“It’s okay, you were right. I didn’t realize I was that transparent and you knew what I was going to ask.”
“You never ask for anything but that.” He lifts one brow up in a challenging manner. “We eat your food, stay at your house, use your water and electricity, and watch your TV, and you still try to pay when we go out.”
When he says it like that, it makes me feel like I insulted him, and that wasn’t my intention. “I don’t want you to think you have to pay for me all the time, that’s all.”
“Don’t make her feel bad,” Oswald says softly.
“I’m not trying to.” Memphis scowls.
“But you are, look at her face.” Bates waves his hand toward me, and I blink a few times, clearing my features.
“I didn’t mean to make a big deal out of this. I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Oswald bursts out laughing, drawing my attention, which allows Memphis to wrap his palm around the back of my neck and gently squeeze. “The fact that you’re serious makes it even more adorable.” Oswald continues to chuckle.
The waitress places a padded envelope at the edge of the table, which Bates reaches for. I watch his face as he opens it, scans the receipt, and places his card into the slot before closing it and putting it back on the table without much of a reaction.
“Thank you for dinner and the company.” I make sure to scan all three of them.
“You’re welcome.” Bates is the first to respond. Memphis pulls me over with his hand still on the back of my neck and kisses the top of my head. I relax against him. I don’t think he would kiss me if he were upset.
Oswald
As soon asMemphis pulls into Waylynn’s driveway, Bates and I exit the backseat to pull the vehicles behind the garage. It’s a wonder the previous owner didn’t make the garage larger or change the driveway. There is plenty of room to make a horseshoe drive, so moving the cars around wouldn’t be necessary, but then I look over the garden, and even in the dim light of early evening, I realize why. It would be a shame to get rid of any of the shrubs or garden for concrete.
Memphis is helping Waylynn out of the passenger seat, so I head over to the door and unlock it, marveling at the key on the ring she told him to keep. I thought I would have to bust my ass for a place like this, and here I am, but more importantly, I’m with the people I care about.
Once I push the door open, I look back at Waylynn. She’s getting better at using the crutches, and she’s even letting her foot rest on the ground a little more.
I can’t help but think about what she said at the restaurant, when she was worried she was taking advantage of us. It boggles my mind a little bit, considering I’ve been troubled about how I would be able to trust the people who came into my life. How would I know they were there for me and not what I could provide them with? And that was all contingent on the big maybe of me getting anywhere with football. There are a hundred guys just like me, putting it all on the field every weekend, and only a small percentage of us will go to the pros. I’m confident I can be one of those guys if I keep working my ass off, and I’m lucky enough not to get hurt, but how can she be so trusting?
“Hey, baby?” I call as she swings past me.
“Yeah?” she answers without the hesitance she used to, like she was questioning if I was really talking to her.
“Serious question,” I state.
“Okay.” She halts and faces me, making sure I know I have her attention.
“How come you trust us? Are you like that with everyone?”
“Um…” Her brows pinch. I’ve clearly caught her off guard. After a deep breath and a short pause, she says, “No, I don’t trust that easily.”
“I didn’t think you did, so why us?” I press when she avoids answering part of the question.
Waylynn licks her bottom lip, like she’s debating how to answer. At this point, we have Memphis and Bates’ attention too. I feel a little bad for putting her on the spot, but I still want to know. Eventually, she says, “Just a feeling I guess.” The way her voice goes up at the end makes it sound like she’s not sure herself.
“That’s it? A feeling?”
Her mouth slips into a frown. “Why did you talk to me in the first place?” She darts her eyes over to Memphis, and the look shared between them makes me think I’m missing something, but then she’s staring at me again and I flounder for my own answer. Why was I looking forward to seeing her again the minute she was out the door that first day? Why was I reluctant to leave her when I ran into her later on the quad?
“Damn it,” I mumble dejectedly, realizing there’s no big revelation to be had here. It was the same for me—a feeling. “Okay, I get it.”
Bates bends down and unlaces his shoes. I notice the duffle bag at his feet. Seems like he’s making himself right at home, which I’m all for. We were always friends, and he never treated me like a little kid the way a lot of Memphis’ other friends did, but we got even closer after Memphis went to college and his parents took me in.
I helped him renovate the space above the garage into an apartment, and we hung out there pretty much all the time. He’s like another brother to me, and I missed seeing him since I’ve been at school.
“I’m going to change. I smell all smoky,” Waylynn announces. I have a feeling she is happy for the excuse to get away from the conversation. I trail behind her at a distance and watch her navigate the stairs to make sure she gets up okay. Once she’s at the top, I head back to the kitchen to get a drink, then find the guys in the living room.
