Chapter Six
Half an hour later, the crowd went wild while the team cheered. “We’re going to the playoffs!”
Mitch, carried along with the good feeling, laughed, slapped backs, and shook hands. As the team disbursed, he turned to see several demanding parents coming his way. Then Becca was there hugging Simon, and no one else mattered.
“I’m so proud of you, honey!” She had to stand on her tiptoes to reach the kid’s neck. “Wasn’t he great?” she asked Mitch.
“Awesome. That touchdown put us over for sure. You need to thank Roger for that pass, Simon. He hit you square on.”
“I know.” Simon was beaming. He held his helmet in one hand, his expression full of joy…that slowly turned to a scowl.
Becca frowned in concern. “Simon?”
Mitch followed his gaze to see a pretty blond teenager chatting with a few guys on the team.
Simon huffed. “I’ll be right back.”
When Becca moved to follow, Mitch grabbed her by the arm. “Hold on. He needs to handle this. It’s a guy thing.”
“I think I know my own son.”
“Yeah? Then did you know he’s having a hard time trying to figure out what that girl means to him?”
Becca stared after Simon. “Jenna? She’s his best friend.”
“She was. Now she might be turning into something else.” They watched Simon insert himself between the girl and the boys with her. The girl rolled her eyes and slugged Simon in the gut. But Simon continued to stand by her side, a puzzled look crossing his face every so often.
“What the heck?” Becca studied him. “He’s acting different.”
“I think it’s called puberty.”
“Oh? Is that what’s troublingyou?”
He laughed. “You’re a riot. You know that?” He looked over her shoulder. “Hey, isn’t that the woman from your store? Is she your cousin or your sister? Because Simon’s called her his Aunt Nora a few times.”
“She’s my cousin, but he’s always called her his aunt.”
“Okay. Got it. Look, I need her to talk to my brother. In front of witnesses.”
She blinked. “Oh, you mean… Because of what you said in the grocery store, right?’
“It’s stupid, but yes.” He added in a lower voice, “Let’s sell this for Linda, who hasn’t stopped staring at me all night.”
“I’m still not sure why any of this is necessary.”
Because it’s an excuse to be near you.He cleared his throat. “I already look like an ass to some people in town. Let’s not add ‘liar’ to the label, eh?”
She huffed. “Fine. Hey, Nora.” She waved her cousin over.
Nora stood as tall as Becca but had more curves. Less streamlined, and more voluptuous as compared to Becca’s refined beauty. Becca seemed so wholesome, yet…not.
He noticed her looking at his mouth and smiled. When she blushed and looked away, he felt ten feet tall. Then he thought about how she’d bolted from him in the parking lot. How her deceased husband still affected her after so many years. Of how insane it would be to date a woman with a teenager when he could have his pick of the ladies in town. Women who were single, uncomplicated, up for whatever the “Amazing Flash” wanted to give them.
As usual around Becca, his lips started moving without his consent. “So, tomorrow night. Dinner at my place. We’ll celebrate our win with some nice steaks. How about it, ladies?”
A few of the football moms stood close enough to overhear the conversation, so he could blame his need to claim Becca in public as part of his cover with Linda.Yeah, sure.
Nora raised a brow. “Considering how hot your brother is for me, I guess I’d better be there.”
