Page 120 of Offside Rules

"I’m worried about you both, Baylor. You and Beau have always been close. I don’t want this to come between you."

Outside, the woman from the chili truck walks past and lifts a hand. I wave back, trying to smile while Mom waits for me to answer.

"I don’t want that either."

"And your father…" She lets out a breath. "He won’t take it well. He was already uncomfortable with you working in Wolfgang’s apartment."

"I’m not asking Dad to date him."

"Baylor."

"I know. But I’m the one spending time with him, Mom. He’s been good to me."

"I’m glad he has."

"He’s helped with my business. He worked on Sprinkles because he didn’t like the idea of me getting stranded somewhere. He makes me breakfast when I’ve been up baking since four."

I stop before I tell her about last night.

I want to keep that evening for myself a little longer.

"A few weeks ago, you couldn’t stand him," she says.

"A few weeks ago, I hadn’t spent time with him in six years."

"And now you like him."

"Yes."

Saying it to her feels different from saying it to Ellie. Ellie watched it happen. Mom still knows the Wolf who sent Beau to the hospital.

So did I, until I walked upstairs.

"I’m not trying to hurt anyone," I tell her.

"I know that, sweetheart."

"But I can’t keep pretending he’s only lending me an oven."

She doesn’t answer immediately. I look at the dashboard clock, then away. I have things to do this afternoon, but none of them feels especially urgent now.

"I haven’t told your dad about the jersey," she says.

"Thank you."

"That doesn’t mean I’m comfortable keeping this from him."

"I wouldn’t ask you to."

"And Beau needs to hear it from you. Please don’t let him find out from someone else, or another clip on television."

My stomach tightens.

"I’ll talk to him."

"Before he gets here."

"I know."