Mrs. Winters’s voice trails after us. “Nope,” she says. “I birthed you. That gives me full rights to worry over you for the rest of your life.”
Easton quickly busses his mom on the cheek, promising he’ll text, and then we’re heading out the door.
But not before his mom calls out from the open front door, “Just because neither of you can get pregnant doesn’t mean you don’t have to use condoms!” For the whole fucking neighborhood to hear.
Easton’s wide-eyed gaze meets my identical one. “Oh my god,” he mouths.
I burst into laughter, and we slide into my old-ass hatchback Subaru.
Time for our date. Not going to lie, I’m pretty happy with how it’s starting.
“What the hell are Harry Cot Vurts?” Easton looks up at me from his menu at the steakhouse we’re dining at.
The lights are low, the flame of the candle on our table dancing shadows over the black tablecloth. We’re at a small two-person table in a discreet corner of the restaurant against a wall of windows. It’s pitch black out there now. I’d made reservations for seven because of what I have planned for after. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, so my plans should go off without a hitch.
I’d requested something private when I made the reservation. It’s not like two men can’t go to dinner with each other without it meaning more—Easton reaches across the table and absently takes my hand in his, his gaze back to studying his menu. I swallow hard. Yeah, I kind of figured it would appear like we weren’t just friends. I’m not sure Easton’s thought too much about what that means. So, I tried to take precautions until we have that discussion.
“It’s pronouncedair-ih-co vair,” I say, laughter lacing my words. “They’re green beans.”
He makes a thoughtful hum. “Fancy-ass green beans.”
My laugh breaks free. “Yes. Delicious fancy-ass green beans. Those and their balsamic-glazed Brussel sprouts are phenomenal.” Sides are served family-style here. I liked that touch, makes the meal feel more intimate, a little less formal—for being at a formal restaurant.
I end up getting a rib-eye. East gets their blackened-grilled chicken, and I was able to convince him to get thefancy-assgreen beans. He wanted steamed broccoli. Um, absolutely fucking not.
“You don’t go to a restaurant like this and substitute delicious buttery goodness withsteamedvegetables.”
He lifts his red wine. “Hey, I was just trying to make up for the fact that I’m drinking. I’ve completely revamped my diet since I started in the minors. My body is a temple, Maddy.”
My lids lower, and I bite my lip. “Yeah, it is,” I say roughly. “One I’d gladly worship.”
A blush covers Easton’s cheekbones. “Ohhh. Yeah. That sounds, uh…yeah. Wow.”
The organ in my chest sighs. He’s so adorable.
“So, new diet?” I take pity on his flustered state and change the subject. “I noticed you haven’t touched the bread.” Which is a shame, because when you smear some of the roasted garlic on it, it’s orgasmic.
He swirls his wine, and his cheek moves where I know he’s biting on it. A nervous habit of his. “I really want to make it to the big-time, Maddy.” Vulnerability shines at me in his light-blue eyes. He’s going to make it though, no matter how scared he is that he won’t. He has what it takes. I know it down to the marrow of my bones.
“To do that, I need to put everything into it. I need to fuel my body right, train it right. I worked with a sports nutritionist to come up with a diet plan. Clean eating. Making sure my body has the nutrients it needs for the strain I put it under. I’ve already noticed a big difference. Actually, more so since I’ve been home and…cheating on it a bit.”
“A lot has changed since you left, I see.” I don’t mean for the words to come out sad, but there’s no missing the regret woven into them.
Silence falls over our table. The waiter returns with our entrees and sides, and I glance away.
I’ve missed so much. These changes. His new friends. I even missed his games. I refused to look him up. To watch. When I’d found out from Alvarez that East had been called up to High-A for the playoffs, I’d nearly crumbled. Elation had hit me, and the next second devastation had barreled forward, stealing it away. Because East hadn’t shared that news with me. It was news of his I didn’t deserve to know or be a part of.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, eyes locked on my steak.
“Hey,” he says softly, dragging my stare back to his. “Don’t dwell, Maddy. I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t awful for me. I know you felt exactly how I did, too. Somehow, those were the two worst and best months of my life. I was handed my dream, but it felt like the sacrifice for getting that was you. Like I couldn’t have both.” He clears the emotion from his throat. “But I don’t hold anything against you, okay? I need you to know that.”
I try to send him a smile, but my lips are too stiff. “I still wish I could have thought of a better way to deal with it.”
He shrugs. “I’m not sure there was an alternative. I mean, I was with Shelby at the time, on top of everything. If you had told me outright…I don’t know how I would have reacted. I’d probably have changed how I acted around you. I’ve always been so physical with you. God, Maddy. It must have killed you.” Pain furrows his brow. “I’m the one who’s sorry. Knowing you held this inside, and I definitely made it harder for you—fuck, I feel like the biggest ass.”
I shake my head. “Me problem. You can’t control how other people feel, East. I knew I needed to have you in my life, in any capacity. So, I was determined to get over you.”
He chews thoughtfully on a bite of chicken, then swallows. “You know… I think it was actually great.”
