me.”

My mouth gapes open, but I manage to ask, “What only I can give you?”

“Relief from worrying about this injury. A break from the stress of being the quarterback on a team determined to win the Super Bowl this season.”

My brow wrinkles. “I’m a distraction?”

He drops my hands to cup my chin. “No. You’re the bright star in an otherwise bleak life.”

“Bleak life? Your life isn’t bleak.”

“My shoulder’s injured, and I’m a quarterback.” He shrugs.

“I’m sorry. I’m being a bitch. I see the car and the money and the fame. I should have looked beyond the surface.”

“You’re looking now.” He kisses my nose. “How about that date?”

I growl.

“I can speak to Hudson. Clear it with him.”

“Terri!” Nadia shouts. “Where are you?”

In all the chaos of discovering Nolan was flirting and injured, I forgot I’m supposed to be working.

“We’ll discuss this later,” I say before rushing off.

We shouldn’t discuss it. What sense is there in dating Nolan for the summer? He’ll be gone at the end of the summer when the NFL season starts.

And I’ll still be here. I won’t leave this island as long as Dad is alive. I won’t leave him on his own. Not the way my mom left me.

Chapter 10

If only raw eggs were the biggest problem in my life.

Terri

I survey the buffet. It’s the first day of the Seals’ training camp and Hudson asked us to make the breakfast extra special. If he meant providing enough food to feed an Army, we’ve succeeded.

All the usual suspects are available – eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, etc. As well as a few ‘typical’ athlete foods – oatmeal, berries, avocado toast, Greek yogurt, protein smoothies. There’s also raw eggs, massive jars of peanut butter – apparently athletes add peanut butter to everything – cottage cheese, and pickle juice. I do not want to know what the pickle juice is for.

And – because this is Smuggler’s Hideaway – I’ve added mermaid shaped pancakes, cranberry bog muffins, blackberry moonshine French toast, and fried oyster breakfast tacos. I wanted to add Mermaid Mimosas – it’s not a breakfast without them – but Hudson nixed the idea. No alcohol. I never knew my boss was this boring.

Achoo!

I frown as I make my way to Nadia. “Go home.”

Her eyes – her red rimmed eyes – widen. “I can’t go home. This is my job. It’s bad enough you got stuck fixing the whiskey barrel cake for my event.”

Ugh. The whiskey barrel cake made me feel nauseous for hours. I never knew the combination of sugar, chocolate, and whiskey was unappetizing before. Now, I do.

“You’re also sneezing into the food. Do you realize how paranoid athletes are? If they notice you and your runny eyes and red nose, they won’t eat an ounce of this food. And there’s a lot of food.”

She sniffs. “It would be a waste of food.”

I snatch her clipboard and nudge her toward the door. “Go. And don’t come back until you no longer resemble Rudolf the red-nosed pirate.”

She doesn’t argue. She must be feeling worse than a seasick pirate. Poor girl.

I check her list. She’s mostly finished. I check the time. The team is still in a meeting with their coaches, but they should finish and be here in less than fifteen minutes. I rush around finishing the items on her list.

By the time the doors open to welcome the athletes, my forehead is beaded with sweat and I’m gasping for air.

I find a corner to stand in as the team attacks the food. Technically, I could go back to the office. I’m not needed until it’s time to clean up the venue. But my legs feel heavy. And I’m tired. I slept nine hours last night, but it wasn’t enough.

I hope I’m not coming down with whatever bug Nadia has. The last thing I need is to get sick. Summer is the busiest season at the resort. And this year is even busier with the addition of the Steel City Seals.

“You okay?” Corbin asks me.

We’ve never met, but I know who he is. I’m a smuggler. I can’t not know he’s living with my friend Siena. She’s not answering her phone and messages, but she can’t avoid me forever.

“Just tired.”

“Here.” He shoves a bottle into my hand.

“What is this?”

“A protein shake. It’ll pep you right up.”

I sniff the drink and rear back. It smells of chalk, wet dog, and feet.

“Don’t be a wuss. Try it.”

I take one sip and gag. “What’s in this?”

He shrugs. “The normal stuff. Peanut butter. Protein powder. Raw egg whites.”

“Raw egg whites?” At least I know why the scent makes me gag.

I try handing the bottle back to him. “I think I’ll pass.”

“I promise it will make you feel better. Trust me. I’m an athlete. I can’t get sick or I’m benched.”

He does have a point. I try another sip but my stomach rolls at the smell. I shove the bottle into Corbin’s hands before rushing out of the room.

I barely make it to the restroom before falling to my knees in front of the toilet and losing the contents of my stomach. Once I finally stop heaving, I lean back against the stall to catch my breath.

I must have caught the bug Nadia has. Good thing I have Dr. Allens on speed dial. You wouldn’t believe how often bridezillas need a little ‘help’ to make it down the aisle.

“This is Dr. Allens.”

“Hi, doctor. It’s Terri from the Hideaway Haven Resort.”

She groans. “Is someone’s skin melting because the sun poisoned them?”

I chuckle. “No.”

“Is someone dying from the tiniest jelly sting in history?”

The guest’s panic was hilarious. Staying professional was difficult. “No.”

“Let me guess. Someone’s allergic to moonshine.”

“It’s nine in the morning.”

She sighs. “And this is Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“Good point.”

“Okay. Let me think.”

I clear my throat. “There’s no need to guess. There’s no guest who ate thirty-six oysters and now thinks they’re dying. And no one needs sedatives because they’re traumatized by a seagull stealing their breakfast. And I have an EpiPen ready for the next time a guest discovers they’re allergic to seafood.”

“Welp. I’m out of ideas. What’s the emergency?”

“No big emergency. I caught some sort of bug. Is there any medicine you can give me?”

“What are your symptoms?” She’s all professional now.

“Nothing drastic. I’m tired all the time despite sleeping more than usual. I’ve been sweating a lot for no reason. And now I throw up.”

“What did you throw up?”

“Some disgusting protein drink. It smelled of eggs.”

“Eggs?”

“Raw eggs.” I shiver. “Gross.”

“You don’t need any medicine. You’ll be fine in about seven or eight months.”

My brow wrinkles. “Seven or eight months?”

“Although the symptoms you’re describing usually recede after a few months.”

I rub a hand over my forehead. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Terri.” She uses her ‘don’t be an idiot voice’. “You’re pregnant.”

The blood in my veins turns to ice as fear rushes through me.

“Terri!” She shouts but I can’t answer. My body is seized with terror. “Terri!”

“What?” I manage to gasp out this time.

“You need to calm down. Stress isn’t good for the baby.”

Baby? Nope. No way. Not in this lifetime. I refuse to believe it. No way am I pregnant. I can’t be. Not after what happened with Mom. I decided right then and there I’d never have children.

“I’m not pregnant. I’m on the pill. Besides, you can’t diagnose someone as pregnant over the phone.”

“No, I can’t. Come in anytime today and I’ll draw some blood for a test. Then, we’ll know for sure.”

“I know for sure now. I’m not pregnant.”

“Really? When was your last period?”

“It was…” I trail off. I don’t remember. It’s been a while.

“Exactly. And have you had sex recently?”

My face heats. “Yes.”

“Stop by this afternoon and I’ll confirm your pregnancy. I can probably tell you how far along you are.”

“You—”

“Gotta go.” She hangs up before I have a chance to get my thoughts in order.

She’s wrong. She’s not jumping to conclusions. She’s flying through the air to the other side of the world where her conclusion can’t be correct.

It can’t be. I can’t be pregnant.

We used protection. I may be on the pill but I’d never have sex with someone without a condom. Not unless we were in a committed relationship. And closet rendezvous does not spell out committed relationship.

Besides, I must have had my period since then. I thumb through my phone until I find my period app. When was my last period? I scowl. According to this, it was two months ago.

Never mind. I often forget to update the app.

Except I can’t remember when my last period was. I close my eyes and riffle through my memories. The last time I remember was when I had to rush home for supplies because we decided to go for a swim and I didn’t have any tampons with me. The water was cold.

Because it was May. Nolan arrived in June. And it’s now the middle of July.

Holy mermaid swimming in the sea. Am I seriously pregnant?

I place my hand on my stomach as if I can answer the question by mere feeling.

I wish I could be happy. I wish I could welcome this child into the world. But I know what pregnancy means. Depression and death.

What am I going to do?

Chapter 11

There are not enough ice packs in the world for this situation.

Nolan

My phone rings and I grab it from the coffee table.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Nolan, how are you?”

“Good,” I say automatically despite my shoulder killing me.

I should be in bed. Practice was tough today and tomorrow won’t be any easier. But I can’t get comfortable enough to sleep. And I refuse to use sleeping pills.

“You’re up late.”

I chuckle. “And yet you’re calling me.”

“Well…um…”

Shit. I know what her stuttering means. “What does he want?”

“To speak to you.”

“Tough shit.”

“Here he is.”

Naturally, she doesn’t listen to my wishes. My mother is the sweetest woman in the world. She’s also a pushover when it comes to my dad. She gives him everything he wants without question. Without considering the damage it does to her children.

“Son,” Dad begins and I growl. He’s never been a dad to me. How dare he refer to me as his son?

I want to hang up, but it won’t do any good. Mom will guilt trip me for refusing to speak to Dad. And Dad will yell at me for hurting Mom. I don’t care about Dad yelling at me, but I don’t want to hurt my mother.

“What do you want?” I manage to ask between grit teeth.

“How’s training camp going? How’s your shoulder holding up?”

I glance at my shoulder – at the ice melting on the table – and flat out lie to him. “I’m fine.”

“You still hungry? You’re not getting distracted on that island, are you?”

My mind immediately goes to Terri. I was looking forward to seeing her this morning, but she rushed out of breakfast with her hand slapped over her mouth. I hope she’s not sick. She works too hard. She’s always taking care of everyone else at the resort. Who takes care of her?

“Your job right now is football. Everything else comes after.”

I snort. After? The way it came after for him? By the time he gave up on ever winning the Super Bowl and decided he should spend some time with his family, I was in high school and had learned how to survive without a dad.

“Nice talk. I need to get to sleep.” I hang up before he can respond.

I throw my phone on the table before standing. I might as well get some fresh ice for my shoulder. I won’t be sleeping anytime soon.

I make my way downstairs to the training room. Since it’s late, it’s dark and deserted. I flip on the lights.

I grab some ice and sit down to wrap it around my shoulder.

“Hello!”

I glance over my shoulder. Terri is standing at the entrance to the room. She’s pale and has bruises under her eyes.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

She rolls her eyes before stepping inside. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”

I grunt. “Couldn’t sleep.”

She comes closer. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”

I frown. I’m sitting here without a shirt on, holding an ice pack to my shoulder. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Her eyes flare as her gaze rakes over my chest. When she notices my shoulder, her eyes widen. “Your injury?”

I shrug and end up wincing.

“Let me help.” She picks up the wrap. I press the ice against my shoulder while she winds the wrap around the joint to secure it.

Despite the ache in my shoulder, I enjoy having her near. Her hair falls forward and drapes over me. I nearly moan at how silky it feels. I’d love to fist it in my hand while ravishing her mouth and enjoying her taste. Does she always taste of strawberry?

My cock twitches. Shit. I need to stop this train of thought before I end up aching in a way only she can help.

“You’re pretty good at this.”

She sighs and steps back. I fist my hands before I reach for her and set her on my lap. Before I remind her how good we can be together.

“You wouldn’t believe how many injuries I deal with in my job.”

“But you’re an event planner.”

“Yep. And rich people are crazier than pirates snagged by a siren’s spell.”

I chuckle. “Only rich people?”

She waves away my question. “Are you okay now? Do you need any painkillers?”

“I’m fine.”

“How are you playing with this injury?”

“How do you know I’m playing?”

Her cheeks darken and she ducks her chin. “I saw you.”

Warmth spreads through me. Terri wants me. But I’m off limits. Because of her boss. And I’ve been an asshole. Pressuring her to date me for my own selfish wants and desires when she’s a professional who doesn’t want to hurt her career. I understand not wanting to hurt your career.

“I need to apologize.”

Her head whips up. “Apologize? What did you do? If you flooded your bathroom, it’s not my department.”

“My bathroom is fine. I meant apologize for pressuring you to date me. I thought because you broke the rules once, it wasn’t a big deal for you to break them again. I didn’t listen to your concerns. I’m sorry. I won’t pressure you anymore.”

“It’s not as if I can avoid you now anyway,” she mutters.

My gaze sharpens. “What?”

She exhales a harsh gust of air. “I need to tell you something.”

My pulse quickens. “What is it?”

“I… ah…”

She slams a hand over her mouth and darts out of the room. What the hell? I chase after her. I follow her straight into the women’s restroom. It’s empty but if it weren’t, I wouldn’t give a fuck. Terri’s sick. She’s all that matters now.

She falls to her knees and heaves into the toilet. I gather her hair and hold it back for her. I rub circles into her back as she empties the contents of her stomach.

When she finishes, I stand and get her a glass of water.

“Here.” I hand her the water.

She swigs the water around her mouth before spitting into the toilet.

“You’re sick. You shouldn’t be working. Do you want me to drive you home?”

She waves away my question. “I’m not sick.”

“I literally watched you puke your guts out in a toilet,” I grumble.

She sighs. “I’m not sick. I’m pregnant.”

I rear back. The sudden, unexpected movement has my shoulder protesting but I ignore it. “You’re what?”

“Pregnant. With baby. Knocked up. Bun in the oven. In the family way. Got a tiny smuggler aboard. Growing a future pirate.”

“And it’s my baby? I mean I assume it’s my baby. Why else are you telling me?”

I thread a hand through my hair as I pace the rest room. Holy shit. I’m going to be a dad.

A dad? I don’t know how to be a dad. My dad wasn’t around when I was a kid. He claimed football and parenthood didn’t go together. And yet he didn’t have a problem knocking Mom up every chance he got.

“It’s okay,” Terri says and I swivel toward her. “You don’t have to be involved.”

“Not be involved? We’re discussing my kid.”

“Which was created during a one-hour stand. We’re not in a relationship. We barely know each other. I don’t expect anything from you.”

“I’m not abandoning my child.” I won’t let my child grow up the way I did. Thinking he wasn’t loved. Thinking he was second place to football.

Don’t get me wrong. I love football. I’ll do anything to win the Super Bowl this season. But I don’t need to abandon my child to accomplish my goals.

She studies my face. “You’re not questioning whether this is your child.”

It wasn’t a question but I answer it as one anyway. “No, I’m not.”

“But we used a condom, and I’m on the pill.”

“Accidents happen.”

Her brow wrinkles. “You don’t think I’m lying? That I got pregnant on purpose to trap you?”

I rear back. “What are you talking about? You’re Terri Jordan. You won’t date me. You run the other way every time you see me coming.”

“I wouldn’t say run away,” she mutters.

“You’re not trying to trap me. You’re not interested in my fame.”

“Huh. For someone who doesn’t know me, you figured me out pretty quick.”

“I’ve been a quarterback in the NFL for over a decade. I can spot a gold digger a mile away.”

Her nose wrinkles. “I bet you can.”

My lips purse. “I’m not a player.”

She cocks her eyebrow. “And you didn’t convince me to shed my clothes within an hour of meeting you either.”

“I didn’t expect what happened in the closet to happen, but I’m glad it did.”

“Even now?”

She places a hand over her belly where her baby’s growing. Where our baby is growing. My heart pounds against my chest. I’m going to be a dad. Fucking hell. How can I be a dad and chase my Super Bowl dream?

I’ll figure it out. I’m not giving up on being a Super Bowl Champion. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am. And where I am is this close.

“Even now,” I confirm despite the fear rolling through my veins.

“We…” She trails off when the door opens and a gaggle of women enters.

This is not a conversation to be had with an audience. I help Terri to her feet. “We’ll discuss this tomorrow. I’ll be at your place after practice.”

She starts to protest but I place a finger over her lips. “We need to talk.”

I wait for her to nod before removing my finger. I kiss her forehead. “Now, do you need a ride home?”

“I’m good.”

“If you’re sure…”

She pushes me away. “I’m fine.”

I hesitate. She was throwing her guts up a few minutes ago. I don’t want to leave her. But the women are now staring at us. When one of them opens their phone and aims it our way, I turn away and walk out of the restroom.

Terri isn’t a secret, but I’m not exposing her or our child to the press. We can’t avoid the press forever. But for now, this is our business. No one else’s.

Chapter 12

This situation would be a lot easier if Nolan was a jerk.

Terri

I pace my living room as I wait for Nolan to arrive. This is a bad idea. There’s nothing to discuss.

So, I’m having his baby. Big whoop. He doesn’t have to be involved. My biological dad was never involved in my life. I don’t even know who he is. Mom never told me. She refused to discuss it. And she’s not around now to answer questions.

It would be safer if he wasn’t involved. Getting involved leads to emotions, which could lead to depression and falling apart. Giving up completely. No, thanks.

Besides, Nolan has his career. The Seals are determined to win the Super Bowl this season. I’m not standing in their way. In his way.

Especially not with his shoulder. Who knows how many more seasons he can play? If this is his last season, he needs to concentrate on the game. Not on me and the little mermaid or pirate I’m carrying.

A girl. I’d love a little girl. A girl to teach how to swim. A girl I could raise to be a strong woman.

But a boy wouldn’t be bad either. A little boy who resembles Nolan. He’d break all the hearts at school.

What am I thinking? I shouldn’t be having a child at all. What if it goes wrong? What if I lose the baby the way Mom did?

My heart races and my palms begin to sweat. I can’t do it. I can’t go through what Mom did. What if I end up the way she did? Broken and inconsolable. Unwilling to continue a life without my baby.

I place a hand on my stomach as if I can protect the little mermaid.

The doorbell sounds and I gulp. Nolan’s here. My stomach dips, and my pulse hastens. I can’t control my body when the quarterback’s around. Another reason to not get involved.

I inhale a deep breath and order my body to knock it off before walking to the door and opening it.

Nolan smiles. “Hi, sweetheart.” He kisses my cheek before making his way into the house.

“I brought dinner from Wok the Plank. Don’t worry. I checked it’s okay for pregnant women before I ordered. I got you broccoli and beef, but if you don’t want it, I have other selections.”

“You didn’t need to bring dinner.”

“Someone has to take care of you.”

I bristle. “I can take care of myself.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “You were working until ten last night.”

“Working hard doesn’t mean I’m not taking care of myself,” I say, but I’m not certain. Maybe I should work less. Maybe I should cut down on my hours. Maybe working too hard is dangerous for the baby.

“I know but I also know how tiring the first trimester can be.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You know, do you? Knocked up a lot of women, have you?”

“Nope. But I remember when my mom was pregnant with Ruth. She was tired all the time.”

“Do you have a big family?”

He jiggles the bags of food. “I’ll tell you all about them while we eat.” His stomach growls. “Sorry, I’m hungry.”

“Wouldn’t want you to starve,” I mutter as I motion to the dining area.

While he empties the bags on the table, I make my way to the kitchen for plates and silverware. Nolan nudges me out of the way.

“I’ve got it. Go sit down. Rest your feet.”

I purse my lips. “I’m not an invalid.”

He kisses my nose. “Nope. You’re carrying my baby, and I want to spoil you.”

My body warms at his words and attentiveness. It doesn’t mean anything, I remind myself. It doesn’t mean he’ll stay. It doesn’t mean he won’t disappear when the season starts.

“But you don’t know where anything is.”

“Good thing my eyes still work.” He herds me toward the table.

“Fine. I give up.”

He doesn’t have any issues finding the plates and silverware. He sets them on the table before returning to the kitchen for two glasses of water.

“I have three brothers and one sister,” he says once we’re digging into our food.

“Big family.”

“I’m the oldest. Adam is next. Then, Hugo and Isaac. And, finally, Ruth. The baby girl.”

“I’m not surprised you’re the oldest.”

He grins. “Because I’m a natural born leader?”

“Because you’re bossy.”

He barks out a laugh. “That too. How about you? Any siblings?”

“I have two brothers and a sister.”

“Do they live on the island?”

“Nope. I’m the only one left.”

“Ever think of leaving?”

“I’m not leaving as long as Dad is alive. No matter what he thinks. He needs my help. Besides, this is my home.”

The only place I’ve ever felt is home. Even before when Mom was alive, we never lived in one place very long. Never created a home.

“Fair enough.”

This is it. I couldn’t ask for a better segway. “Which means you won’t be around for the baby. I’m not complaining. I’m fine with it. You can send child support. You don’t need to rearrange your whole life for us.”

He scowls and a muscle in his jaw ticks. “I will be involved in this child’s life.”

I appreciate his words, but he’s not being realistic.

“How will that work? You live in Steel City. I live here. You travel to games during the season. I can’t travel around. I have a job.”

“You could give up your job. I earn enough money for all of us.”

My nostrils flare. “I am not giving up my job.”

I know better than to rearrange my life for a man. Mom was always changing her life for a man. And yet no man ever stayed. Nolan won’t stay either. His life isn’t here on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

He raises his hands in the air. “I was merely putting it out there.”

“Yeah, well. Put it back wherever it came from. I’m not quitting a job I’ve worked my mermaid tail off for.”

He taps his fork on his plate. “I won’t ask you to quit your job again. I guess I can stay here during the off-season.”

“Here?” I motion to the house.

I don’t want him here. Liar. No, seriously, I don’t. I can’t keep my walls up if he’s here all the time.

“As much as I’d love to stay in this house with you – preferably in your bed – I promised I wouldn’t pressure you anymore. I’ll find a place to stay on the island. I can always stay at the resort.”

“The resort?” I scrunch my nose. “It would cost a fortune.”

“I’ll figure it out. I’m not letting you raise this baby alone.”

“It would be easier if you did.”

“I haven’t taken the easy way in life thus far. I don’t plan to start now.”

His blue eyes are filled with determination. Too bad his determination isn’t about me. But it’s not. He’s not interested in me. He’s only here because I’m having his baby.

“Have you seen the doctor?

I nod. “I saw Dr. Allens to confirm the pregnancy.”

I bet she wished she never insisted I come in after I ended up bawling my eyes out for an hour in her arms. I only quit when she threatened to force me to stay the night in the hospital.

“Let me know when the next appointment is and I’ll be there.”

I drop my fork. “You can’t do this.”

“Do what? Be a part of my child’s life?” He growls. “You can’t keep me away. I have a right to be there.”

I hold up a hand. “I didn’t say you don’t.”

“Explain what you meant.”

How do I explain this? How do I explain how I don’t want to rely on him when I don’t know if he’ll stay? How do I admit I’m scared to be dependent on him? Scared of the backlash when he leaves? Scared of being pregnant? Scared of losing the baby?

A chair falls to the floor and my eyes fly open. I didn’t even realize I’d closed them.

Nolan kneels next to my chair and grasps my hands. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”

The together part is what’s scaring me.

He squeezes my hands. “Trust me, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”

I don’t believe him.

“Until training camp’s over.”

The muscle in his jaw ticks. “We have over a month until then. We have plenty of time to get to know each other. And figure out what’s best for the baby.”

I place a hand on my stomach. “I don’t want our little mermaid to get caught up in any disagreements between us.”

His eyes light up. “Little mermaid? It’s a girl?”

“I don’t know. It’s too early to tell. I barely know I’m pregnant.”

“I don’t care if the baby’s a girl or a boy. As long as the baby’s healthy.”

“Me too.” I hope this baby will be healthy. I hope I can carry her to term. I hope I don’t end up the way my mom did – drowning in grief. Refusing to grab hold of the person who needed her.

He grins. “But I’d love a little girl. Someone I can spoil the way we spoiled Ruth.”

Ruth? His sister? I gasp. “You can’t tell your family. It’s too early. I don’t know…”

He places a finger on my lips to quiet me. “It’s okay. I understand. We won’t make any announcements until the second trimester.”

“I was thinking more the third trimester,” I mutter.

He kisses my cheek before standing and walking around to sit across from me. “We’ll figure it out.”

He makes it sound easy. As if we’ll wake up in the morning with all the decisions made. If only.

If only I could believe him. If only he’d stay. If only I can carry this baby to term. If only… If only…

Chapter 13

It’s difficult to throw spirals when your entire life is spiraling.

Nolan

I sit on the bench in the locker room and pull out my phone to message Terri.

How are you doing?

Apparently I’m in dire need of ginger ale and crackers.

Oops. I may have gone overboard. I had crates of ginger ale and boxes of crackers sent to her house and office.

I want to make sure you have what you need.

I’m fine.

I can practically hear her sigh through the phone. Terri’s determined to do this all on her own. She’s crazy if she thinks I won’t be part of the baby’s life. I refuse to be my dad. Ignoring his family for the glory of football.

But it’s going to take some convincing before Terri understands I’m staying.

I know you’re fine. I add a GIF of a fox wiggling his eyebrows.

Corny.

Seriously. How are you feeling?

I drum my fingers on my thigh as I wait for those three magical dots to appear to indicate she’s writing a reply. They don’t appear. Maybe I should call. I don’t want to pressure her, but I need to make sure she’s okay. That they’re okay.

I’m okay. A little nauseous but the crackers helped.

I grin.

And it kills you to admit I helped.

You don’t have to help. I can do this on my own. I don’t want to be an obligation.

I growl. When is she going to get it through her stubborn head? I’m not leaving her alone. I’m not abandoning her. This is my kid, too. I refuse to be my father.

You’re not an obligation.

When she doesn’t reply, I continue.

You’re carrying my baby. It’s my privilege to be a part of your life.

But what happens when the season begins? When you’re too busy with football for poopy diapers and late night feedings?

My stomach rolls. My dad was never there for poopy diapers or late night feedings. Ruth called me Dad before she realized I was her brother. I’m not going to be him.

We’ll figure it out.

You keep saying we’ll figure it out but where’s your plan?

I’m working on it.

I need to get back to work, and you should be training.

Have a good day, sweetheart. If you need anything, call me. If I’m not available, call Coach Knox.

I’m not calling your coach because I’m throwing up.

Shit. You’re throwing up. I’m on my way.

I jump to my feet and rush toward the door. My cleats clomp against the concrete floor but I don’t care. Terri needs me. I’m not abandoning her. My phone buzzes in my hand.

Calm down. It was a hypothetical.

I screech to a halt. My heart thudding in my chest.

Don’t scare me like that again.

Sorry. And now I really do need to get back to work.

Have a good day. I’ll see you later.

I flop down on the bench and inhale deep breaths until my pulse returns to normal. Terri’s okay. The baby’s okay. There’s no need to stress.

But I hate not being in control. I hate not being near her. Not being able to see for myself that she’s okay. That she’s not lying about how she’s feeling.

Texting will have to do for now. I need to stay here. I finished my quarterback practice with Coach Wilson, but offensive line practice starts in thirty minutes.

I do the one thing I can to help. I open my reading app and start reading one of the books on pregnancy I downloaded. I want to be prepared to help Terri in any way I can.

“Whatcha reading?”

At Tanner’s question, I quickly shut the app.

“Nothing.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Nothing? You were totally concentrated. You didn’t even notice us enter the locker room.” He motions to Gage, Brock, and Corbin, who are studying my face.

“It’s quarterback stuff,” I lie.

Corbin grunts.

“Whatever,” Brock grumbles. “You need to suit up. Practice starts in five minutes.”

“Yes, Mr. Grumpy! Right away, Mr. Grumpy!”

Corbin shoves Tanner away before Brock can attack him. Typical practice day.

Gage sits down next to me. “Everything okay?”

My eyes narrow on him. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Knox benched you last training.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I mutter.

He raises his palms in the air. “Just checking on you.”

“I’m fine.” Such a lie. Between my shoulder not healing as fast as it should and Terri being pregnant with my baby, I’m nowhere near fine. I shove those thoughts away. It’s time for football.

We jog onto the field beneath the blazing July sun. Sweat immediately gathers beneath my pads. Coach Knox barks out orders while the offense splits into position groups.

I force my focus onto football. Footwork. Timing. Reads. Repetition.

Not Terri. Not babies. Not poopy diapers. Definitely not tiny babies wearing miniature Steel City Seals onesies.

Hell. I’m already thinking about onesies.

“Allen!” Coach Wilson snaps. “Wake up.”

“I’m awake.” Focus, I remind myself. I need to focus.

“Good. Then throw.”

Corbin jogs twenty yards downfield while Tanner and Gage continue chirping at each other near the sideline. I plant my feet and fire.

The ball wobbles in the air. My stomach drops. Quarterbacks aren’t supposed to throw wobblers. Not franchise quarterbacks. The pass dies before it reaches Corbin and he has to slow down to haul it in against his chest.

Silence fills the air.

Tanner blinks. “Did our quarterback throw a worm burner?”

“I slipped,” I lie. I resist the need to roll my shoulder. To flex the muscle in a desperate effort to relieve the pain.

Coach Wilson folds his arms over his chest. “Try again.”

Heat creeps up my neck. I roll my shoulders before accepting the next snap.

This time I overcompensate, and the pass sails high over Tanner’s fingertips.

“Oh shit,” Gage mutters.

Now the field’s gone completely quiet. It’s not the normal practice quiet either. It’s the awkward kind. The kind where everyone’s pretending not to stare while absolutely staring. And where are they staring?

At me. Because quarterbacks don’t miss this way. Not quarterbacks of my caliber.

Coach Wilson narrows his eyes. “Again.”

I grit my teeth and motion for Brock to run the next route.

My shoulder aches as I rear back and throw. The ball wobbles. Wobbles. Jesus Christ. It dies halfway through the route before Brock awkwardly scoops it out of the air.

Nobody says anything for a beat.

Then Tanner whistles low. “Well… that was horrifying.”

“I’m fine,” I snap.

“Didn’t say you weren’t,” Tanner says carefully, which makes it worse. Because the goofball is never careful unless something’s seriously wrong.

Coach Knox blows the whistle. “Bring it in.”

The offense gathers around him while I avoid eye contact with everyone.

Knox clears his throat and I lift my gaze to meet his. He’s studying me. “What’s going on?”

I resist the urge to squirm. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit,” Brock growls.

“It’s not my shoulder,” I bite out automatically.

Knox’s eyes sharpen immediately. Fantastic. Way to sound guilty as hell. I might as well hire a skywriter while I’m at it.

Gage rubs a hand over his jaw. “This about Terri?”

Tanner gasps dramatically. “Our fearless leader has been defeated by feelings.”

I growl. “Shut up.”

Corbin grunts. “You’ve been distracted all week.”

“I’m not distracted.”

“You almost tackled a tackling dummy yesterday,” Gage says.

Heat blazes over my neck. “That dummy came out of nowhere.”

Tanner clutches his chest. “He’s gone. Our quarterback’s gone. Somebody get this man a romance novel and a weighted blanket.”

Despite myself, I bark out a laugh. The tension eases slightly.

Knox doesn’t smile. “Funny. But we’ve got a problem.”

My stomach tightens. Because he’s right. And for the first time all summer, I’m starting to wonder if football is slipping away from me faster than I can stop it.

Panic slams into me. I’m not letting my Super Bowl dreams die. Nothing will stop me. Not an injured shoulder. Not a little baby. Nothing.

Chapter 14

I should not be turned on by ribbon tying.

Terri

My feet drag as I walk through the resort from my office to the event space where tonight’s anniversary party is happening. I yawn and my jaw cracks with the motion.

I need more sleep, but I’m literally sleeping nine hours every night and napping on the sofa in my office every afternoon for an hour. Any more sleep and people will worry I’ve gone into hibernation.

I enter the event space. I can’t help but smile at the Smuggler’s Hideaway theme. There are mini pirate treasure favor bags, floating candle centerpieces, and custom oyster shell place cards.

I make my way to the buffet. The tiny sailboat dessert toppers are adorable. My brow wrinkles at the seafood tower. I check the time. It shouldn’t be out until thirty minutes before the guests arrive.

Hold on. The party starts in thirty minutes. Where did the time go? Did I fall asleep at my desk again?

If this keeps happening, I’m going to have to tell Hudson I’m pregnant before I’m ready. I place a hand on my stomach. Stay safe, little mermaid. Stay safe.

I inhale a deep breath to calm myself down and end up getting a whiff of warm shrimp. My stomach rebels.

“Hey, boss!” Nadia hollers as she rushes into the room from the kitchen. Her brow wrinkles. “Why are you green?”

I motion to the seafood tower. “Bad shrimp.”

She leans forward and sniffs the tower. “Smells good to me, but there’s only one way to know for sure.” She snags a shrimp and pops it into her mouth. “Yum.”

My stomach gurgles and I slam a hand over my mouth before I spew my lunch all over the buffet. I inch backward. I was okay before the smell of shrimp hit me.

Nadia studies me. “You okay?”

“Yep. Perfectly fine.” I’m just knocked up and apparently can’t stand the smell of one of my favorite foods any longer.

“Are you prepared for the couple’s arrival?”

She checks her clipboard. “The buffet isn’t ready yet. I need to help them in the kitchen. Oh, and the message in a bottle display isn’t done.”

“What? Why not?” The display should have been done hours ago.

“Several of the bottles broke and we needed to have new ones brought over from storage. I can deal with them if you help out in the kitchen.”

Help out in the kitchen? After the smell of shrimp had me gagging? I don’t think so.

“I’ll do the bottles. You do the kitchen.”

I hurry away before she can object. And, also, the smell of shrimp is getting to me again.

I settle at the table for the anniversary display. I nearly groan at the mess. Half of the bottles still need to be filled with sand.

I sigh and get to work.

“Here you are!”

I glance up at Nolan. “I haven’t been avoiding you.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You haven’t?”

I admit I may have avoided him before. Sneaking out the back door of the resort was not my finest moment. Especially when it set off an alarm and the security guard showed up.

Lucky for me, Hudson understands the need to hide from people. He didn’t ask any questions. But he did give me the code to sneak out the next time.

“I haven’t avoided you since I told you I’m pregnant.”

He grunts. Which I interpret to mean ‘you’re right, Terri’.

“It’s dinner time. I thought you’d be finished working by now.”

I motion to the bottles. “Not yet.”

He sits in a chair across from me. “What are we doing?”

I freeze. “You’re seriously going to help?”

He scowls. “Why do you question me every time I try to care for you?”

Because I’m the caretaker, not him. I’m the one who stayed on the island to care for Dad. Not my siblings.

Because I know better than to believe he’ll stay. No one stays.

“You don’t have to take care of me.”

He growls. “Don’t you dare say you can take care of yourself. I know you can. I’m not questioning whether you can. I’m saying let me help. Let me take a bit of the load off.”

I scowl. “Do you have to be so reasonable?”

He shrugs. “Pressuring you doesn’t work. I learned my lesson there.”

“A man who can learn a lesson. Let me call the Guinness Book of World Records.”

He chuckles. “I’d be a crappy quarterback if I didn’t learn from my mistakes.”

Time for a change of topic. “How was practice today?”

He winces.

“Sorry, you don’t have to tell me about it.”

He waves a hand in dismissal. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” He nods to the bottles. “After you explain what this is and how I can help.”

I could continue to fight him, but I’m not an idiot. I need the help.

“This is a message in a bottle anniversary display. The couple met on Smuggler’s Hideaway decades ago. Guests are supposed to write marriage advice or memories on these little notes and roll them up before stuffing them in the bottles.”

I motion to the bottles. “Except the bottles aren’t ready. They should be filled with sand and have ribbons tied around them.”

“I can stuff sand in bottles. I probably have sand in unmentionable places from the last time I was on the beach.”

I grin. “Gotta love the beach in the summer.”

He grabs a bottle and scoops some sand. He tries to pour the sand into the bottle, but most of it ends up on the table.

“The sand is supposed to go into the bottle.”

He frowns. “These bottles are tiny.”

“They’re decorative.”

“Can’t they be decorative and bigger than a roll of athletic tape?”

I giggle. “They wouldn’t be cute then.”

“Wouldn’t want them to be useful instead of cute,” he mutters.

I throw a pinch of sand at him. “It’s supposed to be romantic.”

“Romantic?” He wags one of the bottles. “How do humans fit messages in these?”

“Normal-sized humans manage without any trouble.”

“Are you saying I’m not normal-sized?” He puffs out his chest.

I ignore how my hands itch to touch his chest. To feel how strong his muscles are. “It wasn’t a compliment.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “You seemed to enjoy my size when we were in the closet.”

My nipples pebble and my core tingles at the reminder of our tryst. A tryst that resulted in my pregnancy. A pregnancy I’m not ready to reveal to the world.

“Nolan,” I hiss. “You agreed to keep the pregnancy quiet.”

A muscle in his jaw ticks. “I wasn’t referring to the pregnancy. I was referring to us.”

“What us? There is no us.” And there never will be. I know better than to get involved.

“You’re as stubborn as a linebacker playing through a concussion.”

I sigh. “Nolan. You’re not obligated to be with me just because I’m pregnant with your child.”

“What if I want to be with you?”

I wish I could believe it. I wish he wanted me, but I can’t trust his feelings. He thinks he wants me when what he wants is the baby.

I nod to the bottles. “These aren’t going to fill themselves.”

Hurt flashes in his gorgeous blue eyes – I hope our child gets those eyes – before he blinks and it’s gone.

“I’ve got this.”

He begins filling bottles with sand like it’s a competition.

“Slow down.”

“But I’m winning.”

“There is no winning.”

“Really?” He cocks a brow. “Because this party is starting soon and these bottles aren’t finished yet.”

“Whatever,” I mumble.

He lines up the bottles filled with sand.

“You’re not done. You need to tie the ribbons around the bottles.”

He picks up a red ribbon. “This tiny thing?”

“What’s wrong? Can the big, bad quarterback not handle a little bit of ribbon?”

“I can handle ribbon,” he mutters as he attempts to tie the ribbon. I bite my tongue before I laugh. His hands are twice the size of the bottles, and the string appears tiny in his hands.

I wiggle my fingers. “Give it here. We’ll be here all night at this rate.”

“I’ve got it.” He finishes tying the ribbon.

I snort out a laugh. “What is that supposed to be?”

“It’s a ribbon tied on the smallest bottle in existence.”

“It’s supposed to be tied in a bow.”

“Now you’re messing with me. There’s no way anyone can tie a bow with this tiny piece of ribbon. It’s impossible.”

“Give it here.”

He hands me the bottle. I untie the ribbon and re-tie it into a bow. “See? It’s cute and romantic now.”

“If you’re a sea sprite.”

“I love sea sprites. Mischievous and fairy-like? Life-sustaining but also treacherous and unpredictable?” I sigh. “I want to be a sea sprite.”

He smiles and the dimple on his left cheek appears. The things I would do to see that dimple.

“Okay, sprite. How about I fill the bottles with sand and your tiny sprite fingers tie the ribbons?”

I bristle. “My fingers aren’t tiny.”

“Why do short people always get offended when you call them tiny?”

I gasp. “I’m not short. I’m average.”

He snorts. “For a sea sprite.”

I giggle. I did say I wanted to be a sea sprite.

We work as fast as possible to get the bottles ready for the party. I’ll never admit it out loud, but it’s comfortable. Nolan is sweet.

But is he being sweet for me? Or because I’m carrying his baby?

Until I know for sure, I need to keep my heart encased in steel. Because this man has the power to break my heart with a wink and a smile.

Chapter 15

Nothing ruins flirting faster than accidental blunt force trauma.

Nolan

I scan the beach until I find her. Terri’s studying the area where she’s setting up an afternoon beach wedding.

It’s amazing how she creates these unique events for her clients. How she always remains professional. Personally, if a bride told me she wanted to change the signature cocktail hours before the wedding, I’d tell her to shove a nose guard up her ass.

But not Terri. She gets it done. She’s amazing. And she thinks I only want her because of the baby. She has no idea how beautiful she is. How her laughter fills me with warmth.

I don’t want to interfere with her event. She doesn’t want people to know she’s pregnant and I respect her decision. But I need to get closer.

I stand from my lounger and pick up a football. Because I always have a football with me. I can’t wait to buy baby footballs. I shake those thoughts away.

“Who wants to throw around the ball?”

Tanner immediately bounces to his feet. “I’m in.”

“I thought we were relaxing,” Brock grumbles, but he’s not looking at me. I follow his gaze and – sure enough – he’s watching Jace learn how to surf. Except he’s not watching his son. He’s watching May, his son’s instructor.

Tanner kicks sand his way. “You can relax when you’re dead.”

Brock glares at him. “Kick sand at me one more time.”

“Or what?” Tanner clasps his chest. “You’re going to stare more at May?”

Brock growls as he gets to his feet. “Leave May out of this or I’ll tell everyone the truth about your situation with Alaia.”

Corbin sighs. “We already know the truth.”

“Gage,” Tanner whines. “Why aren’t you helping?”

“He’s too busy messaging with Addy to pay us any attention,” Brock says. “Gage!”

Gage’s head snaps up. “What? What’s happening?”

“You tell us. How’s Addy?” Tanner wiggles his eyebrows.

“I thought we were going to throw the ball around. It’s like herding cats around here,” I mutter.

They stand and spread out. I spin the football in my hands before firing an easy spiral toward Corbin. He’s tall and heavy and makes a nice, reliable target. Especially for a quarterback nursing a shoulder injury he doesn’t want anyone to know about.

I throw a few short passes to Tanner and Gage to loosen up my shoulder and rotate my arm. I have to adjust my grip constantly since the sand makes the ball slippery.

“Run a route,” I order Tanner and Gage once my shoulder is warm.

“My legs are sinking,” Gage complains.

Tanner snorts. “Blame the sand all you want. We both know I’m faster.”

Gage elbows him before sprinting away. “Who’s faster now?”

“You’re cheating!”

“You’re a whiner!”

I throw the ball deep. Tanner snags it one-handed. He points at imaginary cameras and bows as if he just scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl.

“Knock it off, goofball. And throw me the ball back.”

He throws it back before drawing a line in the sand. “Here’s the touchdown line.”

Gage shoves him. “We’re not keeping score.”

“Because you’re afraid to lose.”

“We’re on the same team, dipshit.”

“Not right now we’re not.” Tanner motions to me. “Throw it to me!”

I rub my shoulder before throwing the ball. Brock lumbers into the flat and snags the pass one-handed before Tanner has the chance to make another smartass comment.

“No fair!” Tanner shouts as Brock throws the ball back to me.

“Line up!” I order. “Show me you can run.”

Tanner and Gage sprint toward me while Corbin jogs and Brock trails behind them.

“Why is there so much sand? It gets everywhere,” Brock grumbles.

“Because it’s a beach, Mr. Grumpy.”

Corbin sighs. “Can you act like an adult for one day?”

Tanner chuckles. “Sounds boring.”

I ignore them and scan the beach. I should be concentrating on where I want to throw the ball, but my gaze snags on chestnut hair flying in the wind. Terri throws her head back and laughs at whatever her assistant is saying.

I want to be the one making her laugh. But I’m glad she’s feeling better. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if she lied to me about how she’s feeling. My sprite is stubborn.

I tap the ball and point to a corner of the beach. “Corner route.”

Corbin nods before breaking into a sprint. Brock rushes to protect him from Gage and Tanner, who are now acting as defense players, and crashes straight into a beach chair. The chair flies into a cooler and collapses.

“Oops.” Brock kicks the items out of his way and continues.

Corbin snags the ball from the air. Tanner tackles him and drives him backward into the sand.

“This isn’t tackle football.”

Tanner jumps to his feet. “You should have run faster.”

He holds out his hand to Corbin, who ignores him and stands on his own.

“Quarterback’s dropping his elbow,” someone says, and I peek over my shoulder. A group of old men are sitting in beach chairs with beers in their hands.

One of them salutes me. “Watch the elbow.”

I glare at him. Who does he think he is? Has he been personally coaching in the NFL for forty years? I doubt it. I’ll show him.

“Go long!” I order Tanner.

He sprints through the sand with Gage hot on his heels. Corbin isn’t far behind. Everyone thinks because he’s heavy, he’s slow. It’s an assumption many NFL teams have regretted making.

I plant my feet and wait until Tanner enters the zone. Then, I throw the ball. My shoulder protests. I rub it as I wait for Tanner to catch the ball.

But Tanner isn’t going to catch the ball. I overthrew it. Shit.

The ball is aiming straight for Terri.

“Terri!” I shout. “Duck!”

She glances over her shoulder. “What?”

“Duck!”

It’s too late. The ball nails her in the nose and she goes down.

“Told you he was dropping his elbow.” I ignore the old man.

I race across the beach – ignoring how my feet sink into the sand – as I rush to reach Terri. Panic chokes me, but I force it down.

By the time I reach her, I’m gasping for air. My teammates are already surrounding her.

“Nice shot, boss man,” Tanner jokes, and I shove him out of the way.

“Are you okay, sprite?” I ask Terri.

She lifts the napkin from her nose and blood gushes out. “Do I look okay?”

“Lean your head back and apply pressure with the napkin.”

She glares at me. “This is your fault.”

“I know. I’m sorry, sprite,” I apologize as I grab a clean napkin from one of the tables and press it against her nose. She flinches. “Sorry. Pressure will stop the bleeding.”

I place her hand over the napkin. “Keep it there.”

I bend before lifting her into my arms. She screeches. “What are you doing?”

“We’re going to the hospital.”

“It’s a bloody nose.”

“I need to make sure you’re okay.” I nod to her stomach and her eyes widen in panic.

“Do you think… But…”

“I’m not taking any chances.”

“Okay. Put me down. I can walk. And I can drive.”

“I know you can,” I agree, but I don’t put her down. I march across the beach.

Gage, Tanner, Brock, and Corbin follow me.

“What can we do?” Corbin asks.

“My purse. I need my purse.”

Her assistant hurries toward us with her purse. “Here.” She thrusts the purse at me. “I’ve got this covered. Don’t worry about a thing. My checklist is finished. Your checklist is finished. Everything is fine. And I’m rambling.”

Tanner grasps the assistant’s elbow to stop her. “I’ve got this, boss man.”

I’ve never been glad Tanner was a flirt before. He’ll calm her down.

“I’ll call the hospital. Tell them you’re on the way.” Gage digs his phone out of his shorts.

“Here!” Brock throws me a set of keys. “Use my SUV. She may want to lay down and your fancy sports car has no room.”

Shit. I hadn’t considered my car. My stupid car I bought to show off to my dad. I need to sell it. Buy something more family friendly. But first I need to make sure Terri is okay.

I hit the button to unlock the doors and place Terri in the front seat. When I reach across her for the seatbelt, she bats me away.

“I’m not an invalid. I’m only letting you do this because…” She motions to her stomach.

“Glad you’re not an invalid because I have no idea where the hospital is. You need to give me directions.”

She rolls her eyes. At least she’s no longer panicking.

I shut her door and inhale deep breaths as I rush around to the driver’s side. I need to remain calm for Terri. I’m terrified. Did I hurt the baby? Is this proof of what a crappy dad I’m going to be?

But this isn’t about me. It’s about Terri and the baby. I need to keep it together for them.

Chapter 16

It’s hard to believe in forever when you’ve watched people fall apart.

Terri

I chew on my lip as Nolan drives toward the hospital. It’s a good thing it isn’t far because his driving is beyond erratic. First, speeding up. Then, swearing like a naughty pirate and slowing down. If I was feeling nauseous today, I’d have thrown up all over the car.

We arrive at the hospital and Nolan parks in front of the emergency room.

“You can’t park here.”

“And yet I did.” He jumps out and hurries around to open my door.

“I’m serious, Nolan. You can’t block the ambulance.”

A nurse rushes out with a wheelchair. Nolan lifts me out of my seat and places me in the wheelchair.

“I don’t need a wheelchair, and you need to move the SUV.”

He kisses my hair. “Please calm down. It’s not good for the baby.”

He’s right. I need to be calm. I blow out a breath. “I’m trying.”

He throws the keys to a security guard. “Can you move this out of the way?”

The security guard stares at him. “Shit. Are you Nolan Allen?”

“I’ll sign whatever you want and get you a jersey, if you’ll move the SUV.”

The guard rushes to the vehicle. “Thanks, man.”

“There. All handled.” Nolan wheels me inside.

We don’t make it to the check-in desk before Dr. Allens comes rushing toward us. “What happened?”

“Some quarterback thought it’d be fun to nail me in the nose.” I lift the napkin from my face to show her the damage.

The doctor motions for us to follow her. I wait until we’re behind closed doors to speak.

“I don’t care about my nose. I want to check on the baby.”

Her eyes widen, and she nods toward Nolan. “The baby?”

“He knows. He’s the daddy.”

Nolan offers her his hand. “Nice to meet you, doc.”

Her mouth drops open. “Nolan Allen is the father of your baby?”

“Would everyone stop gawking at Mr. Quarterback and help me?” I screech.

Dr. Allens clears her throat. “Of course.” She pats the bed. “Hop on up and I’ll have a look.”

I don’t get a chance to stand before Nolan is there, picking me up and carrying me to the bed.

“I thought we agreed I’m not an invalid,” I protest despite enjoying the way his arms feel around me.

He kisses my forehead. “And I explained I’m going to take care of you no matter how much you bitch.”

Dr. Allens sighs and I glare at her. She raises her palms in the air. “Sorry, but you have to admit the big strapping football player carrying you around is adorable.”

“I admit to nothing.”

Nolan chuckles. “My stubborn little sprite.”

“Ah, he calls you sprite. It’s adorable.”

I snarl at her. “I’m blaming you if the entire town is wagging their tongues about my pregnancy before sundown.”

She bristles. “I’m a professional.”

“Can you check her over?” Nolan asks.

“Most certainly.” She removes the napkin from my face. “The bleeding has stopped.” She examines the area. “Your nose doesn’t appear broken.”

“I’m not worried about my nose. I’m worried about…” I motion to my belly.

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

“It’s my fault.” Nolan’s cheeks darken. “I was showing off and I overthrew the ball. Tanner couldn’t catch it in time. Instead, I hit Terri in the nose.”

“I’m going to check for signs of concussion.” She motions to Nolan, who’s now pacing the room, which is not big enough to pace. He walks two steps before he hits the wall and has to turn around. “Do you want him to stay?”

Nolan growls. “I’m not leaving.”

I could fight him but I want him here. Despite how his fear and worry are stealing the air from the room, his presence brings me comfort. Because he’s right. I’m always caring for everyone else. It’s nice to be the one cared for, for a change.

“It’s okay.”

The doctor shines a small light into my eyes. “Any dizziness?”

“Only from the quarterback hyperventilating in the corner.”

Nolan stops pacing long enough to glare at me. “This is no time to joke.”

Dr. Allens continues. “What day is today?”

“Saturday.”

“Good. Who hit you with the football?”

I point at Nolan. “The oversized quarterback.”

The doctor chuckles. “You don’t appear concussed. I don’t think imaging is necessary. But just in case, you should rest, avoid alcohol, and have someone stay with you for the next few hours.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Nolan says.

“I can sleep at my dad’s tonight.”

“Not happening.” He focuses his attention on the doctor. “Could this have harmed the baby? Is there any way to check?”

Dr. Allens’ gaze sharpens on me. “Did you fall after being hit?”

“I lost my balance.”

“Did you lose consciousness?”

“No.”

“Did you hit your abdomen at all?”

“No.”

“Any cramping?”

“No.”

“Have you had any dizziness or fainting?”

“No.”

“What about a headache?”

I shake my head.

“Is the nausea worse than before?”

“I usually only feel nauseous in the morning now.”

She pats my hand. “A football to the nose isn’t going to hurt the baby.”

“But my history.”

Her eyes are full of sympathy. “A family history of miscarriage doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have complications. And without knowing the circumstances, there’s no reason to assume the same thing will happen to you.”

Nolan rushes to me. He grasps my hands. “Have you lost a child before, sprite? Why didn’t you tell me?”

The doctor clears her throat. “I’ll let you two discuss things. I’ll send in a nurse to clean up your face in a few minutes.”

The door closes behind the doctor and silence falls.

“Terri, sweetheart, please tell me. My mind is going crazy imagining all kinds of horrible things.”

I don’t want to tell him. I don’t want to admit my darkest, scariest fears. But his blue eyes are full of worry. It’s not fair to keep him in the dark.

“I’ve never been pregnant before.”

His brow wrinkles. “But the miscarriages?”

“My mom had a miscarriage when I was ten.” Memories of my mom flash through my mind. Her excitement when she was pregnant. Her absolute conviction the baby’s father would love her forever. Her joy at giving me a younger sibling.

I wish I could enjoy those memories but I can’t. Not with what came afterwards.

Nolan grabs a chair and drags it over to the bed to sit next to me.

“I’m sorry your mom had a miscarriage. It must have been hard for her.”

“You have no idea.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’d like to have an idea. If you’re willing to share with me.”

I drop my gaze to contemplate my hands in my lap. I don’t want to discuss this. I don’t want to go back there.

But he has a right to know. A right to know why this pregnancy is terrifying to me. A right to know why this baby might never be born.

My breath hitches. Our baby never born? I can’t contemplate it. I want this baby.

I want this baby. It’s the first time I’ve admitted to myself how much I want to bring this child to life. Despite how scary carrying this baby is. I want my little mermaid.

Nolan squeezes my hand. “Sweetheart, you’re scaring me.”

“After Mom lost the baby, her boyfriend disappeared and Mom…” Tears well in my eyes. “She kind of disappeared, too. She refused to get out of bed. She stopped eating. Stopping taking care of herself. And then…”

He wipes the tears from my face. “You don’t have to tell me. I don’t need to know. This is too much for you. We’ll discuss it another time.”

I shackle his wrist and raise my gaze to meet his. Those blue eyes I’m slowly becoming obsessed with give me the courage to finish.

“I came home from school one day and I couldn’t wake her. She’d … ah… swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills.”

“Oh sweetheart,” he mutters before gathering me into his arms. He climbs onto the bed and I cuddle into him. He soothes a hand down my back as I let all the fear and anguish from my past consume me.

Chapter 17

I should not be mentally renovating her house already.

Nolan

My emotions are a whirlwind as I drive to Terri’s house. Luckily, she’s passed out from crying in the passenger seat and I can try to handle everything she confessed to me in private.

Because I don’t think she would appreciate witnessing my anger. And I am angry. Actually, angry is too tame a word for how I’m feeling. I’m fucking furious. How dare her mom leave her? I understand she was devastated to lose her baby and her boyfriend, but that’s no excuse to leave her daughter alone.

I would never abandon my child. I know the pain it causes to be left behind. To be forgotten. To force yourself to learn how to live without a parent because he’s never there. Because all he cares about is football.

Terri stirs. “Where are we?”

I stuff all my anger toward her mom down in the hole where the anger for my father lives. I need to be there for Terri. She lost her mom, and she’s terrified she’ll lose the baby because of her mom’s history. I will not leave her alone to spiral with those thoughts.

I squeeze her thigh. “Nearly at your house.”

“I must have passed out.”

“You need rest.”

She snorts. “Don’t I know it. I can’t seem to get enough sleep lately.”

“The doc confirmed it’s normal to be tired during this stage of pregnancy.”

Her face darkens. “Doctor Allens must think I’m a basket case.”

I scowl. “Why? Because you suffered trauma in your youth? You’re not a basket case. You’re a human being with emotions and a past.”

She sighs. “You’re not supposed to be sweet.”

I glance over at her. “I’m not? Am I supposed to be an asshole?”

She shrugs.

“Not all football players are assholes.”

“I know.” She fiddles with the hem of her blouse. “But you have to admit this situation would be easier if you weren’t a football player.”

My shoulder twinges to remind me I might not be a football player for long.

“Are you worried about your job? About what Hudson will say?”

She groans and drops her chin to her chest. “After the way you carried me off the beach, I’m surprised he hasn’t called already.”

“I’ll handle Hudson.” No way is she losing her job because of her relationship with me or this baby. I won’t allow it.

“It’s not your responsibility.”

“Is this baby mine?”

“You know it is.”

“Then, it’s partially my responsibility.”

“I’m surprised you’re not banging your chest. Baby mine. I’ll take care of it.”

I chuckle at her imitation of my voice. She laughs as well and the tightness around my chest loosens. Her face is still pale, but at least her eyes no longer appear panic-stricken.

I understand a lot more about her reaction to the pregnancy since she confessed her family history. But I’m confused as well. She mentioned a dad and siblings before. Where do they fit into the story?

We arrive at her house before I have a chance to ask. I park in the driveway and dash around to open her door.

I can imagine opening the door to get our baby out of her car seat. And carrying her into the house. I wouldn’t mind living in this bungalow. It has a large backyard with a view of the ocean. It’s small, but there’s plenty of room to expand.

We could be a family. The family I always wanted but didn’t get growing up.

I open Terri’s door and lift her into my arms. My shoulder protests to remind me I might be more of my father than I thought I was. Fighting through injury to continue playing and win the Super Bowl.

But I can’t give up now. Not when the team is so close to winning it all.

“You don’t have to carry me everywhere,” Terri protests, but she wraps her arms around my neck and cuddles into me.

“You have two black eyes and a bloody nose because of me.”

She groans. “Two black eyes?”

I kiss her nose. “You’re still beautiful, sprite.”

“And here I thought Tanner was the slick one.”

“It’s not slick when it’s the truth.”

We reach her door and I unlock it. “Where did you get my keys?”

“They were in your purse.”

“I should yell at you, but I’m emotionally worn out. I’ll pencil in some time to yell at you tomorrow.”

“Go ahead. Yell at me all you want. It won’t change a thing. You’re mine to take care of.”

“Because I’m growing your little mermaid.”

I kiss her forehead. “Because you’re my sprite.”

She rolls her eyes. She doesn’t believe me. She thinks I’m only interested in her because she’s having my baby. She doesn’t realize how appealing she is to me.

“Where do you want to rest? On the couch or in bed?”

“What am I? A senior citizen? It’s still light out.”

“Couch it is.” I set her down on the couch and grab the throw blanket to cover her before making my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“Here.” I hand her the water. “Do you have a preference for dinner?”

She blinks up at me. “Dinner?”

“Yes. The meal usually eaten in the evening.”

“But you’re not staying.”

I growl. “Of course, I’m staying. The doctor said you need to monitor symptoms and someone should stay with you for a few hours.”

“I’ll be fine on my own.”

“You have two choices. I stay here, or I drive you to your dad’s house.” I cross my arms over my chest.

She gasps. “Dad doesn’t know I’m pregnant.”

“He’s going to find out eventually.”

“He’ll worry.”

I drop my arms and sit on the coffee table in front of her. “Of course, he will after he lost his wife.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Lost his wife? What do you… Oh. You don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“Dad isn’t my biological dad. He’s my foster dad. After Mom…” She swallows. I hate how her mom’s death still hurts her. “I was tossed around in foster homes until Dad took me in. He adopted me.”

“He must be a wonderful man.”

“Or a glutton for punishment, considering he adopted four of us.”

“I remember. You have two brothers and a sister.”

She groans. “Scott and Ricky are going to lose it when they find out I’m pregnant after a one-night stand.”

I growl. “I’m more than a one-night stand.”

I want to be a family. I want to live in this cute little cottage on the water.

She yawns and her jaw cracks. Shit. I’m an asshole. She’s hurt and tired, and I’m harassing her.

“I think it’s time for bed.”

She protests but I ignore her and lift her into my arms. “Which room is yours?” I ask once I’m in the hallway.

“Second door on the left.”

I smile when I notice the décor of the bedroom is nautical themed.

“I’m surprised there aren’t mermaids and pirates in here,” I say as I lay her on the bed.

She giggles. “Maybe you haven’t found them.”

I start to walk away but she captures my wrist. “Stay with me? Just for a little while.”

As if I’d ever say no to that offer. I kick off my shoes before climbing into bed with her. She cuddles into my side. I nearly sigh at the feel of her against me. She fits me perfectly. Because this is where she belongs.

“Does it bother you that your baby will grow up here in this house?”

“Why would it bother me?”

“You’re rich, and I’m …” She trails off with a shrug.

I pinch her chin. “I don’t give a shit how much money you have.”

Her cheeks darken. “It’s not only the money. I don’t know anything about my biological family. What if our baby…” She gulps.

I palm her cheek. “Sweetheart, I will love this baby no matter what because she’s ours.”

“No matter what?”

“No matter what.”

She doesn’t appear convinced. She’s worrying her bottom lip and her hazel eyes are filled with doubt. I can’t allow her to doubt me. To doubt us.

I lower my head. I move slowly to give her a chance to protest. Her breath hitches instead. Yes.

I meld my mouth to hers. She sighs and I swoop my tongue inside. I groan as her taste hits me. This is it. The taste I’ve been missing. I never knew strawberries could be addicting before.

I thread my hands through her hair and tug until she tilts her head to allow me to dive deeper. To explore every inch of her mouth. To taste every inch.

Her hands fist my t-shirt and my cock twitches. It wants in on the action.

But we can’t. She’s injured. And I won’t take her again until she realizes I want more than a round in the hay. I want more than a quickie in the closet.

I want the promise of a family.

Chapter 18

I’m beginning to understand why women fall for quarterbacks.

Terri

I roll over and reach for Nolan but the bed is cold. Did he leave? What the pirate? How dare he—

My stomach gurgles and I fly out of bed to the attached bathroom. I barely make it in time to empty my stomach.

“Shhh…I’ve got you.”

Nolan pulls my hair back and rubs circles into my lower back until I’m done heaving. I lay my forehead on the toilet seat.

“You done?”

“I think so.”

He hands me a glass of water. I rinse my mouth before handing it back. He helps me to stand and leads me into the bedroom.

“I thought the anti-nausea medication was helping.”

“It is. Trust me, it is. It was much worse before.”

He brushes the hair from my forehead. “I’m sorry. Do you think you can eat?”

My nose wrinkles. “Maybe.”

“I can bring it in here.”

“I’ll come into the kitchen.”

He places a hand on my lower back and ushers me to the kitchen. I frown when I notice the blankets on the couch.

“Did you sleep out here?”

His cheeks darken. “We hadn’t discussed sleeping in the same bed. I didn’t want to step over any of your boundaries.”

I blink up at him. He was worried about my boundaries? “Thank you.”

He kisses my nose. “Whatever you need.” He holds out a chair for me. “Now, what do you want for breakfast? I was planning on making eggs and bacon.”

I groan. “No eggs.”

“I thought not. Can you manage pancakes or do you want some dry toast?”

“Dry toast and a coffee, please.”

He frowns. “Caffeine’s bad for the baby.”

“Which is why there’s only decaf in the house.”

He grunts. “No wonder I’m sleepy after drinking a cup.”

“I’ll buy some normal coffee.”

He grins. “For the next time I sleep over.”

Butterflies explode in my stomach. I want Nolan to stay over. I want to sleep in his arms. But he’s not here for me. He’s here for the baby. Except the way he kissed me didn’t say ‘convenient mother of my child’. He kissed me as if I’m precious. As if I matter.

It’s too early for these thoughts. I wave away his comment. “For the next time you stop by.”

He whistles as he makes me some dry toast and a coffee. I frown when he sits down across from me with the same breakfast.

“You have to eat more than dry toast.”

“I’m not eating eggs and bacon when you can’t stand the smell of eggs.”

“You could make bacon or pancakes or at least put some peanut butter on your toast. I’ve recently discovered athletes are addicted to peanut butter.”

“We’ll eat a nice brunch later. Once you’re feeling better.”

“Later? I can’t. It’s Sunday. I visit my dad on Sundays.”

“Wonderful. I can’t wait to meet him.”

I scowl. “I didn’t invite you.”

“There’s no reason to delay. I’m going to meet him eventually. I am the father of your baby.”

I groan. “You can’t tell him I’m pregnant. He doesn’t know yet.”

He raises a brow. “Really? After you visited the hospital yesterday? He won’t find out?”

I drop my forehead to the table. “He’s going to know. And I didn’t tell him.”

Nolan reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “He knows you’re an adult. He knows you have sex. Everything will be fine.”

I lift my head to glare at him. “Easy for you to say. You won’t have to suffer his disappointment in you.”

He sighs. “I know a bit about disappointing a parent.”

My brow wrinkles. “You do? You’re the perfect son. You have this great career. You make tons of money. The Seals are favored to reach the Super Bowl this season. How have you ever disappointed your parents?”

His blue eyes cloud with pain as he drums his fingers on the table. I want to tell him it’s okay. He doesn’t have to tell me about his past. But he’s the one pressuring me to allow him to meet my dad. He’s the one who wouldn’t let me go to the hospital alone.

I’m not backing down. He can tell me if he’s uncomfortable revealing the story. I’m not giving him an out.

“Do you know who my dad is?” he asks after several long moments.

I blink. “Your dad? Why would I know your dad?”

“Please don’t let him hear you say that. He’ll lose his mind.”

“Okay. I’ll pretend I know who he is when I meet him.”

“If you meet him.”

“Are you serious?” I shout. “You insist on meeting my dad, but your dad is off limits? What the pirate?”

He holds up his hands. “Don’t get upset, sprite. Think of the baby.”

My nostrils flare. “Think of your balls and whether you want to keep them.”

He grimaces. “Sorry, let me explain. My dad isn’t a good guy. He was a crap dad. I don’t know if I want to expose our little mermaid to him.”

I gulp and force myself to ask the hard question. “Did your dad abuse you?”

“Nothing that bad. Dad was a football player. He was never around when I was a kid. Even when his team played at home, he wasn’t there. He had an apartment near the stadium and he stayed there during the season.”

I rear back. “What the hell? Did you live in another city?”

“Nope. We lived in the same city, but Dad was afraid he’d lose focus if he spent time with us during the season.”

“That’s messed up. But you saw him off-season?”

“Hardly. He was always off doing whatever the hell he was doing. Mostly working out eight hours a day. He never helped Mom with the house or us kids. The only thing he did was give her money and knock her up.”

I squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Your poor mother. It must have been difficult for her.”

“It was.” He meets my gaze. “You need to know I’m not my father. I won’t always be around for our little mermaid because of my job. But I won’t abandon you. I won’t force you to raise our baby all by yourself. I’ll be here in the off-season and as often as I can during the season. I’ll be here.”

“I believe you’ll do the best you can.”

But I don’t know if the best he can is good enough. I want my child to have everything I didn’t have. A mother who isn’t checked out. And a father who’s present. Is it so much to ask?

“Good. Now my mother, on the other hand, is going to be ecstatic to have a grandchild.”

“Is it her first?”

“Yep. Ruth is too young for children, and my brothers are too busy being idiots to settle down.”

“Our little mermaid is going to have a ton of aunts and uncles.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s more than okay. It’s awesome. I didn’t have any family but Mom growing up. Sometimes I wonder…” I swallow the lump in my throat and shrug. “Maybe things would have been different if Mom had family around to support her.”

“Do you know anything about her family?”

“Nothing. Mom wouldn’t talk about them. Trust me. I asked. And asked. Until she yelled at me to never ask again.”

“Do you want to know more? We could probably find out. Do one of those DNA tests or hire a private investigator.”

“I have a family. Dad and my siblings. I’m good.”

“Okay. But if you ever change your mind, let me know. I’ll make it happen.”

“You don’t have to do everything for me. I am an adult who can handle her own life.”

“I know. But I want to help. I don’t want you to carry all your burdens alone. I know how heavy that got for my mom.”

Because she was alone. I point at him. “You just said you wouldn’t be your father.”

I hope to hell he didn’t lie because if he did, he can walk right out of this house and never come back again.

His gaze meets mine. His blue eyes are full of honesty and sincerity. “And I meant it.”

“Good.” I choose to believe him. For now. He’s leaving in a month anyway. While he’s gone, I’ll discover the truth based on how he acts.

I push away from the table and stand. “I need to shower and get dressed.” I study him. He’s still wearing his t-shirt and shorts from the beach yesterday. “Do you have any other clothes?”

“Brock brought me a bag of stuff last night.”

“He did? I didn’t hear him.”

“You were out of it. I tried waking you to ensure you didn’t have a concussion. You told me to take my pirate ship back to where it came from. I was not entering the mermaid domain.”

I cringe. “Whatever. There’s a shower in the hall bathroom. We leave in an hour.”

I hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life by inviting Nolan to meet Dad. I place a hand on my still flat stomach.

Don’t worry, little mermaid. No one will blame you. You will be loved and protected.

Chapter 19

Terri doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve met my future father-in-law.

Nolan

I sit in the living room and play on my phone while Terri finishes getting ready. Knowing women, she’ll need a while.

“Let’s go.”

I stand, turn toward her, and freeze. She’s wearing a sleeveless summer dress that hugs her breasts and falls to her knees. She’s gorgeous and sexy. And she’s carrying my baby.

Protective feelings slam into me. I want to take care of her. I want to ensure she’s never alone again. I want to fight her battles for her.

“You’re gorgeous.”

She rolls her eyes. “I have two black eyes, and my nose is swollen.”

“Your nose is barely swollen, and I can’t see the black eyes.”

“Good. I don’t want Dad freaking out because I was injured.”

“Were you injured a lot as a kid?” I ask as I escort her out of the house to Brock’s SUV. Thank goodness for teammates. There’s no way Terri would be comfortable in my sports car. It’s low to the ground, and the seats are narrow.

“Not really,” Terri answers as I help her into her seat. “But Scott and Ricky…” She shakes her head. “Those two were always getting into fights.”

I kiss her nose before shutting the door and running around to the driver’s seat.

“Listen,” she begins as we drive toward her dad’s house. “We need to set a few things straight before we get there.”

My brow wrinkles. “What things?”

“I don’t want Dad to get the wrong impression.”

“The wrong impression?”

She motions between us. “About us.”

“About us? We’re having a baby together.”

“And that’s it. We’re not a couple.”

Pain hits me with the force of a defensive tackle. I want to be a couple. I want Terri. I thought she was softening toward me.

I glance over at her. She’s fiddling with the hem of her dress and refuses to meet my gaze. She’s uncomfortable. I’d love to dig into why. But we’re nearly at her dad’s house. It’ll have to wait.

“Okay,” I say even though I don’t agree. I want to be half of a couple with Terri. I want to be a team. I want more than to be her baby’s father. But she’s not ready to hear those words. Not yet.

Her shoulders drop as she relaxes. I made the right choice. I don’t like it. But for now, it’s best.

Terri points to a house. “It’s this one.”

I park in the driveway and frown up at it. “Is there a seal lounging in front of the porch steps?”

She scowls. “There is.”

She hurries out and I chase after her. “Wait! It’s a wild animal. You’re pregnant.”

“Don’t worry. It’s only Sammy.”

“Sammy?” I ask as I capture her wrist and pull her to me. “I don’t care what his name is. You’re not going near a wild animal.”

A man steps out on the porch. This must be her dad. “Sammy. You promised to be gone by the time Terri arrived.”

The seal honks.

“Dad!” Terri shouts. “You need to stop feeding him!”

The seal grunts.

She shakes her finger at him. “I wasn’t speaking to you, Sammy.”

He covers his eyes with his flipper.

She sighs. “I’m not mad at you. But I need to be able to use the stairs when I visit my dad.”

He grunts again.

She purses her lips. “Do you want me to call the dog catcher?”

He growls before galumphing away. I pull Terri behind me as he passes. She rolls her eyes. “Sammy won’t hurt me. Dad would stop feeding him if he did.”

Sammy grunts before finding a spot of sun in the yard and making himself comfortable.

Terri nudges past me and climbs the stairs to her dad. He wraps his arms around her and hugs her up tight.

My heart squeezes. How would it feel to have a dad who hugs you? Who’s happy to see you? For more than bragging about how his son is going to be a Super Bowl champion?

I force those thoughts away. Dwelling on Dad’s actions doesn’t change them.

“How are you doing?” her dad asks, and his gaze dips to her stomach.

She sighs. “You know.”

“I know. And I know this man is the baby’s father.” He frowns at me.

I climb the stairs and hold out my hand. “Nolan. Nice to meet you, sir.”

“I know who you are.” He stares at my hand for a long minute. “Charlie,” he finally says before shaking my hand.

Terri glances back and forth between us. “You’re not going to do that thing where you test my dates, are you?”

Charlie grins. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “You asked my date to the senior prom if he had protection ‘just in case’. When he admitted he had a condom, you bitched him out for making assumptions about his daughter.”

He chuckles. “Little squirt nearly peed his pants.”

“He didn’t pee his pants, but he did dump me at prom and go to the after-party with another girl.”

He scowls. “He didn’t deserve you.”

She throws her arms in the air. “He was seventeen. A kid.”

He narrows his eyes on me. “This one’s not a kid, and he didn’t use protection.”

I clear my throat. “Actually, we did.”

Terri’s face darkens until it’s bright red. “Nolan,” she hisses.

“What?” I shrug. “I’m not lying to your dad. He’s going to be the little mermaid’s grandpa. I’m not starting our relationship out on a lie.”

Charlie grins. “Little mermaid. It’s a girl?”

“We don’t know yet. It’s too early to tell.”

He wraps an arm around her. “Let’s discuss this inside.”

He leads her into the house and I follow. He helps her to settle on the sofa before sitting on a chair across from her. I don’t hesitate. I claim a spot next to Terri.

“How are you doing with all of this, kiddo?”

“I’m fine.”

I press my leg against hers. “Don’t lie to your dad.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Don’t be a tattletale.”

“It’s your dad. He loves you. He’s trying to help. Be honest with him.”

“I hate it when you’re reasonable.”

“I like him,” Charlie declares. “I was prepared to hate him on your behalf. Despite his ability to drop a football into someone’s hands from half a field away. But anyone who supports one of my kiddos is okay in my books.”

I grin. Terri’s dad likes me. I bet I can get him on my side. To help me make Terri realize we’d be a good couple, a good family.

“I am okay.” She pauses. “Now.”

I decide to fill her dad in since getting Terri to admit her fears is more difficult than getting Tanner to shut up.

“She was worried, but the doctor reassured her yesterday.”

Charlie’s eyes narrow on me. “When you were at the hospital because you nailed her with a football.”

I feel my cheeks warm but I speak anyway. “It was an accident. I was showing off for some locals and overthrew.” I grasp Terri’s hand and meet her gaze. “It won’t happen again.”

She snorts. “Of course, it won’t. I don’t plan to be anywhere near you and a football ever again.”

I frown. My life is football. And she doesn’t want to be near me and a football again? Will she not support me at the Super Bowl? Will she not be in the stands cheering me on?

It’s the fear talking. I’ll convince her to change her mind.

I clear my throat. “Anyway, Dr. Allens said her mom having a miscarriage doesn’t automatically mean she’ll have complications. There’s no reason to assume the worst.”

Charlie stares at Terri. “Which is what I’ve been trying to tell her for years.”

She sighs. “I’m trying to be positive and believe it.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and kiss her forehead. “That’s all I ask for.”

“It sounds as if Nolan has things covered.”

“Dad,” Terri whines. “We’re not a couple.”

“Sure, you aren’t.” He winks.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Terri spits daggers out of her eyes at me. “Don’t make things worse.”

“How am I making things worse?”

“Is this how it’s going to be? You and Dad are going to gang up on me from now on? It’ll be high school all over again when Dad, Scott, and Ricky ganged up on me and Olivia. Except Olivia isn’t here.”

“We didn’t gang up on you.”

She lifts her eyebrow. “You didn’t ask Scott and Ricky to distract me while you nailed my bedroom window shut?”

Charlie shrugs. “You shouldn’t have been sneaking out.”

“Scott and Ricky snuck out all the time. You didn’t nail their windows shut.”

“Because they would have broken the glass and snuck out anyway.” He wags a finger at her. “And don’t think I don’t know about you sneaking out the front door while Olivia distracted me.”

“I did what I had to do,” she mutters.

I laugh. “You had your hands full with the four of them.”

He grins. “And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

This is how it should be. This is how a dad should act. Instead of worrying I’m going to repeat my dad’s mistakes, I should use Charlie as my role model.

I glance over at Terri. She’s kind and sweet and stubborn. He obviously did a great job raising her after her mother died. It’s settled. Charlie is my new role model.

Chapter 20

Watching Nolan with children should qualify as emotional warfare.

Terri

I study the Welcome to Mermaid & Pirates Kids Day sign.

“Bring up the right side a little bit,” I holler to Jade.

Her son, Adrian, grins. “I told you your side was too low.”

“Make fun of my sign hanging skills one more time and you’ll spend the rest of the summer mowing the lawn for all of our neighbors.”

Adrian smirks. “Dad won’t let you punish me.”

Jade’s eyes widen, and her gaze darts around the area. I wave a hand. “It’s okay, Jade. We’re the only people here.”

Besides, everyone on Smuggler’s Hideaway already knows Coach Knox is Adrian’s dad, I think, but know better than to say. Jade isn’t ready for the world to know. There’s a story there. But since I refuse to share my own story – I place a hand on my stomach – I’m not asking any questions.

They climb down the ladders. While Adrian carries them away, Jade comes to stand next to me.

“Thanks for helping to organize the Mermaids & Pirates Kids Day.”

“I’m happy to help out.”

She sighs. “I don’t know how you do it. I organize one event a year, and I am losing my mind.”

I shrug. “I love it when it all comes together.”

She snorts. “Even when the bridezilla requests to change the flowers an hour before the ceremony?”

“Even when.”

“I’d throat punch a girl.”

I giggle. “Hudson frowns upon throat punching. I don’t know how you show a house to someone ten times and they still can’t make up their mind.”

Jade’s a real estate agent. She’s the agent to use on Smuggler’s Hideaway if you want the best house.

She bats her eyelashes at me. “Do you mind going over my to-do list with me?”

I laugh. “Give me the clipboard.”

She slaps it in my hands. “The pirate obstacle course is all set. As are the mermaid tale races and the treasure hunt. I saw the face painter arrive. We need to check the walk the plank game is set up.”

I frown at the next item. “This is new. Pirate Quarterback Challenge.”

“I figured since we have some sexy football players here, we might as well take advantage of them. I had to start charging moms to attend since everyone wanted to attend today all of a sudden.”

I roll my eyes. Typical. “But what about the quarterback? Is Knox helping out?”

“Nope,” Nolan says as he strolls toward me. “I’m your pirate quarterback for the day.”

My brow wrinkles. “You didn’t tell me you were helping out today.”

“I’ll be…” Jade waves her arm vaguely before sneaking away.

“I wanted to surprise you. Good morning, sprite.” He bends down to kiss my cheek. The simple brush of his lips against my skin has my nerve endings sitting up and taking notice.

“How are you feeling?” he whispers. “How’s our little mermaid?”

I place a hand on my stomach. “I’m okay.”

“I’m prepared either way.” He pats his bag. It’s one of those big beach bags mothers carry.

“Your bag is big enough to catch a mermaid. What did you bring?”

He opens it up to show me. “I’ve got bottles of water and protein bars in case you get hungry or thirsty.”

I point to the refreshment stand. “We have food and drinks.”

“It’s a moonshine-themed root beer stand.” His eyes narrow. “You can’t have moonshine.”

“They have other stuff.”

“I bet they don’t have ginger ale and crackers in case you’re feeling nauseous.”

I melt. He’s been worried about me being sick since day one. He pulled my hair back while I threw up. And he bought me cases of ginger ale and crackers.

“And I also have a mini fan and a hat for the heat. Sunscreen since you burn easy. Cooling towels, electrolyte packets, a folding chair because you’re not standing all day, a blanket in case you get cold later, a portable phone charger, an umbrella for shade—”

I hold up a hand to stop him. “How long are you planning to stay at this event? Until winter arrives?”

He shrugs and the tips of his ears darken. “I want you to be comfortable. It’s hot, and you’re pregnant.”

“Let me look.”

He opens the bag and I notice bands around his wrist. I point to them. “What are those?”

“Extra hair ties. Women are always losing them.”

He brought extra hair ties for me? What else did he bring? I glance inside the bag. “Is this kinesiology tape?”

“Yep. The internet said it helps with lower back pain.”

My eyes widen. “You researched pregnancy back pain?”

“Maybe.”

“I… thank you.”

He smiles and his dimple pops out. I hope our child has his dimple. And his blue eyes. I place a hand over my stomach.

Nolan steps closer. His gaze dips to my stomach. “Are you feeling okay? I have ginger candies or saltine crackers. What flavor do you prefer?”

He starts digging in the bag but I stop him. “I’m okay. But I’ll take a hair tie, some lip balm, and the bug spray.”

“I knew the bug spray would come in handy.”

I wag a finger at him. “Don’t get smug or I’ll tell the kids to aim the footballs at your face. I know how much a football to the nose hurts.”

Pain lights up his eyes. “I’m sorry I hit you. I’ll never forgive myself for nailing you in the face when you’re pregnant.”

“But you’re okay with nailing me in the face when I’m not?” I tease because I can’t stand the guilt painting his face. I can tell him it was an accident until I’m blue in the face, but he’s not hearing me.

He grunts. “Not funny.”

“Come on. We need to get the pirate quarterback challenge set up.”

He grabs my hand and we walk together across the field. I should pull my hand away. We’re not a couple. But I can’t. I love the feel of his hand in mine. His callouses that prove he works hard for a living. His warmth.

“What’s my job?”

“You’re going to coach the kids in how to toss a football through a hanging barrel or knock over a pirate ship or hit a treasure chest with a pass.”

He scans the set-up. “This is fun. The kids are going to love this.”

My heart warms at his enthusiasm. He came for me, but he’s staying for the kids. Does this mean he’s going to be a good dad? My hand strays to my stomach.

He drops his bag and removes a chair from his back.

“You were carrying a chair on your back?”

He unfolds it and sets it on the ground. He adds a beach umbrella. “There. You’re all set to watch and stay cool.”

“I’m supposed to be helping.”

“I asked Jade. She said you’re only helping set up.”

I lift an eyebrow. “You asked Jade?”

He shrugs. “I was worried about you running around in the sun in your condition.”

I want to yell at him for being controlling but I can’t. He’s taking care of me the only way he knows how. How can I be mad at him for caring? I can’t. Not when I’m beginning to suspect I care about the quarterback way more than I intended to.

Jade hurries over. “The first kids are arriving. Are you ready?”

Nolan salutes her. “Ready, captain!”

“Have fun!” she yells as she scurries away.

Nolan spins a football absentmindedly while we wait for the first group of kids to arrive. It isn’t long before he’s swarmed by adorable little boys and girls.

He smiles down at them. “Who’s ready to learn how to throw a football?”

They cheer.

He holds up a football. “This isn’t soccer. We grip the football near the top, fingers across the laces. Got it?”

He hands out footballs. “Don’t strangle it. The football’s not trying to escape.”

A little girl giggles and he rubs a hand over her hair.

“Let’s try a few throws before tossing the football through the hanging pirate barrel.”

The kids don’t wait. They throw their footballs. Although, throw is a big word considering most of the balls don’t make it further than their feet.

Nolan kneels in front of a boy who’s glaring down at the football. “Let’s try it again.” He picks up the football and hands it to the boy. He lifts the boy’s elbow. “This way. Pretend you’re throwing over a pirate ship, not into the sand.”

A woman sighs behind me. “He can throw me into the sand any time.”

My stomach dips, and my hands clench the armrests. How dare she? Nolan isn’t hers. But he isn’t mine either. I have no right to be jealous.

I glance up at Nolan from underneath my lashes. He winks at me and his blue eyes sparkle. I nearly sigh. Maybe I want him to be mine. Maybe I’m pushing him away because I’m afraid he’ll leave me if I don’t.

“Who’s ready to toss their football through a hanging pirate barrel?”

Everyone cheers. Including the women gathered behind me watching.

“We’re going to step into the throw.” He mimics throwing the ball. “Step forward and let the power come from your hips and legs. Your arm follows your feet.”

He throws the ball and it sails through the barrel.

“I’m loving his aim,” another mother mutters behind me. I tighten my hold on the chair before I stand up and tell her to back off; he’s my man!

Not my man, I remind myself. He’s this little mermaid’s father. Nothing more.

“Line up!” he commands, and the kids hurry to stand in a line. No one complains or argues. The man is a miracle worker when it comes to kids.

“Aim small. Don’t look at the whole barrel. Pick one spot.”

The first kid throws the football and it sails straight over the barrel. Nolan claps. “Great job! Future quarterback here!”

The kid beams at him before racing to his mom.

The next kid darts forward and throws the ball. It doesn’t reach the barrel. Nolan picks it up and kneels in front of the kid. “Don’t rush. Plant your legs and then throw.” He hands him the ball. “Try again.”

“There you go!” he shouts when the kid’s ball sails through the barrel.

Three more boys take turns and he yells encouragement the entire time. Next up is a girl. He motions her forward but she shakes her head.

He crouches beside her. “You know the secret?”

“What?”

“Quarterbacks miss throws all the time.”

“You don’t.”

“Oh, sweetheart. You should’ve seen me when I was seven.” He hands her the ball. “Try it once. You might enjoy it.”

“Okay,” she whispers before planting her feet, lifting her elbow, and throwing the ball. It sails straight through the barrel.

“Touchdown!” Nolan yells before lifting her up and whirling her around. The kids shout before rushing him. He pretends to let them tackle him to the ground. He collapses and they giggle.

I clasp my chest. He’s adorable. I can imagine him with our child. Teaching her to play sports. Being patient. Being loving. My heart hammers in my chest.

This is what I want. What I’ve always longed for but been afraid to try for – a loving family. Is the quarterback the answer to my dreams?

Chapter 21

Apparently, becoming a father starts before the baby arrives.

Nolan

I walk into Terri’s office. “You ready?”

She grunts as she stands. “You don’t have to come with.”

Today is her first prenatal appointment. There’s no way in hell I’m not going with. I want to be there for her. Support her when she gets worried about carrying the baby. Celebrate the small victories with her. I want to be there for everything.

“That’s one,” I mutter.

Her brow wrinkles. “One what?”

“One spanking after our little mermaid is born.”

She shivers before clearing her throat. “You can’t spank me.”

I cock an eyebrow. “Wanna bet?”

Her breath hitches, and my cock twitches. I mentally add spanking to the things I’m doing to her once our baby is born.

I place my hand on her lower back and usher her out of her office and down the hallway.

“Where’s your bag of supplies?” she teases.

“In the car.”

She halts. “You’re serious? We’re going to the clinic. It’s in the hospital, which is five minutes away.”

“Don’t care. I like to be prepared.”

“You’re going to be one of those parents who arrives at the kid’s soccer game with snacks for the entire team, aren’t you?”

I am and I’m not embarrassed. I won’t be my dad. Never showing up at my games. Only asking how it went if it suits his agenda.

“Soccer? You think our kid is playing soccer?”

“Or maybe badminton.”

I choke. “Badminton.”

She wags her finger at me. “You’re letting our little mermaid play whatever sport he or she wants.”

“Our little mermaid can play whatever sport she wants, but I refuse to call badminton a sport.”

“It’s an Olympic event.”

I grunt. “Don’t care.”

“You’re annoying. It’s a good thing you’re hot.”

I smirk. “You think I’m sexy.”

She rolls her eyes. “Obviously. Little mermaid is proof.”

I can’t wait to show her how sexy I can be. Except she’s pregnant. I need to be gentle with her.

We arrive at my SUV and I open the passenger door for her.

“Did you borrow Brock’s SUV again?”

“Nope. This is mine.”

Her eyes widen. “You bought a new SUV? That was quick.”

I shrug. “The little mermaid can hardly fit in the back seat of my sports car.”

I start to shut her door but she shackles my wrist. “You bought this SUV because of our baby?”

“And because of you.” I kiss her nose. “I want you to be comfortable.” I shrug. “Besides, we need the space.”

“We need the space? I think you mean you need the space for all your doomsday supplies.”

I chuckle. “Maybe.”

She releases me and I shut her door before walking around the SUV. I don’t know why I fought against buying a bigger car for years. It’s more practical, more comfortable, and it’s better for a family.

My dad always drove a sports car. When we went anywhere as a family – which didn’t happen often – he drove his own car and we followed him in Mom’s mini-van. It was embarrassing. As if Dad didn’t want to admit he was one of us.

I screech to a halt. Why the hell did I buy a sports car to show off to my dad? What was I thinking? Was I seriously trying to please him? I learned long ago Dad can’t be pleased. Or, at least, I thought I had.

I climb in the driver’s seat.

“Are you okay?” Terri asks.

“I’m fine, sprite. Let’s concentrate on you and little mermaid.”

Her eyes narrow. “I don’t believe you.”

I give her the truth. “I was thinking about how driving a sports car is stupid when you’re six-foot-four.”

She giggles. “And you only came to this realization now?”

I shrug before switching on the engine and backing out of the parking space.

“Keep an eye out for Sammy.”

“The seal? I thought he camped out at your dad’s house.”

“Not all the time. He’s a rascal. He enjoys sunbathing in the middle of the street.”

“I’ll keep an eye out.”

I place my hand on her thigh as I drive. She’s wearing a short skirt. I can feel the heat of her skin through the material. I want to inch it up until I can touch her skin. My cock twitches. It’s on board with this plan.

“Where should I park?” I ask when we arrive at the hospital.

“You mean you’re going to find a parking spot yourself and not throw your keys at the security guard?”

I scowl. “I’m not apologizing for concentrating on you.”

“Figures,” she mutters before pointing to a spot. “There!”

I whip the SUV into the spot. She grabs the handle.

“Wait for me.”

“I can get out of a car on my own.”

“Do you want me to add another spanking to the list?”

Her breath catches. “I’ll wait.”

“Thought you would,” I say despite wanting to add another spanking to the list.

I hurry around the front to open her door. I grasp her hips and set her on the ground. She hardly weighs anything. I’m practically a foot taller than her. Will the baby be big? Will it cause her pain?

I open my mouth to ask her but slam it shut before I speak. I’m an idiot. Terri is worried enough about carrying our little mermaid to term. I’m not adding to her worries.

We ride the elevator to the fifth floor and check in with the receptionist. I usher her to a seat to wait.

I dig out my phone and open my email app. Before I can read the first email, Terri elbows me. “Is it always this way?”

“What way?” I glance around. “What’s wrong?” I knew I should have brought my bag of supplies inside.

She motions to the other women in the waiting room. “Everyone’s staring at you.” She points to a woman who’s extremely pregnant. “I’m afraid she’s going to go into labor due to the excitement.”

I throw an arm around her shoulder and the women sigh. “I’m with you. I don’t care about them.”

She studies my face. It’s clear she doesn’t believe me. Hopefully, in time she’ll understand I don’t care about the fans. I care about her.

“Terri Jordan,” the receptionist calls. “Dr. Reynolds is ready for you.”

I stand and offer her my hand. Together we walk to the exam room. The receptionist hands Terri a cup. “Urine sample.” She points to the restroom.

“This isn’t embarrassing at all,” Terri mutters as she makes her way to the restroom.

I stop her. “Sprite. There’s nothing embarrassing about this. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to stand naked in a room full of doctors.”

She snorts. “Easy for you to say.” She motions to my body.

I lean over to whisper to her. “Your body is sexy to me. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.”

She shivers. “I like it when you lie.”

“I’m not lying.” I push her forward. “Now, go pee like a champion.”

“I’m pregnant. I’m the champion of champions at peeing.”

I wait in the hallway for her to return. She steps out of the restroom and frowns at me. “You didn’t have to wait for me.”

I offer her my hand. “Agree to disagree.”

We enter the exam room together. Terri scowls at the exam table and sits on a chair next to me. I don’t get the chance to ask her why she’s scowling before the doctor sweeps into the room.

“Terri! It’s good to see you.”

“Hi, Dr. Reynolds.”

The doctor snorts. “We went to high school together. You can call me Jasmine.” Her gaze finds me. “And who is this big fellow?”

Terri rolls her eyes. “Are we pretending you don’t know who he is?”

Jasmine shrugs. “Maybe.”

Terri sighs. “Jasmine, this is Nolan. He’s the baby’s father.”

I hold out my hand and we shake. “Nice to meet you, doctor.”

“Oh, he has manners. I like him already.”

“You’re as boy crazy now as you were in high school.”

Jasmine clears her throat before opening a file. “I see your pregnancy was already confirmed with a blood test by Dr. Allens.”

Terri nods. “She insisted.”

“Dr. Allens is a force of nature. I thought she was the sweetest doctor in the world when she fixed my broken arm when I was a teenager. Now, I work with her and hide in the restroom whenever she’s near.”

“Liar. And you wouldn’t have broken your arm if you didn’t try to climb into the boy’s locker room.”

“As much as I find this fascinating – I expect you to tell me the locker room story over drinks some day – can we get to the important stuff?” I grasp Terri’s hand. “She’s anxious about the pregnancy.”

Jasmine clasps her chest. “I was wrong. I don’t like him. I love him for you.”

Terri’s hand jumps in mine but I don’t release her.

“Now, I assume since he’s here you don’t mind discussing your medical and family history in front of him?”

Terri shrugs. “He knows everything already.”

Her eyes widen. “He knows? I am loving this.”

“Dr. Allens assured Terri that her mom losing a baby during pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean Terri’s pregnancy will be difficult. What can we do to ensure she stays healthy?”

Jasmine smiles at me. “Prenatal vitamins are important. Especially folic acid and iron.”

“Do you have prenatal vitamins?” I ask Terri.

Her nose wrinkles. “I…ah…”

I whip out my phone. “Not to worry. I’ve got this handled.”

“It’s also important to stay hydrated.”

“It’s a good thing Nolan carries a crate of water with him whenever we go somewhere,” Terri mutters.

“Nausea is worse on an empty stomach, so she needs to eat small, frequent meals.”

Terri throws her hands in the air. “Now, you’re talking as if I’m not here.”

“Sorry. He asked.”

I type everything into my phone. “Anything else?”

“Sleep and rest are incredibly important.”

I nod. “I’ll make sure she takes naps.”

Terri glares at me. “Are you going to become the pregnancy police?”

“The police only get involved when you don’t follow the rules.”

She grunts. “In other words, yes.”

Jasmine hands me a piece of paper. “This is a list of foods she can’t eat.”

Terri groans. “You’re teaming up with him.”

Jasmine ignores her. “You should also make sure she’s not stressed, gets a bit of exercise, and monitor for symptoms such as dehydration, cramping, bleeding, fever, and dizziness.”

“I’ve got this. I’ll make a checklist.”

The doctor stands. “Make sure to make an appointment for your date ultrasound with the receptionist. It was nice meeting you, baby daddy.”

The second the door closes behind her, Terri turns on me. “You appropriated the meeting.”

Her face is red, and she’s clenching her teeth. “I’m sorry. I know you’re worried. I wanted to help reassure you. I won’t let anything happen to our little mermaid, I promise.”

She deflates. “No fair. I can’t stay mad at you when you’re all caregiving.”

I squeeze her neck. “I will always care for you and the little mermaid.”

It’s a vow. I’m going to be the best dad I can possibly be. This baby is my responsibility and I won’t let her down.

Chapter 22

I’m beginning to suspect the island has us married off already.

Terri

“Where are you going?” I ask Nolan when he turns right instead of left out of the hospital. “The resort is in the other direction.”

“We need to buy prenatal vitamins, and I want to make sure you have enough healthy vegetables and fruit. I should probably also stock up on ginger ale and crackers.”

“I still have piles of both in my office.”

He glances over at me. “If you’re sure?”

“I’m sure it’s impossible to drink three cases of ginger ale in a lifetime, let alone in the span of one pregnancy.”

“Okay. No ginger ale then.”

“And no crackers either.”

We reach Mariner’s Market and he easily finds a parking spot. When I reach for the door, he clears his throat. I drop my hand.

He smiles before hopping out of the SUV and rushing around to the passenger side to open my door. He lifts me up and places me on the ground.

I’m enjoying him lifting me up entirely too much. I remember the first time he lifted me up and pressed me against a wall. Our little mermaid is the result. I place my hand on my stomach.

He stills. “Are you okay? Any symptoms? Bleeding? Cramping? Dizziness? Fever?”

I groan. “This is going to be a long pregnancy if you’re going to worry about symptoms every time I touch my stomach.”

Except he won’t. Because he won’t be here. He’ll be playing football and traveling all over the country while I’m here on the island. He won’t be here to reassure me.

He pinches my chin. “What happened? Where did you go?”

I scrunch my nose. “Nowhere.”

“You’re lying, but standing in a parking lot is not the place for a serious discussion.” He nudges me forward so he can shut the door before grasping my hand and leading me into the grocery store.

“First, pharmacy,” he says as he commandeers a cart.

He pushes the cart through the aisles until we reach the pharmacy area. Several women stop to observe him. I snarl at them.

Nolan isn’t mine. He’s only here because he’s the little mermaid’s daddy. But I’m here now. They can mind their own business.

“Do you have a preferred brand of vitamins?” he asks after stopping in front of the rows of vitamins.

I blink up at him. “Do people have preferred brands of vitamins?”

“I do.”

“You do?”

He shrugs. “I’m an athlete.”

“You can’t use being an athlete as an excuse for every weird thing you do.”

“What weird things do I do?”

“You brought electrolyte packets, a first aid kit, ice packs, and compression socks to the Mermaid and Pirates Kid’s Day.”

“All necessary.”

My brow wrinkles. “Compression socks?”

“Pregnant women’s legs swell. Swelling is uncomfortable. Thus, compression socks. Makes perfect sense to me.”

“How can you sound reasonable about compression socks?”

He grins. “It’s a gift.”

He throws an arm over my shoulders and motions to the vitamins. “Come on. Let’s make a choice before we go get you some healthy food. I also want to stop by your house and discuss rooms for the nursery before we return to the resort.”

Nursery? My mouth drops open. “We don’t know… It could… It might…”

He drops to his knees in front of me and my pulse spikes. This man. This star quarterback. No, he’s more than his football position. He’s a kind, loving man – a caring man who’s been there every step of the way with this pregnancy. And he’s on his knees. For me.

He grasps my hands and squeezes. “Terri Jordan, you listen to me. We are going to do everything possible to keep this baby healthy and safe. I know you’re worried. With your history, it’s not surprising. But the doctors have told you there’s nothing to worry about. Let me worry. You relax. I’ve got you.”

Tears well in my eyes but I suck them back up. I am not bawling my eyes out at Mariner’s Market. “My head understands what you’re saying. My heart, on the other hand…”

I trail off. I don’t need to explain it to him. He understands.

He places his hand over my heart. “Little mermaid and I will work on getting your heart to understand.”

He kisses my belly before standing.

“Holy smugglers caught in a mermaid’s gossip!”

I groan and drop my chin to my chest at Mayor Lana’s exclamation.

She doesn’t care how I’m obviously embarrassed. She bustles toward us as if we invited her.

“I heard the rumors. Of course, I did. I’m the mayor. I know everything happening in Smuggler’s Rest and on Smuggler’s Hideaway. But I didn’t believe this. No way, no how did a smuggler get pregnant by accident. The sex education classes at school are too thorough for that kind of mistake.”

“Nova got pregnant with Hudson’s daughter by accident,” I remind her.

She waves away my comment. “Nova and Hudson knew each other for years. They were destined to be together. The spirits got involved there and made sure it happened. But you….” She trails off with a shrug.

Nolan steps forward. “I’m Nolan. And you are?”

She bats her lashes at him. “Mayor Lana, but you can call me Lana.”

He kisses her hand. “Lovely to meet you, Lana.”

“I take it back. I totally understand how you got pregnant. I’d be worried I spontaneously got pregnant from his smile if I hadn’t gone through menopause last year.”

Last year? Lana is eighty if she’s a day. She’s also a serial bride.

Nolan wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me near. Lana sighs. “You two are adorable together.” She nods to the vitamins. “And you’re going to make wonderful parents.”

“Lana,” I shush her. “The whole world doesn’t need to know I’m pregnant.”

She barks out a laugh. “You are adorable. As if the whole island didn’t hear about you rushing to the hospital clutching your stomach after getting nailed in the face with a football.”

“It was an accident,” Nolan says. “I’m responsible. I accept the blame. But it was an accident.”

“I hope you have a boy who looks exactly like him.” Lana sighs. “Those blue eyes. That jaw. Those muscles.” She reaches forward to touch him and I bat her away.

“You can’t touch random people in the grocery store.”

“What random people? This is your baby daddy.”

I groan. She practically screamed baby daddy.

“I hate to say it, sprite. But keeping this baby secret is no longer an option.”

I scowl at him. “You promised not to tell your teammates.”

“And I won’t. But don’t be surprised if they find out. Football players gossip worse than a bunch of old ladies.”

“Hey, Nolan!” The librarian waves before hurrying toward us.

He grins at her and his dimple makes an appearance. “Hi, Edith.”

Edith? How does he know the librarian’s name? What is happening? Did Jasmine give me a drug and I’m hallucinating? I hope I’m not drooling while staring at the vitamin bottles.

“The book you requested came in,” Edith tells him. “You can pick it up any time. It’s at the receptionist desk waiting for you.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you putting a rush on it.”

“Not a problem.” Edith’s gaze ping-pongs between us. “I understand the rush.”

“Understand the rush? What is this book?” I ask.

“It’s a book on pregnancy,” Edith says. “We couldn’t find an eBook version, so I had to order the paperback for him.”

My eyes widen. “How many books on pregnancy have you bought?” I ask Nolan.

The tips of his ears turn pink. “A few.”

Edith scowls at me. “Don’t you dare give the boy a hard time. He’s supporting you. You let him.”

Boy? Nolan is hardly a boy.

“That’s what I said,” Lana claims. “I don’t understand modern women. Always proving a point about being independent. Let your man spoil you.”

A rubber band squeezes my middle. Breathing becomes nearly impossible. My man? Nolan isn’t my man. We’re not even dating. He’s not here for me. He’s here for the baby.

“He’s not my man,” I manage to wheeze out.

“See?” Lana points to me. “This is what I’m dealing with.”

Edith pats her arm. “I understand. Young kids these days. No respect for the old days.”

“But they do make a cute couple.”

Is she hard of hearing? I literally told her two seconds ago that Nolan and I aren’t a couple.

“Relax, sprite, and let her talk,” Nolan whispers to me. “We are a family after all.”

We are? Does he want to be my family? And why does the idea excite me? I know better. Men leave. Babies die. And people abandon you.

I don’t think I’d survive Nolan abandoning me. It’d break something in me that would never heal.

Better to stick to being friends. We can co-parent without being a couple. Other people do it all the time.

I ignore how my stomach protests at the thought. It’s the way it has to be.

Chapter 23

I should not be thinking about diapers during football practice.

Nolan

“Good practice,” Gage says as we walk off the field.

He pats me on the shoulder and I try not to wince. My shoulder is on fire after today’s training and practice. I need ice and another appointment with the physical therapist as soon as possible.

I also need to check on Terri and make sure she’s doing okay. She didn’t throw up this morning – she says – but I need to check to make sure. She hates admitting when she’s weak. I’ll message her once I’m back in the locker room.

Tanner puffs out his chest. “I made him look good.”

“Does Alaia know you dance like a chicken without legs every time you catch a ball?”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Alaia thinks I’m sexy when I dance.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I thought your relationship was fake.”

“Fake or not, at least I’m not in a ‘friendship situation’ with the woman I want.” He points to Gage.

Gage shrugs off his comment. “Addy wants me. But she’s scared of a relationship. I’ll change her mind.”

Sounds familiar.

Tanner points to Brock. “Someone else is scared of a relationship.”

“I’m not scared,” Brock says, but everyone knows he’s lying.

I don’t blame him for being cautious. The way the mother of Jace left him had to create scars. Terri carries similar scars. Except hers are from her mom leaving her. Her scars run deep. I don’t blame her for being cautious with me. But it won’t stop me from caring for her and our child.

Corbin grunts. “You’re throwing behind me again.”

Tanner rolls his eyes. “You can’t blame Nolan for catching a pass awkwardly.”

Except he can since my shoulder is causing me to throw too high.

“I’ll work on it,” I say instead of admitting my injury is acting up.

I was supposed to be healed by now. The injury happened in January. It’s nearly August. But I don’t feel as if my injury is healing at all. My shoulder still burns with every pass I throw. Is it not going to get better? And what the hell am I going to do if it doesn’t? I’m not missing the season and a possible trip to the Super Bowl because of an injury.

I switch those thoughts off. My shoulder will get better. I will lead this team to the Super Bowl this season.

“Ignore him,” Tanner says. “He’s grumpy because he’s pining after his landlady.”

Corbin growls at Tanner. “We are not discussing Siena.”

Tanner bats his eyelashes. “It’s okay, Corbin. We’ve all been rejected before. I mean. I haven’t. But everyone else has.” He points at me. “Ask Nolan. Terri couldn’t run away from him fast enough when he hit on her our first night on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

He has no idea what happened between me and Terri that night. How we accidentally created our little mermaid in a closet. I frown. I don’t want our child to think she’s a mistake. She’s not an accident. She’s the best damn thing to happen to me. Her and her mom are.

Tanner throws an arm around my shoulders. “It’s okay, big guy. We’ll find you another woman. Alaia has lots of friends.”

I elbow him away. “I don’t want any of Alaia’s friends.” I want Terri.

We reach the locker room. I collapse on a bench to remove my shoes. Bending over has my shoulder screaming in pain again. Shit. This isn’t funny anymore.

“Allen!” Coach Wilson shouts. “Keep those on.”

Fuck. Does he want me back on the field for more practice? I don’t know how much more my shoulder can take before I have to admit I’m not healing the way I expected.

“What’s up?”

“Need your help.”

I stand. “What do you need?” I’m the leader of this team. If he needs my help, I’m there. Pain in my shoulder or not.

He motions me into the hallway.

I notice Coach Knox studying me from his office as I walk out of the locker room. I duck my chin and avoid his gaze. He sees too much. Will he bench me this season?

“Beck is struggling,” Coach Wilson tells me once we’re alone. “He’s not responding to my coaching. Can you help him out?”

“No problem.”

“Thanks.” He claps me on the shoulder. “He’s on the field.”

I ignore the wince in my shoulder and make my way back to the field.

Beck stands alone near the far hash marks when I return to the field. Sweat darkens the back of his shirt, and frustration rolls off him in waves. A pile of footballs rests near his feet. Judging by the scattered balls around the field, none of them landed where he wanted.

He spots me approaching and grimaces. “Coach Wilson send you to fix me?”

I snort. “You’re a rookie quarterback. Nobody can fix you in one practice.”

His shoulders loosen slightly. “Good. Because if he tells me to ‘trust my mechanics’ one more time, I’m going to drown my sorrows at the Bootlegger bar.”

“Bad idea. The women at Mermaid Karaoke are maneaters.”

A reluctant laugh escapes him.

I grab a football from the pile and spin it in my hands. “What’s happening?”

“My timing’s off.” He gestures helplessly. “Everything feels rushed. I know the reads in the classroom, but once I’m out here…I hesitate.”

Because he’s thinking instead of reacting. It happens to every rookie quarterback. Hell, it happened to me.

“Drop back,” I tell him.

He squares his shoulders and takes the snap from an imaginary center. His feet are quick but jerky. His shoulders tighten before he throws. The pass sails high and left.

“Again.”

He repeats the motion. Same result.

I nod slowly. “You’re overstriding.”

His brow wrinkles. “What?”

“You’re trying to throw hard instead of throw clean.” I point toward his front foot. “Your stride’s too long. It’s pulling your shoulders open early.”

He stares at me. “Coach Wilson said almost the exact same thing.”

“Yeah, but I’m prettier.”

He barks out a laugh.

I step beside him. “Shorten your base.” I tap his cleat lightly with mine. “Stay balanced. Quarterbacking isn’t about throwing the hardest. It’s rhythm. Timing. Trusting your body.”

Trusting your body. The words hit me harder than they should. Because I don’t trust mine anymore. Not my shoulder. Not after the playoff game. Not after months of pain that refuses to disappear.

I shove the thought away and focus on Beck.

“Again,” I say.

This time he shortens his stride. The ball comes out cleaner. Tight spiral. Chest height.

“There you go. Feel the difference?”

His eyes light up. “Yeah.”

“Again.”

Three throws later, the panic has nearly left his face. His motion loosens. The ball snaps from his hand instead of floating.

“Quarterbacks get in their own heads. You miss a throw and suddenly you start dissecting every movement instead of playing football.”

Beck nods. “Exactly.”

I stare downfield. “You can’t play scared.”

Which is funny coming from me considering I’m terrified every time pain shoots through my shoulder. I’m absolutely terrified the next throw will be the one my arm can’t recover from.

Beck tosses me the football. “How do you stay calm?”

I catch it one-handed. “You don’t.”

He quirks a brow.

“You learn to play through the noise.” I shrug. “Pressure. Fear. Expectations. It’s all still there. But you have to let it stop controlling your feet.”

Beck studies me for a moment before nodding.

“Again,” I tell him.

We throw for another twenty minutes. By the end, Beck’s passes are sharper, and his confidence is back.

Coach Wilson watches from the sideline with narrowed eyes. “What’d you do?”

“Told him to stop thinking so much.”

Wilson snorts. “You should try taking your own advice sometime.”

I open my mouth with a smartass response ready, but it dies before I can say it. Because for the first time since the injury, something shifts inside me. My shoulder may not survive football forever.

But standing out here helping Beck? Watching the game click for him? Watching confidence replace panic?

That felt good too. Maybe terrifyingly good. Maybe my career isn’t over if my shoulder doesn’t recover. Maybe there’s a different path for me.

My gaze drifts to Beck still throwing balls in the field. Coaching? I never considered coaching as a possibility. I assumed I’d play ball until I was forty and then retire.

I’d find a woman and raise a family. I’d be a hands-on dad. Help with diapers and late night colic. Do school runs. Hell, maybe I’d even join the PTA.

But my timing’s off. Terri’s pregnant now. Our little mermaid can’t wait until it’s time for me to retire. I rotate my shoulder. Maybe retirement’s not the plan. Maybe there’s another option. One that includes me being around for the little mermaid. And for Terri.

With a start, I realize I want this family now. I don’t want to wait. I can’t wait. I can’t lose Terri. She’s my endgame.

Chapter 24

It’s difficult to argue with a man while he’s carrying you to bed.

Terri

I groan when my phone rings. I’m ready for this day to be over. I check the time. It’s seven, and I don’t have an event tonight. The day should be over already.

My phone rings again to remind me my day is never over when I’m planning a wedding. And I’m always planning a wedding. I am an event planner after all.

“Good evening, Brittany.” I emphasize evening in the hope she’ll realize it’s too late to call.

“Terri, I have some requests we need to discuss.” Nope. No clue it’s too late to call. Not even an ‘I’m sorry for calling so late’. Brides and their little bridal bubbles will be the death of me.

I stifle a yawn. “We already discussed your requests. Are these additional requests?”

“We missed a few.” Missed a few? Hardly. She’s probably been spending time on social media where she got a bunch of crazy ideas. “First of all, I want all the guests to release glitter into the ocean simultaneously.”

Crazy ideas, it is.

“Glitter in the ocean?”

“They make biodegradable glitter. I read about it.”

The issue is not whether the glitter is biodegradable.

“You do realize glitter gets everywhere and there’s usually a breeze along the water. Which means the likelihood of guests getting glitter in their eyes and other places is extremely high.”

Has she never been glitter bombed before? Glitter is a miracle product that multiplies when no one is paying attention.

“Don’t care. I want it. I saw it on TikTok.”

Social media strikes again. I scribble a note. “I’ll see what I can do. Have a—”

She cuts me off. “I’m not done.” Of course not.

“What else?”

“I read there’s a seal named Sammy on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“There is.”

“He should deliver the rings.”

How I’d love to see Sammy deliver rings at a wedding. He’d galumph down the aisle before swallowing the rings and taking a nap on the bride’s feet.

“Sammy is a wild animal.”

“Animals are trainable.”

“Sammy is not. The likelihood he’ll steal the rings is high. Or he’ll plain not show up because he’s too busy sunbathing on his favorite spot of grass.”

“You could hire an animal trainer to arrange it.”

Animal trainer? I nearly growl. The smugglers would tar and feather me if I hired an animal trainer for Sammy.

“I’m sorry, Brittany. This is one request I can’t grant.”

“If I can’t have Sammy the seal, I want dolphins at the reception.”

I cough to hide my laugh. Brides get more ridiculous every year. I blame social media. You know those pictures are mostly fake. But future brides apparently don’t.

“This is not SeaWorld. We don’t have dolphins on retainer.”

“You’re supposed to be the miracle wedding planner who can make magic happen! Thus far, all you’ve done is told me no. At least tell me it’s possible to move the ceremony thirty minutes later so the sunset is pinker.”

I grab my agenda and open it. We don’t have any other events the day of her wedding. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Finally. Something you can do. I should complain to your boss about your inability to listen to me.”

“Do you need his number?” Hudson doesn’t handle demanding guests well. He’ll probably threaten to cancel the wedding. I’d love to see her reaction to a cancellation.

“Whatever. I need to re-do my Pinterest board considering your lack of cooperation.” She hangs up.

I sigh and drop my phone to my desk. I’ll make the arrangements for the time change and then I’m going home. My stomach rumbles with hunger. It’s definitely time to go home.

“Sprite.” Someone shakes my shoulder.

“Five more minutes.”

He chuckles. I force my eyes open and come face to face with Nolan. My brow wrinkles.

“What are you doing in my bedroom?”

“You’re not in your bedroom. You’re at your desk at work.” He motions to the room.

“I must have…” I trail off to yawn.

“You need rest. Dr. Reynolds was clear about this.”

“I know I—” I squeal when he picks me up. “What are you doing?”

“Taking care of you.”

I roll my eyes. “My legs work perfectly fine.”

His gaze drops to my legs. “Your legs are pretty perfect.”

I grunt. “I’m short. My legs are little stubs.”

“Wrong. Your legs feature in my dreams.”

I raise an eyebrow. “In your dreams?”

His eyes heat. “My dreams when I’m awake and in the shower with my—"

I slap a hand over his mouth before he can finish. “Behave.”

He shrugs. “I was just being honest.”

He presses the button for the elevator. “What are you doing? My car is in the parking lot, not on the second floor.”

The elevator opens and he steps inside. “You’re not driving. You’re tired. You need rest.”

I squirm for him to let me down but he tightens his hold. “I’m perfectly capable of driving. I’m an adult woman.”

“Trust me. I know.”

His low, rumbly voice has all the nerve endings in my body waking up and standing at attention. Can you blame me? This big strong man is carrying me, claiming my legs are sexy, and making it clear he wants me. It’s a potent combination.

We arrive at his suite and he carries me inside. My stomach rumbles and he frowns.

“Did you eat dinner?”

My face flames but I ignore it. “I’ll eat dinner when I get home.”

“Do you want dinner in bed or in the dining area?”

“Did you not hear me? I’ll eat when I’m home.”

“That’s two,” he growls.

“Two what?”

“Two times I’m going to pinken your ass after you give birth to our little mermaid.”

My panties dampen, and my nipples harden. I’ve never been spanked before, but the idea of Nolan’s big hand on my ass excites me. I want to try it. I trust him. He won’t push things past my comfort zone.

“Dining area or bed?” he asks again.

“I…” I trail off with a yawn.

“Bed it is.”

He lays me down in bed and kisses my forehead. “You can wear my t-shirt to sleep in.”

I open my mouth to protest but he places a finger over it. “Enough. You and I both know you want to be here. You’re fighting me to fight at this point. I love arguing with you. I’ll argue with you until we’re old and gray. But right now, you need to eat, and you need sleep.”

My mouth drops open. He’ll argue with me until we’re old and gray? Is he serious? We’re not a couple. We’re not even dating. We’re having a baby. Nothing more.

Yeah. Keep telling yourself that.

I ignore my inner voice. She doesn’t come out much, but when she does – she’s trouble. I blame her for my bedroom window getting nailed shut.

Nolan tweaks my nose before grabbing a t-shirt from one of his drawers. He drops it on my lap. “Go ahead and change. I’ll order the food. Any requests?”

“Pasta and French fries.”

I wait for him to laugh at the combination. Pregnancy cravings are weird. But he merely nods before shutting the door behind him.

I stare at the door for a while. I shouldn’t be here. I should go. But Nolan’s right. I don’t want to. I want to be here. But I’m scared.

There. I said it. Or, at least, admitted it.

Love and family destroy people. I witnessed it for myself with my mom. And I’m her child. A younger representation of her. What happens if I start to rely on Nolan and he leaves? I place a hand over my stomach. What will happen to my little mermaid if she doesn’t have a dad?

Growing up without a dad is tough. Except I did end up with a dad. Charlie is the best. He never found a woman to love, but he had a lot of love to give, so he started fostering kids. He built a ragtag family on his own.

I inhale a deep breath and straighten my back. I can do this. I can build a ragtag family, too. I have Dad.

I bite my bottom lip as I stare at the door Nolan left through. I want Nolan. Will he stick around? He’s a famous quarterback. His life is stadiums and games and travel to big cities. It’s not on this island.

He knocks before peeking into the room. “Food should be here in fifteen minutes.” He frowns. “You’re not changed. Something wrong?”

I’m a scaredy pants who’s afraid to reach for what she wants. No way am I saying those words to this big man who handles everything that comes his way without a blink of his eye.

I clear my throat. “No. Just being lazy.”

His face softens. “You deserve to be lazy. You worked all day, and you’re growing our baby.”

I long to reach for him. But I can’t. I can’t let myself rely on him.

I refuse to be my mom. She was devastated when her boyfriend left her alone and pregnant. She put all her love and hope in the baby. And then the baby wasn’t there anymore. Soon enough she wasn’t either.

I’m not repeating her story.

Chapter 25

It turns out I like taking care of her in every possible way.

Nolan

I groan as I awake to the feel of Terri wiggling her ass against my cock. My hard and aching cock.

She moans and wiggles her ass again. Crap. It’s going to be a long night.

I knew it was a mistake to crawl into bed with her. But when she lifted the covers up and asked me to stay, I couldn’t say no. Not when she was offering me everything I want.

I wrapped my arm around her and she fell asleep. Never in a million years did I expect to wake to the feel of her perfect, round ass wiggling against me.

My cock presses against my briefs – eager to escape and sink into Terri. Not happening. This isn’t about sex. This is about Terri learning to trust me. To trust I want more than the baby she’s carrying. I want her as well. I want this little family.

I’m not going to be able to sleep. Not until I take care of my problem. I roll toward the edge of the bed.

“Where are you going?” Terri asks.

I freeze. I can hardly tell her I’m off to give myself a hand job in the shower.

“Can’t sleep.”

She rolls over to face me. Her face is illuminated in the moonlight. She resembles the sprite I call her. A supernatural entity I can’t believe is in my bed. How did I get this lucky?

“I can help you fall asleep.”

My brow wrinkles. Is she suggesting what I think she is?

“How?” I ask because I need to be sure. I need to know if she wants me as much as I want her.

She waggles her eyebrows. “Do I need to explain?”

My cock twitches. It’s ready for me to cover her and sink deep into her warmth. I inhale a deep breath before the lack of blood flow in my brain causes me to make a decision I’ll regret.

“Sprite, sweetheart, we don’t have to.”

“What if I want to?”

I palm her cheek. “I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

Especially when she’s gone to extreme lengths to make sure I and the rest of the island understand we’re not a couple. I grit my teeth. I want to argue with her. Tell her we are a couple. But she’s stubborn and scared. I can’t push her. She’ll run in the opposite direction faster than Tanner runs from accepting responsibility for his fuck ups.

“I won’t.”

“Sweetheart, I can’t.”

She growls. “What? You’re denying me sex?”

“Can I explain before you wake the entire resort?”

She shoots daggers out of her eyes at me. I don’t dare speak. “Fine.”

Fine never means fine when spoken by a woman when her nostrils are flaring. I need to be cautious here.

“I would love to have sex with you.”

She snorts in disbelief. I place her hand on my hard length. Her eyes flare, and she licks her lips. My cock hardens even more and she smirks.

“You want me.”

I can’t deny it. “Of course, I want you. I’ve wanted you from the first moment I caught a glimpse of your chestnut hair blowing in the breeze.”

She gasps. “You have?”

“But I want more than sex. I want a relationship with you.”

She purses her lips. “Because I’m having your baby.”

I growl. “No. I want you, Terri. With or without the baby, I’m not going anywhere.”

Tears well in her eyes and I rush to continue.

“But I want the little mermaid, too. I want us to be a family. Not because I knocked you up the first time we had sex, but because I want you. Because you’re sweet and loyal and hard-working and the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”

“I’m not that stubborn.”

She is, but arguing with a woman about how stubborn she is, is the definition of frustrating.

“Until you admit this is real and you agree to at least try to make a go of things between us, sex is off the table.”

She chews on her bottom lip as she considers everything I said. “I don’t know, Nolan. Don’t get me wrong. I like you.” Her hand moves to her stomach. “I wouldn’t be carrying this little mermaid if I didn’t. But a relationship? It’s a lot to ask.”

“Why? What are you afraid of?”

I expect her to argue with me. To tell me she isn’t afraid of anything. I wouldn’t put it past my little stubborn sprite. But she doesn’t.

“Attachment is scary for me.”

I don’t ask why. I don’t have to. After everything that happened with her mom, I understand.

“Okay,” I say despite wanting to argue with her. To convince her I’m worth taking a chance on. “We’ll take things slow. Friends for now.”

She rubs her legs together. “Can friends have sex?”

My cock presses against my briefs. It has no doubts. Friends can definitely have sex.

I disagree. I don’t want her to ever think I coerced her into a relationship with sex.

“Is someone feeling horny?”

She squirms. “I blame the baby.”

“Since I’m partially to blame for that situation, I’ll take care of you.”

She grins. “Yeah.”

“But my cock stays in my underwear.”

“But…” She pouts.

I place a finger over her lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you come at least twice.”

Her eyes light up. “Twice?”

I smirk. “Maybe three times.”

She lifts a brow. “All while your dick is hidden behind your briefs?”

“Oh sweetheart, haven’t you ever heard about how good quarterbacks are with their hands?”

Her breath catches. “I need proof.”

“And proof you will have. But first…”

I meld my mouth to hers. Her lips are as soft as I remember. I glide my tongue along her bottom lip. “Open up for me, sprite.”

She doesn’t hesitate to follow my order. I wonder what other orders she’ll follow. How far I can push her.

I plunge my tongue into her mouth and moan as her flavor hits me. I thought I was exaggerating about how her taste holds a sparkle to it. I wasn’t. Strawberries and sparkle. It’s a flavor I could easily become addicted to. A flavor I want to taste every single day of my life. Multiple times per day.

I thread my hand through her hair and tilt her head to the side to allow me to dive deeper into her sumptuous mouth. I wonder how the rest of her tastes. I didn’t get the chance to taste her during our rendezvous in the closet. Now’s my chance.

I release her mouth to trace kisses along her jaw to her ear. “I want to taste you.”

“Yes,” she sighs.

My hands move down until I reach the hem of my t-shirt she’s sleeping in. “Arms up.”

I moan at how quickly she follows my orders. I prefer to be in charge in bed. Considering how stubborn my little sprite is, I worried she’d fight me. Her surrender to me is the biggest turn on there is.

I whip the t-shirt off her, leaving her in a pair of lace panties. I’ve never been so happy to forget to close the curtains in my life. I can see every one of her curves in the moonlight.

I push her onto her back and push the covers out of the way. I study her body as I consider where to begin.

I start by gliding my hand along her side until I reach her breast. She arches her back with a moan. I love how responsive she is to me. It’s addicting. Everything about this woman is addicting. I wasn’t lying when I said I want her. Not just the baby she’s growing for me. Her.

While my hand kneads her breast, I dip my head and lavish her other breast with attention from my mouth. I lick and kiss and bite the flesh until she’s squirming beneath me. Then, I latch onto a nipple. She practically flies off the bed with a moan.

She wraps her legs around my hips and begins grinding her core against my hard length. I growl at how good it feels. My cock is covered and I can’t remember anything feeling this good before. I was right when I named this woman a sprite. Only a supernatural creature would be able to entrance me the way she has.

I tear my mouth away from her nipple. “Legs on the bed. Spread them wide for me.”

I expect this order to be the one she fights me on. But I’m wrong. She immediately unwinds her legs from around my hips and drops them onto the bed.

“You better make it worth my while.”

Ah, there’s my stubborn sprite.

My hand releases her breast to smooth down her body. I stop at her stomach and spread my hand over the place where she’s growing our baby. Our baby. I still can’t believe we’re having a child.

I continue my movement until I reach the hem of her panties. I trace my finger along the silk gusset. I can feel the damp growing there.

“These have to go,” I grumble.

Terri starts to sit up but I stop her. “My job.”

I tear the panties down her legs and throw them over my shoulder. I open my mouth to order her to spread her legs but I don’t need to. They’re already spread.

Damn. She’s my match in bed. I knew I liked Terri the person. I knew I enjoyed our tryst in the closet. More than enjoyed. But I did wonder if we’d match in the bedroom. I’m ecstatic to realize we do.

This proves I’m right. Terri is the one for me.

Chapter 26

I’m an expert at worrying. Hospital gown or no hospital gown.

Terri

Nolan strides into my office. He doesn’t stop in front of my desk. He walks around it and keeps going until he reaches me.

He grasps my hands and pulls me gently out of my chair before pressing a kiss to my mouth. I swallow back a moan. This man and the things he can do with his mouth.

He smiles against my lips before stepping back. “Ready to go?”

I glance at my desk. At the million things I still need to do.

He growls. “Don’t you dare say you can go alone.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“Good. Because it would be number four.”

My panties immediately dampen at the idea of getting four spankings from Nolan. He’s talented with his mouth, but those hands? Those hands are magical.

I feign a glare. “Don’t you dare get me all hot and bothered before a doctor’s appointment.”

His eyes flare. “I can take care of you real quick. The door locks. I checked.”

My mouth drops open. He checked the door locks? For a moment, I consider it. He could flip my dress up and… I force those thoughts away. I am not the kind of woman to have a quickie in the office. No matter how tempting the quarterback is.

“You’re crazy. And I don’t want to be late.”

He offers me his arm. “Let’s go.”

“Are you excited about the little mermaid’s first ultrasound?” he asks once we’re on the road, driving to the hospital.

Hope and fear fight for supremacy in my body. “I’m trying.”

He squeezes my thigh. “Maybe today will reassure you. I read we might hear the heartbeat.”

I place a hand over my stomach. “I hope so.”

“Whatever happens, I’m here. I believe our little mermaid is safe, but if anything happens to her, I’m here. You can lean on me.”

He’s here now. But he won’t be for long. “What happens when the football season starts? When you leave?”

“I’ll still be here. I might not always be here physically, but there are more ways to support someone than in person. I will always be by your side.”

I wish I could believe him. I wish he wasn’t a football player. I wish he was a smuggler. I wish… I wish…

I know better than to wish. When I was ten, I wished my mother would smile. I wished she would get out of bed. She never got out of bed again.

We drive the rest of the way to the hospital in silence. When we arrive, Nolan escorts me out of the SUV and into Dr. Reynold’s office. We’re immediately shown into an exam room.

Dr. Reynold swoops inside minutes later. Nolan stands to shake her hand. “Hi, doc.”

She grins. “Daddy’s here for the dating ultrasound. Excellent.”

“Jasmine,” I warn.

She blinks at me. “What? I can’t be excited the daddy’s here?”

I wag a finger at her. “Don’t act all innocent. I know for a fact you’re one of the biggest gossips on Smuggler’s Hideaway. News Nolan was here will spread through the island faster than smugglers running from the Prohis.”

Nolan scowls. “Hold on. You’re our doctor. You can’t spread rumors about Terri. Especially not with her medical history.”

Jasmine raises her hands. “Don’t worry, quarterback daddy. I won’t tell anyone what happens in this room. But I’m not responsible for the old smugglers who have lunch in the hospital cafeteria.”

His shoulders relax. “Okay.”

She sighs. “I wish I could find a strapping quarterback to sweep me off my feet and impregnate me.”

Nolan drops his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry. This quarterback is taken.”

He presses a kiss against my hair and I practically melt into him. I haven’t needed anyone to take care of me since I was ten. I didn’t realize what I was missing out on.

Jasmine swipes her tablet. “Today is to establish the due date of your baby.”

I clear my throat. “We already know the due date.”

“The ultrasound is more accurate.”

I motion to the exam table. “I guess you want me to undress and hop on.”

“No need. Since you’re still early, we’ll do a transvaginal ultrasound today.”

Nolan’s brow wrinkles. “Transvaginal?”

She waves a wand. “It means through the vagina.”

He gulps. “You’re putting that in her?”

I pat his hand. “If you think this is bad, you definitely shouldn’t attend a pap smear.”

His face is now green. “Pap smear?”

The doctor giggles. “Leave Dad alone.” She pats the table. “Hop on and undress from the waist down.”

My cheeks heat. I assumed I’d get undressed behind a screen and put on a hospital gown. Those gowns are hideous, but they’re better than being naked from the waist down in bright lights.

“Daddy, dim the lights,” Jasmine orders.

He kisses my cheek before standing. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. You’re gorgeous, sprite.”

I wait until the lights are dimmed and stand. I remove my underwear before climbing onto the table. Jasmine holds up a sheet and I draw up my dress until my bottom half is exposed. She lays the sheet on me before pulling out the stirrups.

She taps them. “You know the deal.”

Knowing the deal and wanting to expose myself with the man I’m obsessed with in the room are two distinct things. I scowl. I’m not obsessed with Nolan.

He’s my baby daddy. And he’s very good with his mouth and hands. And he takes care of me. And… I’m obsessed.

Nolan growls. “What’s this?”

Jasmine waves the wand at him again. “Transvaginal, remember?”

He sways before catching himself on the back of a chair. “I remember.”

“I can’t wait until the birth. This is so much fun.”

I glare at her. “You enjoy your job too much.”

She shrugs. “What’s not to love? I bring babies into the world.”

I grunt. “You have a point.”

She places a condom on the wand before adding some lubricant. “This is going to be cold.”

“Awesome,” I mutter. “Because this isn’t embarrassing enough as it is.”

Nolan is at my side in a second. He squeezes my hand. “This isn’t embarrassing.”

“Says the man who nearly fainted at the sight of stirrups.”

“I needed a second. I’m ready now. And excited. We’re going to see the baby. And maybe hear the heartbeat.”

My pulse races. The heartbeat. I want to hear the little mermaid’s heartbeat more than anything.

“Here we go,” Jasmine says before pushing the wand inside me.

I grit my teeth at how cold and uncomfortable it is. Nolan rubs my shoulder. “Feel free to squeeze my hand.”

I glance up at him. He isn’t looking at the screen. He’s looking down at me with adoration and wonder in his eyes. Will that adoration and wonder remain if something happens to the baby? Or will he disappear, never to be heard from again?

“I’ve got you, sprite.”

Those words cause warmth to spread through my body. I want him to have me. I want to be his.

“Are you ready?” Jasmine asks. She nods to the screen. “There’s your baby.”

Nolan’s eyes widen. “My baby.”

“She isn’t very big. She reminds me of a gummy bear.”

“I think she resembles a mermaid learning how to swim,” he says.

“Based on the baby’s size, you’re due around March twelfth.”

I glance up at Nolan. “When is the Super Bowl?”

“Don’t worry about the Super Bowl. You concentrate on growing our little mermaid. I’ll concentrate on the football.”

He pulls out his phone.

“You’re not seriously answering a call now!”

“Nope.” He shows me his calendar app. “Adding the little mermaid’s expected appearance into the world to my calendar.”

I notice his calendar is already full. March is nearly eight months away, and he’s already got obligations for then? Will he even be able to attend the birth?

“Shall we try and hear the heartbeat?” Jasmine asks.

Nolan jerks and his phone nearly topples to the ground. “Yes.” He gazes down at me. “If it’s okay with mom.”

Mom? Me? Of course, rationally I know having a baby means I become a mom. But hearing someone call me mom feels different. It feels real. And terrifying.

I inhale a deep breath and nod. “Okay.”

Jasmine smiles. “Here we go.” A flickering sound fills the room.

“Is that…” Nolan swallows.

“Yes, daddy. That’s your baby.”

“My baby. Suddenly, I can’t wait for the season to be finished.” He leans close to the monitor. “I can’t wait to meet you, little mermaid.”

I hope he gets to meet her. I hope I can carry this baby to term. But I haven’t been the luckiest person when it comes to having my wishes come true.

Nolan leans down and gently removes my lip from between my teeth. I didn’t even realize I was chewing on it. “Let me worry about everything. You concentrate on being healthy. I got you.”

Does he really? He’s a quarterback on an NFL team hyped to be the next Super Bowl winner.

He can’t have me and football. But which one will he choose?

Chapter 27

It’s difficult to panic properly while Tanner is making condom jokes.

Nolan

I park my SUV in front of the stadium at Coastal State University. For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be at practice. I want to be with Terri. But she kicked me out of her office. Apparently, I was ‘hovering’. Whatever that means.

I’m itching to get my hands on the bedroom in her house I think would make a good nursery. I don’t want Terri to lift a hand. I want to take care of it. Of her. Of everything.

“Ahem!” Tanner clears his throat.

“Hey, Tanner,” I greet. I start to walk toward the entrance but I’m blocked by Brock. “What’s going on?”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “You got a woman on this island pregnant.”

I glare at him. “A woman? Terri isn’t any woman. She’s my woman.”

“Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.” Tanner waves his hands around. “Terri’s pregnant? The woman who rejected you multiple times?”

I growl and step toward him. Corbin blocks me. “Not worth it.”

“Disagree.” My nostrils flare. “He’s joking about Terri. How would you feel if we were joking about Siena?”

I expect him to deny his relationship with Siena – the way he’s been denying it for weeks now, but he doesn’t. He simply steps out of the way and motions toward Tanner. “Have at it.”

Tanner squeaks before ducking behind Brock, who quirks an eyebrow at him. “Do you seriously think I’ll save you?”

“You’re grumpy but honorable.”

Brock rolls his eyes. “Nice try, goofball, but no.”

Tanner looks to Gage, who shakes his head at him. “We agreed to warn Nolan; the entire team knows he’s having a baby with Terri. We’re not giving him a hard time about it.”

Tanner grunts. “Not even when he tapped it but forgot to wrap it?” he whines. “I came prepared. The man can read defenses but couldn’t read the condom box. He went from franchise quarterback to suburban dad in record time. This is why quarterbacks shouldn’t improvise. You hit—”

I dive for him but Brock wraps an arm around my waist to stop me. “Coach Knox will bench you if you get caught fighting.”

Tanner peaks out from behind Gage. “Some leader you are.”

I snap my teeth at him. “Seriously? You won’t let me hit him? I’ll aim for his soft tissue. No one will know.”

“You shouldn’t aggravate your shoulder,” Corbin says.

Shit. Does he know how bad my shoulder is? Do they all know?

“I’m working on it.”

“Never said you weren’t.”

I wish I was as confident as he is. It doesn’t matter. Confident or not, I’m starting this season. And I’m doing everything in my power to take us to the Super Bowl. This is our year.

Brock motions toward the entrance. “We should go. We don’t want to be late. Coach Knox will have us running circles around the field until we drop. And it’s already eighty-five degrees out.”

“Speaking of Coach Knox,” Tanner begins.

I know exactly what he’s referring to. All the players are talking about it. The rumor Knox is leaving. My gut clenches. I don’t want him to leave.

I hold up my hand. “Enough with the rumors.”

He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout. “But people are finally talking about other people besides me.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Because you’re actually behaving for once.”

He shrugs.

I don’t seriously think he’s behaving. I think he’s digging himself deeper into the hole he dug before we arrived in Smuggler’s Hideaway. But trying to talk Tanner out of anything is a waste of energy.

We enter the stadium and make our way through the hallways to the locker room. I go first, the way I usually do, and—

“SURPRISE!”

The entire team except for the assholes behind me shout. I whirl around to confront them. “What the hell? You told everyone?”

Brock grunts. “We warned you everyone knew.”

Thanks to goofball Tanner, I forgot the purpose of them surrounding me was to warn me. A warning would have been good.

Lamar, the center, lumbers forward. He hands me a package. It’s pink and blue and appears tiny in his hands.

“A little something to commemorate the occasion.”

I open the bag and pull out the tiniest pair of football cleats I’ve ever seen. “What if it’s a girl?”

He snorts. “My girl plays football harder and meaner than my boys.” He steps closer. “Let me give you some advice.”

I nod because he’s giving me his advice whether I want it or not.

“You should teach the baby to sleep through crowd noise immediately.”

Crowd noise? My nose wrinkles. My little mermaid isn’t going to be sleeping in big stadiums.

Except I play in big stadiums. Will Terri come to my games with the baby? She hasn’t accepted any of my invites to attend practice. I doubt she’ll attend a game.

I don’t know how this is going to work. I want to be there for her and the baby, but I won’t be there physically. Will she think I abandoned her when I’m gone?

Brock slaps me on the shoulder. “Learn how to install the car seat before the hospital. Trust me on this.”

I flip through dates in my mind. Our little mermaid is due to make her debut on March 12th. Football season – even if we make it to the Super Bowl – will be over by then. But my obligations aren’t over when the season ends.

I have sponsorship deals. Which will be even worse if the Seals play in the Super Bowl.

And I usually host a quarterback camp around March/April. Could I move the date? Or have I already committed to the location?

And if we win the Super Bowl? March will be a media storm of podcasts and television appearances.

Being present for the birth will be more difficult than I expected. But I promised Terri I’d be there. I can’t let her go through the birth of our baby alone. It’s bad enough I’ll be absent for most of the pregnancy.

Shit. I’ll be absent for most of the pregnancy. When she’s terrified she can’t carry the baby to term. What kind of Dad am I?

I’m exactly like my dad. After I promised I wouldn’t be.

Beck taps the mini cleats. “How long before they can throw a football?”

Lamar chuckles. “After they go through about a gazillion diapers.”

Surely, he’s joking. Isn’t he? “How many diapers do babies need?”

Brock chuckles. “More than you can imagine.”

“Maybe I should sign Terri up for a diaper service. Those exist, don’t they?”

Gage’s nose wrinkles. “On Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

“And diapers are only the start,” Brock adds. “You won’t believe how far a baby’s puke can travel.”

Lamar barks out a laugh. “I remember this one time my oldest boy projectile vomited and it got in my hair. I wasn’t even in the room.”

How is Terri supposed to handle this on her own? How did Mom handle five kids on her own? I should send her a gift basket.

Lamar slaps my shoulder and my knees buckle. The center is one of the biggest players on the team. He’s supposed to protect me. Not flatten me.

“Don’t worry. The wives have a group chat. I’ll add Terri to it.”

My sprite would promptly lose her mind if she was added to a group chat with the wives of the team members. She refuses to admit we’re in a relationship – which we are. She’ll think I’m pushing her.

“No, don’t.”

His brow wrinkles. “Do you not want Terri to be part of our family?”

I blow out a breath. “It’s not that.”

Tanner skips toward us. “It’s more Terri doesn’t want to be involved with our esteemed quarterback.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And you’re not denying it. I win!”

“Allen!” Knox shouts. “My office.”

“Someone’s in trouble,” Tanner sings and I elbow him as I pass. He laughs as he falls to the ground. Drama queen.

I enter Knox’s office and shut the door behind me. “What’s up?”

He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back against his desk. “It’s true? You knocked up a local?”

I glare. “Not you, too. Her name is Terri, and she’s pregnant. Don’t disrespect her.”

He smiles. “Good answer.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you done testing me?”

He clears his throat. “Just wanted to check on the shoulder. You seemed to be in a lot of pain at the last practice.”

Because I was. But I’m not admitting it. “I’ll be fine.”

“You sure? This is going to be a tough season. Beck is improving.”

I bristle. “Beck is a rookie.”

“Whose shoulder isn’t ripped to shreds.”

“Let me worry about my shoulder.”

“You have a lot to worry about. Your shoulder. The weight of the Super Bowl expectations. Having a baby with a woman who lives far away from Steel City.”

“I don’t need the reminder.”

“You sure? Because you’re acting like nothing’s changed. Planning to play the season with a hurt shoulder and a baby on the way.”

“I have it handled.”

He lifts up his hands. “Your choice. But let me say this. I would do anything – and I do mean anything – to change the past and watch my son grow up. And watching Jade grow my baby?” He shakes his head. “I missed it all.”

His words hit me like a Mack truck. Will I regret not being here with Terri? Will she resent me? Will I miss the birth of my child?

Chapter 28

Who can argue with a man who brings pickles?

Terri

I open the refrigerator, scan the contents, and scowl. The same as the previous five times I checked, there’s nothing I want to eat in here. And no new food has materialized.

Damn it. I want something salty. But not potato chips. I riffle through the jars of condiments and end up with a jar of pickles.

Yes! I open the jar and frown. It’s empty.

I debate drinking the pickle juice. Is that weird? The athletes do it. Before I can figure out what to do, my phone beeps with a message.

I check the time. It must be Nolan. It’s been at least an hour since the last time he checked on me. It must be time for another check-in. I swear he has a timer set.

How are you doing, sprite?

I’m fine except someone must have broken into my house and stolen the pickles in my jar.

Ha! Ha! Do you want pickles?

Doesn’t matter what I want. There are no pickles.

How are you otherwise?

Tired. Tired of bridezillas and their crazy requests.

What crazy requests did you get today?

Turn the wind down because it’s ruining the veil photos.

Wow. You control the wind. Cool.

And clouds! I was supposed to remove the clouds from the sky for drone footage.

I’m impressed. Nearly as impressed as when you trained Sammy to wave during the vows.

I scowl.

Sammy isn’t a tourist attraction.

The Sammy the Seal app says differently.

I wish the app was never invented. But Mayor Lana always gets her way.

Lana will literally do anything to attract tourists. First there was the Live Like a Smuggler weekend. Guests didn’t realize living like a smuggler meant spending six hours hauling crates and cleaning boats. Reviews were not good.

And then there was the Moonshine Pancake Breakfast. Tourists started drinking at 8 a.m. No one considered how strong the moonshine on Smuggler’s Hideaway is. By noon there was a conga line through town and someone tried to marry a mailbox.

There’s a knock on the door.

Sorry. I need to go. Someone’s here.

I wait for him to respond, but when there’s another knock on the door, I give up. I hate making people wait. I throw my phone on the table as I walk to the door.

“You’re here,” I say as I open the door.

Nolan elbows his way inside. My eyes widen at the amount of grocery bags in his arms.

“What’s going on?”

He makes his way to the kitchen and sets the bags down. “I was at the grocery store getting supplies when I messaged you.”

I peer into a bag. “There’s enough fresh fruit in here for an entire football team.”

“You need your fruit.”

I peer into the next bag. “There’s enough fresh vegetables in here to feed the football team’s opponent.”

“The doctor said you should eat fresh fruit and veg.”

He starts pulling fruit out of the bag.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you think? I’m putting away the groceries.”

“Nolan,” I growl. “I can’t eat this much food. I don’t want any food to go to waste.”

He shrugs. “I’ll eat whatever is left over.”

Does he think he’ll be spending more time in my house? I can’t deny I want him here. I’d be lying if I did. But it’s not a good idea. Emotional attachments lead to pain, heartache, and, in my mother’s case, death.

I lift a brow. “You will?”

He ignores my question as he digs in a bag. “I believe this is what you were craving.”

He hands me a jar of pickles and I cradle it to my chest. “Yes!”

He chuckles. “You’re easy to please.”

I wrestle the jar open and stuff a pickle in my mouth. “Not usually.”

He pauses before setting down the bunch of bananas in his hands and stalking toward me.

“What?” I ask between chomps on my pickle.

He glides his nose along my neck and I automatically tilt to give him more room. He reaches my ear and bites down on the lobe. I moan at the feel of his teeth on mine. I love it when he touches me.

“I don’t find it difficult to please you.”

My nipples tighten at his low, rumbly voice filled with promise. He presses a kiss to my neck before stepping back and returning to the grocery bags.

I need a minute for my heart rate to return to normal. I clear my throat. “You didn’t happen to buy any ice cream, did you?”

“What flavor do you want? I got chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. I stuck to simple, but if you tell me your favorite flavors, I’ll get them next time.”

Next time? There’s going to be a next time? Yes!

No. I shouldn’t be excited. Do I need another reminder about how bad emotional attachments are?

“Vanilla, please,” I say before I end up giving myself whiplash.

He digs in a bag and pulls out a pint of vanilla ice cream. He hands it to me before opening a cupboard and pulling out a bowl.

“Don’t need a bowl,” I tell him as I dip the pickle directly into the ice cream. I shove it in my mouth. This. This is what I was craving.

I moan as I chew. Nolan growls, and I freeze.

I glance up at him. I’m holding an open pint of ice cream while cradling a jar of pickles. My next pickle is poised above the ice cream like it’s an ice cream spoon. I probably look like a complete nut job.

“I’m not crazy. It’s the baby. Pregnancy cravings.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy. But usually when you make that particular moan it’s because I touched you in a way you really enjoy.”

He reaches down and adjusts his dick in his pants. My eyes widen. “Oh.”

“You have no idea how sexy you are to me.”

I snort. “I’m sure I’m the height of sexy right now.”

When I got home from work, I changed into an old t-shirt. It was my brother Scott’s, so it’s huge on me. I also cleaned my face of make-up and put my hair up. Sexy is not the way I’d describe my current appearance.

Nolan steps forward and I’m forced to retreat until my back hits the kitchen counter. “You have no idea how much I want to set you on the counter, strip you bare, and lick and touch every single inch of you before burying my cock deep into your hot, wet pussy. I don’t give a damn about the outfit.” He plucks at my t-shirt. “Except for this. I don’t approve of this.”

“What’s wrong with my Smuggler’s High School t-shirt?”

“It’s too big. It’s obviously not yours.” He growls. “Whose t-shirt is it?”

I debate not telling him. I don’t think any man has ever been jealous before when it comes to me. It makes me feel powerful. As if I’m not just his baby mama.

“Whose?” he orders.

My mouth opens and I tell him before I realize I’m speaking. “It was my brother’s. I spilled chocolate on it and he refused to wear it after that.”

I point to the chocolate stain near the breast.

“I’m glad I don’t have to kill anyone tonight, but you’ll wear my old t-shirts from now on. I’ll bring you over a bunch tomorrow. Some sweatshirts and hoodies, too.”

My mouth drops open. “You don’t need to bring me your wardrobe.”

“You’re not wearing anyone’s t-shirts but mine from now on.”

My stomach warms at those words. It sounds as if he’s claiming me. Is he? Do I want him to? The whiplash is back – more confusing than ever.

“You don’t need to come over again tomorrow. You have a busy life.”

He palms my cheek. “And you’re an important part of my life.”

I want to believe him. Oh, sweet mermaid, how I want to believe him. “You mean the baby, our little mermaid, is an important part of your life.”

His nostrils flare and a muscle in his jaw ticks. “Listen to me, sprite. You are an important part of my life. What we have is real. I want you. Not just because you’re having my baby. But because you’re you.”

I chew on my lip as I let those words sink in. Do I dare believe him?

“Come on, sprite. You’re the strongest woman I know. Don’t let fear rule you. Admit you want this to be real. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

I motion to the kitchen counter. “Good. Because someone has to eat all this food.”

“Serious as shit, Terri. I’m going to be here for you and the baby. I already cancelled my quarterback camp and told my agent I’m not available except for remote obligations in March.”

My mouth gapes open. “In March?”

He nods. “When the baby is due. You’re not going through this alone. I won’t let you.”

My resistance crumbles. How could it not? He’s giving up things he cares about for me. For our baby. “One date.”

His lips tip up. “Yeah?”

“Yes. One date and we’ll take it from there.”

“I’ll take it,” he murmurs before melding his lips to mine.

I fall into the kiss. I allow his lips and mouth to alleviate all my worries about the future. About whether he’s staying. About whether this baby will make it.

For now, there are no worries. There’s just Nolan. His taste. His smell. His presence surrounding me and grounding me.

Chapter 29

I didn’t realize my sprite is a Mermaid Mini Golf hustler.

Nolan

I knock on Terri’s door. Excitement for this evening fills me. Going on a date shouldn’t be a big deal. But it is for Terri. Which means it is for me, too.

The door opens and there she is. I half expected her to hide from me.

I kiss her cheek. “Good evening, sprite. You look gorgeous.”

Her cheeks darken. “Thank you.”

Progress. She didn’t fight me. She accepted the compliment.

“Are you ready?”

She motions to her sundress. “Is my outfit okay?”

Her outfit is more than okay. It’s strapless and shows off her honey colored skin. The bodice molds to her breasts before it flares out. I resign myself to spending the night hard and horny.

“Your outfit is perfect.”

“What are we doing?” she asks as I escort her to my SUV.

I lift her up and set her in her seat. Her breath hitches. She loves it when I carry her. Which means I plan to carry my little sprite as often as possible.

I kiss her nose. “Mermaid Mini Golf followed by a sunset picnic at Mermaid Point.”

She smiles. “Sounds fun.”

It’s supposed to sound romantic, but I’ll take fun. I’m just glad she agreed to go out on a date with me. And now I need to convince her to give me a second date and a third date. All the dates because I’m not going anywhere.

I make sure she’s buckled in before shutting the door and rushing around to the driver’s seat.

“What do you usually do on a first date?” I ask once we’re driving toward Mermaid Mini Golf.

“It’s tradition to steal a mascot on a first date. Plank is due to be stolen.”

Is she messing with me? I glance over at her. She’s not laughing or smirking. She’s serious.

“You need to explain. Mascot? Parrot? Is it a parrot outfit and a mascot of what?”

“There are three towns on Smuggler’s Hideaway – Smuggler’s Rest, Rogue’s Landing, and Pirate’s Perch. Each one has a live mascot.”

“Live? As in a living animal?”

“Yep. Smuggler’s Rest has an otter named Viking. If you’ve been to Pirate’s Pastries, you’ve seen him. Rogue’s Landing has a raccoon named Rogue.”

I bark out a laugh. “Now, I understand why Gage complained about raccoon vomit.”

She purses her lips. “Addy knows better than to feed Rogue too many marshmallows. He’s addicted.”

“A raccoon addicted to marshmallows?”

“He’s a slut for marshmallows. And, last but not least, there’s Plank the parrot. He’s the mascot for Pirate’s Perch. He’s also the most difficult to steal.”

“Why?”

“The Perchers, which is how the residents of Pirate’s Perch call themselves, taught Plank to shout like he’s a policeman. Whenever someone he doesn’t know opens his cage, he shouts Stop! Police! Everyone on the island knows this but they still chicken out.”

I chuckle. “Does this mean you want to go steal Plank? Today is our first date after all.”

She motions to her dress. “I’m not climbing through a window in this. Besides, I don’t know where Plank is. I need to do some research. We can steal him on our second date.”

Second date? Yes! But still…

“You’re not climbing through a window while you’re pregnant.”

“Don’t go all caveman on me. You’re the one who asked to go steal Plank.”

“I didn’t…”

She giggles. “I’m teasing you. I’m not stealing Plank while I’m pregnant. I mean I could. I have the skills. But the entire island of Smugglers would lose their minds when they found out. It’s bad enough I can’t go out in public in Smuggler’s Rest because everyone on the island is determined to give me pregnancy advice.”

“I didn’t want anyone to know until the second trimester,” she ends on a whisper.

I squeeze her hand. “They know and they love you. If the unthinkable happens, they’ll be here for you. As will I.”

I hope. Once the season starts, I’ll lose control of my schedule.

“But tonight isn’t about our little mermaid. Tonight is about us.” I turn into the parking lot of Mermaid Mini Golf. “And me kicking your ass at mini golf.”

“You’re delusional. I’ve been playing mini golf here since I arrived on the island. You’re going down.”

She can tease me all she wants if it removes the fear from her eyes. I may even let her win at mini golf.

We reach the booth.

“Hi, Cindy!” Terri greets the young woman working there. “How are you?”

“Relieved you’re pregnant and not here with a group of friends.”

Terri frowns. “You’re not supposed to know I’m pregnant.”

Cindy rolls her eyes. “The entire town knows.”

“You’re supposed to pretend you don’t know.”

Cindy throws her arms in the air. “Excuse me for being excited I don’t have to worry about you getting drunk and deciding to do an autopsy on a plastic mermaid. Hole 6 isn’t repaired yet.”

I nearly choke. “An autopsy on a mermaid?”

“It’s what happens when you drink shots of moonshine and play drinking games.”

“We’re not drinking, and we won’t be playing any games.”

Terri blinks up at me. “Are you afraid I’ll win?”

I scowl. “No.”

Her grin is mischievous. Happy and not worried looks good on her. “I bet I win. What do I get when I win?”

I smirk. But when I open my mouth to answer, Cindy cuts me off.

“NO!” She slashes her hand through the air. “I do not want to hear any sexy talk from the gorgeous quarterback. Everyone on the island is getting some from a hot football player except me.”

I clear my throat. “I should pay.”

“Do you want me to pretend I’m going to pay?” Terri asks.

“What?”

“I can offer to go Dutch if it makes you feel better.”

“I’m paying,” I grit out.

“That’s what I thought.”

She snatches a scorecard while I gather the balls and clubs. “I’ll keep score. Otherwise, you might cheat.”

I hand her a club. “I don’t cheat.”

“We’ll see,” she sings. “What should we play for?”

This is the perfect opportunity. “How about every hole I win I get to ask you a question?”

“And every hole I win I’ll ask you a question?” She rubs her hands together. “I’m going to learn all the gossip about Nolan Allen tonight.”

“I motion to the first hole. You can go first.”

“Awful confident.”

“I am a professional athlete.”

She tweaks my nose. “You’re adorable.”

She sets her ball down and wiggles her ass as she gets ready. She can take as long as she wants to get ready if she wiggles her ass every time. She stares at the target, brings back her club, and whacks the ball.

The ball hits a pirate barrel, ricochets off a treasure chest, bounces off a decorative cannon, and drops straight into the hole.

“And that is what you call skill.” She bows.

I snort. “Skill? The ball committed insurance fraud.”

She pats my cheek. “Don’t be jealous. Hurry and hit the ball; I’m ready to ask my first question.”

Unlike Terri, I try to putt correctly. And end up needing five swings to sink the ball.

“Five embarrassing strokes,” she mutters as she fills out the scorecard. “Now, first question.”

I groan. I made a lot of stupid choices when I was a rookie player.

“What did you want to be growing up? Did you always want to be a football player?”

I don’t call her out for asking two questions. I’m happy to answer. She’s asking about my life, getting to know me – the person, not the player. It’s what I want.

“I didn’t want to be a football player. I saw how my dad was, and I didn’t want to be him. I actually wanted to be an actor.”

“Really? Tell me more.”

“I used to participate in all the plays and musicals back in junior high. Then, in my freshman year of high school, I landed the role of Biff Lowman in Death of a Salesman. He’s a former high school football hero whose life has stalled.”

“Wow. You weren’t kidding about the acting thing.”

I shrug. I loved pretending I was someone else. That I wasn’t Danny Allen’s kid. That I didn’t have to go home to a house with an absent dad. That I didn’t have to help Mom raise the kids.

“Anyway, I thought I’d go all method and learn how to play football. I tried out for the high school football team, and before I knew it, I was the quarterback on the varsity team.”

Her nose wrinkles. “You stayed on the team despite the pressure from your dad?”

I blow out a breath. How to explain it to her? “I didn’t want to be like my dad. But when I throw a ball and it sails in the air to land in the hands of my teammate? There’s nothing like the thrill.”

“You love it? You love football?”

“I do. I’m not sure I know what to do without football.”

I remember helping Beck. How good it felt to show him some quarterback tricks. I frown. I’m not ready to coach. I’m too young. I still haven’t won the Super Bowl. And I will play in the Super Bowl if it’s the last thing I do in my career.

Terri grasps my hand. “Thanks for opening up to me.”

I smile down at her. She doesn’t get it. I’m happy to open up to her. Because she’s not just the mother of my child. She’s Terri. I want her as much as our little mermaid.

I need to convince her I’m serious. I’m real. And I’m here.

“We can’t have a relationship if I don’t let you in.”

“True. But I didn’t expect you to open up your heart at the second hole of Mermaid Midget Golf.”

“For you, my heart is always open.”

Her eyes widen and her foot bounces. She’s ready to bail. Time to give her some space. In the meantime, I’ll show her I’m serious by my deeds. Actions matter more than words after all.

Chapter 30

It’s difficult to keep pretending you're alone when an entire team disagrees.

Terri

By the time I park at the stadium at Coastal State University, my heart is banging in my chest. This is a bad idea.

I’m entering Nolan’s world by attending the practice. This is not me ensuring I don’t get attached to someone guaranteed to leave the island.

I wipe those thoughts from my mind. I told Nolan I would try to have a real relationship with him. I’m not breaking my promise. Even though it scares the hell out of me.

I place my hand on my stomach. I’ve got you, little mermaid. No matter what, I’ve got you.

“You okay?” Dad asks.

I nearly startle. I forgot he was in the passenger seat.

“I’m fine.”

He nods to my stomach.

“Sorry. It’s a pregnant woman thing.”

“As long as you’re okay. Or as okay as you can get considering…” He trails off with a nod to the stadium.

I frown at him. “What?”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re scared to attend this practice.”

I bristle. “Why would I be scared of a practice?”

“Because it means you’re giving this relationship with Nolan a chance.”

“I’ve had relationships with men before.”

He snorts. “All superficial. You never let them inside. And you certainly never introduced them to me after you moved out.”

“Nolan insisted on meeting you since he’s the baby’s dad.”

He lifts a brow. “I know you, kiddo. You would have shut down any other man faster than a mermaid can swim away from a pirate.”

I don’t have a response since he’s right.

“There’s nothing superficial about this relationship.”

“Because we’re having a baby together.”

His eyes narrow on me. “Don’t diminish what you’re building here. Love doesn’t come around that often. Don’t miss out.”

His parting shot made, he climbs out of my car.

I inhale a deep breath and force all the thoughts whirling around in my mind away. I’m here for Nolan. I want to show him I support him. The way he supports me. It’s not a big deal.

I join Dad at the front of the car and he leads us to the stadium.

A guard stands in front of the entrance with his arms crossed over his chest. “Today is a closed practice session. Family only.”

I retreat. “I’m not family.”

Dad grabs my elbow and pulls me forward. “This is Terri Jordan. She should be on the list of family.”

He checks his list. “Yep. Got you down as Terri and Charlie Jordan.” He waves us forward. “Enjoy your morning.”

Dad keeps his hand on my lower back as we walk through the building. He’s not a stupid man. He knows I’m ready to run. This is why I brought him. To make sure I didn’t chicken out.

When we enter the stadium, I’m surprised by how many people are here. I scan the area.

“Where should we sit? What are the best seats?” My knowledge of football is seriously limited considering I’m carrying the Seals’ star quarterback’s child.

Dad doesn’t answer. He’s too busy watching the field. The players are lined up. Nolan shouts some numbers and then the ball is in his hand. He dances backward as he studies the field. He lifts his arm and the ball sails through the air before landing in Tanner’s hands.

“Touchdown!” Tanner shouts.

I snort. “Even I know he’s not in the end zone.”

“Again!” Coach Knox yells from the sideline in front of us.

Nolan glances over at him but he freezes when he notices me. Knox looks over his shoulder. His gaze catches mine.

“Water break!”

Nolan rips his helmet off and jogs over to us. He grins at me. “You made it.”

He leans over the fence to kiss my cheek. He’s hot and sweaty. It should put me off. Instead, it makes me think of wrinkled sheets and a wrecked bed. Guessing by the smirk on his face, he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I narrow my eyes at him and he laughs.

He shakes Dad’s hand. “Thanks for bringing her.”

“I wanted to see what you’re made of on the field.”

“Do you want to meet the rest of the team?”

Dad clears his throat. “I don’t want to impose.”

“You can’t impose. You’re family.” He whistles before motioning for his friends to join us.

“Terri, Charlie, this is Gage Edwards, Tanner Long, Corbin Cox, and Brock Porter.”

The largest man I’ve ever seen pushes his way to the front of the group. “Don’t forget me,” he says before offering me his hand. “I’m Lamar. My wife can’t wait to meet you.”

My mouth drops open and I stutter. “W-w-what?”

Nolan pushes him away. “I told you not to stress her out.”

“How is inviting her to a group chat stressing her out?”

Group chat? I can handle a group chat. Maybe. If I forget everyone in the chat is in a relationship with someone the team Nolan plays on.

“Ahem!” I clear my throat as loud as possible. “What group chat?” Nolan purses his lips. I point a finger at him. “You’re not in charge of me. I can decide if something is stressing me out without you acting as my gatekeeper.”

“Nolan’s in trouble,” Tanner sings, but everyone ignores him.

“The wives have a group chat,” Lamar explains. “I thought since you’re bringing the next little Seal into the world, you’d want to join. It’s a great group. My wife claims she couldn’t live without it. They can help you figure out all kinds of pregnancy shit.”

I place my hand on my stomach and glare at Nolan. “You didn’t tell me your entire team knows about our little mermaid.”

“Don’t blame him,” Brock says. “May found out. She told my son, Jace. He can’t keep a secret.”

Dad elbows me. “You should join this chat group. Might be good for you.”

What if I join and Nolan leaves me? What then? I’ll make new friends and then they’ll choose his side. It’ll only make things worse.

“Take a chance, kiddo,” Dad whispers. “Not everyone in this world is going to leave you. I didn’t. Trust Nolan not to either.”

It’s not that easy. I can’t snap my fingers and forget how the person who was supposed to love me most in the world didn’t stay for me. How she was more concerned about nursing her heartache than being my mom.

I glance down at my still flat stomach. Don’t worry, little mermaid. I won’t abandon you. No matter what.

Dad snatches my phone out of my pocket and hands it to Lamar.

“This is exciting,” Lamar mumbles as he types a number in my phone. His big hands appear ridiculous typing on my phone, but he doesn’t have any issues. “The quarterback who’s always taking care of everyone else finally has someone to take care of him.”

His gaze sharpens on me. “You are taking care of him, aren’t you?”

“I…uh…” Before I have a chance to admit that Nolan is the caretaker, Nolan tackles him.

Nolan straddles him on the ground. “I warned you what would happen if you stress her out. She has enough stress. You don’t add to it.”

His gaze scans the group of football players circling him. “None of you do. Do you understand me?”

“Nolan!” I shout. He doesn’t respond. “Nolan!”

His gaze meets mine. “Get off him. He’s your teammate. I’m not letting our situation come between you and your teammates. Or your career. This is your year, remember? The year the Seals go all the way.”

Lamar pushes Nolan off him. “I like her. My wife and her are going to be best friends.” He stands and smiles at me. “Welcome to the Seals family,” he says before lumbering off.

A whistle blows. “Playtime’s over, kids. Back to work!” Coach Knox shouts.

“I’ll see you later,” I tell Nolan.

He jogs off but stops. “Where are your supplies?”

I lift up my purse.

He frowns. “Do you have water? Crackers? Sunscreen? Hair ties? Enough—”

“I’m fine.”

He ignores me to address my dad. “If she starts feeling dizzy or shows any symptoms of heat exhaustion, I expect you to handle it.”

“I’ve got this handled, kiddo. You get back to work before your coach has an aneurysm.”

“Thanks, Charlie.” He winks at me. “Have fun. I’ll see you later.”

I want to remind him I’m not a child, but he hurries off before I get a chance.

Dad wraps an arm around my shoulders. “He’s worried about you. He wants to take care of you. Let him. For once, let someone take care of you.”

“I let you take care of me.”

He guffaws. “When you arrived at my house when you were twelve years old, you were determined to not let anyone take care of you.”

After nearly two years of being shuffled from house to house, I wasn’t about to trust anyone or let anyone get close.

“Whatever,” I mutter. “Do we have assigned seats or can we sit anywhere?”

We find seats in the fifth row and settle in to watch the practice.

Nolan isn’t just the quarterback. He’s obviously the leader of the team. He appears happy. He truly loves the game and playing it.

Will he still be able to play once the little mermaid is born? He already cancelled a bunch of things in March when the baby’s due. Am I stealing his career away?

Chapter 31

It turns out my priorities have terrible timing.

Nolan

Excitement flows through me as I jog back to formation. Terri’s here. She’s no longer hiding from our relationship. No longer claiming our only connection is the little mermaid. She realizes what’s between us is more than us having a baby together.

We’re a couple, too. She’s just as important to me as our little mermaid.

It’s taken a lot of effort to get her this far. I don’t mind the effort. I’m used to working hard for what I want. And, considering her past, I don’t blame her one bit for being cautious. Especially considering I’m an NFL player who won’t be around as much as she needs. Not when I have a team to lead to the Super Bowl.

She faced her fears and came to practice. I’m so fucking proud of her. I thought she’d lose her mind when Lamar mentioned the group chat. But she seemed okay. Dazed but okay. She didn’t run away.

Things are going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. More than okay.

Lamar slaps my shoulder. I have to brace myself before I stumble. The center weighs three hundred pounds and often forgets his own strength. At least he slapped my good shoulder.

“Good to see you finally settling down.”

“What are you? My mom?”

“Nah.” He smirks. “I’m prettier than your mom.”

I launch myself at him but Brock steps in my way. “No.”

“But he made fun of my mom.”

Lamar chuckles. “This is fun. Our always steady quarterback is finally showing signs of life.”

“Usually he’s such a fuddy duddy,” Tanner adds.

I point at him. “Just because I’m not an idiot who’s always getting in trouble doesn’t make me a fuddy duddy.”

He clasps his chest. “Me? In trouble? Nah, dude, I’ve changed my ways.”

“In other words, he’s pretending to be good to impress Alaia,” Gage says.

Tanner rolls his eyes. “Don’t be jealous just because Addy isn’t impressed by you.”

Gage grins. “Don’t you worry. Addy is plenty impressed by me.”

Lamar shakes his head. “What the hell is in the water in Smuggler’s Hideaway? Has the entire offensive team fallen in love?”

Silence falls and his eyes widen. “I was joking. Even Brock and Corbin?”

Brock growls. “Nope.”

He’s delusional. I’ve seen the way his face gets soft when May’s name is mentioned. It’s the same way he looks when he thinks about his son. The guy is hooked. He’s just scared.

“We’re not discussing me,” Corbin adds.

“How about we discuss how he’s living with his landlady?” Tanner suggests.

Corbin glares at him. “Are you spying on me again?”

“It’s not spying when you’re friends.”

“It is—"

A whistle blows. Coach Knox fists his hands on his hips. “If you’re done gossiping, we have practice.”

I slam my helmet on my head. “Yes, coach.”

“Whatever you say, Coach Cha-Cha!” Tanner salutes him.

Coach Knox blows the whistle again. "Let’s go!"

The offense resets. I clap my hands. "Blue eighty! Blue eighty! Set!"

The ball slaps into my hands. I drop back. Tanner breaks left. Corbin cuts across the middle. Gage cuts toward the sideline before breaking back inside.

I plant and throw. Fire explodes through my shoulder. My pass sails anyway. Perfect spiral. Right into Tanner's hands.

The guys cheer. But I barely hear them. Because my shoulder is screaming. Again.

I breathe through the pain and glance toward the stands. Terri is laughing while Charlie is gesturing wildly with his hands. One hand rests on her stomach. It’s a completely unconscious move. Protective and natural as if she’s already a mom.

The pain fades away, and a strange calm settles over me. For years, I've been terrified of the day football ends. Terrified of who I'd be without it. Terrified of becoming my father. Terrified of losing the thing I've spent my entire life chasing.

But watching Terri laugh in the stands...watching her protect our little mermaid without even realizing she's doing it...for the first time in my life, I can picture a future that doesn't start with football.

My shoulder isn’t getting better. At some point, I have to stop pretending and start playing it forward.

Coach Knox blows the whistle again. "Allen!"

I turn back to the field. To the game I love. The game that's given me everything. For the first time, it doesn't feel like enough.

Knox points toward the huddle. "Run it again."

Great. More shoulder pain.

The ball hits my hands. I drop back. The rush closes in. Gage slips into the flat. Corbin breaks inside. Tanner streaks down the sideline.

Everything slows. Not because the game changed. But because my head finally did.

For the first time in months, I stop worrying about my shoulder. Stop worrying about retirement. Stop worrying about next season. Stop worrying about March.

I just play.

Tanner is covered. Corbin is covered. Gage isn't. Three-yard checkdown. Everyone groans.

Gage turns up field, cuts outside, and picks up twenty.

Knox blows the whistle. “That's what I'm talking about!”

“I was open,” Tanner complains.

I roll my eyes. “You weren't open.”

“I was emotionally open.”

“You’ve never been emotionally open.”

He grimaces. “I’m trying.”

My eyes widen, but before I have a chance to ask Tanner what the hell he’s talking about, Beck asks, “How'd you know to throw to Gage?”

I shrug. “The defense gave it to me.”

“Coach said the same thing.”

“Coach is usually right.”

“You seem different today.”

I glance toward the stands. To the reason why I’m different. Not just for today. But for the future.

Terri is smiling at her dad. Charlie says something, and she swats his arm as she laughs. One hand drifts to her stomach again. It’s protective and automatic.

Maybe football isn't enough anymore. But maybe that's okay. Maybe football was never supposed to be everything.

Maybe I'm ready for something bigger than myself.

Chapter 32

I’m starting to understand football. Feelings are another matter.

Terri

I smile at Nolan as I open my door to him. My smile widens when I notice the Wok the Plank bags he’s carrying.

“You didn’t have to bring me food.”

He shrugs. “Brock wanted to stop at Wok the Plank to pick up food for Jace.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Food for Jace?”

Brock and May have been circling each other all summer. All of Smuggler’s Hideaway is gossiping about when they’ll finally get together. I placed my bet on them already being together and keeping it quiet.

Nolan chuckles. “Never thought I’d witness Brock fall in love again after Serenity.”

Who’s Serenity? I want to ask, but my stomach rumbles.

He scowls. “Have you eaten today? I knew you should have brought more snacks to practice.”

I roll my eyes. Nolan is overprotective, but I don’t complain because it’s sweet. No one else has ever worried if I brought enough snacks with me before. Mom certainly never had the energy to worry about me – even before she was pregnant.

My hand drifts to my stomach. Don’t worry, little mermaid. You will never be without snacks.

Nolan’s gaze sharpens. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just hungry.”

“You’re a liar.”

“You can’t possibly read me well enough to know when I’m lying.”

“Sweetheart, what do you think I do for a living?”

I roll my eyes. “Play football. I watched you do it today.”

“And part of my job is reading the defense. Knowing what every one of those defenders is thinking before they do it.”

“Really?” My nose scrunches. “I didn’t understand much of what was happening.”

“Why don’t we eat and I’ll explain?” He lifts the bags of food and my stomach rumbles in response.

“Little mermaid has decided. Food it is.”

He places a hand on my stomach. “I can’t wait to meet you, little mermaid.”

Tears well in my eyes at the sincerity of his voice. There’s still a thread of fear running through my body, but I’m not letting it ruin this moment.

He kisses my cheek before pushing past me and strolling into the kitchen. “I got you some low sodium options. Sodium can cause high blood pressure. I also asked them for the dishes with the least MSG. MSG is safe, but it can cause water retention, bloating, or heartburn.”

He smiles up at me. “Don’t want my sprite getting any of those.”

“At least tell me you got sweet and sour chicken. It’s my favorite.”

“Sorry. Too high in sodium.”

I groan. “But I love sweet and sour chicken.”

He drops the bags on the counter and approaches me. He palms my cheeks. “You can have as much sweet and sour chicken as you want. Once our little mermaid is born.”

“You bet I will since the pregnancy police won’t be around.” I sound as if I’m joking, but it hurts knowing Nolan will be far away while I handle this pregnancy alone.

He leans over to touch his mouth to mine in a soft, brief kiss. “I’m going to be around more than you think.”

Is he serious? He’ll be around more? Dare I hope?

He kisses my nose before moving away to grab plates out of the cupboard. “Do you want water or ginger ale?”

I grimace. “Water. I’m sick to death of ginger ale.”

“I’ll buy you some lemon lime soda.”

I sigh. “You don’t have to buy me anything. I’m perfectly capable of buying my own drinks.”

“I know you are. I also know you’re growing our baby. I can’t help you with that. But I can make sure you’re taken care of.”

I melt. Of course, I do. To the rest of the world, he’s a big, bad football player. To me, he’s a fluffy teddy bear.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I nod. He grins. “Thank you.”

“Are you thanking me for letting you take care of me?”

“Yep. Because I know how hard it is for you to let anyone take care of you.”

I have no response since I can’t deny his words. I concentrate on placing the food on the table while he brings plates and silverware and our drinks. I frown at his water.

“There’s beer in the fridge.”

“I’m not drinking beer when you can’t.”

“You can drink beer. I don’t mind. I bought the beer for you.”

“I’m good.” He kisses my nose before settling in a seat across from mine.

“What exactly do you do all day?” I ask once we’re digging into our food. “Besides throw a football and get interviewed?”

He chews for a moment before answering. “I'm basically the guy who decides where the ball goes. Before every play, I have to figure out what the defense is doing and then make a decision in about two seconds.”

My eyes widen. “Two seconds?”

“Usually less.”

“Sounds like a lot of responsibility.”

He shrugs. “It’s what I do.”

“Why quarterback?”

“I enjoy solving problems. Every defense is a puzzle.”

“Huh. I thought all you did was throw the ball and accept glory for every touchdown.”

“The hardest part isn't throwing the ball. It's trusting someone will be where they're supposed to be.”

“Explain.”

He glances around the table before grabbing an empty container and placing it at the end of the table. “Pretend this is Tanner.”

“The empty container is Tanner?”

He snorts. “It’s about as obedient.”

I frown. Tanner’s pretending to date my friend, Alaia. Except Alaia isn’t pretending any longer. I hope he doesn’t break her heart.

“I call the play,” Nolan says, and I return my attention to him. “Tanner runs a route. Maybe he runs ten yards and cuts toward the sideline. My job is to throw the ball before he's even there.”

“You throw the ball to where he’s not? You’re making no sense.”

“It’s all about timing.”

My brow wrinkles. “I’m confused.”

“I can show you.”

“How?”

He stands and offers me his hand. “Come with me.”

I grasp his hand and he pulls me to his feet. He leads me outside to his SUV.

“Are we going somewhere?”

“Just getting a ball.”

I blink. “You carry footballs around with you?”

“Part of the job,” he mutters as he digs a football out of the back. He points to a tree. “Run to the tree.”

“Why?”

“Trust me.”

“If you hit me in the face with a football again, I’m siccing my dad on you.”

Pain flashes in his blue eyes. “I’m sorry, sprite. It was an accident. I promise to be careful with you and our little mermaid.”

“I was actually joking.”

He caresses my cheek. “I’m not. I was an idiot showing off for some old men. I didn’t want to admit how bad my shoulder hurt.”

I frown. “Does your shoulder hurt now?”

“It’s fine.”

“Why do you continue to play if you’re in pain?”

He doesn’t deny being in pain. He can’t. He knows I caught his lie. “For a few seconds after the snap, everything else disappears.”

I understand. It’s not the same, but when I watch a bride walk down the aisle, I forget about all the crazy requests, the late nights spent making gift bags, the screaming at me for being incompetent. It all disappears. Love and excitement for the couple replace everything.

“Run to the tree and I’ll show you why timing matters.”

“Timing is that important?”

“Yes, because the hardest part isn't throwing the ball. It's trusting someone will be where they're supposed to be.”

I understand how hard trust is. I’m trying to trust that Nolan will be around when our little mermaid is born. He did cancel all of his obligations in March. But it’s still difficult.

I force those thoughts away. Nolan’s here now. He showed up with food. He worried about the food not harming me or the baby.

“No making fun of how slow I run,” I holler as I jog toward the tree.

I glance behind me and he throws the ball. He doesn’t throw it to me. He throws it to where I’m going. I continue running to the tree and catch the ball.

“I caught it!” I shout loud enough for the neighbor’s curtains to twitch.

I run back to Nolan with the ball high in the air. “Touchdown!”

He smiles at me and his dimple comes out. I want to dip my tongue in the groove. Before my tongue continues to taste every inch of his skin. My nipples tingle.

“Show me something else,” I insist before I tackle him to the ground and have my wicked way with him.

“Do you know what a stiff arm is?”

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t know what a route was five minutes ago. What do you think?”

“Stop being cute, sprite.” He tweaks my nose.

I bristle. “I’m not cute. I’m sexy and irresistible.”

I’m joking, but Nolan’s eyes heat as his gaze rakes over me. “You’re those things, too.”

Under his gaze, I do feel sexy and irresistible. He makes me feel those things. And more. He makes me feel heard and understood. He didn’t give up when I pushed him away. He stuck around.

Uh oh. I sway from the force of the realization hitting me.

I’m falling for him.

I want to deny it, but I can’t. I’m falling for the father of my baby.

Chapter 33

Apparently, tackling quarterbacks is foreplay. And I am more than okay with it.

Nolan

I want to know what’s playing in Terri’s mind. It’s obvious she’s wrestling with some thought. But I know better than to push her.

“Shall I show you how a stiff arm works?” I ask instead.

She blinks a few times to bring me into focus. She was far, far away. “I don’t even know what a stiff arm is.”

“A stiff arm is when a ball carrier keeps a defender away by pushing them with one arm.”

I snatch the ball from her, tuck it under my arm, and use my other arm to feign pushing a defender away.

“Try it on me.”

“Sprite,” I caution. “I don’t want you hurt.”

She smiles up at me. “You would never hurt me. Not deliberately.”

Those words hit me harder than a defensive end beating the offensive tackle, getting around the edge, and sacking me. My heart pounds in my chest. Terri trusts me. This feeling can’t be matched. I bet winning the Super Bowl won’t feel this good.

I inhale a deep breath and force my pulse back to normal before I tell her I love her. I want to keep her. I never want to leave Smuggler’s Hideaway.

Those thoughts have my heart attempting to escape my chest again. I shouldn’t be surprised. These feelings have been building for a while. For a while? Who am I kidding? I was hooked the second she sniffed and walked away from me the day we met.

“Come on, Mr. Hotshot Quarterback. Show me what you’ve got,” she taunts while bouncing back and forth on her feet.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I tease. “Come for me.”

I put a hand on her shoulder to keep her at arm’s length while she tries to reach me. She lunges. I pivot away.

She giggles. “You’re cheating.”

“How am I cheating?”

“You’re a foot taller than me.”

I bark out a laugh. “Do you want me to get on my knees?”

She bites a bottom lip. “Maybe.”

My cock twitches and I still. Terri takes advantage of my distraction and ducks under my arm before tackling me.

I allow her to take me down. I make sure to tumble to the grass first. She lands on top and straddles me.

She throws her arms in the air. “I sacked the great quarterback Nolan Allen!”

She dances as she sings. Her core is centered over my cock. It enjoys her dancing. It hardens and lengthens.

She freezes and glances down at me before biting her bottom lip and batting her eyelashes at me.

“Sexy and irresistible,” I grumble before jackknifing up and taking her mouth.

There’s nothing smooth about my move. My need is too great. I promised Terri we wouldn’t have sex until she agreed our relationship is real. I’ve kept my promise, but the leash is off now.

She knows we’re real. She came to my practice despite not knowing anything about football. Despite being scared. She trusts me. She’s mine.

I palm her neck and tilt her head so I can dive deeper. So I can explore every single inch of her mouth. She moans and meets me stroke for stroke.

A car drives by and I tear my mouth from hers. “Inside. Now.”

She meets my gaze. “Okay.”

She scoots backwards off my legs. I stand and offer her my hand. She doesn’t hesitate to accept it.

I drag her into the house. I barely remember to shut and lock the door behind us.

I need to calm down. I can’t be rough with my sprite. She’s carrying our little mermaid. She deserves gentle.

“Uh oh. You’re having second thoughts.”

“What makes you think that?”

She points to my face. “You look like a pirate who just discovered a mermaid doesn’t have legs.”

I bark out a laugh. “You never cease to amuse me.”

“I don’t want to amuse you. I want to have sex. No more waiting. No more discussing. I know this is real. I trust you. Let’s do this.”

I reach down and lift her into my arms. She squeals. “Don’t drop me.”

“I will never drop you.” Not for the rest of her life. She can count on me to carry her. To keep her safe. To protect her.

She throws her arms around my neck. “If you insist.”

I carry her down the hallway to her bedroom, where I lay her on the bed. I want to pounce on her, but I force myself to slow down. This is my chance to show her I love her. I’m not letting my cock ruin it. My cock protests but I ignore it.

I climb onto the bed and kneel above her. She reaches for the hem of her t-shirt but I swat her hands away. “My job.”

“Hurry up. You’re sleeping on the job.”

I growl. “Sleeping on the job? I’m not sleeping on the job. But you will pass out after I’m finished.”

“Promises. Promises.”

“Not a promise. A guarantee.”

I grasp her t-shirt and lift it off her body, leaving her in a lacy blue bra. Her boobs are nearly spilling out of it. I trace the edge of the lace with a finger.

“Love these.”

“Good because they’re growing. My belly hasn’t popped yet, but these…” She motions to her chest.

“Let’s test how sensitive these are,” I mutter.

I nibble and lick my way down her chest until I reach her bra. I knead and massage her breasts until she’s squirming beneath me. I yank the cups of her bra down. Her nipples are already hard. I latch onto one and her back bows off the bed.

I continue to suck on her nipple while I glide a hand down her smooth skin. I stop at her stomach. I place a hand there and make a silent vow to keep this baby safe. This little mermaid is mine to protect, and I take my duties very seriously.

I continue to her shorts and snap them open before drawing the zipper down. Terri’s legs fall open.

“Good girl,” I murmur against her skin.

“Impatient girl,” she corrects.

I chuckle. My sprite never hesitates to tell me what she’s thinking. Not even when we’re in bed and my cock is ready to explode with impatience.

My hand dives into her panties. I skim past her clit, causing her to grunt at me. I aim straight for her pussy. I inch one finger inside. I groan. She’s wet for me.

I slowly pump my finger in and out of her as I nip and lick at her nipple. My cock pulses in my jeans. It wants in on the action. It wants to sink into her. Me too. Me too.

But she’s coming at least once first.

I add another finger and press my palm against her clit as I thrust. She plants her feet in the bed and meets my thrusts.

Her hands roam over my body. Damn. I want to feel those delicate hands on my skin. But I’m not stopping to remove my shirt. She can touch me later. After she explodes for me.

I lift my head and she tilts her chin down to meet my gaze. Her hazel eyes are dark with passion. Her mouth is open as she pants. She couldn’t be more beautiful.

“Are you going to come for me, sprite?”

She bobs her head and her walls quiver around my fingers.

“Come for me and I’ll give you my cock.”

Her walls clamp down on my fingers.

“Come for me, sweetheart,” I order.

Her head flies back and she moans as her climax hits. I continue to pump into her until she collapses on the bed.

I withdraw my fingers and lick them clean. “Mmm… you taste delicious. Maybe I need a taste.”

“No,” she pouts. “You promised.”

I quirk a brow. “I promised what?”

She narrows her eyes. “You know what you promised.” I wait and she gives it to me. “You promised me your cock after I came. Time for you to fulfill your end of the bargain.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before kissing her forehead. “Let me grab a condom.”

She shackles my wrist before I can get out of bed. “Condom? Why?” She motions to her stomach. “It’s not as if I can get any more pregnant.”

“Condoms are for more than pregnancy.”

“I promise I’m clean.”

I palm her cheek. “I know you are. And I promise I am, too. I had a checkup before training camp began.”

“I trust you.”

Those words undo me. Gaining Terri’s trust is a feat I worried I wouldn’t accomplish. But here we are.

“Thank you.” I kiss her lips and she pushes me away.

“You can thank me by getting naked.”

I chuckle as I stand. I rip my shirt off before kicking my shoes off and shoving my jeans down my legs.

Terri whistles. “Looking good, Mr. Quarterback.”

She opens her arms and gestures me onto the bed. She doesn’t need to gesture me twice. I’m such a goner for this woman.

I climb onto the bed and fit my hips between her thighs. I notch my cock at her entrance. She wraps her legs around my waist and lifts her hips. It’s an invitation I can’t refuse. I will never refuse her.

I sink into her until I can’t go any further. Until my balls slap her ass. Until we’re intertwined in the most intimate of ways.

This is heaven. Nothing has ever felt this good before. No one has ever felt this good before.

And they never will. Because Terri is the love of my life and I’m never letting her go.

Chapter 34

There’s nothing like knowing the offensive line will riot for you.

Terri

My phone beeps and I groan. I am not ready to get up. I am entirely too comfortable laying in bed with a big football player wrapped around me. Those are words I never thought I’d say.

I never thought I’d open myself up to a relationship with a man. Not a real relationship with feelings and a baby.

The idea of being vulnerable enough to open up to a man has fear racing through my veins. I’ve been low-key terrified since I found out I was pregnant. Falling for the baby’s dad was never part of the plan. But here we are.

Will he stay? Will he abandon me if something happens to the baby? Will he…

I squeeze my eyes shut and force those thoughts away. Nolan has proven he’s here to stay. He’s constantly doing sweet things for me, such as bringing me Chinese food or making sure my fridge is stocked. He even cancelled his March obligations to make sure he’s available when the baby arrives.

I can’t keep second guessing him. It’s not fair to him.

My phone beeps again. Nolan squeezes my middle. “Answer your phone, sweetheart. It might be important. What if it’s your dad?”

His words have me flying toward my phone. “Dad?”

Hudson chuckles. “Don’t think I’m old enough to be your dad.”

“Sorry,” I apologize to my boss. “What do you need?” I check the time. “At eight in the morning.”

“We need to meet. I thought we could do a breakfast meeting.”

My stomach drops. Meet? Why would I need to meet Hudson? Usually, he stops by my office whenever he needs to talk.

Shit on a smuggler. He’s firing me. He found out I’m pregnant and doesn’t think I can handle the job anymore. You fall asleep at work one time. Okay, two. But whatever.

I won’t make this easy for him. Firing someone for being pregnant is against the law.

I clear my throat. “When and where?”

“I booked a private room for nine.”

“See you then.”

I hang up the phone and throw it on the bed. “Drowning pirates!”

“What’s wrong? Is it the baby? What do you need?” Nolan jumps out of bed and pulls on his jeans. “I’m ready. Where are we going?”

I blink up at him. “Ready? You’re wearing jeans but no shoes or shirt. No shoes. No shirt. No service.”

“This isn’t a time to joke. What’s happening?” He pulls on his shoes.

“Slow down. This doesn’t involve you.”

He growls. “I thought we were past this. You and this baby involve me. End of discussion.”

“It’s about my job. Hudson’s going to fire me.”

“Fire you for what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Breaking his rule about having a relationship with a guest of the resort? Getting pregnant? Falling asleep at my desk twice? Take your pick.”

He scowls. “None of those things is reason enough to fire you.”

I lift an eyebrow. “I broke a rule. A rule he is very serious about.”

“This is my fault. I’ll talk to him. I’ll smooth it out. I was planning to talk to him anyway.”

“No. This is my job. This has nothing to do with you.”

“Except you literally just said you’re getting fired because of me.”

I wag a finger at him. “This is not about you. It’s about me breaking the rules.”

He blows out a breath. “You broke the rule for me.”

“It was still my choice.”

“Fine. I won’t go with you. But I’m driving.”

“You’re going in the opposite direction, and I need my car so I can get home later. Don’t you have a meeting with Coach Knox today?”

He swears under his breath. “I forgot.” He checks the time. “I can make you something to eat before I go.”

“No need. I’m having a breakfast meeting with Hudson.”

He pulls on his t-shirt before sitting on the bed to tie his shoes. “Will you let me know what happens?”

“I will if you will.”

“Deal.” He presses his mouth to mine in a hard kiss. It’s over entirely too quickly. “Call if you need anything. I l…” He cuts himself off with a shake of his head. “Be careful.”

I watch him walk out with my mouth hanging open. Was he going to say he loves me? Does he love me?

My heart pounds in my chest as excitement and fear battle for top billing in my body. Holy mermaids. The man I’m falling for might love me. But what if…

I shut those thoughts off and climb out of bed. I am not letting fear rule me. Not today.

At five minutes to nine, I march into the private dining area. I spent the entire time I was getting ready and driving here forming arguments for why Hudson can’t fire me. Why he’d regret it.

I come to a screeching halt when I notice the amount of food in the middle of the table.

Hudson stands. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want. And I know how much pregnant women need to eat.”

Wow. This is amazing. Instead of telling him how amazing it is, I bark out: “You can’t fire me because I’m pregnant!”

He holds up his hands. “Fire you? Why do you think I’m firing you?”

I fist my hands on my hips. “Because I’m pregnant. And the father is a football player on the Steel City Seals team. And you expressly forbade us from getting involved with the players.”

He threads a hand through his hair. “My wife has given me so much shit for making that rule.”

“Remind me to send Nova a bunch of flowers.”

He motions to the chair across from him. I debate standing my ground, but my mouth is watering at those cranberry pancakes. The cranberry syrup is made with pure maple syrup and is to die for.

I sit across from him and add a pile of cranberry pancakes to my plate. “Please wait until I finish these before firing me. Cranberry pancakes are holy.”

He chuckles. “I wouldn’t get in between a pregnant woman and food. I’m not an idiot.” He clears his throat. “And I’m not firing you.”

I pause with my fork near my mouth. “You’re not?”

“Nope.”

I chew on my bite as I study him. “Then, what’s with the breakfast meeting? We never have unexpected meetings.”

“I have an offer for you.”

“An offer? Does Nova know?”

His cheeks darken. “Actually, it was her idea.”

“Are you into pregnant women?” My nose wrinkles. “I’m not interested in a threesome. I don’t care how hot you are. I’ve got my own hot man.”

He chuckles. “Is every woman on Smuggler’s Hideaway crazy?”

I shake my fork at him. “And damn proud of it!”

His face sobers. “I want to offer you the position of resort operations manager.”

My eyes widen. “Operations Manager? That’s a big promotion.”

“You’d still oversee events but at a more supervisory level. You’d also oversee guest services and hospitality staff.”

My stomach tingles with excitement. This is a big promotion. More responsibility. More money. More reasonable hours.

Reasonable hours? I glare at Hudson. “Is this a pity hire?”

“What?”

“You know I’m pregnant. You don’t want me working all the crazy hours I do now. You offer me a promotion.”

He growls. “I would never offer anyone a promotion they didn’t deserve. You’ve been overseeing events for years already. And with Jana leaving, this seemed the perfect time to promote you.”

“Jana’s leaving?”

“Gave me three months' notice yesterday. Which gives you enough time to hire and train your replacement.”

My brain immediately goes into problem solving mode. “I want to offer the job to my assistant, Nadia. She hasn’t been at the resort long, but her instincts are good.”

He shrugs. “It’s your decision. Does this mean you’ll accept the job?”

My phone beeps with a message. “Excuse me. I need to make sure this isn’t an emergency.”

I talked to the team. We’re ready to walk out of the resort if Hudson fires you.

“Huh. I guess I don’t have a choice. I accept the job.”

His brow wrinkles. “What do you mean? You don’t have a choice?”

“Nolan organized the team. They’re ready to walk out if you fire me.”

He sighs. “Damn quarterbacks. They always think they’re in charge. Are you prepared for how he’ll try to control your life and manage everything?”

I snort. “He can try.”

The offensive line is making protest posters now.

“I need to stop Nolan. He’s now organizing a protest.”

“Quarterbacks,” he mutters.

I message back.

No need to protest. I got a promotion. I’m the new resort operations manager!

Congrats! I’ll tell the team to stand down. I’ll be by tonight to celebrate. I’m so fucking proud of you, sprite. You deserve this.

Warmth spreads through my body. He’s supporting me. Not pushing me. Not directing me. Supporting me.

I’m the luckiest woman in the world. I woke this morning in bed with the man I love, and now I have the promotion I’ve wanted for years. Nothing can stop me now.

Chapter 35

It’s difficult to have a serious conversation after a failed uprising.

Nolan

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive to the Coastal State University for practice and my meeting with Coach Knox.

I’m tempted – so fucking tempted – to phone Hudson. How dare he fire Terri for having a relationship with me? It’s not as if it’s a conflict of interest. What does he think I’m going to do? Tell off the bridezillas who make her life hell.

Huh. Not a bad idea. But it doesn’t solve today’s problem.

I promised Terri I’d let her handle the matter. I want to keep my promise. I need to keep my promise.

But it’s Terri. The woman I love who’s carrying my baby. I want to fight all her battles for her. I want to protect her from all the bad things in the world.

I arrive at the college stadium and park. The parking lot is already full. I check the time. I’m running late. I prefer to arrive before the rest of the players to set a good example. I shouldn’t have wasted time returning to the resort to get clean clothes, but I didn’t want anyone teasing me about where I spent the night.

I step out of my SUV and notice Corbin, Brock, Tanner, and Gage walking toward me. I lift my chin.

“You’re late,” Brock grumbles.

“I’m not late.”

“Late for you,” Corbin clarifies.

“Got stuff going on.”

Tanner dances around me. “What kind of stuff?” He waggles his eyebrows. “The naked stuff.” He feigns kissing someone. “Oh, Terri.”

I wrap my hand around his neck. “You do not make fun of her.”

Gage clears his throat. “It’s probably not a good idea to choke out the wide receiver before practice.”

I release Tanner. “I don’t need this shit. I have enough stuff to worry about.”

Brock frowns. “You worried about becoming a dad?”

“You shouldn’t be. You’re the leader of this team. You’ll be a great dad,” Corbin says.

Those words mean a lot coming from Corbin. He’s quiet and reserved. He only speaks when he has something to say.

I nod to him. “Thanks. But I’m not worried about being a dad.” I am worried, but not at this particular moment.

“What’s going on?” Gage asks as we reach the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms.

I slow my steps. “Terri thinks Hudson is firing her. He called her in for an early morning meeting. Something he never does.”

“Whoa. He can’t fire Terri. She’s an awesome event coordinator,” Tanner says.

My brow wrinkles. “How would you know?”

He shrugs and his cheeks darken. “She’s friends with Alaia.”

His relationship with Alaia isn’t fake anymore. Everybody knows it. Except him. He doesn’t realize how deep he’s fallen.

Brock grunts. “We’ll walk out.”

“Walk out? Walk out of where?”

“The resort. If Hudson fires Terri, we leave the resort as a team,” he says as we enter the locker room.

“Why are we leaving the resort?” Lamar asks, and all the chatter in the locker room dies.

“Hudson’s firing Terri for having a relationship with me.”

“This is bullshit!” Lamar shouts, and the rest of the team nods in agreement.

Gage elbows me. “You should message her. Let her know. Pressure Hudson a bit.”

I smile for the first time since Terri’s phone beeped with a message this morning. “I think I will.”

I talked to the team. We’re ready to walk out of the resort if Hudson fires you.

“This isn’t enough,” Lamar declares.

I thread a hand through my hair. “It’s not?”

“No. We need to organize. Make some posters. We can form a picket line.”

I blink at him. “Posters? Where the hell are you getting posters?”

“I got it,” Beck hollers. “I’ve got posters and markers in my car.”

He hurries off before I can ask why the hell he has posters and markers in his car.

“In the meantime, let’s practice our chant,” Lamar says. “Everyone ready? Here’s the chant. I say: What do we want? You say: Keep Terri!: I say: When do we want it? You say: After breakfast. Got it? Let’s practice.”

The entire team starts practicing the chant.

“Um, when did Lamar become the cheerleader for the team?” I ask.

“Since his youngest daughter decided she wanted to be a cheerleader for the Seals,” Brock replies. “He’s been teaching her moves ever since.”

I check my phone. Terri still hasn’t replied. Fuck. Is Hudson firing her right this minute? I message her again:

The offensive line is making protest posters now.

This time three dots appear to indicate she’s responding. I hold my breath.

No need to protest. I got a promotion. I’m the new resort operations manager!

My breath wheezes out of me. She’s not getting fired. She’s getting promoted. My sprite is amazing.

Congrats! I’ll tell the team to stand down. I’ll be by tonight to celebrate. I’m so fucking proud of you, sprite. You deserve this.

I whistle and the chatter in the locker room dies down. “Terri didn’t get fired. She got promoted.”

Cheers erupt. Followed by several claps on the back. My shoulder protests but I ignore it. This is the best news. I can finally breathe again.

Terri’s job is important to her. Losing it would have hurt. She has enough going on without adding a job search to her pile of burdens.

“Allen!” Coach Knox shouts. I meet his gaze. “My office. Now!”

“Someone’s in trouble,” Tanner sings.

I give him the finger as I walk through the team on my way to Knox’s office. With all the worry about Terri, I forgot about my meeting with Knox.

“Hey, Coach Cha-Cha.” I deliberately throw out the nickname he hates to lighten the mood.

“Sit,” he barks. The mood is officially not lightened.

“What is it?” I ask once I’m sitting. I know why I’m here. I know what he’s going to say. I’m fucking terrified to hear the words.

Knox leans against his desk and crosses his arms over his chest. “You’ve been playing scared.”

“I’m not—”

He holds up a hand. “Save all your bullshit for someone else. Someone who hasn’t been here all summer. Someone who hasn’t watched you wince every time you throw a spiral. Someone who hasn’t witnessed you rubbing your shoulder whenever you thought someone wasn’t looking.”

Damn. How am I supposed to argue with him when he obviously knows the truth? He’s seen it.

“Playing it forward doesn't mean pretending the future isn't coming.”

Those words hit me hard. My father spends all his time looking backward – at lost games, lost opportunities, lost glory. I don’t want to be him. I want to be a better man. A better father. A better football player.

“You're acting like admitting you're hurt means you've lost. It doesn't. It means you're finally looking ahead.”

“I’m looking ahead. I’ve got my sights set on the Super Bowl.”

He lifts a brow. “The Super Bowl? With your shoulder?”

I grit my teeth. “I can do it. Even with a hurt shoulder, I’m one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.”

“At what cost?”

I don’t answer.

He sighs. “Nolan. Admit it. How bad is it?”

My façade crumbles and I tell him the truth – all of it. “I can’t feel my fingers sometimes. Recovery is taking longer than I ever expected. I ice and heat and do my physical therapy, but the recovery just isn’t there. I’m…”

I pause. I haven’t admitted this next part to anyone. Not even Terri. “I’m terrified I won’t be able to throw a football with my kid someday.”

He shakes his head. “I would do anything to go back in time and be there while my son grew up. I trusted the wrong person and I lost those years. Are you willing to lose out with your child?”

“I just want to make it to the Super Bowl. This is our year. Everyone knows it.”

He scowls. “You're so busy fighting to keep what you've got that you haven't stopped to think of who you’re becoming.”

“Who I’m becoming? What do you mean?”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life looking backward?”

Like my dad. The unspoken words hang in the air.

“FUCK!” I shout as I jump to my feet.

I’ve spent the past weeks with Terri promising her I wouldn’t become my father. Promising her I’d be a better man. And what am I doing?

I’m acting exactly the way my father would. Sure, I cancelled my March obligations when the baby is due to arrive. But before then? I was planning to play the entire season. Despite being hurt. Despite Terri being pregnant. Despite knowing how the pregnancy worries her.

I was choosing football over the woman I love. Over the little mermaid we’re having together.

No wonder Terri was hesitant to get involved with me. She saw through my little scam when I didn’t even realize I was scamming her.

“I think it’s time to talk retirement.”

“I’ll set up a meeting. We’ll figure out the best way to transition the team to a new quarterback. And I’m here whenever you need to talk.” Knox points to the door. “In the meantime, get your ass on the field.”

Chapter 36

Never trust a man who makes three dinner reservations.

Terri

“Congrats, sprite!” Nolan shouts when I open the door. He smiles, but the twinkle in his blue eyes is missing.

Before I have a chance to ask what’s wrong, he kisses me. The world falls away with his lips on mine and his tongue in my mouth. There’s no worry about my new job. No worry about the baby. There’s just this.

All too soon it’s over, and he pulls away.

“These are from the team.” He shoves a bunch of flowers at me.

“The team ready to stage a riot?” I giggle.

“The team’s a family. Always there for you. Annoying sometimes.” Pain flashes in his eyes, but he blinks and it’s gone. “I made reservations for our celebration. You ready?”

“Reservations where?”

“First, I thought the resort since it has the fanciest restaurant on the island. But then I worried you might not want to eat where you work. Then, I thought Smuggler’s Cove Restaurant but Gage warned me about the Smuggler’s Reenactment Dinner. You are not being kidnapped – pretend or not. Finally, I realized we didn’t finish our picnic the other day when we were playing mini golf and thought we could do a picnic.”

I wag a finger at him. “You can’t blame the thunderstorm on me. I’m not Poseidon. I don’t rule the sea.”

“You claimed a thunderstorm was on the way when I was finally catching up to you. There wasn’t one drop of rain.”

“Blame the radar.”

He chuckles.

“What did you decide in the end?”

He rubs his nose. “I couldn’t decide.”

“You couldn’t decide?” Realization hits me. “You made reservations at the resort and Smuggler’s Cove Restaurant, didn’t you?”

The tips of his ears darken. “And I brought a picnic basket in case you want to have a picnic at Prohibition Beach.”

“I’m not eating at the beach. I have to pee every five minutes, and there are no public toilets. I’m too old to put on a bathing suit and wade into the water every time I need to go.”

He chuckles. “Is that what you usually do?”

My cheeks warm but I answer anyway. “Yep. All the smugglers do.”

“Okay. No beach. We’ll save the picnic for after the little mermaid arrives.”

My hand automatically drifts to my stomach. “I can’t wait for my stomach to pop.”

His hand covers mine. “Me either. You’re going to be even more gorgeous.”

My eyes narrow. “You’re only saying that because my boobs keep getting bigger.”

He shrugs. “I’m a man.”

I rake my gaze over him. He’s dressed in khakis and a button-down shirt. The shirt strains against his shoulders, and he’s rolled up the sleeves to showcase his sexy forearms.

Sexy forearms? Since when are forearms sexy? Apparently, since now.

He growls and steps closer. He pinches my chin and lifts my head until our gazes clash. His eyes flare with passion and heat.

“Do not look at me like you want to eat me or we won’t be getting any dinner.”

My nipples tingle at his deep voice. “I’m on board with this plan.”

He kisses my nose before retreating. “I’m not. You need food. Our little mermaid needs food. No distracting me.”

I bark out a laugh. “Me? I’m the one distracting you?”

He motions to me. “You’re standing there all sexy with your hair I know is soft as silk around your shoulders. You’re wearing a strapless dress that makes me want to kiss your naked skin. And your dress hugs your chest in all the right ways. I—”

I slap a hand over his mouth. “If you insist on having dinner first, you need to stop now.”

He licks my hand and I squeak before dropping it. “Okay. Dinner. Where do you want to go? The resort or Smuggler’s Cove Restaurant.”

“Let’s go to Five Fathoms Brewing. I’m in the mood for a burger.”

“Five Fathoms it is.”

I quickly put the flowers away and lock up my house. He grasps my hand and leads me to his SUV.

I tug on his hold. “It’s a five-minute walk.”

He scowls. “Are you sure?”

I growl. “If you’re saying I can’t walk five minutes because I’m pregnant, we’re going to have words.”

“Just making sure you’re not tired. You had a busy day.”

I blow out a breath. “You are not kidding. Jana found out I accepted the position of Resort Operations Manager and she immediately began training me to take over from her. I think she wants to leave earlier than the three months she told Hudson.”

“What did you think of the work?”

I grin up at him. “I liked it. I like the overview. Don’t get me wrong. I’m good at the details, but I will not miss brides calling me at two a.m. to complain the color of the napkins is space cadet and they ordered midnight blue. No one can tell the difference!”

He chuckles as he opens the door to the brewery for me. I notice his wince, but I don’t remark on it. Not yet.

“Hi, Addy!” I greet the hostess with a wiggle of my eyebrows. “How’s Gage doing?”

She grunts. “This island is too small sometimes.”

She’s been itching to escape since forever. But she’s helping to raise her siblings and refuses to move.

I place a hand on my stomach. “I think this island is the perfect place to grow up.”

Her gaze drops to my stomach. “Congrats, by the way.”

I sigh. “This island.”

She barks out a laugh. “Not as fun when it’s directed your way, is it?”

I stick my tongue out at her. “Do you have a quiet table?”

“For you and the handsome baby daddy? Sure. Follow me.”

She grabs some menus and leads us to my favorite table. It’s in a little alcove beyond the bar. Most people don’t realize it’s here since you’re shielded from the view of most of the visitors in the restaurant.

Nolan pulls out my chair before sitting across from me. “Can we get a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne?”

Addy laughs. “Non-alcoholic champagne? In a brewery? On an island obsessed with moonshine? Sure. Coming right up.”

“Stop being a pill,” I tell her. “There’s non-alcoholic champagne leftover from the Foam & Fable Storytelling Night. Mayor Lana insisted on non-alcoholic after she read some article about Gen Z not being drinkers.”

“I forgot about that.” She groans. “Lana made graphs and gave us a lecture.”

“Lana does love to talk.”

“And get married. Hint. Hint. Nudge. Nudge.”

I glare at her. “Go get the champagne. This is not a marriage proposal. I got a new job. We’re celebrating.”

“That’s right. You’re the new Resort Operations Manager at Hideaway Haven Resort. Congrats!” She hurries away before I can thank her or complain about how gossip travels faster than a mermaid can swim.

“Does everyone know everyone’s business on the island?” Nolan asks once we’re alone again.

“Pretty much. Smuggler’s Hideaway is basically a small town. Except it’s an island and we have three small towns.”

“And you’re obsessed with moonshine and mermaids.”

“Mermaids, yes.” I pat my stomach. “Moonshine not so much.”

Addy arrives with a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne. “You’re lucky. The bartender keeps a bottle chilled since he claims one of the owners is always getting pregnant.”

Nolan appears confused.

“Five Fathoms is owned by five women. They used to be hell-raisers. Now, they’re all settled down,” I explain.

Addy snorts. “They’re still hell-raisers. Didn’t you hear about how they dissected the plastic mermaid at Mermaid Mini Golf?”

Nolan barks out a laugh. “They sound fun.”

I wag a finger at him. “Don’t go getting ideas. They’re all in committed relationships.”

“As am I.” His words sound like a vow.

“Oh boy.” Addy fans herself. “I’m going to leave you two alone now.”

Nolan opens the bottle and pours us glasses.

I raise mine in the air. “To the future!”

Pain flashes in his eyes.

I slam the glass on the table. “That’s it. What’s going on?”

He clears his throat. “We’re celebrating your promotion.”

“And yet you look like I’m forcing you to walk the gangplank at gunpoint. What is it?”

He blows out a breath. “I don’t want to ruin your celebration.”

“Nolan,” I growl.

“Fine.” He reaches across the table to grasp my hand. “I didn’t want to tell you this way but it’s important you know before I say the rest.”

“Know what?” I ask when he pauses.

“I love you.”

My heart batters against my chest and breathing becomes impossible. “You did? I mean you do? I…”

He smiles and for the first time this evening it reaches his eyes. They sparkle. “I love you, Terri Jordan. I love how stubborn you are. I love how beautiful you are. I love how strong you are. I love how you care for everyone around you. I want to build a life with you and our little mermaid.”

Happiness fills me. This is exactly what I want. What I’ve been afraid to reach for. But Nolan broke through all my walls. My defenses had no chance against his pursuit.

I swallow. “You want to build a life with me?”

He nods.

“But your career.”

He grimaces. “My career is over.”

“Since when? You literally went to practice today.”

“I can’t keep doing it.”

My brow wrinkles. “Doing what?”

“Playing with my shoulder.”

“Your injury? I thought it was better.”

“It’s manageable, but it’s not better.”

“And so you’re quitting?”

“I’m not quitting. I’m retiring.”

“Now? Before the Super Bowl?”

“Yes, before the Super Bowl.”

Before the Super Bowl? All he’s talked about all summer is the Super Bowl. How he’s leading the team. How it’s the Seals’ year.

And yet he’s quitting. Because of me.

I won’t be his regret. I won’t ruin his life. The same way pregnancy ruined my mother’s life. No. I won’t allow it. “Would you have retired if it weren’t for me and the little mermaid?”

He grimaces. It’s all the answer I need.

“You wouldn’t have. You would have kept playing. You would have had a chance at the Super Bowl ring you’ve been dreaming of your entire life. I’m not allowing you to sacrifice the goal you’ve been working on for years.”

“You’re not allowing me to do anything. I made my decision.”

“A decision you wouldn’t have made if it weren’t for me.” I stand. “I can’t do this. I can’t ruin your life. We’ll co-parent.” I place a hand on my belly. “The little mermaid is as much yours as mine, but this relationship is over.”

He jumps to his feet. “I tell you I love you and you end our relationship? This is not how things work.”

I wipe the tears falling from my eyes. “I’m sorry, Nolan. I can’t do this.”

I rush away and practically slam into Addy. She places an arm around my shoulders and leads me to the back hallway and into the office.

“Sit. Relax. Stress isn’t good for the baby.”

The baby. I need to think of the little mermaid. I place my hand on my stomach and inhale deep breaths until my tears slow.

Chapter 37

It turns out retirement looks a lot like staying.

Nolan

I knock on Charlie’s door. I hope he opens. But I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. His daughter dumped me. He probably doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.

“Nolan,” he says when he opens the door. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Intrude?” He snorts. “You’re my son-in-law. You can’t intrude.”

I wince. He doesn’t know. I thought the whole island was fueled by gossip. Shit. Now, I have to tell him.

“Um… you do know Terri ended things?”

He scowls. “You’re not letting her run away because she’s scared, are you?”

I blow out a breath. “I’m not giving up on her, but I don’t know what to do.”

He grins. “And you came to me for help?”

“Not exactly. Although, I could use your help. I actually have some deliveries arriving today.”

His brow wrinkles. “Here?”

My cheeks heat, but I power through. “You’re the little mermaid’s grandfather. She’s going to spend a lot of time with you. I want you to have everything you need.”

He motions me inside. “You better come in.”

We settle at the kitchen table across from each other with cups of coffee. “Now, tell me. What stuff do you have coming?”

“A crib, a changing table, a dresser, a rocking chair.”

He blinks. “That’s everything for a baby’s room.”

I shrug. “I want the baby to be comfortable here. You’re the only family she’ll have on the island.”

“Besides you.”

I don’t answer. I can’t. I don’t know whether I’ll be living on this island. I need to find a job. Figure out what to do with my life after football. I thought I’d live on the island and help Terri raise our little mermaid. But Terri doesn’t think I’ll stay. She doesn’t trust me.

Charlie sets down his coffee cup. “What’s going on in your head?”

I stall. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles. “I raised four kids who were all messed up from their pasts. I know when someone’s mulling over a situation.”

I sigh. “It’s Terri. She still doesn’t believe I’ll stay. After everything I’ve done for her.”

“She’s worried she’s ruining your life.”

I scowl. “Retiring is the right choice.”

He shakes his head. “Terri thinks she’s ruining your life the way pregnancy ruined her mother’s life. I have tried to tell her pregnancy didn’t ruin her mom’s life, but she doesn’t listen.”

“What do I do? How do I convince her I’ll stay? How do I convince her she’s not ruining my life? She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Her and our little mermaid are my family. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “You’re asking for a lot in a short time. Retiring the year the Seals are favored to win the Super Bowl? It’s a big leap for her to believe you’re not changing everything for her.”

“My shoulder is bad. I can play, but I’m afraid of the long-term damage. I want to be able to throw a football with my kid someday.”

My dad never threw a football with me. Hell, he barely paid attention to me until I made the varsity team in high school. Then, it was all about winning. Not playing. Not enjoying the sport. I will not be him.

Charlie nods. “Yeah, I saw how you were favoring it at practice the other day.”

My eyes widen. “You saw?”

“Kiddo, it wasn’t hard to see.”

“Then, you understand. I can’t play. It’s time to retire.”

My phone rings but I ignore it.

“I understand, but Terri doesn’t.” He stands. “Answer your phone. I’ll be outside waiting for the deliveries.”

I dig my phone out. Knox is calling.

“Coach Knox,” I answer.

“Allen, we need to talk.”

“I can’t come in. I’m waiting for a delivery.”

“This is fine.” He pauses. “I noticed you helping Beck out the other day.”

“Beck’s going to be a good quarterback. He just needed to get out of his head.”

“Did you enjoy helping him?”

I consider his question. “Actually, I did. It felt good.”

“Excellent. I have a proposition for you.”

“Which is?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.

“I assume you know I’m leaving the Seals and will be coaching college football at Coastal State University?”

Of course, I know. Everyone knows. You can’t keep a secret in a football team any easier than on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

“Yep. I know.”

“How would you feel about being my assistant coach? My quarterback coach?”

I open my mouth to say I’m a player, not a coach, but pause when I realize I’m not a player anymore. I’m retired. Or, at least, I will be in a month or two when the second-string quarterback is ready to take over. Or the team decides to contract a free agent. Or move the rookie up to first string.

But maybe the Super Bowl isn’t the only legacy that matters. Maybe playing it forward means teaching the next generation instead.

“The pay is significantly less than you’re currently earning, but you’d be able to live on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

Live on Smuggler’s Hideaway? He said the magical words. This is the perfect solution. If I’m here, I can convince Terri I’m staying. I can show her she isn’t ruining my life. She’s improving it. Without her, there is no life.

“Yes. I’m in.”

He laughs. “I figured you might be. Can’t win a woman back if you’re in Steel City.”

I groan. “You know Terri dumped me.”

“My woman is a local. By the way, Jade’s a real estate agent if you need one.”

I didn’t think I’d buy a house on the island. I thought I’d live with Terri in her adorable little bungalow with a view of the ocean. But maybe buying her a house will show her I’m here to stay?

Maybe I can do a grand gesture. Wrap a ribbon around the house. Get down on one knee…

Damn. Here I am thinking about proposing to her, and she dumped me. She ended our relationship as if it was an easy feat.

Too bad for her, I’m not going anywhere. I broke through Terri’s fears once. I can do it again.

“Set up a meeting and let me know when.”

There’s a scream in the background.

Knox grunts. “That’s Jade. She’s excited.”

At least someone is.

“Nolan!” Charlie peeks inside the house. “The delivery truck is here.”

“I’ve gotta go.”

“We’ll set up a meeting to discuss the position. Happy to have you on the team, Nolan. You’ll make a great addition.”

He hangs up and I sit with his words for a while. He’s not offering me this position because he feels bad for me. He seriously thinks I’ll do a good job. It feels good.

I stand and make my way to Charlie.

“You accept the job?”

I bark out a laugh. “Were you listening to my conversation?”

He shrugs. “You’re the first man to break through my daughter’s barriers. I need to trust you. I need to know you won’t break her heart.”

“I won’t,” I vow. “She’s the most precious thing in the world to me.”

“That’s all I need to know.” He slaps me on the back. “I hope your shoulder isn’t hurting today because you’re in charge of carrying shit.”

I shake my head as I follow him outside to where the delivery truck is waiting.

My heart is much lighter than when I arrived. Charlie is on my side. I have a new job. I’m buying a house on the island.

I don’t know how I’ll convince Terri I’m staying. That I won’t run away. But I will.

Because I am not letting the woman I love go. I want a family with our little mermaid.

Chapter 38

I should not be confessing my love during a potential fistfight.

Terri

My alarm blares and I bury my head under a pillow. I don’t want to get up. I have no desire to face people after last night.

Smugglers won’t pretend they don’t know what happened. Nope. Smugglers are entirely too nosy. They’ll get all up in my face and ask me the most inappropriate questions.

So, are you broken up broken up or Smuggler's Hideaway broken up?

Do we return the 'Team Terri & Nolan' shirts?

Have you considered throwing something at him?

Does this mean we have to pick sides?

Will the offensive line still riot for you?

At least I can avoid Mayor Lana today. She’d probably want to hold a mermaid-themed second chance festival. The woman does love her festivals. She’d probably name it something like 'Love Finds a Way' or 'Operation Win Back Terri'.

My phone rings and I throw my pillow across the room. I guess I won’t be avoiding the world today after all.

“What?”

Hudson grunts. “Stay home today.”

“Why? What did Nolan tell you? Is he trying to get me fired?”

He sighs. “I wanted to stay out of this. I am perfectly happy ignoring the private lives of my employees. But Nova wouldn’t allow it. She insisted I phone you and tell you to take a day off.”

I groan. There goes any hope the entire island doesn’t know. Hudson is practically a recluse. If he knows the gossip. The entire island knows. Great. Just great.

“Nolan didn’t dump me. I dumped him.”

“Stop. I seriously don’t want to know. Especially since you’ll be back together again soon enough.”

“Back together again? I don’t think so. Hold on. Did you bet we’re getting back together? Who’s voting we won’t get back together? Wait. I don’t want to know.”

“I’ll send Nova over. Talk to her.”

“No!” I shout. “Nova will bring her friends, and before I know what’s happening, we’ll have slashed the tires of the entire Seals team.”

He snorts. “Give Nova some credit. Her ideas for revenge are much more inventive than slashing tires.”

“But you admit she’s already concocting plans. Please don’t send her over. I’ll come into work.”

“I’ll pull her off her revenge mission if you promise to stay home.”

“Fine. I’ll stay home.”

“Good.” I can practically hear the smirk in his voice. He planned this all along. I should have known. Everyone on this island is devious.

“You little—”

He hangs up.

I drop my phone on the nightstand. At least I don’t need to get out of bed now. I can lay here and nurse my heartbreak all day.

The doorbell wakes me some time later. I must have fallen asleep. I ignore the doorbell and roll over. Whoever it is will go away.

Except they don’t. They press the doorbell and hold. Drowning pirates. So much for avoiding the world today.

I throw the covers off and climb out of bed. I stomp down the hallway to the front door. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair is sticking up in all directions, and my eyes are red from crying.

I freeze. I can’t answer the doorbell looking like this. I whirl around, intent on at least washing my face.

“I can see you!” a man shouts through the door.

So much for washing my face. I yank the door open. A middle-aged man is standing on my porch. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he appears furious.

I inch backwards. Nope. Wrong move. I don’t want this man – whoever he is – in my house. I step outside and shut the front door behind me.

I scan the street. At least two neighbors are now standing on their porches watching. One has a phone to her ear and gives me a thumbs-up. Good. She contacted the police.

“I think you have the wrong house,” I tell the man.

“Are you Terri Jordan?” I nod. “I have the right house.”

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“I’m Mr. Allen.”

This is Nolan’s dad? He’s nothing like Nolan. Nolan would never pound on a woman’s door and insist she open it. He would never glare at a woman with the threat of violence in his eyes.

Nolan’s a caretaker. A gentle man despite being a football player. Oh mermaid, how I love him.

But I had to let him go. I can’t let him ruin his football career for me. I can’t let him miss the chance of playing in the Super Bowl for me. He’s not giving up his dreams. I won’t let him. I won’t be his regret.

My mom was full of regrets. Regrets that kept her from getting out of bed. From caring for the child who loved her.

I clear my throat and straighten my back. I’m not letting this man intimidate me. He’s a bully. Nothing more.

“How can I help you?”

“You can set my boy free. He’s meant for bigger things than this small island.”

“I agree.”

“He’ll pay…” He trails off. “What now? You agree?”

“Yep. I do. Which is why I ended our relationship last night.”

A vehicle squeals around the corner and screeches to a stop in front of the house. But it’s not the police. It’s Nolan. What is he doing here?

Nolan hops out of his SUV and races to me. He pushes me behind him and faces off with his dad.

“What are you doing here?”

His dad smiles. “Just making sure you aren’t ruining your career.”

I flinch. He almost did. For me.

“Ruining my career? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Heard you’re retiring.”

Nolan growls. “How did you hear?”

He smirks. “I still have contacts.”

I peek around Nolan’s back. “It’s okay. I explained to him you’re not retiring.”

“Wrong,” Nolan grumbles. “I’m retiring. I accepted a new job today.”

“What the hell job did you accept?” His dad explodes, but Nolan ignores him. He turns around to face me.

“I’m coaching at Coastal State University.”

“But the Super Bowl.”

He frames my face with his hands. “I’m done playing.”

I grasp his hands. “I don’t want you to retire for me.”

“Listen to your baby momma,” his dad says and Nolan pushes me behind him again.

“Don’t you dare speak to her that way. Terri is the love of my life, and we’re starting a family.”

“Just because you got her pregnant doesn’t mean anything needs to change.”

Nolan steps forward. “Wrong. It changes everything. I’m not going to be you.”

His dad narrows his eyes on Nolan. “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means I’m not going to be an absent father. I’m going to be around for all the big things – the baby’s birth, her first steps, her first day of kindergarten. And all the little things – diaper changes and late night feedings. I want it all.”

His dad scoffs. “Why? You could be a Super Bowl Champion. This is your year.”

“I don’t give a shit about the Super Bowl. I’ve had a great career. Now I’m playing it forward by coaching.”

“Coaching? Those who can, do. Those who can’t, coach.”

Nolan shakes his head. “This conversation is done. You’ll never understand how fulfilling it is to help someone else. How good it feels when they achieve their dreams.”

He reaches for my hand and draws me near. “How much the love of a woman can fill all the holes in your soul. I feel sorry for you.”

He wraps an arm around me and kisses my nose. “I’m not leaving her no matter what.”

“Well, I never,” his dad grumbles.

Nolan points to his dad’s car. “You should go. There’s nothing here for you.”

“Your mom will be mad you sent me away.”

“Mom will understand. She loves you, but she recognizes your faults.”

“Don’t you dare.”

A car slams on its brakes and Scott and Ricky pile out. Uh oh. My brothers are pissed. This isn’t going to be good.

“You should go,” I tell Nolan’s dad.

“I’m not going anywhere until my son listens to reason.”

“She asked you to go,” Scott grumbles.

Ricky crosses his arms over his chest. “I’d listen to her if I were you.”

“In case you can’t count,” Scott grins, “you’re outnumbered, and we’re highly motivated.”

Smoking smugglers. This isn’t good.

I step forward. “Please, Mr. Allen. Don’t make this situation worse.”

He stares at me for a long moment and I hold my breath. My brothers can be violent when it comes to protecting me. I have no desire for there to be a fight on my front lawn this morning.

“I’m going, but this isn’t over.” He stomps to his car.

“This is over,” Nolan hollers after him.

His dad slams the car door and drives away. My shoulders fall. “Glad that’s over.”

“What’s over, sis?” Scott asks.

I roll my eyes. “The threat of violence.”

Ricky smirks. “The violence has yet to begin.” He points to Nolan. “This the man who knocked you up?”

I try to push my way in front of Nolan, but he refuses to move. “Stay safe, sprite. Think of our little mermaid.”

“You don’t understand. These are my brothers, Ricky and Scott. They’re going to beat you up.”

Nolan grins. “They can try.”

He whips off his sweatshirt and hands it to me before descending the stairs into my front yard. He rolls his neck and shakes out his arms.

“Ready when you are.”

“NO!” I shout.

“Stay on the porch,” Nolan orders me. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“And I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t.”

I motion to my brothers who are now cracking their knuckles like this is some bare knuckles championship. “But my brothers want to fight you.”

“I’d want to fight the man who knocked up my sister, too.”

I throw my arms in the air. “It’s two against one.”

“And I’m a professional athlete. I’ve got this.” He winks.

“I had to fall in love with a crazy man,” I mutter.

He freezes. “Fall in love? You love me?”

The hope in those blue eyes I want our children to have nearly breaks me. “Of course, I love you, dumbass.”

Ricky elbows Scott. “She called him a dumbass.”

I ignore my idiot brothers. “Do you think I run around telling everyone about my mom? About how she died?”

“Dude.” Scott shakes his head. “She told you about her mom?”

Ricky offers his hand. “Welcome to the family.”

I hurry down the stairs and stand in between him. “He’s not a member of the family. I broke up with him.”

Scott snorts. “She ran scared on you?”

Nolan shrugs. “I’m fast. I’ll catch her.”

Scott barks out a laugh. “She’ll run a lot.”

“Good thing I’m a professional athlete.”

“She’s standing right here!” I shout.

Nolan wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses my hair. “And you love me.”

I blow out a breath. I could deny it, but I admitted to it not five minutes ago in front of him, my brothers, and all my nosy neighbors who are pretending to water their plants. “I do love you.”

“Our work here is done.” Scott kisses my cheek before sauntering to his car. Ricky winks at me before following him.

“You better stop by and see Dad,” I yell after them.

“Who do you think sent us?” Ricky slams the door and they drive off.

Nolan smiles down at me. “Are you done pushing me away?”

I huff. “I don’t want you to give up your career for me.”

He kisses my nose. “I’m not giving up my career. I’m pivoting. Growing. Playing it forward.”

“You really want to be a coach?”

“I do. I’ll still have to travel with the team, but the college football season is shorter. And I’ll be working with Knox. He’ll understand if I need time off.”

I chew on my lip as I stare up at him. Do I dare give him a second chance?

He only needs a second chance because you got scared and ran.

I hate it when my inner voice is right.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

His smile stretches from ear to ear. “You’re going to keep me on my toes for the rest of my life, aren’t you, sprite?”

“I wouldn’t want you to get bored.”

“I love you. I can’t wait to begin our life together.”

Fear tries to push its way through my happiness, but I don’t allow it. Nolan has shown he’ll stay. He’s been there every step of the way. I’ve tried to push him away, but he didn’t let me. This is real. We’re real.

“I love you, too.”

Chapter 39

Sirena was worth the wait.

March

Nolan

“And this is the library.” I motion to the building.

Someone snickers. “Not spending my time there.”

I glare at the kid. He’s a junior in high school and checking out potential colleges. He’s got a good arm, but Knox and I are both worried about his attitude.

“You don’t need to spend time in the library, but you do need to keep your grades up.”

He rolls his eyes. “A C average. Big deal. I can do a C plus average in my sleep.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Let me guess. Your future plan is the NFL.”

He puffs out his chest. “I’m good enough.”

“And what happens when you get injured? What’s your back-up plan?”

“I’ll be careful.”

“A careful quarterback is a crappy quarterback. You need to—” My phone rings and cuts me off. “Excuse me,” I say before walking away to answer the call in private.

“Hey, Charlie. What’s up?”

“Terri’s in labor.”

“In labor? She’s not due for another two weeks.”

“I’m driving her to the hospital. She’s been having contractions for hours.”

I scowl. “For hours? I was home this morning.”

“She was worried she was experiencing those fake contractions.”

And she didn’t tell me. She doesn’t want to ruin my coaching career. She needs to stop worrying and lean on me. I have strong shoulders for a reason.

“Did you phone the doctor?”

“Jasmine said to get to the hospital.”

Dr. Reynolds said to go to the hospital? Shit. This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for. “I’m on my way.”

I hang up and sprint across campus. I had to be on the other side of the stadium when the call came? Doesn’t matter. I keep in shape.

“Coach Allen!” a student shouts and I wave. No time to stop.

I reach my SUV and jump inside. I’m driving away before I close the door. I push down on the pedal and drive as fast as I can and still be safe. I’m not missing the birth of our daughter.

Terri was on to something when she nicknamed our baby the little mermaid. We found out she’s having a girl a while ago. I hope the baby looks just like my sprite.

I approach the bridge and exhale a breath of relief. It’s not busy. This bridge is the bane of my existence when the tourists descend on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

The second I’m on the island, I notice a police car behind me. I ignore it. They can trail me all the way to the hospital.

But the police car’s light switches on as it passes me. The police officer waves for me to follow her once she’s in front. I don’t have time for this, but she doesn’t drive to the police station. She leads me to the hospital. We pull into the parking lot and she waves before driving off.

She probably knew Terri was in labor before I did. Small town life. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I hurry inside and the receptionist immediately points to the elevator. “Fourth floor. Room 402.”

I nod my thanks as I sprint down the hallway. A few people are waiting for the elevator. I ignore it and rush up the stairs.

I’m panting by the time I enter room 402.

“Sprite!”

Terri smiles over at me. “You made it.” Her brow wrinkles. “Why are you sweating? And gasping for air?”

“Ran here.”

“You ran here from the college?”

I wave my hand in dismissal. “Ran to my SUV. Ran up the stairs.”

She smiles. “Got your workout in for the day.”

She teases me about working out all the time. You wake up at four a.m. one Sunday to get a run in.

Dr. Reynolds sweeps into the room. “Daddy made it just in time.”

“Thank god,” Charlie mutters. I hadn’t noticed him standing in the corner. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”

“Thanks, Charlie.”

He smiles at me. “Anytime, kiddo.”

Dr. Reynolds sits on a stool and rolls her way in between Terri’s legs. “Very good. You’re fully dilated. Are you ready to push?”

Terri grasps my hands and squeezes. “What if I can’t do this?”

I kiss her forehead. “You can do this. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip. “I don’t know.”

“I do know. You’re the woman who tricked the entire offensive line into wearing pregnancy weight simulators for an entire day.”

“I didn’t trick them. Tanner claimed being pregnant wasn’t a big deal. I was teaching him.”

I snort. “You taught him all right. He’s now terrified of Alaia getting pregnant.”

“It’s his—” She cuts off with a scream.

“Okay, mamma,” Dr. Reynolds says. “Time to push.”

“You got this, sprite.”

“What if I’m a horrible mother?” she asks between pants.

“Impossible.”

“But my mom.”

“Isn’t here. I am. Believe me.”

She glances up at me. “Okay,” she whispers before grunting as she pushes.

“Good job, mamma. Keep it going.”

Terri glares at the doctor. “Call me mamma one more time, Jasmine.”

Jasmine doesn’t bother looking up from her task. “And you’ll what? Walk away? Don’t think so.”

The chatter dies after their exchange. Terri’s too busy trying to bring our baby into the world to yell at her friend. Although she does tell me I’m a flying pirate who should walk his own plank a few times. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing.

“This is it,” Dr. Reynolds says an hour later. “One more push.”

Terri is drenched in sweat. Her hair is matted to her head. Her face is red. And her eyes are full of pain. I wish I could take her pain away.

“Come on, Sprite. I can’t wait to meet our little mermaid.”

Her nostrils flare. “Then… you…can…push…her…out.”

“She’s coming!” the doctor shouts.

Terri screams and her hand squashes mine as she pushes one last time.

“Here she is,” the doctor mutters. She stands with the baby in her arms. Our baby. Tears well in my eyes.

And then the baby cries. It’s the most beautiful sound in the world. My knees wobble, and the tears are no longer in my eyes. They’re running down my cheeks, and I don’t care.

“Welcome to the world, baby Sirena,” Jasmine mutters before placing the baby on Terri’s chest. I draw my finger down her perfect little nose.

“She’s perfect.”

Terri smiles at her. “She is.” She glances up at me. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you stayed.”

I brush the hair from her face and kiss her forehead. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. You’re worth staying for.” I glance down at our little girl. “And with Sirena here now, we’re a family.”

♥♥♥

Thanks for reading!

Up next is May and Brock’s story. Brock is determined to never fall in love again. Not after Jace’s mother abandoned them. But May is slowly lowering his guard. Will he let her in? You can pre-order Lowering His Guard here!

Terri should have known better than to underestimate a quarterback. When a late-night diaper change reveals Nolan's latest surprise, she discovers he's been planning their future all along. And, this time, there's no running away from happily ever after. Click here to read the bonus chapter!

The Steel City Seals Series

Another Chance to Play – FREE Prequel

On Her Team

The Game We Played

Playing It Forward

Lowering His Guard

On Her Turf

Smuggler’s Hideaway Series

Upon First Glance – FREE Prequel

Before It Was Love

After The Vows

When It Snows – Holiday novella

While We Waited

All Along

Beyond The Hate

The Raider Brothers Series – a Smuggler’s Hideaway Spin-off Series

Until It Was Real

For The Promise

From The Start

Only for the Season

Since You Arrived

After You Returned

The Cash & the Sinners Series

How to Date a Rockstar

How to Love a Rockstar

How to Fall For a Rockstar

How to Be a Rockstar’s Boyfriend

How to Catch a Rockstar

The Winter Falls Series

My Forever Plan – FREE Prequel

My Forever Love

Forever For You

Just For Forever

Stay For Forever

Only Forever

The Winter Falls ~ Dempsey Sisters series

Meet Disaster

Meet Not

Meet Dare

Meet Hate

The Winter Falls ~ Bragg Brothers Series

Bragg’s Truth

Bragg’s Love

Perfect Bragg

Bragg’s Match

Bragg’s Christmas

The Love will OUT series

A Hero for Hailey

A Protector for Phoebe

A Soldier for Suzie

A Christmas for Chrissie

A Valentine for Valerie

A Love for Lexi

The Love in the Suburbs series

About Face

At Arm’s Length

Hands Off

Knee Deep

Christmas in the Suburbs

Other romantic comedies by D.E. Haggerty

Molly’s Misadventures

An Excerpt from Lowering His Guard

May – a surfer who beams sunshine even when confronted with the grumpiest NFL player in the league

May

“Summer surfing, happens so fast,” I sing as I lay out the large foam beginner surfboards. Today is one of my favorite days of the year – the first day of summer lessons.

“Summer surfing, catching the swell.”

I finish the boards and stare at the ocean. I have the best life. What could be better than giving surfing lessons at some fancy schmancy resort on Smuggler’s Hideaway – aka the best island in the world? Nothing, I tell you.

Although, traveling the world surfing wasn’t too bad either. But those days of being a hippie surfer are behind me.

“Hey!” A man shouts and I whirl around.

Holy surfers riding the waves! Is this man real? Am I hallucinating? No way no how is there a giant with messy brown hair, high cheekbones, blue eyes, and biceps big enough to bench press a small car shouting at me. Where are they growing men this size? It certainly isn't on Smuggler's Hideaway.

“Hey!” He shouts again. Probably because I’m practically drooling. Oops. “Where’s the instructor?”

I glance around. “No idea.”

He crosses his arms and glares at me. “You work here?”

“Sometimes.”

“Can you point me toward whoever’s in charge?”

The teenage boy beside him groans. “Dad.”

“What?” He asks – his tone way more gentle than when he was barking at me. Don’t get me wrong. This man can bark at me all he wants. Preferably while he’s naked. I’d love to get my hands and mouth on his naked body.

“She’s obviously the teacher,” the kid says.

The giant’s eyes narrow on me. “Are you the teacher?”

I wrinkle my nose. “It does say surfing instructor on my paycheck.”

He growls – an honest to goodness growl – and I shiver. It’s possible my nipples harden. Smoking smugglers surfing in a storm! I want to hear him growl while I’m naked. He can stay clothed. Doesn’t matter to me. As long as he’s touching me while he growls, I’m in.

“You’re May Ross?”

I whip out a salute. “Reporting for duty.”

“You’re the surfing instructor?”

“Dad,” his son whines. “Stop digging the hole. You’re already half-way to …” His eyes widen, his cheeks flame, and he slaps a hand over his mouth.  

I laugh. The kid is funny.

“I mean… I didn’t mean…” The kid stumbles over his words.

“No offense taken.” I wink at him.

I’m seriously not offended because someone was about to mention the country of China. I’m half-Chinese – Mom’s Chinese and Dad's Irish-American – but I don't need people tiptoeing around me every time someone mentions China. Save the apologies for when someone actually says something offensive.  

“Let me guess.” I tap my chin. “You’re Jace?”

I know he’s Jace. The other kids in the class who are waiting around with their parents already introduced themselves. He’s the last to arrive.

The kid beams at me. “Yep. And this is my dad, Brock.”

“Hi, Dad!” I beam at the grumpy giant. “You don’t need to stay for the lesson.”

“I’m good,” he grumbles and I have to give my nipples a stern lesson. No getting hard when you’re teaching a bunch of teenagers how to surf.

I whistle. “Gather round!”

The kids separate from their parents and join me by the surfboards. “Welcome to your first day!”

They cheer. My smile stretches from ear to ear. Is there anything better than a bunch of kids excited to learn a new skill? I think not.

“I’m May and I’ll be your instructor. Let’s go around in a circle and introduce ourselves. Tell me if you’ve ever surfed before, can you swim, any injuries I should be aware of, and is anyone nervous.”

After everyone introduces themselves, I give them the safety talk. Then, it’s time to hand out the boards. I explain how to carry it, what the leash is, and the paddling position.

“All right, future surfers! Are you ready to surf?”

They nod and clap.

“Oops! I forgot. We need to practice on the beach first.”

They groan and I smirk.

“Pay attention and we’ll be out in the water causing your parents to have heart attacks in no time!”

Brock’s eyes widen and he steps forward but I shake my head. He stares at me for a long second before nodding and retreating.

I demonstrate lying on the board, paddling, popping up, foot placement, and balance.

“Now, it’s your turn.” I barely have a chance to get the words out before the kids tackle their boards.

I make my way through the group correcting them.

“Come on, Dad,” Jace urges. “You try it if you’re such an expert.”

Brock lays on the board and it groans.

“Easy there.” I say. “The board didn’t insult your mother.”

“These boards are not normal sized,” he complains.

I rake my gaze over him. “The boards aren’t normal sized or you’re not normal sized?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m average-sized for my profession.”

“What is your profession? Picking apples from trees without a ladder?”

He scowls. “I’m a football player.”

I know perfectly well he’s a football player. The Hideaway Haven Resort where I work is hosting the Steel City Seals football team this summer while they attend training camp at Coastal State University. Hudson – aka the bossman – sat us down before their arrival and laid down the law.

Don’t ask me what the law is. I didn’t listen. Rules and me aren’t friends.

I clap my hands to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s get in the water!”

I show them how to get on the board. “Feel the waves. Test your balance.”

I wade through the water helping everyone to stand and balance. Once I’m confident in their standing abilities, we move on to the next topic.

“Who’s ready to catch a wave?” I throw up the devil’s horns before telling everyone to, “line up!”

Sandy is first. I push the board until we reach the tiny broken waves near the shore. “Paddle! Now stand!”

She falls and I cheer. “Now, you can call yourself a surfer.”

I motion to Jace. “You’re up!”

I push his board. He’s already paddling. “Ready! Now stand!”

He catches a wave and stands. He stays up for three seconds before wiping out.

Brock steps toward the water but I touch his arm. “Wait.”

He stares at me.

“He’s okay.”

A second later, Jace pops up laughing. “I did it!”

I give him a high-five. “Gnarly, dude!”

“Dad! Did you see me?” Brock grins at his son. Oh boy. The man isn’t merely sexy. He’s a good father. 

Once Jace is out of the water, I motion to the next kid in line. I continue until every student has had a chance to try and ride their first wave.

“All right, surfers!” I holler. “That’s it for your first lesson. You can now officially call yourselves surfers.”

I high-five all my students. “I’ll see you at your next lesson but before you go we need to clean our equipment and carry our boards back.”

I supervise while they wash the sand and dirt off the boards and rinse the leashes. Once they’re clean, I motion for them to place the boards on the rack.

I notice Brock carrying Jace’s board and scowl at him. “He can carry his own board.”

He shrugs. “I know.”

“But you’re carrying it anyway?”

He shrugs again. “It’s heavy.”

Who does he think he’s fooling? The foam beginner board weighs almost nothing.

“You carry all his stuff, don't you?”

He grunts.

Jace rolls his eyes. “Don’t take it personally. He thinks grunting is a form of communication.”

“No worries. I don’t take anything personally.”

Brock frowns at me. “Nothing?”

“Not if it doesn’t involve me.”

We arrive at the surf shed where the music is playing. I shake my hips and sing along to the song as I dance toward Brock. I motion to the rack where he can put the surfboard.

“Miss May! Miss May!” Sandy shouts. “I forgot my flip-flops!”

I hand Sandy my sandals without a second thought. “Use mine.”

“But what about you?”

I look down at my bare feet buried in warm sand. “I've survived hotter beaches.”

I twirl back toward the surfboards, singing with the music pouring from the shack.

I watch Brock make his way to the resort. Back when I was a hippie surfer, I'd have chased him down the beach to try and make him smile. Huh. Maybe I’ll be a hippie surfer for the summer.  

Pre-order Lowering His Guard now!

About the author

D.E. Haggerty writes funny, heartfelt small-town romances filled with quirky communities, lovable chaos, and unforgettable happily-ever-afters. Her books give readers a joyful escape into charming towns they never want to leave. Originally from the United States, she now lives in the Netherlands with her husband, a dog that thinks barking is a sign of love, and far too many book ideas.