Page 32 of The Maid

"I made those rosemary tater tots Addie loves," Mrs. Finney said to him and then looked at her husband pointedly, as if that was the end of the conversation and she looked into the grill, "And it looks like the chicken's ready?"

Mr. Finney put the food on a serving plate and walked in with his wife behind him.

Addie touched Gun’s arm to stop his advancement inside. “Everything, okay?"

He pulled her in, her cheek resting on his chest because she was wearing flats and he had almost an entire foot on her. He kissed the top of her head. "Yeah. Everything’s fine."

She looked up, her chin right by his heart. "You sure? You don't look okay. Don't pay them any attention."

"Don't you worry about a thing, Addie." He kissed her one last time on the top of her head and pulled her into the house.

It was almost one in the morning when they'd gotten back to Miami. Addie had wanted to go home, and he used the excuse that it was too late to drive to his apartment in order to stay the night. And then on Sunday, she made a huge breakfast and asked him to help her move some of the heavy boxes she hadn't yet unpacked. Then, he'd ordered dinner and by the time they were finished, it was late and this time it had been her idea that he stay since, again, it was too late to drive all the way home. They'd made love all night both nights and every time had been better than the last.

When the reality of Monday arrived, he was worried that she'd pull away. She didn't let him take her to work or have lunch with him or pick him up, but his worry was for naught. She freely agreed to spend the nights together. Quickly, they developed a routine which involved dinner first, then he would log on to his iPad answer emails and she would either do some work or lay her head on his lap and read a book until he was finished. Then they'd have amazing sex. Usually, more than once. One day blended into the next.

Two weeks after the trip to her parents’ house he received a call from Addie from her work number. Normally, she texted from her cell throughout the day, she still wanted their relationship to be kept secret and he didn’t want to cause her any more stress, so he hadn’t fought her about it much.

"Baby?" he answered, alarmed.

"I have the best news!"

"You do? What is it?"

"I should've given Jeff a chance to call you first, but I couldn't wait. So, act surprised when he tells you, okay?"

He laughed into the phone. "Are you going to tell me today, or what? "

"NIKE called. They want a meeting. They're building a campaign about older players who still have it."

"Holy shit."

"I know!" She yelled.

"I'm not even thirty! I can't believe I'm considered old."

"In football years, you're getting up there. God, I'm so proud of you. You've been so good. No unsavory news coverage. You've maintained a balanced budget. And you've been attending the classes. They must've noticed. They said they saw you at the MS toy drive last week."

"Really? That was such a small event."

"Yes, but those are the kinds of things they want to see. Responsible adult behavior that kids will look up to."

"Shit. It's Jeff calling on the other line."

"Okay, take it. He'll fill you in. Remember to act surprised!"

"Okay, baby. See you later."

The rest of the day was a tumultuous. He had a conference call with some of the members of the NIKE marketing team. Then had some conversations with his attorneys and then with some of the Tornados’ Managment and then again with NIKE. It was the best news he'd gotten since having been drafted to the NFL. The money and exposure were huge, and it was for a long-term contract. By the time he got home he was exhausted, and Addie had a late meeting with a new player that evening.

He was sound asleep on his bed when he felt Addie's warm hands tighten around him.

"You're home," He rasped.

"Well, at your home, yes." She kissed his chest and then his shoulder. "And I need some sex." She said with a laugh.

"Oh you do, do you?"

"Yes! I mean, I'm here aren't I?" She said between kisses. Was Is this still the only reason she was there? He was beyond ready to tell her he loved her, but she was still so wary.