AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I haven’t been attracted to a single girl in a chunky sweater who carries luggage before and definitely not one with a child.
“God, I’ve missed you since you left after game night. Phone calls aren’t enough, Brooke. This no-sex deal is killing me. I need to be inside you. Eating you. Touching you. Kissing you,” I whisper over the shell of her ear, and she turns a shade of coral that matches her jacket. “I brought these, thinking you were in class.”
“That was the plan, but the daycare is closed due to the flu. Dad is traveling. Lettie and Nicole are sick. So, I’m missing class. Do you think Harper knows anyone who babysits?”
A thought crosses my mind that I’m positive she’ll nix before I’ve finished my sentence. Removing my cap, I tousle my hair, wondering if I should suggest it. “She does.”
“Who?”
“Me.” I grab her hand while she shakes her head back and forth. “It’s just a few hours. Your friend Nicole trusted me with her son.”
“No, there has to be someone else. I can’t let him get to know you and want you around all the time until I know if you want to be around.”
I snort. “I want to be around, Cookie. I bought you a flower arrangement of cake pops.” I gather her in my arms. “In ancient days, if the man brought food and berries to a woman, she knew he was hers to protect and feed.”
“Neanderthal,” she says as she furrows her brows. “But we decided to wait a few weeks.” She pushes to her toes and pecks my lips quickly, then scans the surrounding area to make sure we weren’t seen. Brooke definitely wants to keep our relationship on the down-low.
“It’s already been over a week. Life happens. Shit happens, and we make the best of the situation. It just so happens that I’m free today. I’ll call in sick to study hall. Your dad is gone, and the assistant coach that oversees study hall works with my line. Currently, I’m in good standing with the coaching staff.”
She breaks the hold I have on her. “You played fantastic.”
“I did.”
“So sure of yourself.”
“I’m good at what I do, Brooke. I won’t apologize for that. A chef doesn’t apologize for being able to cook. A certain ballet teacher, soon-to-be Broadway producer, has given me a new lease on life.”
“Okay, okay. I just don’t want my dad to find out.”
“If it will make you feel better, I’ll call the assistant coach and ask him if I can do study hall this evening, after you’re back home. I’ll say I have a contract to sign for a commercial.” Glancing at my watch, I add, “You have thirty-two minutes to get to class, so let’s do this.”
She pushes her tongue against her cheek and sighs as she opens the door. “Follow me.”
I’m in over my head, but I won’t let on. What am I going to do with a three-year-old?
“Caleb, my friend Reed is going to stay with you while I go to class.” He hides behind her leg, sneaking peeks at me. “He wants to play dinosaurs with you.”
“Hey. When I was little, my favorite book was about dinosaurs.” I crouch down to meet him eye to eye. “It was about a Pteranodon showing off his yawn.”
A confused scowl passes over his face.
“I have my laptop in the car. I’ll go get it and find the book on video and read it to you while you look at the pictures.” This earns me a smile of relief from Brooke. “I’ll be right back. It will be fine.”
When I come back in with my backpack in tow, she laughs. “Okay, promise you’ll call or text if you need anything.”
She walks to the couch and kisses Caleb where he’s watchingPaw Patrol.
“I promise. Now get out of here.”
“Okay, I’ll see you at four thirty. I have to work after class, but if you…”
“Go.”
When the door closes behind her, I repeat to myself, “You can do this. He’s a kid.”
“Is this your favorite show?” I sink down onto the couch beside him.
“What’s that mean?”
