He doesn’t bother replying, so I shove my phone in my back pocket with a huff.
I walk back over to Chelsea and Deaton, who are heading over to me. Deat has already pulled his new jersey over his head and is dancing around excitedly with his friends.
“I’ve gotta go,” I say to Chels. “Noah has a new client we need to discuss, apparently it’s urgent.”
“Sure thing,” Chelsea says, she looks slightly disappointed as she glances down and presses her sweet lips together.
“I had a good time today,” I say, nodding toward Deat. “Make sure you tell your mom how well you did helping me and Noah.”
Deaton surprises me by leaping forward and diving into my arms, taking me off guard. He wraps his arms around me as I bend to reciprocate. “Thanks, Brad, I had a great time today. And I love my new uniforms!”
“I’m so glad,” I reply, ruffling his hair with my hand. “Don’t forget, I’m picking you up tomorrow after school, okay, bud?”
“Sounds good!” Deat smiles happily, giving me a fist bump, and runs off with his bestie, Leo, to show his mom their new gear.
“Have a good night,” Chelsea says in a low voice.
“You too,Mama.”
We both pause a fraction too long, and I hear her take a breath. “I’m sorry about what happened before,” she says softly.
“I’m just sorry I didn’t get to kiss you,” I reply in a low whisper. “But there’s always time for that another day. Maybe Mindy and her posse don’t need to be watching after all.” My lips twitch, and I lean in because I can’t help my fucking self and place a soft kiss on her forehead. Okay, not the kind I was wanting or hoping for, but the moment kinda got taken away from us when that flying soccer ball nearly took us both out. Talk about terrible timing. I memorize her bakery scent and something subtle; maybe her shampoo, coconut? Whatever it is, I want to eat it.
Her eyes are wide when I pull away, and you’d never think she just told man-eater Mindy that we were fucking. Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth right now. But only I know it fucking would. There’s fire in that sexy little baker, I know it. I saw some of it today, and I can only imagine what lies underneath.
She’s still blinking up at me as I pull away. “That’s true,” she replies a little breathy, her voice dropping several octaves. “I guess we will see.”
I smile. “I guess we will. See you later, Mama.”
“See you. Thanks again for everything today, I really appreciate it. And for the uniforms. You’re going to be the talk of the town for quite some time, I’m sure of it.”
“For all the wrong reasons, I hope.” I cast her a wink as I leave. The wordsquit while you’re aheadcome to mind, but that only makes me more determined to keep going.
Driving to Dad’s, I feel a full, renewed sense of hope. I didn’t think that Chelsea would be interested in me inthatway, but we can’t deny our chemistry. I also don’t want to fuck this up… whateverthisis.
I mean, she admitted she was jealous.
Jealous.
My sweet as pie little baker, who I can’t stop thinking about.
My mind is filled with all kinds of crazy thoughts; could this really work? What if I fuck it up? What happens if we go there, and it doesn’t work? I’m mindful of Deaton, too. I want to be in his life. I don’t want there ever to be a time where Chelsea and I are on the outs… and we’d only be on the outs if we go somewhere we shouldn’t. It’s like I have the devil on one shoulder, and an angel on the other. They’re both giving me conflicting advice.
I park my car, running both hands through my hair.
I want her.
Maybe that’s all we need to know right now. Maybe that’s all there is to know.
Chapter Fourteen
BRADLEY
When I finally get inside Dad’s house, Josh and Lexi are canoodling on the couch like the loved-up couple they are, Dad is apparently out on the pickle-ball court with Ali and Clem, and Noah is nowhere to be seen.
“Hey,” I say to Josh and Lexi as I walk by the den, lingering in the doorway for a second.
“Hey,” Lexi says, smiling up at me as she straightens herself. Josh has his arm slung around her and gives me a chin lift.
