CHAPTER 67
TATE
“So, when the Storm play games,”Bea asks Jordan a few days later, “what do you do?”
They’re sitting in the living room, listening to records. Bea used the excuse of wanting to show her the new songs she’s learned on guitar, but she’s spent the entire time talking with Jordan.
Which Jordan doesn’t seem to mind.
“I hang out in the back, in that area near the dressing room with the TVs.” Her fingers come to the thin chain around her neck, toying with the necklace I bought her. Did she put it on just because of me or was she wearing it all day? “Or if we’re at an away game, I might hang out in the away game owner’s box.”
“Oh.” Bea studies a record jacket, and I lean my chin on my palm, watching.
She wants to ask something but she’s working up the courage.
“Do you ever go to games?” Jordan prompts.
“Sometimes. My dad organizes a school field trip every year. Last time, all the moms just wanted to talk to Dad.”
“I bet.” Jordan gives me a teasing look that tells me she’s going to bring this up later. I shake my head at her, but I’m smiling.
Christ, she’s beautiful. I can’t believe I spent years thinking she was heartless and unforgiving. She’s not. She’s kind and warm and caring and encouraging. She’s invested in the team and Bea and her friends.
Be selfish with me, she said.Take what you need.
I’ve never bought a woman jewelry. I’ve never let someone get this close to my kid before. I’ve never thought about someone like this.
And yet with Jordan, none of these things feel groundbreaking or unfamiliar. They just feel right.
Our gazes hold, my heart rate picking up. Her bangs are in her eyes and I want to push them aside, but Bea’s right there, watching us, and I don’t know where Jordan’s head is at.
Jordan turns to Bea. “Bea, would you like to go to a game with me?”
Bea’s immediate smile of relief and excitement makes my heart explode. “Really?”
I have feelings for this woman. I see a future with her, I see her here in our home, in our family, but she’s still terrified. I see it in her eyes. I see her hesitation. If there’s one thing Jordan Hathaway is good at, it’s taking off when she’s scared. She did it in her master’s program, she did it with her father, and hell if I’ll let her do it to me.
She’s not cold or heartless or cruel, though, she’s justscared. She’s been hurt by someone who was supposed to be there for her, so no wonder she won’t let herself fall for me.
So I’ll be patient while we pretend this is short term.
“Can you do me a favor in exchange?” Jordan asks her.
Bea sits up straighter with enthusiastic interest shining in her eyes. “Sure.”
“Can you show your dad that thing I showed you the other day? The thing we practiced?”
“Oh, yeah.” Bea lowers her head and lets her eyes roll back in her eye sockets.
I’m already shaking my head. “No. I don’t like this.”
“Daddy,” she says in a rasping, creepy voice while Jordan doubles over, laughing. “Daddy,where are you?”
I give Jordan a look of horror. “Why would you do this?”
Bea starts crawling toward me on the floor in jerky, disjointed motions like the little girl in a movie Jordan watched the other week on the plane.
“Nope.” I’m up and on the other side of the room while Jordan and Bea delight in my terror. Even the cat seems to be enjoying it, watching from her spot on the top of the chair. “I hate this.”
