Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
brADLEY
A close call. No shit.
We’re engulfed by a swarm of kids after the ball, then the referee blows the whistle and practice is over.
No kiss. Just an almost kiss, which is seven hundred times worse.
Then I remember the other reason I’m here; Deaton. “So, are you coming?” I smirk at Chelsea as I jog onto the field to help hand out the new uniforms.
“Like I’d miss it,” she retorts, following behind me.
I have to say, the quality is second to none. I don’t play around with fabrics; it’s gotta be comfortable as well as wash n’ wear, and wrinkle free. Plus, I know a guy, and he was more than happy to help at short notice.
The kids are all bouncing around with glee when they get handed their summer and winter kits.
I can’t say I’ve honestly felt prouder than I do right now.
I didn’t want anyone to know that I had anything to do with coming up with the rest of the funds because, frankly, donating money was the easy part.
It’s not like I partook in any of the activities throughout the year, so that wouldn’t be fair.
But seeing the kids’ faces light up is enough for me.
I notice Chelsea watching me, and when I catch her eye, she smiles warmly and mouths, “Thank you.”
I give her a chin lift, our connection broken when my phone chimes. When I pull it out, I almost divert answering it, but I see it’s Noah, and I missed the last two times he called me earlier. “Sup, bro?”
“Finally,” Noah’s laugh on the other end tells me it’s not an urgent call, nor is he annoyed I haven’t been answering. “You’re still at soccer practice?”
“Yeah, the kids have just finished.”
“I need you to get over here when you’re done,” he says.
“Really, how come?”
“I think I’ve just scored a huge client. You’ll never guess who it is.”
I run a hand over my hair as I watch the kids all pulling their new kits out of the packaging, everyone is excited. “Ok, I’ll bite, who?”
“Come to Dad’s and I’ll tell you.”
“Cryptic,” I mutter.
“Trust me, it’s huge. And I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet.”
It’s just like Noah to think that maybe, just maybe, his phone could be tapped or some shit. He’s superstitious, and I know I won’t get it out of him even if I try.
“We’re ordering burgers if you want one?” he adds.
“I’ll take two,” I snicker. “And who’s ‘we’?”
“Josh and Lexi are here, Dad as well. I think Ali and Clementine are coming over later.”
“Fine, I’ll be there. Extra pickles in my burgers.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Noah quips sarcastically. “Anything else?”
“Chilli fri—”
He hangs up before I can even get the words out. So, I fire a text.
Me
Chilli fries too bozo, extra salt
Noah
Like I’d forget to order fries, duh
Me
See you in 15. This better be worth me leaving Chels and Deat
He doesn’t bother replying, so I shove my phone in my back pocket with a huff.
I walk back over to Chelsea and Deaton, who are heading over to me. Deat has already pulled his new jersey over his head and is dancing around excitedly with his friends.
“I’ve gotta go,” I say to Chels. “Noah has a new client we need to discuss, apparently it’s urgent.”
“Sure thing,” Chelsea says, she looks slightly disappointed as she glances down and presses her sweet lips together.
“I had a good time today,” I say, nodding toward Deat. “Make sure you tell your mom how well you did helping me and Noah.”
Deaton surprises me by leaping forward and diving into my arms, taking me off guard. He wraps his arms around me as I bend to reciprocate. “Thanks, Brad, I had a great time today. And I love my new uniforms!”
“I’m so glad,” I reply, ruffling his hair with my hand. “Don’t forget, I’m picking you up tomorrow after school, okay, bud?”
“Sounds good!” Deat smiles happily, giving me a fist bump, and runs off with his bestie, Leo, to show his mom their new gear.
“Have a good night,” Chelsea says in a low voice.
“You too, Mama.”
We both pause a fraction too long, and I hear her take a breath. “I’m sorry about what happened before,” she says softly.
“I’m just sorry I didn’t get to kiss you,” I reply in a low whisper.
“But there’s always time for that another day.
Maybe Mindy and her posse don’t need to be watching after all.
” My lips twitch, and I lean in because I can’t help my fucking self and place a soft kiss on her forehead.
Okay, not the kind I was wanting or hoping for, but the moment kinda got taken away from us when that flying soccer ball nearly took us both out.
Talk about terrible timing. I memorize her bakery scent and something subtle; maybe her shampoo, coconut? Whatever it is, I want to eat it.
Her eyes are wide when I pull away, and you’d never think she just told man-eater Mindy that we were fucking.
Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth right now.
But only I know it fucking would. There’s fire in that sexy little baker, I know it.
I saw some of it today, and I can only imagine what lies underneath.
She’s still blinking up at me as I pull away. “That’s true,” she replies a little breathy, her voice dropping several octaves. “I guess we will see.”
I smile. “I guess we will. See you later, Mama.”
“See you. Thanks again for everything today, I really appreciate it. And for the uniforms. You’re going to be the talk of the town for quite some time, I’m sure of it.”
“For all the wrong reasons, I hope.” I cast her a wink as I leave. The words quit while you’re ahead come to mind, but that only makes me more determined to keep going.
Driving to Dad’s, I feel a full, renewed sense of hope. I didn’t think that Chelsea would be interested in me in that way, but we can’t deny our chemistry. I also don’t want to fuck this up… whatever this is.
I mean, she admitted she was jealous.
Jealous.
My sweet as pie little baker, who I can’t stop thinking about.
My mind is filled with all kinds of crazy thoughts; could this really work?
What if I fuck it up? What happens if we go there, and it doesn’t work?
I’m mindful of Deaton, too. I want to be in his life.
I don’t want there ever to be a time where Chelsea and I are on the outs…
and we’d only be on the outs if we go somewhere we shouldn’t.
It’s like I have the devil on one shoulder, and an angel on the other.
They’re both giving me conflicting advice.
I park my car, running both hands through my hair.
I want her.
Maybe that’s all we need to know right now. Maybe that’s all there is to know.