Chapter 12 #2
Tapping my chest, he said, “Just be careful. Please.” He nuzzled my neck. “I enjoy having you with me on the road.” He bit my earlobe. “And on the field, cheering for me.”
“I’m cheering for the team.” I turned my head, his gaze catching mine as he lifted, a pout hanging on his lips. He was so damn cute. “Okay, I’m cheering for you and only you.”
“You’re damn right, you are.” He scrubbed the top of my hair. “Let’s clean up before Grace gets back. We need her to let us do this again.”
“I’m pretty sure I’d have to fake an injury for this to happen again.” I tapped his nose. Plus, I wasn’t sure the team’s manager would be happy if they heard about us spending the night in the same room.
“We’ll see.” He lifted off me, taking the covers with him. “Let me help you into the bathroom.” As he gave me a wicked smile, he said, “And I should probably shower with you. I can’t have you slipping in there.”
“Of course.” With a quick snicker, I climbed out of bed.
The team gave us plenty of encouraging remarks during the nice catered breakfast. Afterward, I boarded the bus with the cheering squad for our long ride to Dallas.
My ankle was already feeling better, not perfect, but if I was careful, I didn’t limp too much.
My only looming prospect now was dinner with my father.
Following Grace onto the bus, we slid into seats toward the back, with her taking the window.
“You and Eli are getting along well.” She slipped a tube of lip gloss from her bag and spread it over her lower lip, then rolled them.
“Yeah, he’s the same as in high school, but then so different.” I lowered my backpack to the floor and fished my phone from an outside pocket. “Is that possible?” He was still the old Eli, the caring man I knew, but he was so much more confident. And it was sexy as hell.
“Yeah? I suppose. I think people change, but it’s not like they become someone completely new.” She stuffed the gloss into a pocket of her bag and dropped it on the seat between us. “When are you seeing him next?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. We didn’t discuss it, but I’m sure he’ll be busy with studying and practice.
” A knot slowly wound in my gut. “I’m having dinner with my dad on Wednesday night, and he’s coming with me.
” She knew about my dad, but there wasn’t time to tell her about his moving here.
“Your dad? I thought he was in California?” Her brows crept up.
“He was. He moved to Scottsdale, and he wants to have dinner.” I worried my lower lip. It might prove to be the awkwardest dinner of my life.
With her eyes widening, she said, “When did this happen?”
“I don’t know, last week?” He’d called when I’d been at Eli’s for dinner. “Eli was there when he called me.” I twisted my phone in my hand. “With Eli by my side, I don’t have to face this shit alone.”
“Good.” With a huff, she said, “Why would your dad move here? Did he do it to be closer to you?” She scratched her head. “But you’re graduating in May. If you want to return to Oregon, then it would be stupid on his part.”
My heart jolted. What would I do after graduation?
Eli would enter the draft. Would I follow him to whatever city he’d end up in?
What if my relationship with my dad were better?
Shit. “His wife is pregnant, and her family is from here, so they moved to be close to them.” Of course, the decision hadn’t been made because of me.
I ground my molars. Did it involve me at all?
She sighed. “Damn, Wren, it sounds like your dad is trying. You should give him a chance.”
Like I’d given Eli a chance? “I will, I just…” I scowled and glanced through the window at the flat land and scrubby trees rushing by us as the bus drove onto a freeway.
“He’s disappointed me so many times.” I drew a deep breath, my gaze falling to my phone.
“I can’t tell you how often he promised to call me, like outside of a holiday or my birthday, and then never did. ”
“I’m sorry, Wren.” She squeezed my forearm. “It must be hard to have hope right now.”
“It is. I expect the worst now so when it happens, I’m not hurt.” As much. It still always hurt when he didn’t keep his promises. Especially when it involved something as small as a phone call.
“I’m glad Eli will be with you. He seems like someone you can count on, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. Like, he’s stable. He doesn’t seem to let things bother him.” She chuckled. “Unless you hurt your ankle. I’d never seen him so upset.”
“Yeah.” My chest bloomed with warmth. “He definitely cares about me.” But was there more? How deep did his feelings go?
Bumping my shoulder with hers, she said, “I think he’s in love with you.” Her eyes twinkled.
“No…” A smile crept across my lips, and I hung my head. “Not yet. We’ve only been back together for what—a month?” Had it been that long? Maybe a little less.
“So? Did you know when you date an ex you fall in love faster?” She poked my arm. “It’s true.”
Did that explain why my feelings came on so strongly for him this time? “What, did you Google that fact?” I snuck a peek at her.
“I did. When he looks at you, his entire face lights up.” She sighed, her gaze going far away. “I wish someone would look at me like that.”
I squirmed. But the nagging feeling still persisted at the back of my skull. I couldn’t trust him completely. “I still have a bit of a barrier up.”
She threw me a quick glare and then softened her gaze. “Wren, what the hell for?” She studied me. “If you’re not over the shit that happened in high school…” She tossed her hands in the air and dropped them. “Then I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Maybe you need therapy.”
“Stop.” I freed a quick snort. “I just need more time.” I sank into the back of my seat. But I loved him, didn’t I? Sleeping with him last night had been heaven. Plus, I missed him already.
“Sure, you keep telling yourself that.” She twisted her lips. “You love him too. I can also see it in your eyes when you look at him.” Her gaze swung to mine as she wagged her finger at me. “And don’t tell me you don’t.”
With a slow nod, I said, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” But I couldn’t tell Eli yet. I wanted the nagging shit in my head gone first. He deserved all of me.
As expected, Eli and I had been too busy to connect before the dinner with Dad.
But as Wednesday evening neared, my apprehension regarding the dinner peaked.
With my heart pounding in my ears, I drove to Eli’s home and parked.
I’d be driving us and was supposed to text when I got here, but I needed a moment.
I left my car and strode up the driveway and to his door, being careful of my injured ankle, wrapped in a thin compression bandage for support. After knocking, I pulled the hem of my button-down shirt over my jeans. At least it wasn’t a million degrees today. The weather was finally cooling off.
The door opened, and Malik stood in the entryway. “Oh, Wren, come on in. Eli’s been pacing the house, waiting for you to get here.” He sniggered as he stepped aside.
“Thank you.” Was Eli as nervous about the dinner as I was? I walked into the house.
Eli jogged to me and grabbed my arms. “Wren, are you okay? Why didn’t you text me?” His gaze darted between my eyes.
“I-I don’t know. I guess I needed a moment to relax before we go up there.” My pulse slowed, just being in his presence. Thank God, he’d be with me.
“Oh, babe.” He wrapped me in one of his bear hugs, his warmth surrounding me, and kissed the side of my head. “I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
I buried my face in his neck and slumped against him. Grace had been right. I could count on him. I felt safe with him.
“Do you want me to drive?” He pushed me away, holding me at arm’s length by my shoulders.
“You know? That might help.” I nodded slowly. I’d let him take care of me, like he did last weekend.
“Sure. I’ll get my keys.” He turned.
Malik walked up next to him, dangling a set of keys. “Already got them. You two take care. No matter what happens, Wren, Eli will have your back.” He dropped the keys into Eli’s outstretched palm.
“Thanks, man.” I forced my best grin at him. It was time to get this dinner over with.
Eli drove his truck onto a circular drive in front of a sprawling stucco mansion in the Mediterranean style, so typical of the homes in this area. A tall turret marked the front entrance.
“Goddamn, this is a nice place. Your dad must have gotten a fortune selling his house in California.” Eli parked the truck and shut the engine off.
My gaze roamed the carefully placed cactus and desert plants in the landscaping rock, all laid out as if it were natural, but orderly.
“Yeah, I don’t know if he sold it or rented it.
” Did it matter? Dad had a new wife and child to support now, and it appeared he was proving more competent at it than when I’d been younger.
“How are you doing?” Eli glanced at his dash. “We’re five minutes late, but you take your time.” He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles.
“Let’s get this done.” As I choked on a huff, I climbed out of the truck and strode to the massive, carved wooden door with Eli beside me. I pushed the doorbell, and ringing sounded from behind the door.
As we waited, I glanced at Eli, watching me intently. Dad hadn’t forgotten about tonight, had he?
The door creaked open, and Dad peered at us, his short hair grayer than the last time I’d seen him and the wrinkles around his blue eyes a little deeper.
He’d dressed in a thin shirt and jeans, showing off a toned body.
Had he been working out? He’d been a little heavy before.
“Wren.” A slow smile worked across his mouth.
“Come in.” He opened the door and stepped back, his gaze swinging toward Eli.
“This must be your boyfriend, Eli?” He stretched his hand to him.
“I am. Pleased to meet you, sir.” Eli shook his hand.