The Quarterback's Keeper Book 1 Dual Threat Series

Chapter 16

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Tess

I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. I was still shaking sitting there on the couch of Lance's room watching the press conference with Lance holding me tight. Emma handled every question like the champ she is. I'm so proud of her and I know Lance is too. He convinced his mom and Georgia to take Chelsea back to their room to watch it. He knew Chelsea didn't understand our connection and the more she saw us this way, the way he held me and tried to help me, the harder it was going to get. I get he loves her, I don't want to be in the way, I'm not trying to be. I really wasn't expecting to see my daughter or my parents today. It was such a shock and so incredibly painful to see knowing how much I've missed and how much I will never get to see of her. It just kills me to know I made such a huge mistake that I can never fix. Not just with my baby, but with Lance. All the years that I wasted and now I could lose it all. I wipe at my tears and stare at the now dark screen. Lance and I agreed a long time ago that we would always be friends and we would always be here for each other. Despite drifting apart for a few years we came back together when I ended up roommates with Emma. I didn't know they were related until afterwards. Then it was too late. I was back in the mix.

"Talk to me, Tess. I know you better than you think, you're letting something eat you up. What happened? Mom said you saw someone. Talk to me, sweetheart." Lance kisses my lips slowly and gently. God, he's so good at this. I miss this so much. He's so warm and caring. Kiss after tender kiss he plies me to open to him. I want to. I want to go back and give him what I didn't when I had the chance seven years ago. I want to change our past and fix what I did wrong with him. I want my life back.

"I can't do this." I tell him softly and press my hand against his chest, "You don't want me."

He growled with frustration. "You know I do, Tess. I've told you that. I love you, I always will. We were friends, hell we were a lot more than just friends and you know that. You shut down on me and ran away from me. I couldn't find you. I tried. I looked everywhere for you after you left, I've told you this. When you moved in with Emma and I found you again, Tess I was so happy." I shook my head. We can't do this. "Come on, honey. I know you're hurting, I don't want to fight you. I want to help you. Who did you see?" Lance wouldn't let it go, but kept kissing my neck. He knew I'd give in, he was my weakness. His trailed up and down my shoulder and over my collarbone as he pressed me back into the couch. He could have me, I wouldn't object. I miss his touch and the way he makes me feel. I can feel that heat coiling up deep in my belly. It's tightening up and and my body is craving him. I can't have him, God Tess stop this before it's too late.

I take a deep shaky breath and push against him. He has to stop, for both of us. This isn't right. Lance looks down, those deep blue eyes pulling me in. I could swim there. I stare at him and know it's time. I can't run anymore.

"My parents." Closing my eyes I whisper, but I won't tell him the rest. I don't want him to know. He'll hate me. I will completely lose him.

"You said they disowned you what seven, eight years ago, right?" He asked against my skin, the tears fell, but I nodded it was when she was born six years ago. His forehead rested on mine as he laid on top of me. "Sweetheart tell me what happened, why they turn on you? I knew you back then, damn it, Tess I know who you were, there was no reason for them to turn on you."

"I can't." I cried harder. This was so painful.

"Sweetheart, let me help you. We've been here before, and you ran from me. I lost you for years Tess, I don't want that again. God come on! Please just let me in?" Lance begged. "Shit! Tess I still fucking love you, don't you know that by now? Every kiss you give me, every day I see you, I keep hoping I can get you back."