She smiles at me. “No?”
“You know that’s actually a thing! People generally do that, when their phone rings.”
“I’m getting help for it. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.”
We stare at each other for a moment. I have no clue how to start the “meet the family” conversation.
“We’ve got a home game Wednesday night,” I blurt out. “Wanna come? I can wear the bra; you wear the panties. Maybe together we can make a little magic happen.”
I slip a hand into my pocket and pull it out, dangling it from my index finger. Her eyes widen.
“Oh my God!”
She makes to snatch it away from me, but I’m so much taller than her—it isn’t hard to lift it up and away, leaving it twirling there in the air above her head. I rest a hand on her shoulder, pinning her down.
“Fuck, Don!”
I freeze. “Did you just call me Don?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Never.”
“You did.”
“Did not.”
A smile spreads over my face. “That’s the first time you’ve called me that. Know what that means?”
“I need therapy?”
“Something like that.”
I fall silent. Now’s not the time to tell her what I’m really thinking—that this is a pretty big deal, that we just hit a milestone, that something has shifted between us. So I change tactics.
“Truth is I got you a front-row ticket for Wednesday. Adam will swing by to pick you up—you’ve got the seat next to him.”
What the fuck am I even saying?Note to self—call Adam and pull some strings for two front-row tickets.
“I’m not—”
I pull her into me, feeling her squirm against my chest. When I pat her on the head, she tries to bite me, and I snicker.
“Whoa, easy! I get it—you’re happy. But no biting. Although I hear you have a thing for nipples.”
I pull back, just enough for us to lock eyes. She’s beet red, her eyes shining, and I want so badly to kiss her. She doesn’t seem to get it.Every part of me is hungry for her, and I want her all the damn time.
I kiss her softly on the cheek, instead. Then I let go and I walk away.
“See you tomorrow night, Carrie!”
I’m expecting her to yell after me—to tell me there’s no way she’s cheering me on, the only reason she’s coming is to support the other team. But I weirdly make it to the exit in silence.
I’M WALKING DOWN THE STREETwhen my phone starts ringing. I look down. A wave of confusion washes over me, and it takes me a second or two to react.
“Who are you, and what have you done with Carrie?” I say as soon as I pick up.
“Don’t think this iseverhappening again,” she warns. “Because it isn’t. Next time I see you, I actually plan on kicking your ass so hard, you won’t live to make another call.”
“Wow—sure is nice talking to you, Carrie. Thanks for finally calling!”
