“Am I, though? What is time? Is it not just this illusion, a small reflection of change?” I joke while we both stand in the foyer.
His hair styled just right with a small piece curling toward the front. He swallows as we stand there looking at one another and I can feel the tension building by the second. I can feel the air thicken and the sounds from the living room drowning out. The walls feel like they could close in at any minute and just push us closer together.
Without another word, he reaches over my shoulder and closes the door. It quietly shuts behind me and he steps slowly to his left and out of my way, gesturing for me to walk in.
The television is on with one of CeCe’s shows playing while she’s completely enthralled by her coloring book in front of her. The dishwasher is going and I can hear a pot of coffee brewing as I walk further into the house. All of these sounds register, but I’m focused on the one causing the pounding in my ears and the throbbing in my chest.
“Be good today,” Chase calls to CeCe from where he stands at the kitchen island, his fingers tapping away on his phone.
“Don’t you want to wait for that?” I ask when I see Chase begin to walk toward the door with a coffee thermos in hand while the pot is still brewing.
His tongue runs between his lips, almost as if it were an attempt to delay his response.
“I, uh…” His throat clears and he slides his free hand in the pocket of his jeans. Black washed denim and a black t-shirt with boots has to be some kind of weakness for me because I’m melting in all the right places.
“That pot is for you. Thanks for your help,” The words rush out, and I can’t do anything but stare at him before he quickly turns and walks out the door.
The flip between naughtyDaddyChase and put togetherDadChase is something he has quickly mastered.
It took every fiber in me not to push Summer against the wall in my foyer and kiss the attitude right out of her mouth this morning. If she’s kissing me she can’t make her smart ass remarks, right? God, what the hell is happening?
It was the same at Nate and Mia’s the other night—an impossible urge to just devour her lips again. I was hoping time away from her and minimal conversation might alleviate some of this tension I’m feeling, but then I’m forced to be in close quarters with her again and the need becomes a hunger and the hunger becomes all consuming.
My phone vibrates in the pocket of my jeans just as I’m about to get changed for practice. My body feels absolutely wrecked from all of the extra recovery training I’ve been trying to get in. The sauna helped my knees, but did nothing to help my current Summer problem. The one where I can’t fucking get her out ofmy mind and every thought I seem to have ends with us wrapped up in bed together.
Summer
Hey Daddy.
My skin instantly feels hot. Since when is she calling methat?
You can’t call me that, Kincaid.
Summer
Guessing the picture of CeCe wearing a shirt that says “rad like dad” didn’t come through?
I breathe a sigh of relief at the mishap.
Oh, no. No picture came through.
Summer
Figured. Let’s circle back to the daddy thing though. Feels like a missed opportunity.
Fuck, I’ll bite.
How so?
Summer
Well first of all, it’s basically a term of endearment
And second?
Summer
Not sure if you can handle the second part, come to think of it. I wouldn’t want to derail the rules you put into place
