Rookie Moves: A Quick Snap Novella Read online

  We laughed all the way to the truck and then we walk to the passenger side and Grant leans on the door.

  “You know, with you being who you are and me being who I am, makes us a pretty lucrative thing.”

  “Oh yeah,” I grin.

  He leans in as he pulls me closer and I go willingly.

  “Can I kiss you?” he surprises me by asking.

  Words escape me, so instead I just nod slightly.

  He closes the short distance and our lips tentatively touch.

  The kiss is slow, romantic and he’s not pushing himself onto me. I press myself up against him. Every inch of him is hard. And suddenly, I’m wanting to feel a little more of him.

  I open my mouth and slither my tongue against his. His mouth is warm and as our tongues lash together, the butterflies in my stomach go wild and I feel a need to be closer.

  Instead, I place my hands on his chest and gently pull away from him, definitely out of breath.

  “Wow.” He breathes out.

  I offer him a smile, “I should get home, before it gets too late and someone checks on me.”

  “How are you going to sneak back in? Wouldn’t you guys have some massive dogs that guard the house and soldiers marching around the perimeters?”

  “Where do you think I live, a compound?” I laugh.

  “I have no idea how the mayor lives. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have asked.”

  “There’s a back gate, that gives me a straight shot for the trellis that leads to my balcony. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.”

  “And there’s no security cameras?” he asks.

  “When I was in high school, I perfected the art of sneaking out of our house. When dad became the mayor, he replaced the old standard system with a fancy one. I made it so that the line of sight of the back gate and my path wasn’t in the view of the cameras.”

  “How did you do that?”

  “I snuck into the security room each time I moved the cameras to check my work. So, for the past eight or so years, I’ve been able to sneak out of the house unseen and without my detail.”

  “And if your detail was with you?”

  “We likely wouldn’t have been able to sneak into the stadium. And we definitely wouldn’t have kissed without an audience.”

  “Aw, so they’re also supposed to be protecting your virtue?” he playfully asks.

  “Not by a mile. They’re nice guys, they’ve been with me for years, but I made it clear when they first got the job that my dating life was off limits for them. They’re the two guys that were following behind me at the food bank that you were asking about.”

  “Well, that makes a little more sense as to why they stuck around behind us. We should probably get out of here and get you home. I wouldn’t want you turning into a pumpkin on me.”

  I give him directions to the back alley behind my parents’ house and feel like I’m back in high school after a date.

  “I would love to be able to walk you to the front door, but for now this will have to do,” he says turning to me in his seat.

  I lean across the center console and cup his jaw. My thumb brushes over his lips and I smile.

  “I had a fabulous time tonight,” I whisper.

  “So did I. Think I can take you out again?”

  “I’m counting on it.” I lean in, before our lips touch, he licks his lips and opens them slightly.

  Chapter 10

  Grant

  “Toolson! Office, now!” The secondary coach yells from the main coach’s office.

  Several calls from my teammates echo through the locker room teasing me as I make my way to the office. I step inside and see the head coach and mine looking at the screen of the computer monitor. They both look up as I approach.

  “Ah, Toolson, how are you today?” The team coach asks.

  “Good sir, I’m good.” I stand nervously shoving my hands in my front pockets waiting for them to drop the gauntlet on me.

  What did I do this time? I’ve stayed out of trouble recently and have done as they have asked of me. I donated time at the food bank, I appeared at a charity dinner, and I also have set up a weekend build with Habitat for Humanity.

  They can’t be pissed off at me. Or is there something else that they want me to do?

  “I want to thank you for the work that you’ve done to reverse the negativity of your image. The owner is extremely happy that you agreed to attend the charity dinner and even mentioned that you were a little taken with the mayor’s daughter.” Coach smiles.

  “Yes sir,” I say simply.

  “Your photo appeared in the entertainment section, dancing with her.” He turns the monitor around and I see the image of Emily and I dancing. We’re both looking adoringly at one another with large smiles on our faces. I remember this moment, it was the only time we danced, and we danced for roughly twenty minutes, talking the entire time.

  “It’s a positive photo, and you can sure clean up, kid.”

  “Thank you, sirs.” I hold one wrist with my other behind my back and nod.

  “What else do you have lined up? I know that a few of the guys are going to the hospital with Montgomery, will you be partaking in that?” Secondary asks.

  “No sir, I signed myself up with a few of the other guys next weekend with Habitat for Humanity. They had a local build this month and I thought it would be good team coverage as well as a bonding experience between myself and a few of the guys.”

  “Excellent thinking!” Coach says excitedly.

  I smile at the affirmation.

  “Keep it up, and let PR know the details so they can schedule some media to stop by and give you talking points.”

  “You got it.”

  “Do you think that it’s even remotely possible if I never have to meet your father? I mean, is he even a football fan?” I ask her over the phone while I’m on my way to her house for dinner.

  “He is the commissioner of his fantasy football league for at least the past twenty years, his den is like a shrine to professional football and I wouldn’t be surprised if he already has your jersey with a sharpie marker handy for you to sign by the end of the night,” she says.

  “Bullshit.” I laugh.

  “How much do you want to bet?”

  “I bet that you can choose our next three dates that you’re wrong.” I tell her turning onto her street.

  “Deal.”

  “Good. Okay, I’m pulling up right now. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  “Sweet, and hey Grant?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He’s just like any other father,” she assures me.

  “Thanks babe.”

  I turn my cell phone off and leave it in the truck and make my way to the front door. I press the doorbell and nervously shift my weight from heel to toe.

  Emily answers the door, she’s practically beaming dressed in a light blue dress that stops just below her knees and fits her like a glove. She stands on her tip-toes and throws her arms around my neck then kisses me quickly before stepping back.

  “Hi,” she smiles.

  “Hey,” I grin back.

  “Everyone is in the other room.”

  “What do you mean by everyone? I thought we were just having dinner with your parents?”

  “Well, yeah. That’s what I meant.”

  She grabs my hand and pulls me to the room at the side.

  Don’t be nervous. Don’t be nervous.

  “You must be Grant?” Her mother stands up as soon as we enter what looks like a library.

  I hold out my hand and she pats it away as she engulfs me in her arms.

  “Thank you for having me over for dinner tonight.” I say as she squeezes me again.

  “Wow, you are a very large man.” She steps back and smiles.

  “Um, thank you, ma’am.”

  “Patricia, leave the poor guy alone. Grant Toolson, very nice to meet you. Welcome to our home. I’m Phil Masterson.” He holds out his hand and we share a firm
handshake.

  “Likewise, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.” I say politely.

  “Please, it’s my pleasure. I’m thrilled to finally meet you. You are a promising player, how’s the season looking from your point of view, you know, down on the green?”

  “It’s looking good, as long as we can keep our streak going on, I think we’ll have a good shot at the playoffs.”

  “That’s what I want to hear. Please forgive me for a moment, I’ll be right back.” The mayor turns and goes out of sight.

  “He’s pretty excited to have a player in our house, and well, dating our daughter.” Emily’s mother, Patricia responds.

  Not a minute later, he returns carrying a marker…and my jersey.

  I look over to Emily and she’s grinning from ear to ear.

  Chapter 11

  Emily

  “Where are we going?” he asks.

  I decided to drive tonight, it took some convincing, but I might have kissed him senseless to agree to it.

  Of course, when my father brought out the jersey from dinner the other night, I had to start planning some things that we could do. Something that I knew he would get a kick out of and it’s definitely not something that my so-called friends would ever do.

  Why?

  Because it’s technically illegal.

  Why do I want to do it?

  Why the hell not? You only live once and I’ve done it a few times before. I know the ropes and I know how to keep us safe.

  I get off the freeway and we’re driving through the warehouse district.

  “Seriously, Em. What are we doing over here? This isn’t some grand scheme to murder me, right?” he nervously asks.

  “I wouldn’t dare.” I grin while keeping my eyes on the road.

  There’s a glow up ahead and tons of cars parked in rows.

  “Um, what the?” Grant says to himself leaning forward to see.

  I park my car beside a supped up Toyota and unbuckle. I look at Grant, who has a nervous expression and smile. “It’s going to be okay, it’s just a little drag racing.”

  I get out of the car, hearing him repeat what I said as I wave at someone nearby.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do. Who the hell are you?” Grant asks meeting me in front of the car taking my hand in his.

  “Well, I’m Emily, but you already know that.” I grin.

  “Very funny. What the heck are we doing here?” he whispers.

  “I know someone racing tonight, and I thought it would be a fun night out.” I shrug.

  “Do you race?” he asks.

  I look at my car. “This is not a racing car. It’s a sensible car. There’s no boosters, no special anything on it.” I say not really answering him, I don’t want to scare him away from the fun that tonight can be.

  “You’re a very interesting person, you know that right?” He loops his arms around me and pulls me close to kiss my temple.

  “I like to have fun, so buckle up mister, tonight is going to be a blast.”

  Grant took everything in stride. We walked up and down the line, looking at some of the engines of a few hot rods and after a few people recognized him, we then became the main event. It wasn’t my plan and I’m hoping that the privacy of tonight’s event and the sport alone, will give us both some incognito about being at the races.

  When we finally stop at my friend’s car, he turns around and his jaw drops. The amount of fandom is a little hilarious to observe.

  “You’re fucking kidding me?” Brad Evans, a local celebrity says loudly.

  “Hey B.” I wave.

  Brad looks at me, then back to Grant. He points and no words are coming out of his mouth right away. “Emily, am I seeing things, or are you holding hands with Grant Toolson, the rookie of the Seahawks?”

  “Um, Hi. I’m standing right here.” Grant waves his hand awkwardly.

  “Holy shit.” Brad whispers, then steps forward. “It is an honor to meet you. I have you on my fantasy team.”

  “Nice. I liked your last movie, man.”

  “Thanks man, means a lot. Wow, okay so what are you doing with this crazy chick?”

  “Not all the way sure, I’m learning that there’s a lot more to her than I thought.” Grant looks down at me and smiles.

  “You should see her behind the wheel,” Brad grins.

  “What?” Grant’s jaw drops as Brad drops the bomb that I wasn’t yet ready to tell Grant, since he’s still taking in the fact that we’re here.

  “I have, yes. But I’m not tonight. But Brad is.”

  “Speaking of, I’ve got to make sure I’m ready. Great meeting you, Grant. Take care of her and maybe I’ll see you guys at the after party.”

  They shake hands and then we turn around to walk back in the direction that we came.

  “So, tell me, how did you get into this?” Grant asks.

  “I met Brad at an event last year and we were both bored stiff, so we took off and pretended that we were so enamored with one another that my parents were thrilled and didn’t bat an eye. He brought me here and it was love at first sight.” I explain. “With the scene.”

  “And you’ve raced?”

  “Yeah. It’s a crazy feeling and I loved every second of it.”

  “And you and Brad?”

  I squeeze his hand. “Only ever friends. He has a clear type and I’m certainly not it.”

  “He’s gay?” Grant asks in a whisper.

  “No, he likes exotic women, that is definitely not me. You don’t have any reason to get jealous, even though it’s kind of cute when you do.”

  “Shit! The race is starting!” Someone yells.

  “No man, you see the red and blue back there, that’s the fucking cops. The scanners picked up some chatter.” Someone else yells back.

  I freeze for a mere second and then look to Grant. “Run!” I say and we both burst back to my car. Car after car squeals out into the street and I hear the sirens now. We reach my car and peel back out of the makeshift parking spot and I drive like a bat out of hell away from the street and down a few other streets. My body pumping with adrenaline and panic at the same time, as my foot presses down on the gas.

  The sirens are fading and as I drive further and further away, Grant has his eyes on the back window and his left hand is gripping the ‘Oh Shit’ bar above his door. His mouth is moving, but I don’t hear what he’s saying with the roar of a few hundred cars all escaping the scene to not get busted.

  I maneuver onto the freeway then we’re out of any danger.

  Grant expels a deep breath and then looks at me.

  “Wow, that was intense.” I say to him.

  “That was the craziest shit that I’ve ever been involved in, and I’ve been involved in some crazy shit,” he grins.

  Chapter 12

  Grant

  We’re on the road this week, and the guys are teasing me left and right for all the texting back and forth that Emily and I have been doing.

  It’s the first time since we’ve started—whatever this is between us—that we’re away. I tried to not get involved in relationships during the season before, but there’s just something about her that makes me want to give it all a chance with her. She seems like she’s a good girl on the surface, but what I’m learning is that there’s a thrill-seeker that thrives just below her surface that I’m drawn to.

  It wasn’t long that I’m settled into my hotel room with Conners when there’s a knock on our door.

  I look over to him and he just shrugs. We’ve been in New Mexico for a total of three hours, we’re supposed to relax tonight, before we start practice in the morning. Who the hell would be at our door at this hour?

  I open the door and on the other side are two beautiful, scantily clad women. They giggle when they see me, I look down at my bare chest, and I realize that I’m only wearing sweats.

  “Can I help you ladies?”

  “Yeah, I heard that the football team was staying here, you play?” The
brunette asked, twirling a strand of her hair as the other one smacks her gum annoyingly.

  “Um, yeah. But we’re not up for any guests tonight.”

  “Speak for yourself, Rook! Hello ladies, come in, come in.” Conners steps beside me and is practically pushing me behind him.

  The two women walk into our room and look around.

  “It’s not much of a room, I know, but we’re really only here to shower and sleep.” He tells them.

  Annoyed with Conners for inviting them inside, I grab a shirt and throw on some socks with my shoes. Fuck if I’m going to stick around here. Last thing that I need is some jersey chaser spreading some lies about me and having Emily find out.

  “I’m going to just let you enjoy your time, man. I’m going to go work out.”

  “Aw, you don’t want to play with us?” the brunette asks.

  “I’ve got a girlfriend, sorry.” I reply to their pouty faces and a grinning Conners.

  “Make it a solid workout bro, and I owe you big time.” Conners steps forward and pats my shoulder with a wink.

  I grab my cell, my wallet and a towel then leave the room.

  I don’t fucking want to work out. But I also don’t want to be involved any whatever will be taking place in there.

  We won the game as if we were playing against a bunch of dumbasses. Even though Coach said that New Mexico was on a winning streak for the last three games they played in, they couldn’t compete with our defense. We annihilated them in the fourth quarter while giving them the impression that we lost our footing on the field.

  After the game, we got our celebration dances on in the locker room, a briefing, and then we left the stadium. After the short ride to the airport, I settled into my seat on the plane and pulled out my phone.

  Me: OMW home. Be back at my place in 3 hours. If I kick my roommate out, will you come over?

  I watch the bubbles dance almost immediately.

  Em: How do you know that I’m not already at your place?