“I think you’re my person, and it fucking terrifies me.”
“I love hearing that, baby, but what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“That’swhat’s wrong. You called me baby…and I like it.” I start sobbing again.
He lets out a laugh. “Because it’s always been a red flag, right?”
I nod through my tears while he continues to laugh and hold me. He whispers into my hair, “Do you want me to put on sandals too? I can take a selfie in front of my car if you want…with my Android…while wearing a chain necklace and white jeans…with my fruity drink in my other hand.”
I can’t help but laugh through my tears. “The fact that you listen to my red flags is kind of a green flag.”
“Yeah, well the fact that your tits keep getting bigger is a huge green flag for me. We’re a match made in heaven.”
I smack his arm. “They are not.”
“Um, yes, they are. Trust me. They’re my favorite things on this planet. I know when they’re changing. I know every inch of your body, and I love all of it almost as much as I love you.” He tilts my chin until my eyes meet his. “I love you too. I have for a while, but I knew you wouldn’t want me to say it first.”
And then the waterworks begin all over again because once again, he knew what I needed and gave it to me. Why am I so damn emotional?
Oh, right. Duh.
He studies me carefully. “Did something happen tonight? I know my girl, and this isn’t just lovey-dovey emotions. You’re upset about something specific.”
Yep, he’s my person.
“I walked in on my dad and a woman,” I admit.
He smiles. “Good for Coach. He deserves to get laid.”
I stare at him. “That’s my father, asshole.”
He chuckles. “Right. He deserves to make love. Better?”
“No, dipshit.”
He chuckles. “Why were you there? I thought you were going to Shay and Alyssa’s tonight?”
“I was at their place for a bit.” I bite my lip. He’s not going to be happy about this. “I decided it was time to have a real talk with my dad. I wanted to lay it all on the table and confess everything to him.”
He stiffens. “What?” he says in a raised tone. “I wanted to be there for that conversation. I owe it to him to have that conversation man to man. I would have done it months ago, but I’m respecting your wishes. You should also respect mine. That’s how relationships work.”
Now I feel like shit. “You’re right. I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I wanted to protect you from his wrath like you protect me. It doesn’t matter anyway. I didn’t tell him.”
“Then why are you so upset?”
I exhale a long breath. “He didn’t answer the door, so I just walked in. He was by his pool dancing with a woman. At first I thought it was sweet, but then I saw her face. It was Fallon.”
His eyebrows pinch in confusion. “Fallon who?”
“How many fucking Fallons do you know?”
“Fallon Montgomery? That Fallon? Tanner’s ex-wife, Fallon? Harper’s mom, Fallon? Your coach, Fallon?”
“Oh my god,” I whine. “Stop saying her name. Yes, that Fallon. The one who has weaseled her way into my life over the past few months. I thought she cared about me, but it was about my father, like everything and everyone in my life growing up.”
His lips twist a bit. “Nah, that doesn’t sound like Fallon. I’ve known her for ten years. She’s a good person. She doesn’t have a deceitful bone in her body.”
“Did you know that when they were married, she fucked Tanner’s best friend? That’s what precipitated their divorce.”
