She meets my gaze, her fists still gripping my collar. If she didn’t move in for a kiss, I would’ve done it myself. Her lips are warm against mine, and I swear she’s made it so I don’t remember what it was like kissing anyone before her. It’s like she erased every memory that isn’t of her, and that’s exactly how itshouldbe.
Because she’s all that matters.
When we separate, there’s something I need to say, and now feels like the right time.
“I meant what I said about doing better,beingbetter. For you. So, I’m ready to take the steps,” I say, taking a breath when her hand moves to my cheek. “When you’re ready, I’ll see whatever counselor you find, and I’ll commit. Whatever it takes.”
Those added words have Blue leaning in for another kiss, and while I wasn’t expecting such a strong reaction, I’m not mad at it.
I still have her full attention when the kiss ends, so I add the rest of what needs to be said.
“I’m also going to go get my shoulder looked at.”
Before I can add the caveat, her arms are around my neck, squeezing me.
“But… I just need some time to work out the logistics. I’m going, but I have to make sure it doesn’t interfere with practice, games, and I have to be careful who I contact. The last thing I need is for one of the coaches to get wind of it and think things are worse than they are. So, I just need you to be a little patient with me. Not forever. Just for a bit.”
She leans away and nods. “Okay. I can do that.”
“And we’re doing something about Pandora, too.”
This one has tension spreading across her forehead. “We?”
“Me, Ricky, my brothers.”
Her head tilts. “What’s the plan?”
“Well, for now, it’s a loose one, but we figured we’d start with Shawna. We’re not sure she’s even involved, but meeting up with her tomorrow might at least help us rule her out.”
I can tell by that solemn look on Blue’s face that she doesn’t like this—me and the guys taking this on ourselves—but it’s not like someone else can handle it.
Eventually, she nods, but I don’t miss that she’s still not into this idea. “If this is what you think is best.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “For now, it’s all we have.”
There’s a solemn stretch of silence as the powerlessness of it all hits me. It’s only broken when the oven timer dings, letting us know our pie is ready. Blue’s on my heels, peeking around mewhen I place the dish on the counter. She stands beside me, and we stare at our creation.
“So, how do you think we did?”
I eyeball it. “I mean, it looks like an apple pie, I guess.”
She lightly slaps my arm. “Well, yeah, but do you think we butchered it?”
There’s one piece of crust that got a little crispier than it should be, but otherwise it’s fine. “Looks good to me.”
She twists her lips then shrugs. “Should we try it?”
“I’ll grab a fork.”
I pull one from the basket Allison placed near the sink with plates, wine glasses, and utensils inside it. When I head back to Blue, she squeals a bit as I take her waist and hoist her onto the stainless-steel countertop, setting her down beside the pie.
“Want the first bite?”
She eyes the pie again, then decides to brave it. “Sure.”
I dig in and take a little onto the tip of the fork, then let Blue blow to cool it off. She’s one of the most dramatic people I know, so all I can do is laugh as she squeezes her eyes shut and opens her mouth. She chews when I feed her the tiny piece, and when she doesn’t immediately spit it out, I can guess we didn’t fuck it up too bad.
“Damn, it’s actually good!” she laughs. “Try some.”
