Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
BLAKE
Blake:
Ready for your first day back?
Blondie:
I think so. I almost overslept because the baby kept me up all night.
Are you still here?
Blake:
No, I left early. I wanted to beat the traffic. I actually just got here, but have no desire to go in.
Why did I agree to this again?
Blondie:
You’re asking me?
Blake:
Yes.
Blondie:
Time to put on your big girl panties, Walker.
Blake:
I’d rather take off yours.
Blondie:
Thank you so much for the lunch box, you didn’t have to do that.
Blake:
Texting during school hours? I didn’t take you for a rulebreaker, Miss Parker.
And, I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.
Blondie:
Well, thank you. I really appreciate it.
And it’s my lunch break so I’m technically not breaking any rules, Mr. Walker.
Blake:
Were you a good girl in school too? Always in class on time? Following all the rules?
Blondie:
Yes.
Blake:
I figured.
Blondie:
And let me guess, you were the playboy jock who broke all the rules.
Blake:
Jock yes, playboy not really.
And I might have broken a rule here or there.
Blondie:
You can’t tell me you didn’t have girls falling at your feet.
Blake:
I didn’t say that, but I never paid them too much attention, I was too focused on playing the game.
I bet I would have noticed you.
Blondie:
You wouldn’t. Nobody ever noticed me.
Blake:
Idiots, all of them. But their loss is my gain.
So about our previous conversation…
Don’t you go thinking I forgot about that, Miss Parker.
Blondie:
Look at that, the warning bell just went off…
Blake:
You’re no fun, Miss Parker.
Blondie:
I’m lots of fun!
I didn’t miss this at all.
Instead of being home with my kids or helping Savannah with the nursery, I was stuck in freaking traffic, trying to make my way to the Lonestars’ facilities during rush hour.
The day had been dragging on between working on the commercial, doing a few photoshoots, and interviews; I was beat. The only reason why I pushed through had been because I was texting with Savannah during the day. I wasn’t a big texter, but it was fun talking to her. Flirting. Getting to know her.
After everything that happened yesterday and the way she reacted, I wondered if leaving was a good thing and if maybe I should postpone it. I fucking hated seeing her like that, so small and insecure. Granted, I could have probably phrased it better, which was my own freaking fault. She was hurt too many times, so it wasn’t really surprising she was guarded now, always expecting people to leave.
Well, I wasn’t going anywhere, and I was determined to show it to her no matter what.
Then there was the other little tidbit.
I’m falling for you.
I didn’t plan on telling her that. Not just yet. She wasn’t ready to hear those words, but now they were out, and there was no taking them back. Not that I wanted to take them back. I meant every single word I said. I was in love with Savannah. It was completely unexpected, but now that she was in our lives, I couldn’t imagine it without her.
The music on the radio dies down when my phone connects with a call. I glance toward the screen, my brows pulling together when I see Mrs. Maxwell’s name. Levi generally used her phone to call me, but not until later in the evening before going to bed, and they’ve barely finished with school.
I press the answer button. “Hey, Mrs. M., how are things going?”
“Hey, Blake, I’m so sorry to bother you.”
Something about the tone of her voice has me sitting straighter in my seat. “It’s no bother. Is everything okay? Are you all fine?”
“The boys are good,” Mrs. Maxwell answers immediately, and some of the worry eases off my chest, but before I can say anything, she continues, “but there actually is a reason I’m calling. My daughter-in-law just went into labor. I know I was supposed to watch the boys until you got back…”
“You know I’m old enough to stay home alone, right?” Daniel yells from the background. “Tell her she can go, Dad.”
Shit.
I run my hand over my face, glancing at the clock. If I left now, it’ll probably take me double the time to get back since the traffic is still insane due to rush hour. And then there were the appointments I already had scheduled for tomorrow. I could probably do them over the phone, and if I go now, I could make it home by dinner. Possibly.
“I can stay. I shouldn’t have?—”
“No,” I interrupt before she can finish. “You absolutely should not stay. You should be with your family in case they need you.”
“But the boys?—”
“—will be fine. Can you give me Daniel for a moment?”
“Thank you, Blake.” Mrs. Maxwell swallows audibly before collecting herself. “Daniel, your dad wants to talk to you.”
There is some rustling before Daniel picks up the phone. “You told her she can leave, right? I’m almost seventeen, Dad. I don’t need a babysitter. No offense, Mrs. M.”
“Well, your recent behavior would suggest otherwise, don’t you think?”
Daniel grits his teeth. “The other guy started i?—”
“I don’t care who started it. You shouldn’t be fighting with your classmates. How can I trust you that you can be left home alone and take care of yourself and your brother while I’m gone when you’re acting this way?”
“We’ll be fine. I can do this. It’s just one night.”
I press my lips together as I think over his suggestion, unsure of what to do. Daniel was sixteen. Hell, I was home alone and taking care of myself overnight when I was much younger than him. Then again, Daniel hasn’t really been the best example of a responsible teenager.
Am I playing with fire here if I let them stay alone tonight? What if something happens to either of them? Miguel was in Austin this weekend, Aaron left for some cattle fair or something, and Becky had her hands full with her own baby. I couldn’t ask her to look after my own kids.
And Savannah… Yeah, I wasn’t going there, not after what just happened in the last few weeks.
I run my hand over my face.
“Everything will be fine,” Daniel repeats. “I promise, Dad.”
“Okay,” I let out a long breath, praying I don’t regret this. “But no going anywhere. You two stay at home. There is a number to the pizza place in the junk drawer, along with some cash. Order food when you boys are hungry. No parties or any other kinds of shenanigans. And be nice to your brother.”
“Deal.”
“I mean it, Daniel. I trust you can take care of yourself and your brother for one night. This is a trial run, understand?”
Daniel groans, “I know, Dad.”
“Keep your phone close and call me if you boys need anything. I have my phone on me. If anything happens, I’ll get in the car and come home.”
“Okay, but nothing will happen.”
I really hoped so.
“Can you put Mrs. Maxwell on the phone? And Daniel?—”
“Call you, yeah, yeah, I know.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose; this boy will be the death of me. “Don’t get sassy with me. I mean it.”
“I know you do. Here.”
There is some ruffling as Daniel hands the phone to Mrs. Maxwell. “Are you coming home? You really shouldn’t cancel your appo?—”
“I’m not coming home. I’ll stay as planned, and Daniel will be home with Levi.”
“Oh.” There is a beat of silence as Mrs. Maxwell processes the words. “Are you sure about that? I can stay?—”
“Go, be with your family.”
“You boys are also my family.”
“We know. You’re our family too, and we’re so lucky to have you.” I take a turn into the Lonestars’ parking lot.
“You sure are. Okay, I’ll let you go.”
“Let me know how things turn out and if there is anything you need. And Mrs. Maxwell? Congratulations, Grandma.”
We say our goodbyes just as I pull my truck into the parking lot and kill the engine. Running my fingers through my hair, I just stare at my phone, hoping I did the right thing.
Blondie:
Done with work?
The corner of my mouth lifts when I read Savannah’s message.
Blake:
Worried about me, Blondie?
I slip out of the truck and go toward the door, my gaze glued to the phone. The little dots appear on the screen before they disappear once again. It happens a few more times as she writes, only to delete whatever she wants to say.
Blondie:
More for the people you had to work with.
You can have an attitude.
Blake:
Attitude?
I don’t have an attitude.
Blondie:
Mm-hmm…
Blake:
I don’t.
Blondie:
Keep telling yourself that, Walker.
“Yeah, right,” I scoff. “I don’t have an attitude.”
“Mr. Walker?”
My head snaps up to find the security guards looking at me.
“Sorry.” I shake my head and put away my phone. “How are you doing, Freddy? How’s that granddaughter of yours?”
The guard smiles at me at the mention of his family. “Good. She grew so much in the last few months.”
We chat a little bit more before he lets me through to the back. The practice must have just ended because the locker room is buzzing with activity. The players closest to the door notice me first.
“Look who remembered we existed,” Joshua Mitchell, one of the running backs, jokes as we fist bump.
“What can I say, retirement keeps me busy.”
Big J visibly shudders. “Don’t say the r-word. It’s bad luck. Besides, busy with what? Didn’t you buy that house in a small town? I didn’t take you for a rancher.”
Miguel elbows him in the gut. “People have lives outside of football, asshole.” Miguel tilts his head to the side. “Okay, kind of… Our boy here is coaching peewee football these days.” He wiggles his brows. “Although I think it mostly has to do with the teacher, but…”
Surprise flashes on my ex-teammate’s faces.
“Seriously?”
“Peewee football? Are you shitting me?”
“Forget about the football. I wanna know about the teacher. Is she hot?”
I glare at my best friend, soon to be my ex -best friend.
“Now I remember why I didn’t come here sooner; you assholes are worse than a bunch of gossiping old ladies.”
Miguel throws his arms around my shoulder. “And yet, you still love us.”
“As much as I like a pest,” I mutter dryly, shoving him away.
“Walker!” Coach’s head pops into the locker room. “I thought I heard your voice.”
“Hey, Coach.” I extend my hand toward the older man, who squeezes my fingers tightly. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” His bushy gray brows are pulled together, set in a permanent scowl. Considering he has to deal with a group of fifty grown-ass men who have a tendency to act like children, I can’t really say I blame him. “Busy, trying to keep these boys in line,” he grumbles, scanning over the players before his gaze lands on me. “You in town long?”
“Until tomorrow, gotta get home to my boys.”
Coach nods. “How are they doing?”
“Good. The move has been… an adjustment.”
“Understandable. You have a moment to stop by my office tomorrow before you leave? I want to talk to you about something, but I promised my wife I’d be home on time for once, so…”
My brows raise in surprise. “Umm, yeah, sure.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He slaps me on the back before turning his attention to the rest of the locker room. “Don’t go wild tonight because I’ll kick your asses tomorrow at practice.”
“Yes, Coach!” they say in unison, the words echoing in the locker room as the door closes behind the man.
I glance at Miguel. “You know what this is about?”
“No idea.” He grabs his bag. “Wanna go grab dinner?”
Before I get a chance to answer, Big J wraps his arms around our shoulders, his duffel bag slamming into my bag, “Screw dinner. We’re grabbing drinks, and Blakey here will tell us all about his hot teacher.”