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“Nothing. Just surprised you’re planning so far ahead.”
Me too. “Well, from the sound of it, her cooking is the best around.”
“Truth.” She relaxes against me as she talks with such affection about her mom, and I honestly enjoy watching her more than the movie. Eventually, she’s sound asleep in my arms, and it’s unnerving how far ahead into the future I can envision being with this woman. Because I’ve only ever wanted one thing long term. Could only fathom loving one thing enough to plan my life around.
Suddenly, there’s a second competing with the first, and I haven’t the foggiest idea how to reconcile that. There’s no film to review with Dundee, no stats to study and memorize in order to devise a game plan to follow. There’s only my heart to guide me, and it’s without a doubt the only muscle I’ve ignored and disregarded in all my years of training.
21
AVERY
“He’s coming over again?” Bodie says on the other end of the line. “Well, I guess you don’t have time for us peons anymore.”
There’s a joking tone in his voice, but I don’t think he’s fully teasing. “You can still come over.”
“Nah, I have some work to catch up on, anyway. I guess I’ll just see my infamous best friend at her mom’s house tomorrow for family lunch. Unless you’re too busy for that too.”
“Shut up. You’re the one who told me to give Carter a chance, so you can’t be salty about it now.”
“I’m not, Avery. I’m happy for you. Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
“Wow. The vote of confidence is reassuring.”
“You know what I mean. He’s still a jock under all that rescue-the-family-business persona.”
“The business wasn’t in trouble, so it wasn’t technically a rescue.” Even if it has increased business a ton.
“Okay. Well, I’ll see you at your parents’ tomorrow.”
“Are you not picking me up?” He always does, it’s usually a given whenever he attends. We ride together since my place is on his way.
“Yeah. No prob. Wasn’t sure if Carter was driving you.”
“He has a game, but you already knew that.”
His laugh doesn’t make me feel any better because I don’t understand his issue. “Well, maybe put in a word for me sometime. A star on the podcast could really set us apart.”
And there it is. “I’ll ask.”That won’t be awkward, but I’ll try for Bodie.
After disconnecting the call, I turn off the game that I shouldn’t be watching anyway and decide to read for a while instead. As always, I get lost in the book, the time totally getting away from me. It’s late when I glance up at the clock, so I put the book aside and tidy up my apartment for a little while, then shower and put on a movie. Eventually, there’s a knock on the door.
Like the teenagers I teach, a giddy, excited feeling swirls in my gut as I open the door to find Carter smiling back at me. He leans over, plants a lingering kiss on me, then moves past me into my place.
“I didn’t think the game was ever going to end.” He drops his phone and keys in the same spot as last night.
“I know. Nineteen innings are way too many to sit through,” I tease as he grins.
“For sure.” He pulls me to him, kissing me thoroughly before leaning back. “Gunner said to tell you hi and that he’s glad you’ve finally given my sorry ass a chance because I’m more fun to be around now.”
“Gunner?” The name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it.
“You really don’t follow the team.” His smile reaches his eyes. “Gunner is the shortstop and always the loudest one in the room. One of the most well-known players around here too.”
“I’ve only watched a few games, but I thought I recognized the name.” They’re all new to me, but I do recall the broadcaster talking about him now.
“I have to tell him that you didn’t know who he is. Hopefully it’ll knock Gunner down a few notches because he’s still giving me shit about you reading during my Coyote debut.”
“Yeah. Sorry not sorry.” I sit on the couch and Carter joins me, the movie still playing.
