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I nod, using my hand on the back of his neck to draw his mouth to mine. “I’ll think about it.”
forty-seven | devin
I’m climbingbehind the wheel after a late Thursday afternoon batting practice with Freddie when Mom calls.
“Hey.” I crank the engine and roll down the window. “Perfect timing. I just finished my workout and BP.”
“Oh? So late in the day? That’s not like you.”
After twenty years, Mom’s got my baseball routine on lockdown. “Yeah, since I don’t have a place of my own, I’ve been working out with Freddie Fraser this week.” I could use the gym in Nova’s building, but it’s lacking the proper equipment, and, for her sake, I’d rather not draw unnecessary attention to my being there.
“The first baseman? He’s a doll.”
I chuckle, thinking about the heavily tatted giant. “I don’t think he’d call himself a doll, but I’ll tell him you think so.”
“How are things? Are you feeling good and rested up from your Alaskan vacation? You’re not pushing it with the weights, are you?”
“Mom, I think you can stop worrying about me at this point.”
“Mothers never stop worrying. We love our children too much.”
I smile, having anticipated those exact words. I’ve heard them a million times, and I’m grateful daily. “And your only son loves you too much right back.” The clock on the dash reads 4:30, and I shift intoDrive,wanting to beat Nova home from work. “So, what’s going on? It’s not even five yet. Did you leave work early?”
There’s a moment of silence before she asks, “Are you driving?”
“Not yet. I’m still in the parking lot at the cages.” I steer my SUV back into a spot and park, clenching the steering wheel. “What’s wrong?” Clem and Bri come to mind, then Nolan and Eli, Willa and Archer.
“Mom.” I prod when she hesitates too long. “What is wrong?”
“It’s about Tara.” Her voice cracks on Tara’s name like it always does.
I break out in a cold sweat, my heartbeats picking up speed.
“Dev?”
“Just tell me.”
* * *
“Knock, knock.” The bathroom door opens, allowing the glow from Nova’s bedroom in. “Dev? Why are you showering without the lights on? Is this something new and kinky?”
Her tease has me inhaling deeply, fighting the darkness but not winning.
“Devin?”
I can’t acknowledge her. I can only lean against the wall. My head hangs while my arms hold me up against the cool tile as the scalding water rains over my back.
I pick up her movements. The rustling of clothing, the pad of her bare feet on the floor, the glass door sliding open, and my little Spitfire stepping into the shower. She hisses when the hot water hits her skin. Cursing, Nova reaches around my hips for the knob, adjusting the temperature.
Her lace-covered chest brushes my back as she molds her curves to mine before her cheek settles on my shoulder blade. “What’s wrong, Hotshot?”
Arms tightening around my hips, she hugs me close, and finally, I drop one arm, covering hers. My fingers seek and twine with hers, welcoming her presence, and taking my first easy breath in an hour.
“You’re scaring me, Dev.”
“There was a virus outbreak at the facility in Salem.”
Nova’s fingertips dig into my muscle, her whole body tensing.
