“Thanks, kid. I was nervous as shit.” He kisses her temple.
“I’m happy for you too,” I tell him, hoping for a response.
He glances my way, gives me a small nod. “Thanks. For letting me join too. It’s…cool.”
I’m struck speechless but don’t want him to think I don’t see the olive branch he’s holding out for me. “You’re welcome, Nash. I can’t wait to see you play.” Because I’ll be there for every single game. “We should celebrate tonight. Want to go out for pizza?”
“Can Colton come?” he asks. “I mean, if he’s not busy or whatever. It’s probably dumb. I’m sure he doesn’t want to. I just thought since he helped me and all.”
My pulse kicks up, rapping violently against my skin. The four of us spending time together would be different…not the same as meeting up at the hair salon. It’s like Colton keeps being drawn deeper and deeper into my life. I try to make up reasons not to want him there, to pull away and find space, but none come to me.
“He might have to work or be with his family, but if he’s available, I’m sure he’ll want to come. He’ll be happy for you. How about you call him and give him the good news. Invite him over, and we’ll head home and order pizza for all of us?” I’d hate to run the risk of being out in public with him and seeing someone from work.
“Call?” he asks.
I chuckle. “Well, I guess you could text.”
I pull away from the curb. Nash doesn’t answer, but when I flick my gaze toward him in the mirror, I see he has the phone held to his ear…and he’s smiling. “Hey! Guess what?” he says, and a moment later, “Yes! I made the team. It was fucking badass.”
I really wish he would work on the bad language, but I’m just happy to have him happy and not acting like he hates me, so I won’t push it.
“We’re gonna go home to order pizza and celebrate. I’m sure you’re like, busy or whatever, but if you’re not and you wanted to chill, James said you could come have dinner with us.”
Not gonna lie, my stomach twists slightly. As much as I suddenly want Colton in my space, I’m nervous to have him there.
“Nice!” Nash says. “See you soon.” He ends the call, then tells me, “He said he can come. He’ll be there in thirty.”
“Cool,” I say, then feel silly for using that word.
Colton is coming over. He’s having dinner with me and the kids.
And I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Colton
Idid expectNash to make the team today, but what I absolutely didn’t expect was for him to invite me over for dinner and for James to be okay with it—which he is because I texted after ending the call with Nash to make sure.
I cancel dinner plans with Han and Tasha—my best friend teasing me about it—then make a quick stop at the store to grab a cake that saysCongratulations, on my way to James’s apartment.
It’s a nice building. I use the intercom to be let into the lobby, then take the elevator up to the eleventh floor. When I step out, I see him there, pacing the hallway, and it’s obvious he’s a ball of nerves. His stare snags mine, the two of us looking at each other. He shrugs as if to say,we’re doing this, and I can’t help grinning.
“Hey,” I say when I reach him. “I brought dessert.”
“That was nice of you. Nash is glad you could come.”
“What about you?” I take a step closer. “Are you glad?”
His breath hitches, and he nods. I peek around to make sure we’re alone, then press a quick kiss to his lips. “I missed my boy.”
James rubs his scruffy cheek against mine. “Why do I like it so much when you call me that?”
My heart beats faster. “It doesn’t matter why, just that you do. And I’m glad because I like calling you my boy.”
He shocks me with a quick kiss of his own before stepping away. “I got checked,” he says. “I’m negative—not that we’ll do anything tonight. They can’t know about us. But just so you know.”
“Mmm. You’ve made your Sir very, very happy. Now let’s go inside, celebrate, and maybe, if you’re good and I’m creative, I can still find a way to make you come tonight.”
