AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m very cool,” Claire said simply. Then she added, “Uncle Braden, what does cool mean?”
“You seriously don’t know what cool means?”
“Like, cold? Because I’m a little cold.”
Braden groaned. “Yeah, we have a lot to teach you. But first… a piggy back stampede!”
He opened the gate and carried Claire out into the field. The dogs came running up, chasing Braden as he sprinted across the field at a breakneck pace. Claire bounced on his back, screaming—and laughing—the whole time.
“Yeah,” Beth said with a smirk. “I’m not trusting Braden with the kennel tonight.”
24
Beth
Christian went home soon after dropping off Claire, but Braden stuck around all morning. The Colts usually had the day after a game off, and he insisted he had nothing better to do than hang out with me, Claire, and the dogs.
Throughout the morning, the other Colts players who were boarding their dogs trickled in to pick them up. Braden—who was wearing a shirt by this point—came over to greet them as they did, with a seemingly unique handshake for each player.
“I’ve never seen Gunner this happy,” one of the players told me while picking up his Pit Bull. He was a big guy, one of the Defensive Backs. “Usually he tucks his tail between his legs and pouts the whole way home, but after staying at your kennel, he looks like he doesn’t want to leave. You’re the real deal, Lizzy.”
“Lizzy was my grandma,” I explained. “But I’m glad Gunner had a good time! He’s a sweet boy.”
The Defensive Back crouched down to hug his dog. “Did he get a bath? He smells real nice, but I didn’t order that.”
“He ran through something nasty in the field, so I went ahead and bathed him with the other dogs,” I explained. “Don’t worry—there’s no extra charge. He was so easy! He didn’t fuss at all.”
He turned to the dog. “You wiggle and whine every time me and momma give you a bath. I don’t know how Ms. Beth does it, but we’re bringing you here every time I’m gone.”
His comments made me grin all through lunch.
Suzie arrived soon after. She took one look at Braden in the field with Claire, scooping up poop, and turned to me.
“Did Braden freaking Clark spend the night here?” she asked, leaning in as if to gossip. “He’s wearing sweatpants. Wait. Is Christian Baker here, too?”
I laughed nervously. “No, of course not. Christian dropped Claire off this morning because she wanted to help with the dogs.”
“Oh, okay.” She didn’t acknowledge that I hadn’t answered her question about Braden, but she chuckled. “I don’t know why I asked. Both of them… haha. Nobody’s that lucky!”
If only you knew, I thought.
Despite being a tiny little thing, Claire was surprisingly helpful with Braden’s assistance. The two of them walked around scooping up dog poop until the field was cleaner than it had ever been when my grandma was alive. It was adorable watching the tall, muscular Wide Receiver following her around like a personal assistant, cleaning up whatever she pointed to with enthusiasm and vigor. It was hilarious to me that a seven year old was ordering around a multi-million dollar athlete like he was a maid, but Braden never complained or showed any hint of annoyance.
“We’re heading out,” Braden told me around four in the afternoon. “I’m taking Claire to see the new Disney movie. The animated one.” He leaned in close to whisper. “She’snever been to a movie theater. Can you believe that?”
“Poor thing,” I said. “Make sure to splurge on the large popcorn and soda.”
“I’m an AMC Rewards member. That little girl is getting one of every single type of candy they have.” He grinned. “I had a great time last night. And today, even though I’ve spent all my time with Claire.”
“You’re really good with her.” I smiled up at him, then said, “You’re going to make a great father someday.”
“I hope so! As long as I’m better than my own dad, I’ll call that a win.” He glanced over his shoulder, then grabbed hold of the back of my head and pulled me into a passionate kiss. The suddenness of it, and Braden’s palpabledesirefor me, took my breath away. I was gasping when he finally released his lock on my lips.
“Something for you to think about until we see each other again.” He gave me that boyish grin of his. “Later, Beth. Have fun with Chrissy tonight.” He put his fingers together and whistled. “Pickles! Heidi! Let’s go!”
Claire said goodbye before leaving, but she still insisted hugs were only for family. I wondered what she would think if I told her that getting a piggy back ride was basically the same thing as a hug, but I didn’t want to ruin that for her—or for Braden.
Suzie was happy to stay late for me, saying that she could use the extra hours to help replenish her beer fund. That gave me extra time to prepare for the date. It felt strange getting ready to go out with one man tonight, while I had gone out—or rather, stayedin—with a different man last night. It felt even stranger because last night had beenso amazing. I was still buzzing from my evening with Braden, and his goodbye kiss had left a deep impression in my emotions. It made me wonder why I was even bothering to go out with both of them, rather than focusing solely on Braden.
