Chapter Eighteen
DAISY
It’s been two days since Ethan came over and refused to leave my side. I don’t know how to feel about it. It’s nice not being alone, but it’s also weird that I’m not. He left for hockey practice a while ago, and I’m grateful for the moment.
I spent the first hour prepping the dough for the bread and scones. It was easy at first, not overthinking things. I had something else to focus on. As I finished prepping the last of it, I was left with nothing but my thoughts. It wouldn’t be time to bake any of it until tomorrow morning.
My phone dings nearby and I move to wash my hands again and pick it up. It’s a message from my mom with a selfie of her in front of a Welcome to Ireland sign.
Me: I didn’t know you were going to Ireland too! I need even more pictures.
Mom: We decided to change our plans and make the trip a little longer. I’m not going to be getting in on Friday like the original plan.
I’m nervous that we are going to be away from one another longer, but I’m also excited for her. My mom deserves to see the world. I hope to one day see it for myself.
Me: That sounds amazing. When are you planning on returning?
Mom: Two weeks from Saturday. The girls and I are having so much fun. But I wish you were here too. Maybe someday we can do a fun big trip like this.
Me: I would love that. Keep me posted and keep sending me photos so I can live vicariously through you. I love you, mom!
Mom: Love you too, sweetie. Are you getting ready to load the farm stand for tomorrow afternoon?
Me: I am. I’m waiting for the dough right now so I can put it in the fridge until tomorrow morning.
Mom: Your aunt sent me an interesting message yesterday.
That’s not out of the ordinary. They’re sister-in-laws and act like best friends.
Our family is close. I hesitate to reply, though.
All I can think about is how the day played out on Sunday at my grandparents.
I knew I’d seen a certain look on both my grandmother and aunt’s faces.
They knew something was going on between me and Ethan.
I didn’t understand it at the time and yet, so much has happened since that moment. I haven’t even told my mom he’s back in town.
Me: Oh yeah.
Mom: You didn’t tell me a certain someone was traded and playing for the Lonestar Bobcats now.
Me: It was definitely a surprise.
Mom: How does that make you feel?
Me: Honestly, I think I was more upset that Andrew didn’t tell me before. He’s my cousin and knew Ethan was coming back to town. I would’ve appreciated the warning before I showed up to his house last weekend for a team dinner.
Mom: He was there too?
Me: Yeah, I thought that’s what you meant.
Mom:
Mom: No
Mom: Is something going on there? Your aunt said she thought she saw something between the two of you at your grandparents.
Me:
Mom: Daisy!
Me: I don’t know!
Me: We’re seeing if something is there.
I can’t bring myself to admit to her that there is definitely something there. I’m not sure if I completely believe it myself. I feel as if I’m going to wake up from this weird dream at any moment.
Me: We’re taking it one day at a time.
Mom: Moving slow then?
Me: Exactly.
Mom: Then why did your aunt say she hasn’t seen his truck leave the house since?
Ugh! I’m going to have to go by her house and have a talk with her. We need a girl code now that doesn’t involve my mother. I wish Delilah were around. My cousin would get it. But no, she’s off chasing tornadoes or whatever it is she does.
Me: He’s not here. He’s at hockey practice.
Me: I think.
Mom: Mmmhmmm
Mom: …
Mom: Just be safe.
Mom: Safety first.
Me: Mom!!
Mom: Although, I wouldn’t turn down grand babies. I’m not getting any younger.
Me: Mother!!!!
Mom: Neither are you.
Me: I can’t with you right now.
Mom: You love me. Okay, we’re pulling up to the inn now. Love you sweetie. Let Ethan know he has permission to keep you company while I’m away.
Me: I’m closing this chat now.
Me: And I love you too
Me: Have fun and send pictures.
I move to plug my phone in, then realize I’m over my head and have no idea what I’m doing. I need my best friend, who until recently lived on this ranch. My fingers move over the screen of my phone to find my cousin.
Me: How are you supposed to help me with my existential crisis in life if you aren’t around?!?!?!?!
Delilah: What are you going on about?
I didn’t think she would reply so soon. So, I grab my coffee from the counter and move to the sunroom to continue the conversation.
Me: Didn’t you hear who was back in town…
I sit down in the oversized wicker loveseat and curl up on the end closest to my bookshelf.
It only reminds me of the last time I read and how I’m overdue for another trip to the bookstore soon.
There’s one not too far from the rink. It would be the perfect excuse to just happen to be in the area while he’s at practice.
I smile at myself. Then I second guess myself.
Surely he’s tired of me now. He hasn’t left my side since Sunday.
But I miss him.
I groan as my phone buzzes in my hand.
Delilah: OMG! I was waiting for you to bring it up. Mom told me he was at the grands on Sunday…
Me: You didn’t know he was coming back did you?
Me: Andrew knew and didn’t tell me. I showed up to his house because he asked for some buns and stuff for team dinner. Please tell me you didn’t know. Because this is NOT the kind of secret we keep.
Delilah: WTF
Delilah: What an asshole. If he thought I was an annoying little sister before, he’s going to hear a piece of my mind now. What happened?
Me: I was in the kitchen and didn’t realize he was there until he was literally RIGHT FREAKING THERE!!!
Delilah: And?
Me: What do you mean AND?
Delilah: What happened? Want to video chat?
Me: If you’re available, yes!
My phone immediately buzzed with her picture coming across the screen. I answer and see her red hair clipped back. It looks like she’s sitting in a car.
“Are you sure you’re not busy?”
She nods. “Yeah. I’m following behind the crew. I needed to be away from all of them, so I volunteered to drive myself. I needed a little silence. We’re stopped right now, bathroom break.”
“Okay. So, I was at your brother’s and in the kitchen.”
“A normal place to find you, any kitchen.” She laughs.
“I can’t help that I like to cook and help out. Do you want to hear the story or not?” I try to hide my smile.
“Daisy Miles! Tell me everything.”
“Well, naturally, it’s a freaking surprise. Then he crowds me and I can’t move.” I groan. “We were alone, and he kissed me.”
She screams on the other side of the phone. “BITCH! How was it? Did you kiss him back?”
“Sparks.” I close my eyes and cover my mouth. She squeals, and then I open my eyes and lower my hand. “But I was angry, I left. I got on my golf cart to go home.”
“You left?”
“But he followed me. He jumped into the cart while it was moving and convinced me to come back.”
“He convinced you, huh?” She raises her eyebrows suggestively a couple of times.
“Not like that. I was more annoyed at the time and he sort of stayed away, or I avoided him for a couple weeks.” I bite back a smile.
“Then I went to a fancy party with Andrew for the whole organization and he sort of cornered me, but nothing happened. Then, we went to the game, as usual. Grandpa and your dad are discussing sheep, by the way. It’s a huge topic around here. ”
“Yeah, I don’t care about that right now.”
“But it’s part of this story!”
“Seriously?”
“It’s all they talked about on the way to the game. So I figured I’d hang back and get a ride home with Andrew. We’ve done that before, it’s not out of the ordinary. Like, sometimes we even all go out. I wanted to go home, but I didn’t want to ride with the whole family again.”
Delilah laughs. “You seriously expect me to believe that?” She chuckles. “Then what happened?”
“I was waiting for Andrew to come out in the hall, but he didn’t walk out alone.
Ethan was with him. The guys were all going out, except for Ethan, who volunteered to get me food and take me home.
” She squeals on the other side of the phone.
“I mean, he drove me all this way.” I shake my head.
“So, I invited him in. Then we kissed.” I sigh.
“What?”
“We talked, all surface level crap. Then ate. Then he left.”
“That’s it? Were you hoping for more?”
“I don’t know. Then I was annoyed again.”
“Of course.” She nods in agreement.
“So Sunday he shows up before the family dinner, which he was invited to. And not by me.”
“The grands are playing matchmaker, so cute.”
“Then he came over after.” I pause and hesitate.
She’s my best friend, but I don’t want to tell her about all of it.
I don’t want to tell anyone, maybe ever.
“We got into an argument and it got heated. I told him the truth about when my dad got sick.” I hesitate again.
I don’t want to tell her about the spanking stuff.
“And?”
“He just held me at night, and then in the middle of the night we kind of woke up wrapped up in each other and stuff happened, but not all the way stuff.”
She gasped. “Like.” She pauses and scratches her nose, taking more time to hold her fingers up.
“Yes.” I groan.
“Okay, so stuff… but not like, all the way.”
“Exactly.”
“Did you?”
“Oh yeah.”
“And?”
“Sparks.”
“Did you return the favor?”
“No, but I kind of want to.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. We’re taking things slow. I don’t know. I want to do more and I definitely want to return the favor, but ugh!”
“Where is he right now?”
“At practice. He’s been here ever since until he needed to leave a little while ago for practice. So I’m prepping bread and trying to convince myself everything is fine.”
“How do you feel?”
“Confused, but I miss him. It’s weird. I’ve been fine for years.
“No, you haven’t.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I see the look on your face when you’d look him up online and think nobody was watching. You’ve always missed him.”
“He’s very sure this is our second chance.”
“Don’t you?”
“Yes,” I admit. “He literally only left like two hours ago and I miss him, though. This is ridiculous.”
“You love him.”
“No,” I argue.
“You’re falling for him.”
I don’t respond. Am I falling for him? I don’t know if I ever even stopped.
“Okay, is your bread ready to chill in the fridge for a few hours?”
“Why?”
“What if you find an excuse to go to the city and surprise him at the rink after practice?”
I don’t bother telling her I was already considering that idea. “This is ridiculous. I feel pussy whipped, or cock whipped, but I haven’t even had the cock.” My hand slams over my mouth.
Delilah laughs. “You’ve got it bad. Okay, this is what you’re going to do. Fix yourself up, get all adorable and wear that blue flower wrap dress you have. It accentuates all the good stuff and is easy to remove.” She smirks.
“You are a terrible influence.” I sigh. “I guess I could waste time at the bookstore while waiting for him to finish practice. But then we have two cars there and I just want to be with him. This is not a good idea.”
She hums. “You’re right, two vehicles won’t work. The downside to living an hour outside of the city and a car service is going to rip you off. Ask my mom to take you!”
“I’m not going to ask your mom to take me to the city.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“Then again, I’m not going to need my car for a day or two. Then he’s got practice two days later, and if I need to give him a ride to practice.” I smirk.
“There’s an idea.”
“This is still crazy.”
“Do you think he’s worth it?”
My head rolls back as I groan. “He’s worth everything.” I look back at my phone. “He even stayed after he knew the truth behind the breakup.”
“I’m glad y’all are working this out. I just want you to be happy, Daisy. You deserve that sort of happy, the same kind we grew up around.”
I knew who all she was referring to. Our parents and grandparents all seem to have these epic love stories. It’s beautiful. Delilah was the only one who understood. We’d watch our romcoms and read our romance books because we believed in happily ever after; we’d witnessed it for ourselves.
That was what made losing my dad so hard. The pain my mom must have felt. I can’t imagine that kind of loneliness. It’s what kept me from going anywhere; I couldn’t leave her alone.
“Earth to Daisy.”
“Mom extended her trip to Europe. She’s added like two more weeks.”
“Do you think she met someone?” Delilah teases.
“No, they decided to add Ireland to the itinerary.”
“You’ve always wanted to go there.”
“Maybe one day. For now, let’s focus on the fact that I do have the house to myself for like another two weeks nearly.”
“Operation get laid.”
I laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
“But you love me.”
“Okay, I’m going to go and get ready.”
“I expect updates.”
“We’ll chat soon. Come home soon!”
“I will eventually.”
“You haven’t been to a game yet this season.”
Delilah laughs. “The season barely started. I promise I will be home for the holidays.”
“And?”
“I’ll find a way to make it to at least two games this season.”
“Good. Okay, I’m going to go. Love you!”
“Love you too.”
Okay, plan in motion. I stand from my seat, go and plug in my phone. This is going to work. I wash my hands before the last stretch and fold of my dough. After a shower and getting ready, it should be good to chill in the fridge until early tomorrow morning.
I can’t believe I’m going to do this. This is crazy. All for a guy. I shake my head at the thought as I make my way upstairs. Not just any guy—the guy. Maybe it’s time to create my own happily ever after.