“Hey,” I whisper, gripping her chin between my thumb and forefinger, I tilt her head back until she’s forced to meet my gaze.“I'm not letting you go unless that’s what you want.”
“I’ve wanted to date you for so long, I'm not giving you up now.”
“Are you sure?I don’t want you to resent me because of the tension this will create in your family.”
“I’m not letting them dictate my life.I’ve fought for years to get people to respect what I want.I’ve battled men at work who think they know better than me.I'm not doing it with my family.”
She checks her phone, finding a text from her mom waiting for her.A soft smile spreads across her face.
Mom: I'm so happy for you, Cici!Covey is such a sweetheart.He’s perfect for you and you guys would be absolutely adorable together!
Mom: Ignore your father.I told him if he messes with Covey he’ll have to deal with me.
Mom: Ignore Cord too.Macy’s already texting me about how ridiculous Cord is and how he might need a place to sleep when she comes home with the baby because she’s not living with a jerk.
A giggle breaks free from Cici as another text comes through.
Macy: Love you, sis.Don’t listen to the big jerk.I’ll deal with him.Just go kiss Covey and forget about everyone else.I’ll deal with Cord and Owen.Right now, I’ve forbidden Owen from coming near Emmett and me until he opens his eyes and realizes how ridiculous he’s being.
“We’ve got two people on our team.”She smiles at me through her tears.
“Wyatt and Charlie know.Wyatt says he could tell by the way we were looking at each other last night.”
“Wyatt won't let Cord get away with this either… Will you still be my boyfriend?”She stares up at me with big, vulnerable eyes.Nothing would kill her more than me turning her down.
“I want nothing more than to remain your boyfriend, baby.”I close the distance between us and kiss her.
The last thing I want to do is head down to the locker room for this game.I don’t want to deal with Owen’s disapproving glare or his anger.I’d much rather stay with my arms wrapped around Cici.
Chapter 21
Cici
Itakemyseatin the front row of the box and fold my arms across my chest.I know Dad will end up here once the game starts and I don’t want to talk to him.Maybe I’m being childish, but so is he.
“Hey, sweetie.”Mom takes the seat next to me and I breathe a sigh of relief.I sat on the end, closest to the steps.That way Dad can’t block me from leaving if I want to.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Has Dad spoken to you since I texted you?”
“Nope,” I sigh.I don’t want to discuss this.I just want to watch my boyfriend play baseball and then go home and relax in the hot tub with him.
“He’s realized how ridiculous he’s behaving.I told him he has to talk to you and Covey.”She smiles softly.
“It’s only because Macy forbids him from coming near Emmett until he stops acting stupid.”
“Are you serious?”Her brows raise in surprise.“I love that woman.She doesn’t hold anything back and she won't let him get his way no matter how hard he fights her.”She chuckles.
“Am I being stupid?”
“Do you love him?”
“We just started dating yesterday.I don’t think I can say that yet.”I roll my eyes.
“But you care about him enough to start a war and that says something, Cici.”She takes my hand in hers and squeezes it softly.“Can you picture a future with him?”
“I can picture forever with him,” I whisper.
