“I can believe that, but he’s divorced now. The two of you are hiding out somewhere that the world does not have access to you. So tell me again that, that man ain’t hitting that?”
I sighed as I slid the chicken into the oven. Ashton had called and told me that he would be back in town tonight. He had flown in this morning, but he would be making the two-hour drive back from Atlanta to Laramie Falls earlier than he expected.
He sounded much better than he had last night when he learned the news of Zoe’s accident, and better than he had when he drove off this morning. I had spent the day cleaning, doing laundry, and watching home improvement shows and the news.
I saw the reporters camped outside of the hospital, news about the accident, pictures of her car, but they hadn’t been able to capture any pictures of Zoe or Ashton thus far. I thanked God for that miracle, because I knew that was the last thing either of them would want.
I had spoken to him three times since he had left to head up there. He checked in with me to make sure that I was comfortable and had everything I needed, as well as to give me an update on her status, and to tell me how much he missed me.
He confirmed that they had done a number on her, and there was a lot of swelling and bruising, as well as internal injuries it would take her a while to heal from. I shuddered at the thoughtof that happening to me, especially if I had walked in on the intruder in my home, or when they were vandalizing my car.
Tommi said they were close to arresting someone, but she refused to tell me who it was. She simply advised me to keep lying low and not tell anyone my whereabouts, including my parents.
“Okay, listen. We’re trying to figure things out between us. I won’t lie, Ashton’s definitely as interested in me as I am him, but we’ve agreed to take things slow. He knows that I was seriously hurt by Darius, and I know that his divorce is fresh and painful.”
“So you did give it up, Lucy Goosy?”
“Girl, shut up. There’s nothing loose about me.”
“I bet that back was real loose while he was up inside of you.”
I laughed. “I am really enjoying getting to know him. He’s got this big heart, Sabrina. He’s thoughtful, caring, funny, and, in some ways, just a big kid. I want to protect his heart so bad, especially when I think about all he’s been through. All he wants is to be there for his family and make sure that they have everything they need. I feel like people take advantage of that.”
“Then maybe you can step in and protect him.”
“I would love that, but he’s so averse to allowing anyone to protect him. He’s the protector, . . . and he’s always guarding everyone else. Well, his family, I will say. I’ve noticed that he’s not as open to strangers. I noticed that about him when I first met him. He was friendly, loveable, and all laughter with his team family, but with everyone else, he barely glanced at them or spoke to them.”
“Because he clearly doesn’t trust easily. Even more reason for you to be the woman to guard his heart. Y’all so cute and all. I bet y’all gonna have all these little basketball babies. Your kids are gonna come out of the womb three feet tall with a ball in their hand,” Sabrina stated and giggled.
My heart clenched in my chest, and the tears stung my eyes. I pressed my hand against them as I tried to stifle my emotions. It wasn’t Sabrina’s fault. I had never shared my truth with her. Instead, I cleared my throat and replied, “Girl, slow down. We said we’d take things slow.”
“I’m talking about in the future.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Anyway, I’d better hop off this phone. I’ve been yapping it up with you, and Chance is on his way to pick me up.”
“Where are y’all going?”
“Premier Event to bowl and then Tahini’s for dinner.”
“All right, girl. You have fun with that.”
“I will—and I will definitely be getting my back blown out tonight.”
“Well, you do that, miss ma’am,” I replied, laughing.
“And I won’t be hiding the details. Shit, the world will know because I’ll be screaming his name until somebody comes knocking.”
I laughed at her silly self. “You’re crazy.”
“Bye. boo. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Bells,” I professed, calling her by the special nickname I had for her before I ended the call.
“Come on, big baby,” I called out to Titan as he followed me into the living room. I curled up on the couch, and he hopped up there with me. Resting his big head in my lap, he nudged my hand with his head.
I placed my hand on top of his head and lovingly stroked it as I turned on the TV. “Titan, you’re just like your daddy. Big as hell, intimidating looking, but really just a big, soft baby underneath that aggressive packaging.”
