18. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Steven
“So you’re that kind of ‘fake’ boyfriend.” Scarlett’s voice is slightly breathless from jogging up the walkway to catch up.
Confused, I narrow my eyes and peek over my shoulder. All I know is that if I didn’t get out of the car, I was going to give in to my urge and kiss her.
Privately.
But I know the promise that’s keeping her from ignoring how she feels. I can see her struggling with her feelings.
She likes kissing me.
She rolls her eyes. “The kind who doesn’t open the car door.”
“Oh.” I slowly nod, turning back toward the house. “Well, since this is ‘fake ’ and I never opened the car door for you when you were just my best friend, I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”
She scoffs, and my lips twitch.
Stepping in front of me, she tries to grab the handle to her parents' door.
“Oh no you don’t.” I put my body in between her and the door before grabbing the doorknob and pulling it open. “After you.”
Smirking, she shakes her head before stepping into the house. The scent of vanilla and cherry surrounds me. Inhaling deeply, I slowly exhale before blowing out a stabilizing breath and putting on my game face as I step over the threshold.
“Hey everyone. We’re here.”
“Oh look, it’s the happy couple!” Miles teases from the couch; his overly bright smile makes my stomach clench. “You were sitting in the car for a long time.”
Scarlett looks over at me, her eyes wide, and I can see the flush of pink filling her cheeks.
“We were beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come up for air.” Wyatt’s grin is cheeky, and I hate them both, but possibly not as much as Scarlett if her glare means anything.
When I scowl at them, they both burst out laughing. Shaking my head, I follow Scarlett further into the house.
“Steven!” Owen, Scarlett’s younger brother, yells, his voice deeper than the last time I saw him.
“Hey little man!” Mussing up the top of his hair, he pushes my hand away.
“I’m not so little anymore.” He puffs out his chest and pulls his shoulders back, nearly reaching my collarbones.
“You’re right, you’re not.” But the smile on my face falters at his next words.
“When are you and Scarlett getting married?”
My eyes fly open, and I look at Scarlett to see her expression mirroring mine. The pink brightens, making her face almost red.
“Owen,” Cat admonishes. “What did Daddy and I say to you about Scarlett and Steven?”
“That they’re dating.” He blows out a big breath that moves his long bangs off to the side of his face.
“And?” Cat continues.
“That it’s too soon to be talking about marriage.” Cat makes her way over toward us, a huge smile on her face. And wraps her arms around me. “It’s so nice to have you home, Steven. David and I will be going to your first home game. Do you know if you’ll be playing?”
“I’m not sure, Mrs. James. Coach—”
“Steven, you’re dating my step-daughter now; please call me Cat.”
“Okay…um Cat.” Scarlett’s stepmom’s smile widens. “Coach hasn’t said if I’d be starting yet. I probably won’t know until I get a bit closer to the game.”
The door opens, and the other James family pours in, followed by my mother and my stepdad, Jacob. The additional seven people make the packed house feel even smaller.
My mother’s gaze searches the room until it finds mine, and then she rushes over to me. “I knew you were acting strange the other day! Why didn’t the two of you tell me you were dating?”
My eyes flit over to Scarlett, and I wait to see what she says. Her eyes are moving around the room, looking at everyone. When they land on me, I can see panic staring back at me.
“Well.” She clears her throat, and a nervous laugh escapes. “This is all actually a really funny story. Steven and I—”
“Took forever to figure it out. We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever get to this point.” My mom moves to Scarlett and kisses her on the cheek.
Scarlett falters, and so I pick up the baton. “No, that’s not what—”
“Oh yes it is!” Coach’s wife Ava wraps an arm around Scarlett’s shoulder, pulling her close. “Do you remember the first time you told me about Steven? You were eight and I was braiding your hair.”
My gaze flies to Scarlett, and she’s trying to shush her aunt. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep the grin that wants to break through from the warmth spreading throughout my chest.
“Then we all had just to sit back and watch the two of you wondering: will they or won’t they? Now here we are, and the answer is ‘They will’. I’m so thrilled.” She pulls Scarlett to her and squeezes so hard that Scarlett’s eyes nearly pop out of her head.
“Steven.” Scarlett’s dad slaps me on the shoulder. “Sorry about earlier, but I couldn’t let a golden opportunity go to waste. I couldn’t be happier that the two of you finally figured it out. You’re one of the best men I know. And my baby girl deserves the best.”
He stretches out his hand, and with my mouth slightly open, I take it. Looking back at Scarlett, she shrugs, the expression on her face saying one thing.
“Thanks, Mr—”
“David. Call me David.”
“Um, thanks…uh…David.” He rests his hand on my arm and gently squeezes. His eyes shine, and my throat works.
Yeah, there’s no way I’m telling anyone the truth. “Scarlett, babe, come here.” I wave her toward me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Wyatt and Miles watching intently while my ‘girlfriend’ looks like a deer in headlights as she walks over.
Pulling her in front of me so her back is against my chest, I snake my arms around her waist, kiss her cheek, and then whisper against her neck. “Sorry, but I don’t think I can tell them the truth right now.”
She whips her body around and throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
My cheeks pull up, despite the mess we’re in. When she puts a little space between us, there’s a shy smile on her face. “And I’m sorry I got you into this.”
My brothers hoot, and all eyes turn toward them. Ignoring the attention they’re getting, they make their way toward me and Scarlett.
Miles rips her out of my arms and gives her a hug. “Welcome to the family, sis.”
Scarlett pushes against his chest and scowls at him, which only makes him smile even bigger.
Meanwhile, Wyatt throws an arm over my shoulder, both of us watching Miles and Scarlett. “You know this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, right?”
Scarlett turns, and when her eyes find mine, heat rushes through me. Her eyes widen slightly, and her mouth parts.
My mouth pulls up, and her gaze drops to my lips for a split second before she turns back to whatever Miles is teasing her about now.
“Well aware. But I may need some help.”
“Count me in.” Wyatt chuckles.
“Count me in too,” Miles echoes, before asking, “What are we doing?”
“Turning a pumpkin into a carriage,” Wyatt says, and both of our heads whip in his direction. “Stop looking at me like that. I’m trying to talk in code.”
“And you chose Cinderella?” Miles questions. “You couldn’t try a sports metaphor…like a quarterback sneak?”
“It doesn’t always have to be about football? Or the QB?” Wyatt mutters. “What about a fake tag?”
“That definitely could’ve worked,” I say, looking at Scarlett watching us.
“Definitely better than a Cinderella reference,” Miles laughs, pulling Wyatt over by the table where everyone else is hanging out, apparently overly thrilled that Scarlett and I figured it out. “We need to work on your code words.”
Laughing as they go, I feel Scarlett move beside me. Without looking at her, I know she’s watching them with amusement. My brothers are something else.
Sliding her hand around my forearm, she leans her body against me. “Thank you, Steven. I know this is not ideal, but I’ll figure out a way to clear things up.”
My gaze moves down to her face, and the knot in my chest loosens. No, this isn’t ideal, and yes, we need to fix it. But if I have anything to say about it, it won’t be to end things but to make us official. Because this woman, pressed against me, is everything I want. Everything I’ve ever wanted.
And I’m willing to fight for her.
Promise be darned.
“I know.” I dip my chin. “And you’re welcome.”
When she smiles up at me, gratitude shining in her eyes, I cup a hand around her cheek and kiss her forehead.
When there’s a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, I smile. “C’mon.” I hold out my hand to her. “Let's go eat. I’m starving.”
Taking my hand and interlacing her fingers with mine, she nods.
I meant what I said about waiting until Scarlett asks me to kiss her. But from the look in her eyes, I don’t think I’ll have to wait a very long time.