24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
LANE
“Your mother is lovely. Seriously a peach,” Teagan says, his tone chipper as he walks us to his car.
I elbow him in the ribs, hoping my mother isn’t watching from the window.
Knowing her, she is.
“I hate you,” I say, though there’s no conviction in it.
“No, you don’t,” he crows. “You love me.” He winks, and a flush instantly creeps up my neck.
Dammit, he’s right.
“I can’t believe you show up here unannounced and, literally, win both of my parents over in a matter of minutes.” I shake my head, still in disbelief my father didn’t give him a harder time. Then again, I had warned him that Teagan and I were friends just a couple of hours ago.
“You sound surprised by that.”
I arch a brow in response.
“Face it, Turner, I’m a charmer.” He grins, but when I stop beside my car, he frowns. “We’re taking my ride.”
“Car seat, remember?”
“Oh, shoot. Right. Of course.” He shakes his head and waits while I fling open the door to the back seat and unlatch Sophie’s car seat.
Once I have it in hand, I lug it over to his car, fully prepared to hook it into the seat myself when he takes it from me and starts to work. Without fumbling or asking me how, he begins securing the bottom strap of the seat.
“How do you—”
“Little sisters, remember?” he glances back at me, and I nod, once again taken aback by his take-charge attitude.
When he’s finished, I help get Sophie strapped in then take the passenger seat, suddenly aware this is the first time I’ve been in his car.
I’m unsurprised to find it neat and tidy, just like him. Not a speck of dust covers his dashboard or a hint of dirt on the floor mats, a far cry from the toy-riddled, sticky mats in my own.
His citrus-spice scent mingles with the scent of leather upholstery in an intoxicating combination. I want to close my eyes and breathe it in, drag it deep into my lungs like I’m taking a hit of it, and I would if I didn’t think he’d notice.
“In all seriousness,” he says, interrupting my thoughts on how I could bottle his scent and take it with me, “your parents are great.”
“Yeah, they are pretty great,” I say. I’ve spent the last four years, in fact, thinking how lucky I am to have them in my corner. “But you should probably be worried.”
“Worried? Why?” With one hand braced on the steering wheel, he leans back in his seat, concern creasing his brow as he glances over at me.
“Did you see the way my mom was eyeing you? She’s probably browsing wedding invitations right now. No doubt when I get home tonight, she’ll grill me with a thousand questions about you, right down to your blood type.”
“O positive,” Teagan deadpans.
I laugh and poke him in the arm. “I’m serious.”
Teagan chuckles. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“Uh, yeah. That’s a very bad thing, Teagan, because we’re friends.” I flick my gaze back toward Sophie.
“Right.” Teagan drums his fingers on the steering wheel, and I sense there’s more he wants to say on the matter. In fact, I wonder if he’ll contradict me when he changes the subject. “About that, thanks for the quick thinking with your father. You saved me.”
He’s not wrong. Dad looked pissed.
I shrug. “I just told him the truth.”
“Maybe, but your quick thinking is what saved me from getting my butt benched come Monday.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” I smile, but it’s like trying on clothes that don’t fit and are a little too tight. “Besides, that’s what friends are for,” I say, ignoring how at odds the words feel with the growing ball of warmth in my chest. “Now, tell me where we’re going.”
I stand in front of the expo center, Sophie’s hand clutched in mine, staring at a massive banner proclaiming Dinosaur World stretching across its entrance.
My eyes find the giant T. rex the same time as Sophie, and she gasps. “Dinosaurs?” She glances up at me, mouth agape, eyes wide like the moon.
I look to Teagan for confirmation, and he grins down at her, taking her hand. “This is Dinosaur World, and I’ve been told they have very realistic, life-sized dinosaurs inside, including some that you can ride.”
“Teagan . . .” I say, wanting to protest because I know how much these things cost, and it’s entirely too much for this single mom on a budget.
When he shrugs, his expression turns sheepish, and I don’t have the heart to tell him. “What? It’s only here for three weeks before they move locations, and the second I heard the ad for it on the radio, I knew we had to come.”
The sentiment is so sweet, I swear my heart melts into a puddle inside my chest.
“Come on!” Sophie tugs us forward, each on either side.
I take one step in front of the other, trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to pay what will probably be one hundred dollars just to get in, not to mention any food or refreshments Sophie may want.
We head underneath the high archway and through a large set of glass double doors to the lobby with a ticket booth on the right, and a station to the left where they check your tickets before letting you inside the expo center to view the exhibits.
I squint up at the sign, trying to see how much this will cost me when a cold sheen of sweet pricks my back.
Adults: $60.
Kids: $40.
Teagan tugs me to the left, stealing my attention. “Come on . . .”
“Wait. We have to buy tickets,” I protest.
He shakes his head. “Nope. Already bought them.”
“Teagan.” I stop and narrow my eyes.
“What? I figured it was faster than waiting in line.”
“Well . . . fine.” I hope Sophie doesn’t mind peanut butter and jelly for the next two weeks. “Just let me know what I owe you.”
Looks like no lattes from The Buzzy Bean this week.
“Not happening.” He shakes his head. “This was my idea.”
“Just because it was your idea, doesn’t mean you should pay.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What happened to going Dutch, remember?”
“Mom,” Sophie whines and tugs my arm, “Come on. I wanna go in.”
I sigh and glance down at her. She’s practically vibrating with excitement as she bounces on her toes.
“Consider it an early birthday gift to Sophie.” Teagan steps toward the counter and holds his phone out to the attendant where they scan our electronic tickets, then unclasps the large velvet rope that leads to the doors inside the dinosaur display.
“I already had a birthday,” Sophie proclaims loudly.
“See?” Teagan grins, his ridiculously adorable dimples popping. “I missed it. Consider it a belated birthday gift.” He glances down at her. “Which also means birthday dinner at the Omnivore I.” He points out a sign that proclaims: You can eat like a dinosaur, too!
I groan because there’s nothing worse than paying fifteen dollars for subpar chicken fingers, and because I know there’s no use talking him out of this. “Fine. I’ll just have to pay you back another way.”
Teagan’s brows rise, and I instantly flush. “I didn’t . . . that’s not what I . . . I meant . . .” I groan and palm my forehead. “You know what?” I shake my head, trying to cool my heated cheeks. “I’m just going to shut up now. Forget I said anything.”
“No can do. It’ll take a lot to strike that one from my memory. I’m already thinking of all the forms of repayment,” he says with a wiggle of his brow.
I try not to smile. “Stop.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m sure you are.” I grin and roll my eyes, then we push through the massive oak doors into the darkened exterior of the exhibit.
#
By the time Teagan pulls into the driveway of my parents’ house, the sun is setting low in the sky, just barely kissing the horizon. Another thirty minutes and it will set completely, flooding everything in darkness.
When the car comes to a stop, he puts it in park, and glances behind him to where Sophie quietly sleeps. She’s passed out in her car seat, a T. rex balloon clutched in her hand.
His gaze softens as he takes her in, wrenching something free inside my chest until it rattles around behind my ribs like spare change. “She’s exhausted,” I say, trying to ignore it.
“That’s the understatement of the century.”
I smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she sleeps for days.”
Teagan meets my eyes, a grin splitting his full lips, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab his hand. His eyes round, gaze dropping to the point of contact, and I swallow. “Thank you for today.” His eyes lift. “She loved every second, and I’m sure she’ll talk about it for months.” I peer out the windshield with a sigh. “I guess I better get her inside,” I say, aware I’m still holding his hand and am in no rush to move it.
I need to go inside. The night is over. But I find myself wanting to draw it out, to stay in his car with him a little longer.
“Do you want me to carry her?”
I shake my head and take that as my cue. Seeing Sophie passed out in Teagan’s arms would be too much to handle. Already more than a dozen times today, I glanced over at him and her together, and my ovaries nearly exploded.
“I got her,” I say.
He nods, somehow knowing not to push the issue. “I’ll get her car seat out while you’re inside and put it back in yours, then.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” I offer him one last lingering look before I pull my hand from his, already resentful for the loss of contact when I slip outside.
A breeze ruffles my hair as I open Sophie’s door and scoop her up. She rouses slightly, mumbling something unintelligible as I guide her head against my shoulder and start for the porch.
The front door swings open before I even make it there, and my mother steps aside. It’s no surprise she watched for us, and I offer her a smile of thanks as I pass and take Sophie upstairs to her room.
The house is quiet as I lay her onto her bed, trying not to jostle her too much as I remove her shoes, socks, and jeans, leaving her in nothing but her T-shirt. I mentally cringe at the fact we haven’t brushed her teeth. But I’m in a hurry to get back to Teagan, afraid he’ll leave before I have a chance to say good night. Certainly, one time won’t hurt, and I’ll brush them extra well tomorrow morning.
I lean down and press a kiss to her chubby cheek, heart clenching when she whispers, “I love you” before she curls onto her side with her favorite stuffy, Betty.
The second my feet hit the landing, my mother rounds the corner, waiting for me. “Did you guys have fun?”
“Yeah.” I can’t help my smile as I add, “He took us to Dinosaur World at the expo center. Sophie had an absolute blast.”
“And what about you? Did you have a blast?” She hip checks me, and I know where this is headed.
“Yes, Mom.” I roll my eyes. “I had fun.”
“He’s so cute, isn’t he? Like a blonder, curly haired Hemsworth brother.” She hums while I gape at her.
“Mother,” I gasp
“What? I do have eyes, dear.”
I chuckle and cross my arms over my chest, my gaze shifting to the front door, itching to get back to him but not wanting to seem too eager. “It’s not like that.”
She tilts her head. “You sure?”
“Yeah, of course.” I shrug. “We’re just friends.”
“A male friend whom you haven’t known your whole life takes you and your daughter to an exhibit nearly all day that’s solely for her, and he just wants to be friends?” Her brows rise. “Bullshit.”
“Mom!” I gasp.
Dolly Turner never swears.
“Just saying, dear,” she pats me on the side of the arm. “It might be something to think about.”
“There’s nothing to think about.” Though the lingering ache in my chest says otherwise, and judging by her sly grin, she knows it. “Besides, Dad would kill him, and it would totally ruin his chances on the team.”
“If you say so.”
I know she doesn’t believe me, but there’s no point in standing here trying to convince her, so instead, I simply say, “I should probably go out and say good night. He switched Sophie’s car seat, and I don’t want to keep him waiting.”
“Yes, you do that.” Mom flashes me a thumbs up, then casually glances at her watch. “Hey, it’s early, only seven o’clock. Why not go out and have some fun?”
I pause at the door, searching for a reason to say no. “I probably shouldn’t in case Sophie wakes up.”
“I raised one child perfectly fine. I think I can handle my grandchild.”
“Yeah, but I have class tomorrow and he has practice—”
“Oh my gosh, Lane.” Mom steps forward and gives me a little shake. “Would you, for once, stop acting like an old lady and let loose a little?”
I stiffen. “I am not acting like an old lady.”
Mom crosses her arms and glares at me with a look that says Prove it.
“I have responsibilities. I have to wake up early, and Sophie—”
“Will be just fine asleep in her bed with me to watch over her.” Mom places her hands on my arms and spins me around toward the door. “This is the perks of having grandma nearby.”
“But, Mom—”
“No buts. Go. For once, let someone help you out. For once, do something for yourself and spend some time with that beautiful man out there.”
“I don’t want to be selfish,” I say, peering at her over my shoulder.
Big mistake. She glares at me so hard, I physically wince.
“It is not selfish to do something just for you sometimes, and it’s also not irresponsible to accept help. I want to be with Sophie. Now, act like a young college student and go out with that fine young man.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, doubt creeping into my voice.
“Absolutely. Even if it’s for only an hour. Even if you’re just friends,” she says, emphasizing the word as if she doesn’t for one second think that’s what we are.
“I don’t even know if he’ll want to. Maybe he needs to get back to the dorms.” Suddenly all my insecurities come rushing in. “Maybe he has other plans,” I add as I pull the front door open, and Mom practically pushes me out.
“Oh, he wants to. Trust me.” Mom nods behind me, then closes the door and locks it, leaving me more than a little disoriented. I turn to find Teagan leaning against the front of his car, legs crossed at the ankles, his hands in his pockets.
My heart takes the opportunity to run a marathon inside my chest, and after a moment of dumbly staring at him, I realize I should probably move.
I close the gap between us, searching for something to say and feeling like this is my first time talking to a boy.
Luckily, he saves me from myself.
“Did you get her down okay?”
I nod, my mouth dry. “She’s out like a light.”
“Good,” he says but makes no move to leave, which is both a relief and unnerving.
“Did you, uh . . .” I swallow and the words stick in my throat.
Why the hell is this so hard?
“Did you wanna maybe go somewhere for a bit?” I ask. “Sophie’s covered, so if you want . . . I mean, I’ll understand if you don’t but—”
“Fuck, yes, I want to.” He reaches out and takes my hand. No discussion. No question. One moment, he’s leaning against his car while I mumble like a stuttering baboon, and the next, he’s yanking the passenger door of his car open for me and waving me inside.
Why is that so hot?
I pinch my shirt with my free hand, fluttering the material to cool the heat coursing through my veins while I slide into the passenger seat, watching as he rounds the hood, giving it a little tap before he slides in next to me.
Blue eyes meet mine, and he says, “I know just the place we can go.”