Page 23 of Sideline Sweetheart (Greenville Generals #4)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bryce
Mackenzie sent me a text before they left Colorado Springs and then another when they landed in Greenville.
I placed an order at my favorite restaurant and picked it up on my way to CJ’s.
Because if there was one thing I knew, Mackenzie Flynn would make sure he was comfortably settled before she walked out the door.
I pull up to the gated community where CJ’s house is located and stop at the guard house to let them know who I’m there to visit.
While football players are public figures, we, along with our agents and PR reps, try to keep parts of our lives private.
Though it always seems as if someone finds out where we live or what we are doing.
After a quick conversation, the gate swings open, and I drive inside taking turn after turn until I reach his driveway.
I pull in and park in front of the garage, leaving the space closest to the sidewalk open for the transport van.
I exit my car and lean against the driver’s side. While I wait, I text my parents and let them know Mackenzie has landed safely and I’ll talk to them soon. As I pocket my phone the van pulls into the driveway and comes to a stop.
The passenger door opens, and Mackenzie hops out, sending a brilliant smile my way. “Hey you,” she says before opening the sliding side door.
A set of crutches appear followed by CJ as he balances himself on the crutches and swings out of the van. “Didn’t you see the no loitering sign?” He teases as he swings a few steps my way.
“I can leave,” I say dangling the takeout bag from my finger. “But then I’ll be taking the best chicken parmesan dinner this side of Italy with me.”
Mackenzie closes the van door and makes her way over to me. I wrap an arm around her and kiss her when she looks up at me. I smile while gazing into her blue eyes. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more,” she returns.
A wide grin spreads across his face. “You get to stay. Even if you’re not here to see me.”
I groan as I place a hand on my chest. “It wounds me you would think such a thing.”
He chuckles as he starts up the sidewalk. “I bet it does.” He stops in front of the door and taps in his code before opening it and making his way inside. “Home sweet home,” he says as we follow him through the door.
I hand the takeout bag to Mackenzie and carry CJ’s bag inside. “Where do you want me to put your bag?”
“Top of the stairs first door on the left,” CJ calls to me as he heads to the kitchen with Mackenzie.
Mackenzie stops turning to him. “Are you sure you’ll be okay going up and down the stairs?”
I hear him chuckle as I head upstairs. “Trust me Doc, this is not my first time on crutches.”
I place his bag on the dresser and take a quick peek in the bathroom to make sure he can utilize the shower while injured. The large walk-in tiled shower with built-in seats puts my mind at ease and I know it will Mackenzie’s as well.
I head back downstairs and follow Mackenzie’s voice into the kitchen. “Is there anything else you need?”
CJ shakes his head, from where he’s seated at the breakfast bar. “I don’t think so. Anything I think of can wait until tomorrow when my housekeeper, Mavis comes by.”
“Okay,” she says walking over to the doorway where I’ve been watching their exchange. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. In the meantime, get settled in, and relax. We’ll talk later about getting appointments scheduled for you.”
“Sounds good,” he says as he follows us to the door.
“Now, sit and put your leg up. I put your dinner it the fridge, so you should be set for the night.”
CJ smiles. “Thanks for everything, Doc.”
“You’re welcome,” she says and then steps out on the sidewalk.
“Take care, man,” I say as I clap him on the shoulder.
“Will do,” he says before nodding toward Mackenzie. “You’ve got a good one there, don’t screw it up.”
I laugh as step onto the sidewalk. “I’m going to try not to.”
With one more wave I head to my car and climb inside where Mackenzie is already waiting for me. I reach across the console and take her hand. “Where to beautiful?”
Mackenzie sighs and with her head against the back of the seat rolls her gaze in my direction. “Honestly? I’m so happy to be back, I don’t care.”
I raise our joined hands and place a gentle kiss on the backs of her fingers. “Then don’t worry sweetheart, I’ve got you.”
I put the car in gear, pull out of CJ’s neighborhood, and head toward my place downtown. Mackenzie quietly gazes out the window as we make our way through Greenville. My thumb skates across the soft skin of the hand I’m still holding. “You okay over there?”
She turns to me and smiles. “Yeah, I was thinking about how my life has changed.”
“How so?”
She glances at our joined hands watching the movement of my thumb as she speaks.
“Before I moved to Greenville, I was content to work and spend time at home. Last year, I would have relished having a few days alone in a hotel, even if I was checking on a player and making sure they were getting the care they needed. But this time, I felt alone.” Her gaze drops once more to our hands before returning to me as she concludes with a shrug. “And I missed you.”
I pull into the parking garage of my building, and into my designated space before shoving the transmission in park before turning to her. My hand cups her cheek and then moves to the back of her head as I confess. “I missed you too baby, more than I thought I would.”
Mackenzie sighs as I lean in and gently feast on her soft lips.
It takes all the self-control I can muster not to deepen the kiss.
However, it’s the slamming of a car door which reminds me of where we are.
I pull away and then give her lips one last peck.
“Let’s get inside before someone decides it’s a good idea to capture a video of us to go viral. ”
Laughter fills my car, and the sparkle returns to her eyes. The last week was stressful for the entire organization, but it was Mackenzie who shouldered most of the pressure. Tonight, I’m going to do whatever I can to relieve some of the stress she’s endured.
I pop the trunk and retrieve her bag along with the dinner I picked up earlier along with the one I purchased for CJ. Mackenzie grins when she sees the logo on the takeout bag. “You got us dinner too?”
I close the trunk and lace my fingers with Mackenzie’s as we walk to the elevator. “Of course, I mean, I like CJ, but I’m not going to buy him dinner from the best Italian restaurant I know and not get us something.”
“I’ll admit,” she says. “I was a little jealous when I saw you carry the bag in.”
We reach the elevator, step inside, and I chuckle as I tap in my code for the top floor. As the door slides closed, I draw Mackenzie into my side and kiss the top of her head. “I have better ways planned to spend our evening together than cooking dinner.”
Mackenzie hums in response, “Does one of those ways include a long hot bath?”
“It does now,” I reply as the door to my floor slides open.
I hold the door while she exits the elevator and then we walk to my door.
Once I’ve unlocked and open the door, I follow her inside and set her suitcase beside the sofa.
We walk into the kitchen and as I begin unloading the bag, I ask, “Would you like me to run you a bath while I heat up our dinner?”
Mackenzie looks up at me from under her lashes. “I’d rather you join me in the bath, so whatever it takes to make it happen, I’m good with.”
I tip her chin up and nibble on her plump bottom lip. “Dinner it is then, because once I have you naked, even food isn’t going to distract me.”