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“It's not kindness,” I blurt out, feeling nervous. “You’re always taking care of Max and Kendall but no one takes care of you and I don’t think that’s right.”
Her smile falters at my words and a soft sadness flickers in her eyes, as she asks, gently, “Is that what you’ve been doing? Taking care of me?”
“Somebody has to,” I argue.
She shakes her head at me. “You’re a sweetheart. Who knew under that tough exterior was such a generous hearted man?”
I sense a, but coming in and I launch in, “If you’re worried that I have ulterior motives, I promise you I don’t.”
Tracy gives me a tired smile. “Kendall thinks highly of you, so I didn’t expect you to have any sinister motives lined up. But as much as I appreciate this, I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time, honey. If I start leaning on you, I might get used to it, so maybe you should stop now, while you’re ahead.”
Something cold fuels a fire in my chest at what seems to be blatant rejection. I’m usually a very take charge man but in front of this woman, I lose all that. “What if I don’t want to?”
Her eyes widen slightly before something flashes in her eyes. “Don’t get me used to leaning on you, Duke. Please.” There is a soft hint of pleading in her voice.
I’ve seen her interact with other people and this is a tone she only ever uses for me… it feels like my heart is tightening in my chest.
I don’t understand this feeling inside of me. At first, I thought it was pity and concern with a vague attraction that I had no intention of pursuing. But I’ve been coming to this diner for the past two weeks and the more I interact with this woman, the more helpless I feel.
She’s smart, funny, and sassy. She makes my heart skip a beat. I never tire of staring at her as she works. I have always ever described a woman as cute, sexy or hot but when it comes to Tracy, all I think of are words like ‘beautiful’ and ‘gorgeous.’
My mother, despite what she’d been through, had always been a romantic at heart, and she would always tell me. “Dukey, when the right woman comes your way, it’ll hit you like a ton of bricks. It’ll leave you breathless and excited and helpless, all at the same time. And when you find that person, you make sure you hold on to them and don’t let them get away.”
I always wondered at the sad expression in her eyes when she would tell me this and right now, as I look at Tracy, I wonder if I’m being stupid and overly cautious. She throws me off balance and I've never before stayed up at night thinking about a woman like I do now.
My own thoughts frighten me and worry me about how obsessive they feel.
I must have been silent for quite a while because I hear her say my name and I blink, as if I’ve woken up from a daze. “Sorry,” I mutter, scratching my head. I stick my hands into my pockets. “Do you want me to take you to Max’s game? You were talking about it yesterday and Kendall mentioned something about it being his first game.”
Tracy’s eyes widen and she sinks her teeth into her lower lip, looking torn. “I was going to take the bus—”
“I can drive,” I say, instantly. “Plus, I would like to watch the game. I’m a huge soccer fan. I used to be part of the team back when I was in school. They said I had real potential.” I puff up my chest at the last part.
Tracy laughs. “Yeah? What happened?”
My smile flickers and I wonder if I should reveal my sord
id past to her but something stops me, whispering, Not yet. “Life happened. My mother passed away.”
Sympathy glimmers in her eyes and she touches my arm. “I’m sorry.”
I stare down at her delicate hand which bears callouses which have no business being there. I feel hollow at the memory of the woman who had loved me and raised me—whose death I had been partially responsible for.
It’s a burden I’ll carry my whole life. “So am I,” I murmur, quietly.
Maybe she sees something in my face and Tracy prods me. “Let’s go to the game.”
I blink at her. “Really? You don’t mind me coming along?”
She grins at me in that way of hers that makes my mouth go dry. “Since you're such a soccer expert, maybe you can explain the game to me.”
I don’t waste any time bundling her into the car and we’re on our way.
Once we get there, the game has just started and there are a few parents in the bleachers. I find some seats near the end, next to where the players are sitting. I see Max sitting there and I wave at him.
Excitement fills his face as he sees us and he rushes over. “Duke, you came!”
“Of course, I did. I told you I would.”
