Page 52 of Back To Our Beginning

“No, but I’m closer than I have been in years.”

“One more thing.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“If she’s everything you say she is, she’ll support you one hundred percent on working through your next five years. But what if she insists on you quitting the teams?”

Now that was something to think about.

* * *

That afternoon, Maddie texted me to call her. When I did, she said she was taking a mental health break.

“What does that mean?”

“I left work at four o’clock”

“So, you left work on time is what you’re telling me?” I knew I sounded exasperated, but I didn’t care.

“Stop it Mr. Judgy Pants. I was calling you to see if you wanted to come over. But if you’re going to be like that, I’m changing my mind.”

“No, don’t change your mind. How soon?”

“Now.”

“Done.” I grinned.

I was at her place in twenty minutes. With her favorite root beer in hand.

I knocked on her door, but there was no answer. I tried again. When I tried the knob, it was unlocked.

“Goddammit.”

I let myself inside and called out for her. No answer. I put the root beer in the fridge and went to the sliding glass door to her backyard. Yep. That’s where she was. Ass up, probably weeding. I took just a moment to admire her ass in cute-as-fuck cut-off jeans. They were so short I got to see a little bit of butt cheek.

She better not wear those out in public.

I slid open the door and before I could call out her name, she turned around.

“Hey, Beau.” She smiled at me.

“What in the hell are you doing leaving your door unlocked?” I demanded to know.

She shrugged. “You were coming over and I knew I wouldn’t hear you if you knocked or rang the doorbell. It seemed expedient.”

“If you didn’t answer, I would have texted you.”

“Why did you turn the knob?”

“Habit.” I answered. “It was a damn foolish thing to do, Maddie.”

“Quit sounding like my brother,” she huffed.

Well, I sure as hell didn’t want to remind her of her brother. “Cute shorts,” I smiled.

“They’re my gardening shorts.”

“Why did you call me?” I asked.