Page 43 of Catching the Coach
“Your Mom told me you love me,” I blurt out, not being able to hold it in anymore.
“Oh,” he says, realizing why I ran in here.
“Oh? I tell you your mom told me you love me and all you have to say is ‘oh’?”
“What do you want me to say Lucy?”
I take a step back and cross my arms. “That it’s not true? That she was mistaken?” I uncross my arms and flail them around in the air. “I mean we’ve known each other for a little over a week, Kessler. Isn’t this fast? Crazy even?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “My parents-” he starts to say, but I cut him off.
“Only dated for three months. I know, your mom told me before she dropped a bomb on me!” I say, raising my voice.
Kessler steps forward and places his hands on the side of both my arms. “Lucy, I’m not asking you to say it back. I’m not even the one who said it to you. I am willing to go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. I know you’re scared.” He pauses. “I’m scared too,” he admits.
“Why are you scared?” I whisper.
He grips my chin and lifts my face to his looking directly into my eyes. “I’m scared you’ll leave and I know I’ll never feel what I feel for you, with anyone else.”
Hearing him admit he’s scared to lose me loosens a brick in my wall and I can feel them start to crumble down around me. I can feel tears build in my eyes and I blink them back. Pushing all my fears and worries away, I lean forward, closing the distance again between our lips.
This time Kessler isn’t as gentle and I can feel his tongue trace my lips asking for permission. I open my mouth and Kessler’s tongue invades my mouth. I match his hunger and lift my hand, running it through his hair. I grip the short strands at the back of his head and give them a slight tug. He growls into my mouth and pulls back slightly to nip at my lip. I let out a gasp. I can feel his smile on my lips before claiming them again. We stand there in his parent’s bathroom for who knows how long, making out like teenagers. This time he’s the one to break the kiss.
“As much as I would love to make out with you all day. I’m sure Hudson is wondering where we went.”
Shit.
I lean my forehead against his and collect my thoughts.
“Before we go back out there. I need to tell you something.” I lean back and look into his eyes.
Apprehension crosses his face, but he stays silent and waits for me to speak.
“I know I’ve been holding back, but coming here tonight and talking with your mom. Seeing you with Hudson.” I shake my head. “You flew home early to watch his game and he’s not even your kid.” I fight back the tears that threaten to choke me. “I may not be ready to say certain words to you, but I am ready to see where this goes.”
“Really?” Kessler says quietly.
“Really,” I say nodding my head. He leans down and captures my lips again and gives me a soul searing kiss. I place my hand on his chest and push back, breaking us apart. “We should really head back out there before they send a search party for us.”
Kessler laughs and places one last kiss on my lips before turning and opening the door. I grab my wine tumbler and walk out the door. Kessler follows me down the hallway and out the sliding door before I can get any further he grabs my free hand and entwines his fingers with mine. We get to the firepit and I see the makings for S’mores scattered all about. Judd is talking to Hudson and showing him where to place his marshmallow over the fire. The sight brings a warm feeling to my chest. Hudson looks up, sees me, and grins.
“Mom, Judd is teaching me to roast the perfect marshmallow. He says it’s all about the heat pocket.”
“That’s awesome. You better watch it to make sure it doesn’t burn.”
He turns his attention back to his marshmallow right before it bursts into flames, charring it.
“No!” he exclaims, trying to blow out the flames, but it’s too late, the marshmallow is toast.
“No worries bud, we’ll just try again,” Judd says handing him a fresh stick and marshmallow and taking the burnt one from him.
Kessler leads me over to two seats next to his mom and dad. He moves them so they are closer together and gestures for me to sit. I take a seat next to Marlene and he takes the one on the other side of me and reaches for my hand again once we’re seated.
Marlene looks at our hands and back up at us. “So I didn’t ruin things?” she asks, her face pinched with worry.
I give her a smile and reach out to give her a reassuring squeeze. “No Marlene, you didn’t ruin anything. The complete opposite actually. That was the push I needed to get out of my head and see what's in front of me. So thank you for that.”
I feel Kessler give my hand a squeeze and lift my fingers to his lips placing a kiss on them. Marlene puts her hand to her mouth and blinks her eyes a few times like she’s holding back tears.
