“I can’t imagine why; you did just sling your arm around me and veer me away from them.”
“You seem annoyed by that.”
“At saving me from the moms?” she laughs. “Most of them are cool, but there’s one or two wildcats. Although Lorelei seems to love having her paws all over you. But she is the leader of the pack, then there’s Mindy. She likes fresh meat.”
“Well.” I clear my throat. “I’m notfresh meat.I’ll have you know I’m not seeing anyone right now.”
She gives me a disbelieving look. “You’re not?”
Now it’s my turn to pique a brow. “When would I fit in a date with my crazy schedule?”
“We’re calling itdatingnow, huh?” She muffles a laugh.
I lean closer. “Just because I’m good atextracurricular activitiesdoesn’t make me a bad person.”
“I never said it did, but after that little stint, they look like a pack of hungry piranhas out for blood.”
I chuckle, turning to look back at the field. I came here to support Deaton, after all, but all I’m doing now is teasing his hot as fuck mom; this delicate woman who has been under my nose the entire time, but was too wrapped up in myself to notice it.
Just as I’m about to reply, I see the said piranha heading our way. “Uh, oh,” I mutter under my breath.
“What?” Chelsea says, but it’s too late.
“Oh, Bradley?” Mindy purrs from behind us.
Chelsea and I share a look before I clear my throat, turning on a pleasant smile as I turn to face her. “Hello again,” I say.
She glances at Chelsea. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal him away, sweetie, but some of us moms need to put our orders in for the kids’ uniforms.”
“There’s actually no need,” I say, before Chelsea has time to answer. “I’ve accounted for all the kids. Mrs. Kite helped, so she has a list, and the kids will all be getting their new gear after practice.”
Clearly, Mindy had other ideas. “That’s so… wonderful of you. I can’t even tell you what we as a committee have had to do.” She rolls her eyes for effect. “Bake sales, pounding the pavement with fliers and car trunk sales, car washing, it’s been a battle.”
“It has for some,” Chelsea mutters. I don’t need her to tell me that this Mindy chick is one of those women who likes to bossothers around, make it look like all the good ideas are hers, and take all the credit for herself. I know for a fact that Chelsea was in charge of the bake sale, and the car wash, and most likely the trunk sale, but she doesn’t need recognition for it. Instead she stays quiet, well, as quiet as my girl can be. I know it takes a lot for her temper to come out, but I’ve seen it once or twice. Luckily, not directed at me.
Mindy tucks her hair behind her ears. “Well, I was thinking after the game, you might like to come and grab a hot chocolate with me?” she blurts. Just like that. “Samuel will be going to Xavier’s, so I have a free afternoon.”
I almost cringe in horror as she spider walks her fingers up my arm. Since when was it okay to just go around touching people?
“That’s such a pity,” Chelsea pipes up, causing me to glance at her. “But unfortunately, Brad is already occupied.”
“Oh.” Mindy raises a perfectly curved brow. “By who?”
“Me.”
Mindy instantly flushes, but she straightens her spine, and if I’m not mistaken, a small huff escapes under her breath. I use this opportunity to remove her hand from my body before things get even more weird. “My apologies.” She doesn’t sound sorry. “I thought you two were just friends.” Mindy looks at me, then to Chelsea, then back to me for confirmation.
I open my mouth to speak, but Chelsea beats me to it. “What a misconception.” Her laugh is trill, and not at all like the laugh I know and love. It makes the edges of my mouth quirk. “Sometimes we…”
“Sometimesyou?” Mindy’s eyes bug open in anticipation.
“Um.” Chelsea looks to me in desperation, her eyes widen, knowing she can’t exactly backtrack.
Mindy laughs. “Looks like the words are kinda stuck, which I can understand, Bradley Lucas is a catch?—”
Chelsea grinds her teeth. “Uh, we spend a lot of time together.”
“But you’re not dating?” Mindy presses, it doesn’t even sound like a question.
