“Even if contacting his parents isn’t an option…” Jed says, eyes dancing. “I agree we should talk to Dominguez. I’ll talk to Paulie. Dev’s verbally attacked us both and now Paulie’s brother too, so I think it makes sense for us to be the ones to talk to Coach.”
“Sounds good,” I say with a nod.
“Good.”
An awkward silence settles over the room, and I rock on my feet. It’s then that I realize I’m literally standing in the middle of my room in my boxers, my mom sitting on my bed, Jed in my doorway. I glance down.Phew. Normal black boxers. Not, like, the purple pair with eggplants on them that I bought recently.
“Ah. I’ll just…head then. Again, sorry for the intrusion.”
I shake my head sharply. “No worries. Um. Yeah. See ya, bro.”
Wow. Why am I all of a sudden so weird?
He takes a step back, lips twitching. “See ya…Bro.” He quietly closes the door.
I flop backward onto my bed—horrible,horribledecision. I groan while my brain slowly stops shaking in my skull. I cover myself up with my comforter.
“Soooooo.Jed.”
I don’t like that tone.
“He’s awfully handsome.”
“Mom.”
“I like him, baby.”
My eyes fall shut. “I like him too.”
“I want to say something, and I want you to really listen. All right, Shane?”
I turn toward her and meet her glinting blue gaze. I tug on my ear. “Listening.”
We share a small smile. That was our thing when I was little. She’d tug on her ear.Shane, listening ears, baby.Then she’d make me tug on mine to ensure I was paying attention.
“That man.” She points to the door. “Is what a true partner looks like. He’s ready to stand by his partner’s side and fight the world with them. That’s the kind of man who will weather any trial life throws at you.”
She squeezes my leg. “It is so obvious how much he cares about you. That speech? That was about you, baby. He wants what’s best for you, even if you decide that’s not him. I know you don’t have an easy decision ahead of you, but a partner like that is pretty darn hard to find—no matter how you identify. Don’t take that lightly.”
She’s right. Momma always knows.
Can I do that? Can I be the partner Jed needs? I’m barely holding myself together. What could I possibly offer? Jed deserves someone who would support and fight for him. I want to be that person. I want to be more than I am. But wanting isn’t enough.
“You don’t need to know that answer right now.”
Good Lord, the woman is too perceptive.
“I have a feeling he’d wait quite a while for you, baby. But he doesn’t deserve to wait too long.”
I nod and fall into my thoughts.
A knock jostlesme out of the light sleep I fell into.
“Come in,” I call groggily.
The door inches open, and East pops his head in. His gaze sweeps over me, light blue eyes brimming with worry. My always worried Cowboy has been extra worried lately. And it’s been all my fault.
“Is it okay if I come in? I’m sorry I woke you.”
