Completion

MY DAD, REG, and Laura walk from the terminal together. I hug my dad first, then Laura, and last Reg while holding back tears. Dwaine, the Pronghorns' driver, brought me to the airport in a stretch limo. He's waiting outside for me to call him after we collect the luggage. I know my dad and Reg will travel lightly but Laura brings everything but her bathroom sink. She's a girly girl from beginning to end.

I send a text to Dwaine after we have her luggage lined up. We head outside as he rounds the outside corner and pulls to a stop. My trip to the airport was uneventful other than signing a few autographs. I'm mostly accustomed to it now and even carry my own permanent marker at Aiden's suggestion.

We're going out to dinner and Aiden is meeting us. I've spoken very little to Reg and Laura about my romantic life. They think I'm too busy. This thing with Aiden is moving along like a whirlwind. At least to my dad and friends we can come out of the closet. Hiding something as monumental as whatever it is between us is wearing me down. I'm not sure we're fooling anyone when it comes to the team. It's the media we're worried about.

Larry is flying in late tonight and I'm hoping to talk to him about the situation between me and Aiden. If anyone can swing things so they look good, it's Larry.

We settle ourselves in the limo and Laura, who is sitting across from me and my dad, goes straight for the jugular. "As soon as we can shake off the men I want to hear all about the guy who slaps your ass on national TV."

She has no idea. "You'll meet Lane and you can ask him yourself."

She puts her arm around Reg and pulls him close. "It's sexy when he does it, but big brother here doesn't like it."

"No, I don't," Reg replies and pulls Laura in for a quick kiss. "He should keep his hands to himself."

"She needed a heads-up in case you go all alpha on him."

Reg isn't exactly small but the team will wipe the floor with him and he knows it. "There's nothing going on between me and Lane," I assure him. "He's been my rock since moving here and I don't know if I could have gotten this far without him."

Reg looks at my father and I can see him choosing his words carefully. "You say friends, I say tomato."

We all laugh because Reg is really a big teddy bear. It gives me the warm fuzzies to know he cares. We make it to the restaurant where Aiden has reservations for a private room in the back. He's not here yet, so I quickly give his name and we're shown to a large table. I'm about to sit, when Aiden strolls in. I take a step toward him and he pulls me in for a brief kiss that I wasn't expecting. The cat is out of the bag and Aiden loops his arm around me as I turn to make introductions.

"Dad, this is Aiden, who I've been telling you about. Aiden, my father, Theodore. He goes by Ted."

Everyone stands and Aiden releases me. He steps to my father and shakes his hand. "Sir."

"Ted, please," my father replies in his "I'm meeting the boyfriend for the first time" voice, which is rather stiff.

I turn to Laura and Reg. Laura gives me a quick death/side-eye glare before she takes Aiden's hand. "I'm her friend Laura. Jordan is much too good at keeping secrets and I may need to kick her ass later." The stink eye comes my way again. "I hope that won't put a damper on our friendship." She turns back to Aiden and gives him a dreamy look.

Reg places his hand possessively on her shoulder and shakes Aiden's hand. "I was worried about this Lane guy but I guess that was a fake pass. I'm Reg. Jordan is like a sister to me," he tells Aiden, making sure he knows how important I am to him.

"That's enough, Reg." I turn to Laura. "I was planning to order wine and then make the announcement that Aiden and I are privately seeing each other. It's a secret and can't leave this room."

Laura doesn't give in and I know her feelings are hurt. "A little warning would have been nice. I just spoke to you two days ago."

I lift my hands. "I wanted to tell you in person."

"Let's be seated," my father interjects.

I move back to my chair and Aiden sits beside me. He leans in and whispers, "Sorry." I give him a small grin and whisper, "She's a handful."

"I heard that," Laura says. "I bought a number nine jersey to wear tomorrow. I might need to go shopping in the morning and buy a new Steelers jersey to wear instead."

That was a low blow even for Laura.

Aiden shakes his head. "Not in this town. If you do, they won't let you into the skybox I have reserved tomorrow."

Laura holds her palm out. "Okay, the skybox is making this better." She takes a drink of water. "When did the two of you hook up?"

"Laura!"

"Honey," Reg says at the same time.

"What? Everyone wants to know."

"Her father doesn't," my dad says as he coughs.

I turn to Aiden. "Please tell me your parents are coming so I don't need to hide under the table for the rest of the evening."

"Sorry, they had another engagement. Candice" he glances around the table. "She's my sixteen-year-old sister. She wasn't happy to miss tonight's dinner."

I give Laura a quick glare for being such a bitch. "Candice will give you a run for your money in the complaint department."

"Good, then I'll love her."

A waiter saves me from strangling Laura and begins taking orders. Things calm until I excuse myself and go to the restroom. Laura follows. "Aiden fucking Patrickson," she shouts as soon as she checks to be sure the bathroom is clear. "You're dating him and didn't tell me?"

I go all dreamy-eyed because I know just how to stop her grouching.

She gives me a quick hug and pulls away. "You've got to tell me he's great in bed. If not, lie."

I smile conspiratorially. "I don't need to lie."

Her squeal hurts my eardrums. "Damn girl, he's hotter in person than on TV. Don't you dare tell Reg I said this but that man is a walking wet panty advertisement. Ugh," she groans loudly.

"What?"

"Please tell me you've bought better underwear?"

My face heats. "He loves my white panties. Now stop embarrassing me."

She shakes her head. "No man loves white panties. With your ass cheeks you need a thong."

I walk into a stall and ignore her advice.

"You know I think you're gorgeous," she continues. "But that's Aiden fucking Patrickson. I thought he only dated supermodels and actresses?"

I smile at the closed stall door. "What can I say? His taste has improved."

"He's scrumptious."

"Poor Reg," I tease.

"Don't worry about him. I'll give him a wild ride as soon as we're alone in the hotel room."

I cover my ears. "La la la, TMI."

"I'm eating dinner with Aiden fucking Patrickson," she sing-songs.

I walk out and wash my hands. "I need to ask him if 'fucking' is his middle name."

She gives me the evil eye. "Don't think you've been forgiven. You gotta give me something to get back on my good side. Come on, just one little detail."

"Hmm. Best oral ever."

"Oh, God," she says and fans herself. "I won't be able to look at his mouth without blushing."

I wave her off. "You never blush."

She laughs. "Well, what do you want me to say-when I look at his mouth my panties go wet."

The girl has no filter. "You're incorrigible. No wet panties with my man. You have your own to drool over."

"Panty drool is a good word for it."

"Come on." I take her hand. "Someone needs to stuff a sock in your mouth."