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After Abby’s assessment of my character, I felt unsettled. Was she right, or was she just being nice? A part of me assumed I had to have a character defect if Austin was my brother.
Determined to push away my thoughts, I moved us to Frogger next. It was a classic but one of my favorites. I loved any place that stocked vintage arcade games. I’d already determined we’d be frequent customers of Giovanni’s.
Abby didn’t know Frogger as well, so I had to teach her, which was almost as fun as playing Pac-Man with her. I enjoyed touching her, whispering instructions in her ear. I wished I could tell her exactly what I wanted to do to her, starting with undressing her. Slowly take off her clothes, touch her soft skin until her nipples pebbled and she arched off the bed for me. I stifled a groan, adjusting myself in my jeans while Abby focused on the game.
She had a competitive streak in her, one Hunter had clearly inherited.
I asked her to play arcade games because I loved them and I wanted her to have some fun. She was tense when we talked about Austin and Brody, but I wanted her to forget about why she should be worried about getting close to me. I wanted her to forget everything. Her responsibilities, her business. I wanted her to be happy, even if it was only for an hour.
I hadn’t anticipated how close we stood playing the games. The way I’d feel with her perched between my legs. I wished we were on a date, Brody and Hunter weren’t here, and Brooke and Ben weren’t watching our every move. I would have brushed her hair off her neck and kissed her there first. Then I’d move to her jaw, gripping it in my hand as I turned her face so I could taste her lips.
It wasn’t the right place for everything I was feeling. Someone would notice we were too familiar with each other and start asking questions. I knew she didn’t want that, so I made a concerted effort to give her some space. I kept my distance from her, not touching her, even when I wanted to.
She gave me a few confused looks, but I pretended not to notice. I just had to get through the rest of the evening. Then I could go back to pretending we didn’t have a history and I didn’t want to get her back in my bed.
“We should head out. It’s a school night,” Ben said as he approached, his gaze taking in everything.
I was doubly glad I’d kept my distance. Glancing at my phone, I said, “You’re right. It’s late.”
I still had to fight with Brody about him taking a shower before I’d manage to get him to go to bed. Then I could have a few minutes to myself to process the day.
Abby’s face pinched. “I forgot Hunter mentioned he had homework as we were walking out the door for practice.”
I could read the thoughts running through her head on her face. She felt like she’d failed as a mother.
She went over to Hunter, speaking earnestly to him. I could only imagine what she was saying. She looked pissed and guilty at the same time.
There was a lot to keep track of with kids, starting with the paperwork the school sent home.
“You’re not your brother.”
My gaze snapped to Ben, startled by his statement. “Of course not.”
Sometimes I thought we might be similar. Mainly because some people assumed I’d act the same way he did. But I didn’t like hearing my greatest fears and concerns voiced out loud.
“But you’re not good enough for Abby.”
“I’m sorry. What now?” I bristled at his words because they poked at my greatest insecurities.
“She’s been through a lot. Her ex is a piece of work. Seth walked away when she needed him the most and never stepped up.”
“And you’re saying I’m the same?” I couldn’t stop the anger that permeated my words.
“I’m just looking out for her. You know, she can’t handle the dip in business if someone were to put together who your brother is and figure out she’s associating with you.”
“Ben,” Brooke admonished, her mouth dropping open as she sidled next to him.
“I’m just looking out for Abby.”
“I can look out for myself.” Abby must have approached when my attention was on Ben.
I hoped she hadn’t heard all of it. I kept my eyes trained on Ben. We seemed to be in a stare-off.
Finally, I heard her sigh, and then she said, “We’re going to head out.”
Ben reluctantly pulled his gaze from mine to hug Abby and talk to Hunter. When they said their good-byes, Abby focused on me, saying, “I’ll see you at practice.”
After the evening we’d shared, it was like she’d dumped the cooler of Gatorade from practice over my head. It was the reminder I needed. I was her son’s coach. She was one of my players’ mothers. Nothing could happen between us. Ben reminded me of the reasons why we couldn’t work. Why it would be cruel for me to get involved with her.
