Page 141 of Wicked Savage Cruel
“I know I will—”
“Only maybe after we get all of this figured out.”
Sounds good to me. I don’t want my kid anywhere near where social services is sniffing.
The sound of voices approaching lets me know the guys must have finished up with practice. “I gotta go, but I’ll be home in half an hour. An hour max. Okay?”
“Okay. See you soon.”
I hang up and shove my phone back into my bag before peeling off my pads. I need a quick shower before the rest of the team uses all the hot water, and then I need to haul ass home. I consider calling Bibiana to let her know what happened, but I never told her about Raul in the first place. Better to leave well enough alone. I’ll just tell her I can’t come by this week because of practice. She’ll understand. She knows we have the state championship this weekend, so it won’t be a big deal.
Right?
SIXTY-FIVE
Bibiana
When Jae said he’d grab some of my things from my mom’s, I didn’t realize he’d meant all of my things. My room wasn’t very large to begin with back home, so I didn’t have a ton of stuff, but all of my clothes are hanging in the guest room closet and six large boxes lay against one wall filled with Luis’s clothes and toys. He even packed my books and knickknacks.
There is a playpen set up beside the bed, and it looks like my makeup and toothbrush are sitting on the nightstand. I can’t believe he thought to grab them from my bathroom.
“Did you leave anything behind?” I ask jokingly, though also somewhat serious, because this makes the move feel permanent and that can’t be what he has in mind. Right? I mean, no. Of course, this is temporary. A few weeks. Maybe a couple of months at most.
He rubs the back of his neck, his expression sheepish. “I mean, I didn’t bring the bed. Or the crib. But we can go back for it if you’d like.”
“No. This is fine. Great actually.” The play pen is new. I definitely didn’t have that before, though Luis is fine to sleep beside me if need be. Half the time he winds up in my bed anyway.
I set Luis down and place a hand on Jae’s forearm. “You didn’t need to go through all this trouble. I’ll figure something out soon. I promise.” Maybe I’ll get lucky and can wait out Miguel’s trial, though from the sounds of it, that could take months, and I don’t have months.
“Don’t.” He sighs. “I mean, you don’t need to, and it wasn’t any trouble. Living by yourself is overrated. I have this whole place to myself. It could use some life in it, don’t you think?”
“Are you sure? Because if you’re not—”
“I want you here. You and Luis.” His eyes implore me to stay, and without an alternative, I relent.
“Okay. Thank you. I promise we won’t get in your way.”
He chuckles. “I want you two in my way. That’s the entire point of moving you in here so get comfortable. Leave Luis’s toys all over the house and help yourself to whatever you need.”
I can’t help my smile. “You know you’re a pretty great guy, right?”
The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’re going to make some girl insanely happy one day.”
His smile dips and he licks his lips, a nervous gesture. “That isn’t you though, is it?”
I open my mouth. Close it. Swallow and take a deep breath. “I think Emilio and I are…” I trail off. I’m not sure what we are, but it’s something, and I don’t want Jae getting the wrong idea. Because even if Emilio weren’t in the picture, I just don’t feel those sparks with him. It isn’t in the cards for Jae and I.
He forces a laugh. “No worries. I get it.” He swoops Luis into his arms and rubs his nose against his, giving him an Eskimo kiss. “I hope he knows how lucky he is. And I hope you know if he screws up, I’m available.” He winks.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest. “Stop. You are not going to be anyone’s second choice.”
He steps closer and places a chaste kiss along my temple. “I’d be your second choice in a heartbeat if you’d have me.”
My breath hitches.
“But I won’t push. I value our friendship too much and I want you comfortable while you’re here. Why don’t you unpack while Luis and I grab a snack?”
