The Love Game

CH.10 Best Friends

Chapter 10 Best Friends

Zander P.O.V

I have a girlfriend. Its so weird to say after so many years. It is hard to stop smiling at the thought while I do some important work in my office. Its Thursday and I want to plan a special first date. I hope she was not too busy, after all she does have three kids. So, I hope she can make accommodations in time. After my last meeting I make my way back home. In my car I call Rachel.

“Hello?” hearing her was like music to my ears. We have kept in touch via text messaging, but I have not heard her sweet voice since our lunch.

“Hey, how busy are you this weekend, I want to see you again?”

“UM… pretty busy… I’m free Sunday after my son’s game.”

“Not even Friday Night? I was hoping to see you sooner than that.” I could not help but pout

“Sorry, important family meeting that night, and Saturday I have my girls’ soccer game and ballet recital. I really wish I had the power to reschedule, but you know how important these things are to them. I wish I could see you sooner than Sunday.” She sounded devastated but I understood. That is what I love about her. She puts her kids first.  

“Yea I understand, my son has a game also on Sunday. Well I will take what I can get. How bout I pick you up at 4pm?”

“Sounds great! I’ll text you my address.”

“Ok see you then, Goodnight beautiful.” I grinned

“Goodnight handsome” She said that last part so seductively that I immediately had a hard on. What is this women doing to me, I haven’t acted this way since Sharon? Is this really my second chance? I did not think that I could fall for another women, let alone be so aroused by one that was not Sharon.

I get to my house and immediately Entering my house my son leaps into my arms.

“Dad!!!!” this was truly the best part of coming home. My son Garrison is all I have left, and I cherish our time together. I always make sure that I come home for dinner everyday just to listen to him talk about his day. Apparently, he has a new best friend that is in his class and his baseball team. I was so glade to hear that he was adjusting well here in a new town. I would not have consented to the company relocation if it were not for my son. I did my research and this growing town has everything I was looking for. Not only a new start for us, but all these outdoor recreational activities he enjoys.  

“Dad! I’ve been meaning to ask you if had any luck at that party last Saturday?” My son asks as we watch his favorite cartoon on the couch.

“I think I did son. I actually had fun that night and met a couple new people.” I was smiling from ear to ear recalling that night.

“Don’t tell me it was all business. Dad I told you that you need a girlfriend.” He lectured me.

“Son I went didn’t I, and it was not all business, I did meet a lady there and we… we are seeing each other. But it is to soon to call anything official. Ok?” I know I twisted the truth a little, but I just didn’t want to give his hope up.

“I believe you but I am going to meet her eventually, and you know how irresistible I can be.” Shock to over me.

“When did my little boy start saying things like this. You little stud. And you will meet her in time.” I started to tickle attack him.

“Ok… mercy…mercy Dad!!!” he was out of breath by the time I stopped

“Ok time for bed little monkey.”

“Fine. Goodnight Dad.” He got up and headed straight to his room.

“Goodnight Son.” I smile at him and watch him head upstairs.

Rachel P.O.V

Friday night is here, and I am preparing for our family meeting. I set up the coffee table I the living room with pizza, chips, candy, drinks, and a couple DVDs from our collection. But before we start off our family movie night, I have to talk with my kids on the new changes I have been working on at work that will directly impact them. The kids rush in the living room and take their places on the sectional.

“Now before we begin our movie night I have to tell you something. Something very important and I hope that you understand the choices I have made for us.” I take a deep breath.

“Mom your scaring us… Is it bad?” Jackie asked. She was naturally a leader and always spoke on behalf of all three of them.

“No nothing bad. We are moving to a new house, a bigger house in the neighborhood, with extra security. But before you go ahead and interrupt me let be give you all the details…. As you know our company is growing big fast and we are now on Forbes magazine as the top ten rookie company to hit a billion in a year. So with that I have to secure our privacy. No one know that I own that company, for all they know Uncle Conner is running it. But I know that eventually I will have to reveal myself and that is only going to put a target on my back. Your safety is my number one concern. With that I have hired secret bodyguards to watch you when I am not around. Do not worry you will continue with your normal lives they will not be seen or interfere; they will only be there to protect you. I have also hired a driver for the family because we will be needing help with drop off and pickups. I will also be buying new cars to transport us…. So what do you think?” I asked hoping that they don’t hate me for this sudden change. They look at one another like they are talking telepathically. And finally what felt like hours, they all look at me with blank stares.  

“Ok… I guess we all can accept that.” Jackie Said.

“Does the new house have a swimming pool?” Matt askes

“Yes”

“How big is the house?” Bella asked

“It’s a two story 8 bedroom two story house with a large back yard, a pool house, lots of trees, and a garage that is separated from the house that can hold 10 cars and additional housing quarters on top.”

“So a mansion?” Jackie said sarcastically

“Well yes, but it has cement walls that enclose to property, plenty of security cameras, and alarm systems.”

“So a fortress?” Matt states “Are we going to have guard dogs because I kind of want a dog for my birthday.”

“Your so silly Matt, we’ll talk about that dog later.”

“So when do we move?” Bella asked.

“Next week, I have hired professional movers. We should be settled in by next Friday.”

“Ok sounds good!” Bella said “Can we transform some rooms into… I don’t know… a gym, media room, and creative room?”

“Well there is already a media room and a gym in that house that doesn’t take away from any of the bedrooms. The Gym also has a walled mirror and a beam for your ballet practice. And the pool is an indoor pool. Any other questions?” All three nodded. “Ok since that’s settled let’s eat!! The pizza is getting cold.” I was so relieved that my kids took the news so well. I was blessed to have such amazing kids.  

Sunday came and I woke up feeling giddy about my date. I just had a few more hours to go. The kids and I pile into my SUV after finishing our morning, and make our way to the baseball field. I park and all the kids hop out. We make our way towards the field when we hear Matts name being called. We turn to see who it was and my eyes caught a familiar sight. One of Matts team mates comes running towards us.

“Hey Matt. Thanks for waiting up?” Matt’s friend said.

“Hey, are you ready to kick some butt?” Matt asked. I did not pay too much attention as I was staring into Mr. Grey eyes himself. I was trying hard to keep from smiling too big. I broke from my trance by a nudge from my son.

“Mom this is garrison, my new best friend.” Matt said.

“Hi, nice to meet you garrison, call me Rach.” I bend over and give him a small handshake and a smile. So this was the new friend that Matt could not stop talking about.

“What a small world…” Zander said once he reached our group smiling like he just won the lottery.

“Yes it is..” I smiled and slightly blushed. “So Garrison here is your son?”

“Yes he is.” Zander looks down at his son. “So this is your new best friend that you’ve been talking about?”

“Yea dad! This is Matt and his family. Have you meet his Mom before?” All the kids were starring back and forth at us.

“Yes sweetie, I met your dad at a get together a few days ago…” I answered for the both of us. “Zander these are my kids, Jackie, Bella, and Matt…kids meet Mr. Black.” I begin the introductions. I could not believe that Zander’s son is in the same team as Matt, they even go to school together. It must be a sign that we were meant to be, as cheesy as it sounds.

“Please call me Zander, I don’t mind.” He smiled at my kids before look back at me.

“Well you boys better get to the dugout; you team is waiting.” I motioned for the boys to not delay.

“Would you like to sit with us Zander, I’m sure my mom could us better company than us.” Jackie asked than giving me a wink. My eyes went wide at the notion Jackie was giving me. When did my kids try to set me up like this?

“Yes I would love that.” Zander said with a huge grin on his face. We turn and make our way to the bleachers, the girls ahead of me and Zander.

“I must be the luckiest man in the world to be able to see you sooner than our scheduled date.” Zander spoke softly next to me.

“I think the feeling is mutual.” I say to him giving him a wink. We got chuckle to ourselves. “I have to ask… have you told you son about us?”

“Vaguely… told him I met a lady friend that I’m starting to see more often. But I think he wants something more substantial than that.” He said.

“What! Is he trying to play matchmaker like my kids are?” I would not help but smirk.

“Yes… Is it safe to assume that you didn’t tell your kids about us either?”

“Yes, they just know that I had a great time that night but considering that my 12 year old is trying to set me up with you is evident that they with for the same thing.”

“So when are we going to tell them?” He asked

“How about after we have our first date?” I stop and let the girls walk further from us. “That way enough time has past to get to know each other and warm our kids up to the idea of us together.”

“Ok, I agree. Even though I have this strong urge to hold your hand and kiss you right now.” He said with a devilish smirk.

“Well behave and you might just get rewarded very… very… very soon.” I walk within and inch of his body and give him my sexy look. He leans into close the space between our lips and I turn and walk away. As I walk, I hear him groan in frustration.  

“You like to be such a tease, don’t you?” He said as he caught up to me.

“Only for you” I say to him as he follows me to where the girls are already seated on the bleachers.

The four of us sat there cheering our team and enjoying our conversation with Zander. I could tell that my girls like him. They engaged in conversation nicely and I got to see this playful side of Zander. Seeing my kids so carefree with his made me fall for him even more. The game came to the end and we won. Zander makes his way to the team while I stay behind and chat with a few of the other moms. When I was all done, I see Zander with his son and my kids walking towards me. It was an amazing sight to see, it seemed like it was a glimpse of a possible future.

“Mom can we invite garrison and his dad for lunch?” Matt asks.

“Well that’s up to Zander sweetie...” I look up at Zander with my arms around the shoulders of my youngest two.  

“I think that’s a great idea!” Zander said looking at down at his son.

“Ok let’s go get some burgers mom I’m hungry.” Matt says.