Page 31 of Draft Pick
“Cute. You’re cute.”
My eyes dart quickly to the front window, staring at absolutely nothing but mentally something. It has to be something other than Crew.
Maybe I misunderstood him? Surely Addie’s daddy didn’t just call me cute? I don’t think he realized it until now, immediately trying to change the subject.
“I can’t believe how close we live. Lock your doors. Once Addie finds out, she won’t wanna leave you alone.”
“You live over here?” I ask, wondering why he never mentioned that earlier. Not that he had much to say anyway, but it still would have been the time to.
“A few streets down.” Crew points to my left. “I run this route a few times a week, actually. Never knew you lived here.”
“Well, in your defense, it’s barely been a month, so…”
“I guess that makes sense.”
Needing to get something off my chest, I blurt, “Can I ask you something? I have a habit of not saying things when I really want to say them because I’m terrified of hurting feelings, but I’ve gotta ask.”
His smirk is way too charming to be directed at me. “Something about you tells me that’s not true, but ask away.”
It’s wrong of me to ask, but I’m too curious not to. “You’re not married.”
Bright eyes stare at me amongst the darkness of the vehicle. “That’s not a question.”
I want to crawl into a hole and never come out. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I have no right.” I’m gathering my things as quickly as possible, needing to escape before I have a chance to speak out of line again.
“Wait.” That same hand I now feel branded on my skin is back, gently stopping me from leaving. “No, I’m not married. Never was.”
The news of Crew and Addie’s mom shouldn’t rattle me so much. Not because of him being…him, but because being a medical professional in my field, I witness a lot of broken families. It’s taxing to watch kids come and go with their mother one appointment and father the next. Or two mothers. Two fathers. Some permanently absent. The equations are endless.
I guess my first impression of Addie and Crew was happiness. They both just seemed so…happy. Like she had a big family table at home where mom and dad cooked, cleaned, and read bedtime stories together.
It was presumptuous of me to assume.
“I really shouldn’t have asked, Crew. It wasn’t my place. I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head solemnly. “It’s alright. You can ask me whatever you want, Juniper. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
This is when I should get out of the car, go inside, and keep any and all lingering questions to myself. Seeing as how I’ve already crossed more boundaries than necessary, I say fuck it and decide I’ve got nothing left to lose.
Tomorrow, when I wake up with stomach-sinking guilt, I’ll beg for forgiveness. “You just don’t strike me as a man who would stay single for long.”
I’m not sure what Crew is thinking, but he stills. “I think you’d be surprised. I don’t have the time to date seriously. Hilary and I are close friends, but a romantic connection was never there past that one drunken night. We have a good thing going for Addie.”
I make mental notes—Hilary. Doesn’t date. No time. One drunk night.
“That’s most important,” I say, smiling softly and appreciating his honesty. “I’ve seen a lot of sad shit. Excuse my language,” I express firmly, and he rolls his eyes in frustration.
“You’re not at work, Juniper. No need to be professional.”
I shake my head and re-center my thoughts. “You’re right. I just mean…I’ve seen a lot of sad situations within families where the children get the shitty end of the stick. They switch from home to home and carry the burdens of their parents. It’s heartbreaking, especially when I know it’s a family that wants what’s best for their child but can’t find enough stability to provide it for them.”
“You must feel pretty helpless in moments like that.”
More than you know.
I exhale. “It’s the worst part of my job. Best job ever, but the worst parts suck really fucking bad. What I’m trying to say is: you’re doing a great job, Crew. From what I’ve seen with Addie already, she’s gonna be one of the good ones. The world changers.”
“You really think so?” he asks, and something tells me he’s had that worry.
