Love at the 20-Yard Line Read online

  Brody and Haven stayed in the water a few minutes longer, splashing each other. Brody disappeared beneath the surface and when he came back up, it was right in front of her. He pulled Haven against him and kissed her, holding her close.

  His lips were cool against hers at first, and then warmed with the intensity of their passion.

  Haven wrapped her arms and legs around Brody, holding tightly to him as their kiss deepened. The next thing she knew, Brody was laying her down on the blanket, never breaking the contact of their lips.

  Cool and hot all at the same time, Haven knew she’d never felt like this before in her life and fleetingly wondered if she ever would again.

  Brody’s lips worked their magic down her jaw, along her neck, trailing his searing touch across her shoulder and along the edge of her swimming suit.

  Haven sighed and dug her fingers into his hair, guiding his head back up to her lips, kissing him with an urgency that couldn’t be denied.

  She felt Brody’s long fingers tracing a tantalizing pattern across her side and shuddered when he lifted the hem of her top just enough to expose her stomach and press a kiss there.

  “Brody,” she moaned, grasping his head between her hands, forcing him to look at her.

  “I’m sorry, Haven. I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t planning on…” He rolled onto his back and breathed hard, tightening his hold on his self-control.

  “I think we better call this a night.” Haven would never forget the look of wanting in Brody’s eyes, the feel of his skin against hers in the water, the untamed desire he stirred in her.

  “I think you’re right.” He walked to the truck and retrieved two towels, handing one to Haven then used the other to dry off his hair and chest. There wasn’t much he could do about wet shorts and didn’t really care.

  Haven dried and dressed, wrapping the towel around her head to squeeze some of the moisture from her hair before tossing it in the pickup.

  After gathering the blanket and cooler, Brody helped her into the truck, mesmerized as her golden tresses curled in an uncontrollable mass around her head.

  He’d seen Haven in many different ways, wearing a variety of outfits and hairstyles, but those wild, wet curls along with her damp T-shirt and cut-off shorts had to be at the top of his list of favorites.

  Thoughts of never seeing her again made a sharp, severe pain wrench his heart so hard, he had no idea how he could leave town without her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “You have the sweetest daughter in the world,” Angelina Jackson said as she gave Rachel a hug and shook John’s hand at the airport.

  As a surprise for Brody, Haven contacted his mom to see if she’d like to watch him play in the championship game.

  Angelina assured her she would, but still sounded hesitant about making the trip, explaining she held a strong fear of flying and didn’t like to stay alone in a hotel. When Haven said Angelina could stay with her or at the farm, the woman finally agreed.

  Now, Haven and her parents stood in the airport, giving Brody’s mom a warm welcome.

  Observing the tall, slender woman, Haven could see where Brody got his dark hair and eyes. He also had his mother’s lips and smile.

  Anxious to surprise Brody, Haven clasped her hands beneath her chin to keep from rubbing them together in excitement.

  Angeline smiled at her. “And you’re sure he doesn’t know I’m coming?”

  “Absolutely and positively sure,” Haven said, looping her arm around Angelina’s.

  Brody planned to stay a few days with his mom on his way to the training camp, but this would be a special way to end his season with the local arena football team.

  The four of them went out to dinner at a restaurant near the arena. Haven enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Brody’s mother and get to know the woman who raised such a fine man all alone.

  “So my boy tells me you raise potatoes?” Angelina said, talking to John and Rachel about farming. From what she shared with them, she apparently grew up on a farm where her family raised corn and soybeans. When her father died, her mother sold the farm to pay off outstanding loans, and moved into a small house in town.

  After Angelina’s husband left her, she moved in with her mother, who passed away when Brody was only three. She inherited the little house and still lived there.

  While John paid the bill for dinner, Haven walked with Angelina outside into the warm summer evening.

  “I’m so glad you called me, Haven. Brody thinks the world of you and now I can see for myself why. You’re just a sweetie and I know Brody’s heart is safe in your hands.” Angelina hugged Haven around her shoulders.

  “Brody did tell you he’s leaving and I’m staying, didn’t he?” Haven asked, wondering if he’d forgotten to tell his mom about his plans.

  “Oh, I know what he said.” Abruptly, Angelina changed the subject, inquiring about Haven’s job. As they discussed what she did, Angelina asked if she could see the photos from Brody’s modeling stint for the plumbing campaign.

  Haven took out her phone and scrolled through the photos until she opened the file with the photos Adam sent to her.

  “Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe that is my boy,” Angelina said. “He looks like he belongs on one of those show posters in Vegas.”

  Haven laughed, taking back her phone when Angelina held it out to her. “We make quite a pair then, because I always told Mom my name sounded like something a showgirl in Vegas would use.”

  “I think it’s a lovely name,” Angelina said, turning to Rachel with a warm smile.

  “See, Haven. I’m not the only one who likes it.” Rachel gave her daughter a satisfied look.

  When they arrived at the arena, Haven asked Angelina if she wanted to see Brody before the game or wait until after.

  “I don’t want to disrupt his routine,” Angelina said, walking beside her as they entered the arena. “Let’s just wait.”

  “If you’re sure…” Haven led the way to the seats. John and Rachel sat down and Angelina took the next seat while Haven hurried to the concession area to get everyone a drink.

  When she returned, Hale sat in her seat, chatting with Brody’s mother.

  “This is really cool, baby girl.” Hale squeezed her shoulder as he stood, stepping into the aisle so Haven could take her seat. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jackson.”

  “You, too, Hale,” Angelina said, turning to Rachel. “What a nice family you have. No wonder Brody is so taken with you all.”

  Rachel smiled. “We’re pretty fond of him, too.”

  The two mothers visited before the game started. Brody came out to warm up, but kept his back turned to their section of seats. Haven knew he often did that because he said looking at her scrambled his thoughts and messed with his focus.

  The game soon started and Angelina clasped Haven’s hand as Brody jumped up and caught a ball. He gained a few yards before he fell under a tackle.

  Near the end of the second quarter, a tackle brought him down on the twenty-yard line, where he’d first met Haven’s gaze.

  Haven couldn’t keep from smiling as he looked her direction and waved a hand. When he realized who sat beside her, shock spread over his face.

  Torn between playing and rushing into the stands to see his mom, Brody lifted a hand in greeting and played out the remaining seconds of the quarter. As soon as it ended, he jumped over the dasher boards and ran up the steps. Quickly removing his helmet, he dropped it on Haven’s lap, then crushed his mom in a big bear hug and kissed her cheeks.

  “Mom! What are you doing here?” Surprise and joy mingled in his voice and on his face.

  “Haven thought I should watch your last game this season, especially since you’re playing for the championship.” Angelina regained her seat, but held onto Brody’s hand.

  He turned his gaze to Haven and lifted an eyebrow. “You did all this, doll? You got my mom to get on a plane and fly out here just to watch me play?”

  “Well, it
seemed like the right thing to do.” Haven toyed with his helmet instead of making eye contact.

  Brody kissed her on the mouth, not caring that their parents and a good portion of the crowd watched. “You really are the best, Haven. Love you.”

  He grabbed his helmet and disappeared out of the stands, joining the rest of the team in the locker room.

  Infused with excitement to have his mom and his girl sitting side by side in the stands cheering him on, Brody had an amazing second half in the game, catching numerous passes and making a touchdown.

  Their team won and the cheers that went up at the end of the game were deafening.

  Brody waved to his mom and Haven before going to the locker room to shower and change.

  “I can’t believe your mom is here. How did Haven manage that?” Marcus asked as they dressed.

  “I don’t know, but it was awesome to look up and see her in the stands. Haven is something else.”

  “How is it you think you can get in your truck and leave her next week?” Even an idiot could see how closely tied Brody’s heart was to Haven’s. Much closer than his friend was willing to admit.

  “Because I have to and we both knew all along that was the plan.” Brody finger-combed his hair.

  “But that was before you two fell in love. Do you really think you’re going to find what you’ve got with Haven again? It’s not something that happens multiple times, man. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

  “Like the opportunity to play for an NFL team?” Brody asked defensively. “I know what I have with Haven is special, but I can’t ask her to go with me. I don’t know if this is going to work out and if it doesn’t she’d be stuck with an unemployed bum who can’t make his dreams a reality. She needs her family and she has a great career here. Why would I ask her to leave all that?”

  “You wouldn’t. But any man with sense in his head and not rocks would,” Marcus said with a teasing smile.

  Brody grinned and gave him a playful punch to the arm on his way out the door. He found his mom and Haven waiting near the door with John and Rachel.

  “Your mom is going to stay with us, Brody. You’re welcome to come out tonight and stay, too, if you want,” Rachel offered.

  “I don’t want to impose. Besides, if I know Mom, by the time you get her home, she’ll be ready for bed.”

  “You know me well, son.” Angelina kissed his cheek.

  “Do you all want to go out for some dessert before you go back to the farm?” Haven asked, looking around the group.

  “I could go for a piece of pie,” John said, looking at Rachel and then Angelina. At the nod of heads, they agreed to meet at a restaurant just down the street. Angelina went with Brody and Haven rode with her parents.

  After visiting for an hour over coffee and pie, Angelina couldn’t stifle her yawn and Rachel patted her back.

  “You poor thing. You’re probably exhausted after traveling all this way today. Let’s get you home.”

  “That sounds great.” Angelina followed John and Rachel out the door. Brody paid the bill and took Haven’s hand in his as they walked outside.

  He hugged his mom again and kissed her cheek, telling her he’d see her in the morning. He helped Haven into his pickup and took her home.

  “I can’t believe you brought my mom out here,” Brody said as they stood in her living room. “It meant so much to have you both at this final game. Thank you, Haven. Thank you for making it happen.”

  “You’re so welcome.” Haven gave Brody a warm hug. “For the record, I love your mom. She’s great.”

  “She is pretty awesome. Kind of like another strong, determined, wonderful woman I know.”

  “Really? Do I get to meet her, too?” Haven asked with mock seriousness.

  “No, you nut.” Brody tickled her sides until they collapsed on the couch together.

  “I’m going to miss this, Brody, to miss you. I had no idea I could…”

  Brody silenced Haven with a kiss.

  “Don’t tonight, Haven. Please. Let’s just enjoy this moment and not think about later.”

  Haven nodded her head and pulled his lips back to hers.

  An hour later, Brody stood at her door giving her one last, long kiss good night.

  “See you in the morning?”

  “You bet.” Brody walked backward to his pickup. He’d done it so many times, he didn’t even trip over the parking curb.

  They spent the next day at John and Rachel’s, hanging out with Angelina. She would leave the following morning to go home. Brody would see her again the next weekend when he drove through Kansas on his way to the training camp.

  As he sat at a big bonfire with all of Haven’s family surrounding them, Brody felt at home, at peace.

  Angelina patted his hand and smiled at him, as if she could read his thoughts.

  Later, she walked him out to his pickup while Haven gathered the dishes she’d contributed to lunch and dinner.

  “Thanks for coming in the morning to take me to the airport, baby. Haven said I could stay with her, but it’s nice to be out here in the country, you know?

  “Yeah, Mom. I do know. I’ll be here in plenty of time to get you to the airport. I’m so glad you came. It meant a lot to me.” Brody hugged her tightly.

  “I’m glad Haven talked me into coming. She’s one of a kind, son.”

  “I know, Mom, but don’t give me a lecture about making choices and leaving her behind. Marcus has worn out my ears trying to tell me I’m about to mess up the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Well, as long as you’re aware of what you’re doing.” Angelina gave Brody a look that he’d hated as a boy and disliked even more now that he was a man.

  “Mom, she and I both knew whatever was between us was for the football season. That’s it.”

  “Right, baby. You just keep telling yourself that and I’m sure you’ll both be fine.” Angelina turned and hugged Haven before walking inside the house.

  “Ready to go?” Haven asked in an overly cheerful tone as Brody helped her into his truck.

  “Yep.” The drive back to town was quiet, both lost in their thoughts.

  Brody carried Haven’s things inside and hugged her so tightly, she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Or maybe it was the thought of him walking out of her life for good that choked the air from her lungs.

  “I love you, doll. Good night.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Are you sure you got everything?” Haven glanced over the suitcases and boxes in Brody’s pickup. The cooler she’d packed with his favorite treats sat on the front seat of his pickup, within easy reach if he needed something while he was driving.

  “It’s all loaded.” He leaned against the door of his pickup, wanting to stay. He’d told Haven he wanted to say goodbye at her apartment, so he’d driven over that morning before she had to leave for work. An early start would put him miles down the road before he stopped for the night.

  She offered to fix him breakfast, but he wasn’t hungry. She wasn’t either.

  They sat for hours the previous evening, holding each other until Brody couldn’t take any more and told her he needed to go home. If he’d stayed any longer, he would have given up his dreams of football and made new ones with Haven.

  Now, looking at the unshed tears in her bright eyes and the hair surrounding her head like a golden halo, he wished he’d held her all night long.

  “Brody, I know you don’t want me to talk about it, but the past few months with you have been the best of my entire life. No matter what the future brings, I’ll always, always be grateful to have had this time with you.” Haven stepped into the circle of his arms and rested her head on his chest one last time.

  She inhaled his masculine scent. It would be with her for the rest of her life. His scent, his laugh, the sound of his gravelly voice, the smirk he gave her when he thought no one else was looking - were all etched deeply in her heart and her memories.

  “Ha
ven, if things were different, if I was different, I would never say goodbye. I’d stay here forever with you. But I’ve got to do this. Fail or succeed, I have to try.”

  Brody was certain if he looked down, he’d see his heart lying in pieces at his feet. It hurt so badly, it was almost more than he could stand. If Haven’s heart ached with even half the ferocity as his, he didn’t know how she managed the pain.

  “I know, Brody. I won’t be the thing that held you back. You’re going to become one of the best NFL wide receivers the world has ever seen.” Haven worked up a smile, even if it didn’t reach all the way to her eyes. “Just remember me once in a while.”

  “I won’t forget you, doll. Ever.” It was true. Haven had somehow become a vital part of him in such a short time.

  “I almost forgot…” Haven ran back into her apartment and returned with a wrapped package.

  “What’s this? It isn’t my birthday,” Brody teased, trying to make her smile.

  She shook her head and pressed the gift into his hands.

  “I want you to open it when you get where you’re going. The first time you feel lonely, open it and know that wherever you are, there’s someone right here that loves you.”

  Brody set the gift on the seat and turned back to the girl who was going to be his undoing if he didn’t leave soon.

  “Haven,” Brody voice sounded husky, raspy with emotion. “I love you so much. Please don’t ever forget that.”

  “I won’t.” The first tears trickled down her cheeks.

  Not bothering to wipe them away, Brody kissed her with all the longing, all the love, all the passion he possessed for her. Holding her as close as he could, he memorized every detail about how she looked with morning sunlight dancing through her hair while her soft fragrance surrounded him.

  “I love you, Haven Clarice Haggarty, and always will.” Brody climbed in his truck and shut the door before he decided to throw away his career and his dreams for the girl who had so thoroughly captured his heart.