I shook my head, the towel still held steady in my hand. I wanted to bury my face in it and scream.
Before I could respond, a voice came from the open door. “Is there a problem here?”
My eyes drifted over Jagger’s shoulder, catching on Preston’s hard glare at the back of Jagger’s head.
The cocky football player turned, glancing over at Preston. Silence hung in the air as my fingers twisted in the fabric of the clean towel.
“Not at all, Coach.” He glanced back at me, an expression in his gaze that filled me with dread. “I was just heading out.” With lazy strides, he waltzed past Preston, who was now crossing his arms, blocking half of the doorway. Jagger slid past him, holding his stare before he smiled. “You two have a good night.”
A knock sounded at my door, and even though I knew Landry was on the other side, I still jolted. Since the run-in with Jagger last night, I’d been on edge. He was a snake in the grass. Someone I definitely didn’t trust, and I just had thisfeelingthat he knew what was happening between us.
Preston spent three hours in my living room last night assuring me everything was fine. That I was paranoid and I needed to breathe. His long kisses and strong arms helped a little, and the fact he buried his head between my legs again forthreelife-changing orgasms did relieve some of the tension, but I still made him go home at the end of the night. He wasn’t thrilled, but he didn’t push, and I pretended like it didn’t crush me to sleep alone.
So much for not falling for an athlete, Trinity.
Landry called this morning, informing me that our “girls bonding” time was overdue and she’d be at my house at 6 p.m. sharp after she worked her shift at Laces Out.
I needed a distraction, and to be honest, her crazy antics were the perfect one. Preston was over at Wesley’s this eveningfor the coaches’ monthly cookout, which I obviously couldn’t attend even if I wanted to. My father would be there, and I was sure Preston bringing along his student as a plus-one would be frowned upon by the majority.
Harboring all of the vibes I collected this morning from my successful trip to the grocery store, I ripped open the front door. My smile dropped immediately and those vibes were officially tarnished.
Landry was grinning, a wine bottle in one hand and a cheesecake in the other. “Look who I found out here!”
My eyes narrowed on the person behind her.
My mother.
37
Preston
“Medium rare,” I called when Shaw asked me how I wanted my steak through the patio door.
“That’s practically bleeding.” Wesley made a face as he brought his beer to his lips.
I shot him an unimpressed look before I moved my gaze to the TV. Hazel sat cross-legged on the living room floor, her eyes glued to the screen.
A smile tugged at my lips as I watched Liv effortlessly repeat everything they were saying with her hands.
“You miss her?” Wes asked.
I nodded before taking a swig of my own beer. “Like crazy. I wish she’d move closer.”
He stared at the television for a moment before he pulled his eyes away. “You know why she left?”
I shrugged. “The job. It was a good opportunity. I know she misses Ray, but she calls him weekly and visits when she can.”
Pride swelled inside my chest. Olivia had it harder than I did growing up. Not only did her own mother try to end her life,butshe had a hard time making friends. Liv was wicked smart. She didn’t conform to the typical teenage girl who was just interested in clothes and boys. She loved to read. She loved science and facts. Anything that wasn’t swayed by indecision. She loved structure and spreadsheets. She didn’t want any part of being in thepopularcrowd in high school and spent her time working on her education. That was where she found her passion.
“Who am I to dictate her life?” I said as I pushed to my feet. “But she’s coming for Thanksgiving. Bringing some guy with her too.”
Wesley nearly choked on his beer.
He sputtered out a cough. “What guy?”
“Her new boyfriend.” I stretched my back, peering out the window to see Rodney talking with Theo as Kyndall did flips on the trampoline.
“Boyfriend?” He scoffed. “I can already tell you he’s not good enough for her.”
