Trinity crossed her legs. “I’m kind of enjoying myself.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are,” I quipped.
Ray laughed, but then he turned serious. “He was just a boy. Just fighting those demons. It wasn’t until he found footballthat he gained his footing. Found something to channel all that frustration into.”
Emotion hit me square in the chest.
“He made me proud every day. Cecile too. We couldn’t have asked for better kids. They may not have been ours by birth, but God knew what he was doing. He sent them to us in his perfect time.”
Trinity’s eyes shone with unshed tears as he continued.
“You know, I find the best things in life come from the unexpected. The things that you never knew you even needed until they were right in front of you.” He reached for his pipe. “The things that make you wonder how you ever lived without them.”
I caught Trinity’s eyes again, and she casually swiped a tear. “I’m going to run to the restroom. Excuse me.”
She stood to her feet, leaving me and Ray alone in the beautiful blooming garden. The silence was comfortable. Peaceful even.
Ray was the first to break it. “You remember what I told you.”
How could I forget?
“I do.”
“I told you, don’t bring no woman to me unless you loved her like I loved your mother.” He dropped his pipe between his lips. “And here you are.”
I couldn’t help but grin at the old man. “Here I am.”
44
Trinity
Five weeks.
That was how long Preston and I had been doing whatever it was we’d been doing. When we weren’t at the field, traveling for games, or I wasn’t at Laces Out, we were together. I even had the privilege of joiningThrowback Thunderfor another epic dodgeball game. To my surprise, I saw Gregory, who after receiving the death glare from Preston, officially apologized for his shady throw.
We’d been sneaking into each other’s houses through the back door like dirty little secrets. I knew we had to be. Was very aware of the stakes and the risks when I gave in to my feelings. Sometimes I allowed my insecurities to claw at me. Remind me that he could be spending his time with a woman who wasn’t such a hassle. Take her on a real date. To a real restaurant. Hold her hand. Kiss her after the winning game. Those things weren’t impossible. They just were notright now.
In reality, once I graduated, this was no longer an issue. But that was in six long months. Could we keep this up that long?Hide our growing feelings? Would he tire of the charade? He’d made no indication that giving up his job was something he wanted, and even then, I wouldn’t let him. I could never stand back and watch him give up something he was so passionate about. Something thatsavedhim. Especially since my father informed me over an afternoon of golf that he planned to retire next year and wanted Preston to take his place. That was why Preston had been stepping in when he had other obligations. It was a big promotion, and there was no way he could turn it down.
There was always the option of me transferring, but the sole reason I came here was to reconnect with my dad. Which had been going really well. We had lunch at his ranch once a week, and even Jodie and I had spent some time alone. I understood her better now, and after hearing her talk so highly, I truly believed she loved my dad.
Sighing at my wandering thoughts, I shifted in the bed, trying to ignore the pounding in my head. I hadn’t been able to fall into a deep sleep yet, and my legs ached. It could be this hotel bed, but I hadn’t felt well since yesterday. The plane ride here was long, and it didn’t help that I’d barely slept the night before.
At my stirring, a strong arm reached out, tugging me to press against a hard chest.
Preston’s embrace turned rigid before he reached up to place a hand on my cheek.
“Baby, you’re burning up.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Are you sick?”
He pulled away, clicking on the side lamp.
He faced me and furrowed his brow.
“I don’t feel great. I have a headache, and my legs are sore.” I maneuvered around to lie on my back. “Actually, my whole body hurts.”
“The flu.” He tossed the covers aside. “It’s been going around campus.”
My heart dropped, not at the fact I probably had the flu, but at the fact he started getting dressed. I glanced at the clock. It was two in the morning.
