“I’m sorry. I will really try to stick tae English.” She raises up so she can look at me. Her eyes are laughing as she slides a lazy smile across her face. She really is perfect.
“No, stay with the Gaelic. I don’t know what you’re saying, but it sounds so pretty. I’ll just believe it’s something beautiful and not you cussing again.” I smile back at her. She lays her head back down on my chest. “Besides, your English isn’t that great anyway,” Claire adds with a laugh.
Soon I can hear her breathing even out, so I ease her onto the bed, pulling the covers up. After a quick run through her shower, I crawl into bed with her. I’m not giving up even a second of spending time with her, so I’ll just make do in this tiny bed wrapped around her. When I pull her naked body against mine, she snuggles in. With a sigh, I drift off to sleep.
“Shite!” I exclaim when I look at the clock the next morning. “Claire, we’re late.” I crawl over her out of bed, grabbing my pants off the floor. Throwing my clothes on, I reach down to kiss a still groggy Claire. “I’m guan tae go. I’ll see ye at the pitch, yeah?” She nods, rubbing her eyes as I jog out the door.
It doesn’t take but a couple minutes to reach the football pitch, but Tim is already there warming up.
“Your stuff is in the car trunk,” he says, tossing the keys at me.
“Thanks, mate.” I jog for the parking lot, passing Lily on the way. Shit, now they both know I didn’t go home last night. Quickly throwing my gear on, I head back out in time for the campers to start arriving.
“That could have been the best walk of shame so far,” Tim says when I jog back over to where he and Lily have been setting up.
“Real classy,” she agrees, glaring over at me.
“Hey, guys. How are y’all this morning?” Claire says, walking up behind me.
“Isn’t that what we should be asking you?” Lily smirks at her. Claire doesn’t miss a beat.
“I’m great. Like really great.” Lily snorts out a laugh as Tim hits me on the back a couple of times as I try to catch my breath. Claire winks at me before walking off to welcome the campers. Lily jogs off after her before Tim turns to me.
“So I guess you got your answers? I definitely see what has you so wrapped up.” I just grin at him before jogging across the field.
Since today is the last day of the camp, I rarely came in contact with Claire. FC Dallas showed up again to sign autographs right before lunch for the younger campers. After being treated to a catered meal by the college, they spent the afternoon volunteering with the older campers. They stayed for the pickup game later that afternoon.
When word got around, we had quite a crowd gathered to watch. Several of the local news stations showed up which would be great exposure for the program. Claire managed to corral everyone for a group picture that she sent me for our social media campaign.
When the last autograph had been signed and all of the players had left, I sank down in the middle of the pitch to rest. This has been the first chance to collect my breath.
“So are you writing this up as a success?” Claire asks, lying down next to me. “I have some ideas on how to streamline the program if you’re interested. Not that there’s anything wrong with it now, just some ideas.”
I cut her off when I roll over, leveraging myself over her. Taking her hands in mine, I hold them over her head, leaning down for a kiss.
“I would love tae hear yer ideas. Tonight? After ye take me tae dinner?” I lean back down to steal another kiss.
“Oh, okay, break it up,” Lily says, shoving at me with her shoe. Rolling back over I stare up at her. “I just wanted to tell y’all we are taking Tim to dinner with us tonight. You are on your own.” I grin up at her.
Her brows are knitted in consternation but I can see the corners of her mouth tilt up slightly. “Alex, it’s certainly been... an experience having you here this week.” I jump up to shake her hand.
“I look forward tae seeing ye again soon, Lily. Thank ye for hosting us. Say thank ye tae Matt for sharing ye with us this week.” She shakes my outstretched hand before turning to Claire to mouth the words “call me” at her complete with her fingers to her face signifying a phone. Subtlety would not be one of her strong points. With a wave, she walks off toward the parking lot.
“I have a suggestion,” Claire says, turning to me. “Come back to my apartment, I’ll shower then we can go to your hotel room for you to clean up. I know just the place to eat.”
“Or,” I say, spinning her around to look behind her. “There’s that.” We both watch as Tim chunks my suitcase unceremoniously onto the edge of the sidewalk.
“Be at the hotel by nine. That’s a.m., as in the morning. If you don’t show, I swear to God, I will hunt you down,” Tim yells at me. “Yell yes if you understand me.”
“Aye, I’ll be there.” I’m almost thirty years old with a babysitter. Not even a hot one. I cut a glance at Claire who is laughing. “I guess I’ll go get my stuff. Can I use yer shower?” She’s still laughing when we make it to my suitcase.
My face flames when I see at least two large boxes of condoms emptied onto my bag. “Whit an arse!” I have no choice but to start shoving them into the outer pocket of the case while Claire is bent over in hysterics. “Laugh it up. He should try using them himself, then maybe my sister wouldnae always be knocked up.”
“I didn’t know he’s married to your sister.” Claire wipes her eyes then bends to start helping me.
“Aye, he is. Ye think yer roommate is bad. Try having that next tae yer head, knowing it’s yer best friend and younger sister in the next room. She’s a screamer, Claire.” She looks at me with mock concern on her face before she bursts out in laughter again.
Dropping the condoms, I pull her against me for a kiss. When our kiss deepens, we’re greeted by several catcalls from students. Backing up, I continue my cleanup efforts. With the condoms finally corralled, we head toward her apartment.
