“Yeah. I’d like that. Let’s go get Greta and you can come back to our house. Unless you had plans with Zade.”
“Nah, he can wait. I’d rather help you out right now.”
* * * *
Aaron put on some reggae and chatted with Greta in the other room. I heard her cry and I left to head into the kitchen. They had been friends longer and I couldn’t imagine how Greta was handling the news. I thought I was loyal but Greta took it to the next extreme. She’d not only help me bury a body, she’d plan the kill in the first place and do it for me without asking. It was a beautiful and frightening thought. My throat clogged again with emotion, the desperation to help trying to claw out.
I opened the bags of food we’d brought over from our apartment. I had no idea if I should cook for all six of us or not. I hadn’t heard from Zade all day, but I hoped I’d see him soon. He’d broken down the wall of only two nights a week. I had to agree—it was silly to try to hold my feelings back when they were already spiraling out of control.
I decided to make tacos. They were easy to make a bunch of and who didn’t like a taco? I’d begun cooking the meat when Tanner walked in. He gave me a nod and I expected him to leave. He didn’t. He sat down and eyed me. “Yes, Tanner?”
“Are you cooking only for Aaron or…?”
“Meaning, you want some?” These guys swarmed around food like Greta swarmed around sales.
“Yup. Shit smells good.”
“Yeah. I’ll make enough for like thirty tacos. But you guys are buying my groceries next time. I cannot afford to feed a house full of testosteroned, muscle-bulging meat heads.” I began cutting up tomatoes and peppers and he laughed. Tanner was a good guy and I understood what Greta saw in him, but she shouldn’t be waiting around for him to realize how awesome she was.
“Meat heads. Love it. Did Zade tell you what he did?”
“Uh, in what context?” I paused, once again assuming the worst.
“For Aaron.”
“I have no idea.” I hadn’t talked to him yet about it at all and a part of me was irrationally hurt he hadn’t told me. But it was Aaron’s situation, not his. And I admired his loyalty to his friend. That spoke volumes, way past my wounded ego.
“He got us all shirts that support Aaron’s dad and he arranged with our coach for all of us to run the half marathon. We’re trying to raise a couple grand and donate it to research on cancer in his dad’s name.” Tanner’s voice flooded with pride. “He’s turning into the leader and captain that I knew he had the potential to be all along.”
I paused, his words hitting me hard. Tanner wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. “Thank you, Callie. For giving him a chance. For doing whatever it is you did to him, because he’s changed for the better.”
“Uh, not sure what to say here. I don’t think I’ve changed him. I think he’s always been that person.” I fought an odd sting in my eyes.Must be allergies.
“No. The fact you don’t see it makes me smile.” He patted my head in a brotherly sort of way and left the kitchen. It overwhelmed me. Aaron and Zade…and now Tanner. These rambunctious guys were messing with my head.
I continued prepping the food and let my thoughts slide to Zade. He’d stepped up for his teammate and after witnessing the bonds teams could have, I knew in my core that he was going to cement his future in baseball. Talent gets a person noticed but personality, loyalty and character take it to the next step. I dropped the bag of lettuce and went to pick it up.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the view, but why haven’t you responded to any of my texts?” Zade’s voice broke through my cooking haze and he leaned against the door frame. He belonged on the cover of magazines with the tight shirt, loose jeans and dancing eyes. The eyes that were checking me out head to toe with a desire that should’ve been sated the night before.
“Hi.” I blushed and waved the bag of lettuce I’d picked up. “I haven’t checked my phone all day. Were you mad?”
“I thought you were ignoring me.” He pouted that lip again.Kill me.
“Come on, why would I do that?” I set the bag down and went to him. “Are you being insecure in our relationship?”
“We don’t have an official one because you keep turning me down. Hey, I like your outfit. A lot.”
“This old thing?” I ate up the compliment. I hadn’t tried to wear anything sexy but apparently my yoga pants and low-cut sweatshirt worked for him. “Thanks.”
“Girlfriend?” He dragged his hand down my face and collarbone with hopeful eyes. I shook my head and he growled. “Damn you, Callie Williams.”
“It’s too easy. Shit. Now that you mention it, I have no idea where my phone is.” I walked over to my backpack I lugged around all day. I preferred a backpack over a purse. It had more pockets. I carried first aid kits, books, water bottles, extra shirts, shoes and Advil. A purse had no business trying to fit all that in it. I dug through the front pocket where I normally kept my cell. “Shit.”
“Not in there?” He snuck up behind me. There was something about that position, his height over me and closeness that gave me weak knees. “When did you use it last?”
“I think the training room. Or maybe my morning class.” I sighed. “Guess I’ll have to get a new phone tomorrow.”
“Stay over tonight. I don’t want to worry about you.” He slid his arms around my stomach and kissed behind my ear. Warning bells went off inside my brain, my heart and my body.Fuck.I loved him. It hit me hard, fast and without reason. His love for his sister, his loyalty to his teammates, his concentration on not wanting to mess up his future… I was done for. I tensed up at the realization and he noticed. “Why so tight?”
