Page 70 of Draft Pick
My lips quirk. “I know, but god, Tenley, Crew is planning to retire. The whole point of that is to focus on Addie. To invest more time in Boone. And now he has an injury that takes up time as well, not to mention if he ends up needing surgery. It’s all just a lot.”
“Let me ask you something,” she retorts, ushering me to focus. “Have you talked to Crew about any of this? Have you satdown and asked him if seeing someone right now would be too much? Because from where I’m standing, I think adding you into the mix of their chaos sounds like exactly what that little family needs.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I’ve known Crew for a long time. Met him when Addie was a little tiny thing. She has always been his entire world and then some. He’s an incredible dad. But what most people don’t know is that there was a short period of time—and by short, I mean very, very short—when he pursued Navy.”
“No way,” I gasp. “Crew and Navy?”
Tenley nods, a slow smile revealing itself. “Yep. It didn’t last because it was always supposed to be her and Bodhi in the end. But during it all, not once did I ever see Crew give up. He took Navy’s rejection in stride and refused to believe there wasn’t someone special out there for him. Life has just been life-ing lately, babe. He’s gone through some shit and is used to doing it alone. In no way does that mean it’s by choice.”
I never really thought about that.
Anytime Crew and I have come remotely close to mentioning there being an “us,” he reflects on Addie’s circumstances and the fact that I’m her doctor. And the last thing I want is to be another person someone doesn’t want around. Or worse, the person forgotten.
But I guess that makes sense. From his stance, he’s finally seeing his daughter succeed and flourish into her best self. I’m sure there’s a fear that comes with tainting that. I feel the same way about my reputation as a professional.
But god, he has no idea what seeing that little Queen of Emerald City thrive means to me.
“I don’t know what to do,” I sigh while Tenley pulls me in for a hug.
“Just don’t give up on him, okay? It’s the twenty-first century, and nothing is as taboo as it used to be. Besides, sometimes, men need a little bit of a push to realize what they truly want.”
I pull back to look at her, searching for answers I’m hoping to find. “You really think what Crew wants is me? I can’t afford to be hurt, Tenley. Especially by Crew. It’s not just him I’d lose. It’s Addie, too. I adore her.”
“I really do, babe.”
“He’s seen me date other people.”
Her brows shoot up. “I almost forgot about that. Did he lose his noodle?”
I laugh. “I guess you could say that.”
Tenley lifts a finger, clearly an idea suddenly coming to her. “You need to run with that, Juniper. I’m assuming you have another date planned?”
“Yes, on Friday, actually. But after we kissed, I thought about can?—”
“You what?” she blurts, and I cover her mouth with my hand, searching our surroundings for anyone listening.
“Would you shush?” I beg on a harsh whisper.
Tenley shimmies her shoulders, preparing to speak calmly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It was just the little comment about you and Crew kissing that about sent me!” She’s yelling again, but I don’t have the energy to correct her.
“Yes. Okay. We kissed. It was hot and a spur-of-the-moment thing, and we both promised it would never happen again.”
“And why the hell not?”
“Because of everything.” I wave my hands around chaotically. “Must I really explain myself again?”
“Forget I asked.” Her wheels are spinning, and I’m not gonna lie, this side of Tenley makes me love her even more. She’s passionate. “You need to give Crew something to be tempted by.And scrubs ain’t it, baby girl. Something sexy as hell, and make him work for it.”
Nerves trample me. “Tenley. I don’t know about this. You seriously think he’ll come around?”
“Trust me,” she reassures. “We can plan the details later. Let’s go see our favorite boys before the game starts without us.”
With jitters tangled in my stomach, I agree and brace myself for what lies ahead. In more ways than one. I hear the team in the distance, rambunctious and riled up to play hard, while the beeping of my phone steals my attention.
Mom
