Chapter Thirty-Four
JENNA
When I push through the door of Rise Up a week later, I’m immediately met with the familiar sound of the bells above the door—letting Ed, the owner, know he has a customer—along with three inquisitive faces in the form of Kendra, Darcy, and Collins.
Emily is sitting at the head of the table in a high chair.
A rattle in one hand and a chew ring in the other.
Since Tommy turned up at Jack and Kendra’s that night and then we went back to my place and I had the best sex of my life, I have been unusually quiet. Normally, they get a rundown of nights I spend with guys, but with Tommy, they’ve heard nothing.
As I take a seat opposite Collins—Kendra and Darcy flanking me on either side—Collins slides a cup of steaming coffee across to me, quickly followed by a still-warm brownie.
“I assume you’re hoping for information by inviting me to our favorite café and buying me my favorite baked goods?”
Darcy lifts a shoulder, pulling her adorable daughter into her lap.
“We can neither confirm nor deny such behavior.” She leans forward, and Emily looks up at her mom with the most adorable eyes that remind me of her dad.
“Give us the deets. We aren’t leaving until we get the complete story of what happened when you left with Mr. Schneider. ”
Kendra empties a sachet of sweetener into her coffee, stirring it into her drink. “The soccer season is over, and we have all the time in the world.”
“I know what I want to know.” Collins rests her chin in her palm, pinning me in place with her brown-eyed stare. “Did you screw him hard?”
Darcy’s eyes flare wide before she drops them to her daughter.
Collins rolls her lips together, looking half regretful. “See it as extending her vocabulary early.”
We all briefly laugh before Collins refocuses her attention back on me. “So?”
I take a sip of coffee and set my cup back down on the table in front of me. “I really like him. Despite myself and everything that has previously gone down between us, I really like him.”
Darcy’s squeal is enough to turn a few heads from tables seated around us. “So, I assume you’re dating?”
Butterflies flutter through my stomach. I’m not sure I’ve even processed the fact that Tommy wants to date. He isn’t the dating kind, and that makes me equal parts excited to be the first girl he’s ever wanted that with, but also fearful that things could blow up in my face.
“He wants to give it a try, and I’m …” I trail off and look between my girls, Emily listening intently too. Bless her heart. “I’m hesitant to get hurt.”
Because it’s the offseason and she knows she can, Kendra adds another sweetener to her coffee, tapping the packet against the side of her cup. “I might be tripping out, and I can’t actually believe I’m about to say this, but … I think you’d be crazy to walk away from each other.”
“Agreed,” Collins simply adds.
“Seconded,” Darcy announces. A small giggle bubbles from Emily.
“Wait.” I hold up a hand. “You guys couldn’t stand the sight of Tommy not all that long ago. I know he punched Ethan, but he’d also punched my brother who, by the way, still hates his guts.”
This time, Collins clasps both hands under her chin as she leans even further toward me.
“I know what I’ve said before. However, I’ve also learned in this life that it’s okay to pivot on my opinions.
Boys who aren’t serious about you don’t look at you the way Tommy did that night at Kendra and Jack’s party.
” She leans back in her chair. “Trust me, I’ve dated enough bullshitters to identify the down bad ones.
Some guys tell you what you want to hear, while others show you with their eyes. And eyes don’t lie, Jen.”
I cast a quick glance at Kendra. Of all my friends, she is the one who knows the full extent of my feelings on what I want in my future. And as close as our quartet is, I know she would never repeat our conversations without my permission.
“If I give us a chance and he hurts me, I’ll lose faith in finding the one altogether.”
She nods lightly, staring down into her cup of coffee.
“I get that, Jen.” She lifts her eyes and slides her hand toward mine, intertwining our fingers.
“I think Collins is right. If you walk away, then you’ll always wonder what could’ve been.
I have to be honest and say that I’m struggling to comprehend that the Tommy Schneider we witnessed at the party is the same one who had hit your brother back in January.
Jack is feeling the same way too.” She squeezes my hand.
“You can’t tell me that his transformation doesn’t have anything to do with the way he feels about my best friend. ”
More butterflies flutter around in my belly, spreading all the way to the tips of my toes. Tommy and the boys have been on an away series for the past few days, and I’ve missed him. A lot.
“I think I just need some time. And to talk to Holt. He’s coming over later this month for the holidays, and I figure then will be a good time.
” I shift in my seat. Memories of the hit Tommy landed on Holt’s jaw still eat away at me in the depths of my gut.
“It might be a good time for Holt to meet Tommy.” I glance around at my friends. “Properly.”
“You didn’t tell Holt about the Ethan thing?” Collins asks.
I shake my head. She doesn’t get why, but she doesn’t have a brother and especially not one like Holt.
“Holt would be in custody right now, and Ethan would be pushing up daisies. That’s the kind of news I’ll break to him when I can physically lock him in my apartment until the steam stops billowing from his ears.”
Collins just snorts a laugh.
“Give Tommy a chance, Jen. And don’t worry about seeking your brother’s approval. If the guy you want is decent, then he’ll eventually accept him.” Darcy winks at me as she unclips the strap on her nursing top and Emily latches on.
That girl is a natural-born mother with an incredible mind. She recently got appointed to senior editor at the high-end fashion magazine she works at, Glide, making her the youngest to ever secure that position. Even while still on maternity leave, she’s earning promotions. Unsurprisingly.
I’m about to reply when my phone interrupts me, and I pull it out of my pocket.
Tommy
Fuck, I miss you. I just had to say that.
Me
You’re turning soft.
Tommy
Yes, I am. But only for you. Only ever for you.
More butterflies …
Me
I’m sitting in Rise Up with the girls, and that’s not what they tell me. I think you’re in danger of making some friends.
Tommy
It’s seriously disturbing. As you know, I’m rooming with Jack again. He actually invited me down to the bar for a drink last night.
I know I’m smiling on the outside as well as the inside.
Me
And did you go?
Tommy
Yes.
Me
And? Jesus, Tommy, it’s like pulling teeth here.
Tommy
Socializing isn’t as painful as I first anticipated.
Me
I’m actually rolling my eyes right now.
Tommy
I wish I could be there to see you do that. You have pretty eyes.
Me
Can I ask you something?
Tommy
Is it about you coming over to my place so we can fuck all night when I get back? Because yes. The answer is yes.
Me
That wasn’t what I was going to ask.
Tommy
Irrelevant. It’s happening.
Me
Now that we might actually like each other a little bit, do you still plan on calling me Hellion?
Tommy
There was more than just a single reason why you acquired that nickname.
A throat clears from beside me, and I look up to find Darcy reading over my shoulder. She’s practically vibrating in her seat.
“This reminds me of when Archer and I started seeing each other. It was so freaking romantic! Only you guys have come full circle. When you get married and if you have babies, you will be able to tell them all about how you first hated their daddy.” She chuckles and points to herself.
“And then their unofficial aunties can verify your story and confirm that he was, in the beginning, a complete and total douchebag. A true story of redemption.”
I smile and type out a reply to Tommy.
Me
What were the other contributing factors?
Tommy
Now, that would be telling. I can’t give away all my secrets until you agree to go on a date with me.
Me
Good relationships aren’t built on secrets. Tell me.
Tommy
Demons are known to harass and persistently torture. And since that’s all you did to me, despite not even trying, I knew the nickname fit you perfectly.
That, and … holy shit, have you seen you in bed?!
I squeeze my thighs together underneath the table.
“Having fun there, babe?” Collins asks on a raised brow.
I drop my phone, a hot flush radiating across my cheeks. “Shit. I’m sorry. I—”
“Got a little sidetracked?” Kendra asks on a smile.
“Exactly that,” I reply, picking up my phone.
Me
I’m with the girls, so I have to go. I’ll see you later … maybe.
Tommy
What plans do you have today?
Me
Not much. Probably the gym, and then I might head to that wholesale foods store you always order from.
Tommy
Feeding your body well. Good girl. You’ll need all the energy you can muster for tonight.
Me
I said I might see you later.
Tommy
You can see me right now if you’d like. Turn around.
Slowly, I turn in my chair.
There, with his dark blue Blades hoodie pulled up and over his head, Tommy stands in the window decorated with string lights and wreaths.
My mouth waters.
He drops his eyes from mine and back down to his cell.
Tommy
We got an early flight home and Archer told me where you’d be with the girls.
Me
So it appears.
Tommy
Come on a date with me, Hellion.