Page 135 of Taking Sides

She attempts a hesitant smile. “He’s headed back to Houston today.”

“Yeah. He mentioned that. And he also said you were going to talk to your dad.”

“I called him this morning.”

“I wish you’d have told me. I could have been there.”

“I know, but I felt like I needed to do it on my own. Plus, your parents were so amazing. I wasn’t sure how he was going to take the news and . . .” She trails off. “I didn’t want him to ruin it for you.”

“Did he ruin it for you?” I ask, already annoyed at the possibility. She didn’t tell me for the same reason I wish I could have been with her. We’re in this together. I know I can’t protect her from everything, but I can be present to remind her that she’s good and strong and smart and deserving.

“Nope.” A real smile tugs the corners of her lips higher.

“He was cool?”

“Eh . . . he wasn’t thrilled, but it could have gone worse. To be honest, I think his bar for me is so low that my future doesn’t really concern him.”

“You deserve better.”

“I know.” Her smile stays intact as she lifts onto her toes. “And I have it in you.”

I appreciate her saying it, but I still hate that she isn’t getting that support from her own dad.

“I’m not giving up on him, but I’m okay. I can’t explain it, but I feel more content than I ever have. I love my dad and I hope he wants to be part of this baby’s life, but I’m going to do right by my Little Charming either way.”

She presses her lips to mine and warmth spreads through my chest and down my arms. I wrap them around her and pull her to me.

My lips inch back only enough to tell her the words I should have told her a long time ago. “I love you. You know that, right? I love you more than I thought it was possible to love someone. And more than I think I’m capable of loving anyone else.”

“I love you too.”

A bell rings through the school. Whitney drapes her arms over my shoulders and peers up into my eyes.

“How long until your next students arrive?” I ask.

“As fate would have it, this is my free period.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mm-hmm . . .”

“Must be my lucky day.”

“Could be real lucky if you’re quick.”

I glance around for inspiration before picking her up and carrying her over to the desk. Whitney giggles as I set her on top of it and crowd between her legs.

“I never got to make out with girls in high school and definitely not the teacher.”

“I think we can do something about that.” She grabs a fistful of my shirt and tugs me closer. She tilts her head toward the door. “Lesson one of making out in school, don’t get caught.”

I step back to go shut the door. And possibly lock it. “And lesson two?”

“One thing at a time, Charming.”

THIRTY-SIX

We just got back from a two-day tournament. We lost our first two games, but ended up pulling out a win on our last game for seventh place. I should be happier, maybe, but it still feels like there’s so much potential we aren’t realizing yet. I want them to win more than ever. I want their hard work to pay off in ways mine didn’t and I want them to have what I didn’t—not only love for the game but success.