Love at the 20-Yard Line Read online

Haven rolled her eyes as they meandered toward the next store. Outside the entrance, she looked from Allie to Brody, uncertain what to do.

  “Hey, don’t let me interrupt your shopping adventure. I just wanted to surprise you.” Brody took Haven’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “If you don’t have plans later, I’d like to take you out to dinner and a movie.”

  “Oh, please.” Allie plopped down on a bench and motioned for the other two to join her. “Cool your heels for a minute there, handsome. We’ll finish these drinks and you can shop with us. When we’re done, you can kidnap Haven and do what you will with her.”

  “Excuse me?” Irritated, Haven glowered at her cousin.

  Brody stood and started to back away. “I’m not so sure shopping with you girls is a good plan. I’ll just… um… I’ll give you a call later, doll, and we can decide…

  “Scared of a little retail therapy, Mr. Jackson?” Allie asked in a tone that dripped with challenge.

  “No. I just don’t want to interrupt your girl time.” Brody had never had a steady girlfriend to force him to accompany her on trips to the mall and his mother never had the money to waste on anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary. He didn’t think this particular afternoon seemed like the right time for an initiation into the rituals of tagging along with women intent on shopping.

  “Watch this, Haven. He’s about to tuck his tail between those long legs and run,” Allie said, bumping Haven’s arm with her elbow.

  Brody glared at the girl who was too pretty for her own good and far too opinionated for his. He finished his soda and dropped the cup in a nearby garbage can. He’d never run from a challenge and today would not be the exception.

  If any of the guys saw what he was about to do, they’d probably roll on the ground laughing, but odds were high he wouldn’t run into any of his teammates in the girly stores he’d no doubt be dragged to before the shopping expedition ended.

  He gave Haven a hand and helped her to her feet, then kissed her cheek. “Lead on, fair lady. I’m here to serve this afternoon.”

  Haven looped her arm around Brody’s then shot her cousin a smug smile. “Told you he wouldn’t run off.”

  “Let’s just see how long he lasts. Rick can’t even make it through Macy’s shoe department,” Allie said, going to Brody’s other side and looping her arm through his. “I bet I can break you before the afternoon is over.”

  “Give it a try, Allie. Bring it on.” Brody held open the door to a shoe store as the girls preceded him inside.

  An hour and a half later, as he sat in a chair by the dressing rooms waiting for the girls to finish trying on outfits, he wasn’t having a terrible time. In fact, he’d learned a lot about Haven by listening to her and Allie talk, and observing the types of things that captured her interest.

  While Allie went for the flashy, super trendy pieces, Haven gravitated to career clothes or outfits that were much more conservative.

  This store was a mix of both. Allie was like a whirlwind, grabbing a handful of clothes and insisting Haven go back to the dressing rooms with her.

  After spying a few other men waiting, Brody joined them. So far, no one recognized him. If a video of him packing shopping bags around ended up online, his carefully cultivated reputation as a partying bad boy was as good as dead.

  A few minutes later, Allie appeared and motioned Brody toward the dressing rooms.

  “I’ve been trying to talk Haven into modeling an outfit to see what you think. I’m pretty sure I’ve finally got her convinced to stick her nose out the dressing room door, but she refuses to walk all the way out to the sitting area.” Allie spoke quietly, her voice holding a hint of conspiracy. “If you don’t mind waiting right here, I’ll shove her out of the dressing room and you can share your thoughts on how she looks.”

  “What’s she trying on that’s such a big deal?” Completely unfamiliar with the trauma women endured in front of dressing room mirrors, Brody had no idea what could cause so much fuss.

  “I told her this dress would make your eyes pop out of your head and she’s convinced it’s a little too… me!” Allie hurried back to a dressing room halfway down the hall.

  An older woman stepped out of a dressing room to look in the big mirror at the end of the hall. When she saw Brody’s reflection in the glass, she sent him a scathing glare, returned to her dressing room, and slammed the door.

  Allie poked her head out and nodded at Brody before shoving Haven into the hall.

  He stared at the girl in the mile-high heels wearing a dress that accented every generous curve in her figure.

  Allie was almost right.

  Brody’s eyes didn’t pop out of his head, but it felt like they might. His jaw dropped as he studied Haven from the top of her golden head to the tips of the “notice me” shoes.

  “Haven…” His voice sounded unusually husky and rough as he reached out a hand to her. Uncertain and self-conscious, she walked over to him. The dress had a lower neckline than anything he’d seen her wear, but it still provided more coverage than the clothes many women wore.

  He knew nothing about women’s fashion, except that the cut of this particular dress was made for Haven while the rich blue color matched her eyes.

  “Whatever it costs, you’ve got to have it.” Haven needed this dress. Not only because she looked so hot in it he was afraid he might singe his fingers if he touched her, but also because he knew it would boost her confidence whenever she wore it.

  “Do you really like it?” Delighted by the look on his face, Haven began to experience a heady sensation from the way Brody couldn’t take his eyes off her. Absently, she wondered if that was how Allie felt all the time.

  “No, I don’t like it. I love it. I don’t care what else you planned to buy today, you’ve got to have that dress, doll.” He bent down so he could whisper in her ear. “And you have to promise you’ll wear it on a date with me.”

  Haven nodded her head and turned to go back into the dressing room, noticing her reflection with Brody in the big hall mirror. He placed a hand on her waist and smiled as she looked at their images.

  “We look good together, don’t we?” he said, admiring the view of her in the mirror as well as the feel of her waist beneath his hand.

  “Yes,” she whispered, then hustled back inside the dressing room.

  Allie winked at him. “You can thank me later.”

  Brody felt the need for some fresh air and a cold shower. He stepped outside and took several deep breaths then returned inside. Haven stood at the cash register with the dress along with a few other things.

  “Don’t you want the shoes, too?” he asked, hopeful she’d get the entire outfit.

  Haven shook her head. “No. I’ve got some at home that will work.”

  Disappointment settled over him. The shoes that made her legs look a mile long wouldn’t be part of her killer outfit. He somehow doubted she had anything similar in her closet. From what he’d seen, she owned tasteful heels for work, flats for casual events, and boots she wore out to the farm.

  “You want me to buy your dress?”

  Haven and Allie both looked at him in surprise.

  “Thank you, but I’ve got it,” Haven said, shocked by Brody’s offer. She knew playing arena football didn’t make him a fortune and he didn’t have unlimited funds. That he’d even offer melted another piece of her heart.

  At this rate, he’d have it entirely dissolved before he left in June.

  “I think we should quit while we’re ahead,” Allie said, taking pity on Brody. He’d not complained once, carried their bags without comment, and the way he reacted to Haven in the dress was more than she’d hoped for.

  “Want to make it dinner for four and go to the movies?” Brody asked as he walked Allie and Haven to where Allie parked her car.

  “I’d love that. Rick and I were planning something similar anyway. Why don’t we get a little fancy so Haven can wear her new dress?” Allie suggested.

 
“Sounds good to me,” Brody said. The three of them decided on a restaurant and agreed to meet there in two hours. Allie planned to help Haven get ready before running home to change.

  Brody really wanted to take Haven home, but he needed to go back to his apartment and change.

  He kissed her cheek then walked around to the side of the mall where he parked his truck. Suddenly remembering something that would make Haven smile, he ran back inside and found what he was looking for in one of the stores he’d visited with the girls.

  After arriving home, he dug his sports jacket from the back of his closet and changed from his T-shirt into a button down shirt. He swapped his faded jeans for a new pair then spent a few minutes polishing his boots before pulling them on.

  He still had time to kill, so he turned on the television, but couldn’t get interested in anything. He thumbed through a magazine, paid a few bills, and paced the floor.

  Unable to wait any longer, he tried to walk slowly down the steps to his truck, but he was anxious to see Haven in that dress again and couldn’t keep himself to a sedate pace.

  He arrived fifteen minutes early for their date and forced himself to sit in his truck for a few minutes before knocking on Haven’s door.

  When the door opened, he wasn’t convinced he had the right apartment.

  Instead of his curly-haired sweetheart, a blonde bombshell offered him a warm greeting. Haven’s shiny hair hung sleek and straight down her back. She wore more makeup than usual. He could see Allie’s hand in it, from the dark eyeliner to the smoky eyes that didn’t look like Haven’s innocent, fresh face. Deep red colored her lips instead of the natural soft pink shade he adored.

  Haven wore the figure enhancing blue dress with a pair of heels even sexier than the shoes she tried on at the store.

  “I’m sorry. I think I got the wrong place. I was looking for my girlfriend.” He made the tone of his voice teasing, although intense desire crashed over him as he stared at her.

  “Well, that’s too bad. I thought maybe my dreams were finally coming true.” Although she didn’t know how it was possible, Haven decided Brody got more handsome every time she saw him. She stepped back so he could enter her apartment and closed the door.

  After taking her arms in his hands, he gave her a slow, thorough once-over that made her feel exposed and wanted all at the same time.

  “Haven, you take my breath away.” Lightly, he kissed her cheek, not wanting to smudge her makeup. He’d gone out with enough high-maintenance girls to know messing up their lipstick on the way out the door was considered a cardinal sin.

  “You look very nice, too.” She wished he’d pull her close and kiss her, like he usually did when they were together.

  “I’ve got a little something to go with your new dress.” Brody removed a small box from his jacket pocket and held it out to her.

  “Another present? Really, Brody, you’ve done more than enough already.” She accepted the box and opened the lid. A necklace she’d admired earlier that afternoon nestled against a bed of burgundy velvet. “I can’t believe you bought this for me. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He picked up the necklace and draped it around her neck.

  Haven lifted her hair so he could fasten the necklace. He planted a warm kiss to the back of her neck before she dropped her thick, golden mane.

  “I’ve never seen your hair straight before,” he said, running a hand over the back of her head. Although it looked very nice, he liked her untamed curls better. They looked more natural, more like Haven.

  “Once in a great while Allie talks me into straightening it,” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Shall we get going?”

  Haven slid on her glasses, picked up an evening bag, grabbed her keys, and walked out the door Brody held open for her.

  “Do you need a jacket?” Brody asked as he shut the door behind him. “It still gets cool in the evenings.”

  “We’re not going to be sitting outside anywhere, are we?” She took Brody’s hand as they walked over to his pickup.

  “Not that I know of, but with your cousin involved, anything could happen.”

  Haven laughed and smiled at him. “I’ll throw a fit if she tries anything.”

  “Right. Because you’re given to bouts of hysteria, especially in public.” Brody opened his truck door and smiled at Haven before picking her up and setting her on the seat. The tight skirt of her dress along with the high heels made it impossible for her to get in the truck without his help, which was exactly why he didn’t suggest taking her car.

  “You never know. There’s a first time for everything.” Haven offered him a sassy smile as he shut the door and hurried around the truck.

  A few minutes later, they pulled up at a popular Italian restaurant where Allie and Rick waited outside the door. As usual, Allie looked like she belonged on a magazine cover with a short skirt, spiked heels, perfect makeup, and flowing hair.

  For once, though, Haven didn’t feel like the ugly stepsister standing beside her. With Brody’s hand warm against her back, she felt beautiful and desirable.

  The four of them were just leaving the restaurant when a group of Brody’s teammates stopped him on their way inside.

  “Dude!” One of them knuckle bumped him as they stood outside the restaurant door. Brody’s arm around Haven made him grin broadly. “So, is this the doll? You didn’t mention she was super-sexy Barbie.”

  Brody never considered himself a barbaric, jealous type of guy, but having his friends check out Haven like they’d all looked at any number of girls made him want to beat them into the ground.

  Protectively stepping in front of her, he gave the men a long, dark glare, before telling them to enjoy their evening and escorting Haven down the walk.

  “Told you you’d rock that outfit, cuz,” Allie said, as she and Rick walked behind Brody and Haven.

  Brody sent her a warning glance over his shoulder. It was one thing for him to think Haven looked like a mouth-watering confection he was dying to taste. He didn’t want anyone else ogling her that way. No one.

  “Don’t you think she looks amazing, Brody?” Allie prodded.

  Before Brody could answer, Rick asked what movie everyone wanted to go see and steered the conversation to a much safer topic.

  “We’ll meet you at the theater,” Rick said, smiling at Haven while hurrying Allie toward his car before she could say anything further to upset Brody.

  While Brody slid behind the wheel, Haven tilted her head with an impish grin and fastened her seatbelt. “You didn’t answer Allie’s question.”

  “I didn’t think I needed to.” Brody started the truck and drove in the direction of the movie theater. “If you can’t tell by the way I keep touching you or the fact that I can’t keep my eyes off you, you don’t deserve an answer.”

  Brody’s honesty caught Haven off guard. “I just… I wasn’t…”

  “I know, doll.” Brody picked up her hand then brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers. “For the record, you do look amazing. And hot. And exactly like the Barbie my buddy described.”

  “Brody…” Haven’s cheeks heated with embarrassment.

  “It’s true, Haven. Every word of it.”

  Their arrival at the movie theater kept Haven from saying anything else. Brody helped her out of the truck and they walked toward the door with Rick and Allie.

  After paying their admission, they ordered beverages before going in to watch an action movie. It wasn’t what the girls would have chosen to see, but the guys wanted to and it started in a few minutes, rather than waiting almost half an hour for another movie to begin.

  Throughout the movie, Brody either held Haven’s hand or managed to touch her in some way like putting his arm around her shoulders or resting his hand on her leg. Pleased by his apparent need to be close, she breathed deeply of his scent and absorbed his warmth at her side.

  Although he placed them on her neck and cheek, Brody snuck in
a few kisses. She experienced a little disappointment that he didn’t try a little harder to press one to her lips. He seemed like the kind of guy who would enjoy kissing a girl in a dark theater.

  Determined to enjoy the rest of their date, Haven turned her attention back to the movie.

  When it ended, the four of them were discussing where else they could go when Haven excused herself to the restroom. On her way back to rejoin the group, two men walking behind her whistled loudly and one of them reached out like he was about to grab her rear.

  Before Haven could say or do anything, Brody was there with a look on his face that frightened her. He gently pushed her behind him before stepping forward with a clenched fist.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Brody threatened, looking at the men.

  It took only a second for the two men to decide they didn’t want to take on someone who looked like he could flatten them both with one hand. They turned around and went back the way they came, mumbling an apology.

  Brody considered going after them and knocking their heads together, but the coach frowned on that kind of publicity, so he instead took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

  “Brody?” Haven asked, placing a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m good.” He inhaled a deep breath before turning around and taking her hand in his. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. They didn’t actually do anything.” At least one of the men would have grabbed her if Brody hadn’t suddenly appeared. For the most part, she was disgusted and annoyed by their lack of manners. Nevertheless, some little part of her was thrilled the two men found her attractive.

  “They almost did. Have you ever taken a self-defense class? Do you know how to take care of yourself?” If Haven was going to go out in public looking like she did at that particular moment, she might need to know how to defend herself. He wouldn’t always be there to take care of her.

  Intentionally ignoring the pang of regret shooting through him at the thought of not being around for more than a few months, they rejoined Rick and Allie.

  “My late night is catching up with me. If you all don’t mind, I think I’ll take Haven home and get to bed at a decent hour tonight,” Brody said. He was tired, but it wasn’t fatigue that made him want to take Haven home. It was the thought of other men staring at her with lust in their eyes. He didn’t know if he could control his anger or jealousy much longer without somebody getting punched in the face.