Chapter 32 – Seth #3
Now the woman is full on glaring at us. I glare at her back.
It’s not like there are any kids around us and she’s the one who chose to sit so damn close she’s practically in our conversation.
I want to tell her there are plenty of other open spots on the bleachers if she doesn’t want to listen to two horny, sexually active people chat about porn, but I decide that might be taking it too far.
Bri grins, smug and unapologetic. “Gotta do something when I don’t have you around to keep me entertained.”
I lean in just slightly, voice dropping. “Now I’m jealous.”
She lowers her voice. “Then let’s watch it together next time we’re… together.”
“And when will that be?”
“I don’t know.” She doesn’t finish her sentence. Her smile falters a little and the whistle blows, announcing the third set. And why do I hate that response? Why doesn’t she want to spend more time with me?
I thought she’d been busy with her dad these past three days, but is it possible she’s intentionally pulling away from me at the same time?
That thought has my stomach sinking and my eyes hardly focusing on the game that just restarted that doesn’t include my daughter. I try to steal a glance at her out of the corner of my eye and that’s when I notice how rigid her whole body is now.
She’s still scared.
That’s the only logical explanation for what’s going on. Probably about Sawyer and what going public with our relationship will mean for her if she ends up moving to a different state, city or whole other sport.
Or maybe it’s just me she doesn’t trust. And I get it—I do. But can we talk about it first? Can we try to work through her concerns before throwing the whole relationship away?
“After my game tomorrow night,” I say, voice softer. “Come home with us. We’ll grab a late dinner, then when Sawyer’s asleep,” I pause, shifting closer and lowering my voice. “I want you in my bed. I fucking need you. Please.”
Her eyes light a little. “Okay.”
We stay locked in on the game after that, eyes on Sawyer. She gets subbed back in near the end of the third set and manages a couple of killer saves that have us both jumping up and cheering louder than the rest of the crowd.
When the game finishes, Sawyer sprints over to us, cheeks flushed, braids bouncing, smile the brightest it’s been since I moved her away from everything she knew on the west coast. Bri hugs and congratulates her first and then she turns to me.
“Can I spend the night with Tabby again, Dad?”
“Are you sure her parents are okay with that? You’ve been there a lot lately.”
Right on cue, Tabby’s mom and dad approach. I’ve only met them once now, but I can tell that they’re good people with a house right around Brookhaven Lake so if there were an emergency, I know I could get there quickly.
“Hi, Seth. Good to see you again,” her mom says. I give her a nod. “We’d love to have Sawyer. We can drop her at your place in the morning.”
“We don’t want to impose.”
She shakes her head. “Tabby’s an only child too so it helps to have someone to play with.” She pauses and notices Bri for the first time. “Oh, hi Brianna. Thank you for taping Tabby’s ankle before the game. She said it feels strong.”
“That’s no problem at all. Tabby played amazing tonight.” She smiles. “That spike that went right in the bottom right corner, sheesh,” Bri makes a fanning motion like she’s on fire.
“Thank you. We’re so proud of her.”
I turn to Sawyer. “You can stay the night. But remember I’ve got a game tomorrow, yeah?”
Sawyer nods enthusiastically. “Can’t wait to watch you play, Dad! Can I ride there with Bri?”
Bri nods. “Yes, but we’ll go early since I need to be there when the other medical staff arrive.”
“Yippee!” Sawyer yells, already racing off toward her friend. Tabby’s parent’s follow and then it’s just us. Alone. And I know the look in my eye tells her everything that I’m thinking.
“No way. You’ve got a game tomorrow. We are not spending the night together tonight!” She squeals as I reach for her and tickle her sides. “Seth!” she gasps but she’s laughing now and drawing a few curious stares our way.
“Soul… you’re really going to miss out on a kid free night together?”
She steps out of my grip. “I’m serious. I need you to rest. You need to be on top of your game tomorrow.”
“I’m always on top of my game,” I growl, reaching for her hand. “But I’d like you to be on top tonight.”
She slides a little further away from me. "No," she says, her voice firmer. "Tomorrow night, yes. But not tonight. I'm not going to be responsible for you having a bad game." She points at my hamstring. "Or for that acting up."
"Brianna," I growl.
But she's already skipping toward the parking lot.
I follow her knowing she won't budge tonight, but I still want to kiss her goodbye.
When we reach her car, I do. And she lets me.
My fingers find her neck, and her mouth opens, and the kiss turns into something slow and deep that I feel long after we break apart.
When I pull back her green eyes are soft.
"Twenty minutes of ice on your hamstring tonight, okay?"
I brush my lips against her neck. "Okay."
She smiles. "I'll see you tomorrow. I’ll take another look at it before the game to be sure it’s ready."
"See you tomorrow, Soul."
I already know I'll be seeing her tonight too.