As I drove home, I thought about Malik and Cutter. Two of my stars going through something life changing, but for different reasons. Both had such bright futures that something like this could send them down the wrong path.
When the Vaughns’ driveway came into view, I slowed and looked down it. Two cars were them, neither them Antonia’s. Don’t ask me how I’d memorized what her car looked like, but the one with Massachusetts plates in the driveway was not hers.
I continued to my house, pulled into my own driveway, and shut my truck off. I counted to three, and then the barking started. After the day I’d had, it was going to be nice to sit on the couch with Scout and think about nothing for a few minutes.
Chapter 24
Weston
I woke to a text from Malik, thanking me for helping him break the news to his father. They’d spoken for most of the evening, and while this was not the path they’d mapped out, they were on board to try and make it work.
Rereading Malik’s text brought me back to the conversation I’d had with Antonia about Miriam and how her parents had kicked her out of the house when she told them she was pregnant. I didn’t know if times were changing or if it was the difference in parenting. One never knew how a parent was going to react to news like that, and I was thankful Gordon had done so with Malik’s best interest in mind.
I dressed in running gear, leashed Scout, and set off down the road. For some reason, I’d had a lot of pent-up energy these past few days, and while I wanted to think it was because of the playoffs and the expectations of the players and parents, I didn’t know if that was it.
Some of it was my lackluster love life, which was solely my fault. Samira had often wanted to set me up with someone, or a mom would flirt heavily during the summer while we were away at a tournament. Neither situation interested me. Dating hadn’t interested me until I’d laid eyes on Antonia.
I laughed at the thought. Of course I’d want to spend time with someone who had a boyfriend. If that wasn’t bad luck, I didn’t know what was. I supposed it was a good thing I hadn’t gotten too deep with my feelings for Antonia, especially since her boyfriend would be around town. Not to mention, he’d likely be at the tournaments over the summer.
Jerome’s voice echoed in my mind:Not anymore, according to Samira, and she knows everything.
Every fiber in my being hoped Jerome was right. Not that I wanted Antonia hurting any more than she was, but I didn’t like the idea of this man sending Miriam’s kids away.
At least that’s what I told myself, because the truth was, I liked Antonia, a lot. And I didn’t know how I’d spend all summer seeing her with someone else.
“Great,” I muttered when Cutter’s house came into view as I recalled the unfamiliar cars in the driveway from the night before. I thought about picking up the pace to speed by the house without anyone noticing. I didn’t expect anyone to be outside at this hour, but in my mind, I liked to believe Antonia might’ve been thinking about me.
I laughed out loud at my thoughts and shook my head. “Get over yourself.”
I kept my pace steady for Scout’s benefit. Being a Lab, he’d tire out quickly, and there was no way I’d be able to carry the big baby home.
I slowed when I reached the Vaughns’ driveway, because I couldn’t help but look again to see which cars were parked there. Unlike last night, Antonia’s car was there.
A female voice rang out, and a door slammed. Gravel crunched, and my mind screamed at me to start running again, but I stood there, stock still, needing to see if it was Antonia.
When she stepped out onto the porch, dressed like she had been last Saturday morning, I wondered if this would become routine for us—meeting at the end of the driveway—to go get breakfast.
“You could only hope,” I muttered.
“Good morning,” she said as soon as I’d finished speaking to myself. “Who were you talking to?”
Great.
“Uh . . . Scout.”
She smiled at me and crouched to give my dog the attention I sought from her. Maybe if I was as cute as my dog ... nope, that was just desperation at this point.
“Good morning,” I finally said when she stood. She was dressed for winter, with a knit hat on, a parka, and, if I had to guess, thermal pants. “Are you heading to the Cozy Cup Café?”
Her smile beamed, and my heart did this double flip and sank.
“I am.” She nodded toward the house. “Miri’s determined to make Cutter his game day breakfast, but Nova and I want doughnuts.” Antonia turned toward the house briefly. “I also want to give her some private time with her babies. They need it.”
Antonia stepped toward the road, forcing me to move back to give her space. She started walking and then looked over her shoulder at me. “Are you coming?”
“Yep.” We were now. I tugged Scout’s leash, and we fell in step with Antonia. “How’s Miriam doing?”
Antonia looked at the ground, her shoulders visibly lifting with her heavy sigh. “It’s not good. Her doctor talked to her about her quality of life yesterday. She has to spend most of her time in the hospital. She’s home today for the game. The doctor doesn’t recommend her even going because of germs, but she insists. I won’t tell her otherwise.” Antonia shrugged.
