She scoffed. “Nice of you to care, but I’m used to this life. Little sleep and straight to a forty-five-minute commute.”
“I’ll drive you,” I said, rolling out of bed. I chugged the glass of water on my nightstand, just like I did every morning.
“It’s way out of the way for you. Don’t you have practice or something?”
“I have a workout this morning, but that’s it. It’s not until nine. At this rate, I’ll be back early.”
Jessie stood in my doorway with her yarn wad in her hand, looking mystified, then disappeared to get ready for work.
I padded out to the kitchen to start some coffee. I’d never admit to her how late I got in and how bad I was really going to need that caffeine.
Within ten minutes, she was in my kitchen, dressed and ready for work.
“Damn, that was fast,” I said. “Let me brush my teeth and I’ll get us out of here.”
She was at the door grabbing her keys. “You really don’t have to drive me. How am I going to get home?”
I shrugged her off as I headed for my room. “I’ll order you a car or come get you. I need something to do today.”
When I looked back, her eyes were rounded like she was about to cry. Something stirred in my gut. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew I’d do just about anything for that firestorm that walked into my life.
Chapter17
Jessie
Ben’s car was nice. Like, really nice. I’m not sure why I was surprised. He’s a professional athlete. Of course he’d have a flashy car. New car smell mingled with the hazelnut coffee he’d made for us.
“Sorry, Sweet Cheeks. I’m not listening to a murder podcast on the way,” he said, pulling up a playlist on his phone.
“Your car, your rules,” I said, typing in my work address on themassive touch screen.
A Marshall Tucker song came on as Mikey put the car in gear and we left the garage under our building. I couldn’t afford the garage, so I did street parking, and thus had a solid sheet of bird shit all over my car at all times.
“You would like this song,” I teased.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mikey said, flicking his eyes to me.
“It’s a beer uncle song. You are 100% a beer uncle.”
“I feel like that’s not a compliment. I could leave your ass on the side of the road if you get too uppity, you know.”
“I mean, beer uncles are really fun. You’re like the loud, fun uncle who brings a case of Bud heavy to your nephew’s wedding reception while wearing a cut-off t-shirt.”
Ben’s shoulders shook for a moment, and I wondered if he was having some sort of medical event. Then his boisterous laugh erupted, filling the cab of the car with its warm sound.
“That’s a really vivid picture, Jess.”
“I didn’t come up with it, but it’s totally who you are,” I affirmed.
“I guess you’re right. And beer uncles like classic rock?”
“Oh, totally. And that’s you. Do you have nieces and nephews?”
Ben blew out a breath. “Yep. One of each. And maybe some illegitimate half nieces and nephews, too.”
I winced. There was some pain there. “I’m sorry, Ben.”
“It’s fine. My dad just sucks. I’m the miracle baby of the family. My sister and I were five years apart. I was the ‘let’s fix this marriage’ baby.”
