Page 157 of Secret Obsession
“I know.”
My sophomore, his freshman year.Three years ago. We were out in a group—I don’t even remember what he ordered, and he remembers my reaction to my meal?
Have I been completely oblivious?
“How cute. Okay, no sushi and no spice. How about Italian? It’s been a while since I’ve made a lasagna. Willow, you’re okay with ground beef?”
I clear my throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Call me Lucy, dear. I’ll see you both on Saturday, then.”
“Love you, Mom,” Miles says.
“Love you, too, baby.”
The call disconnects from her end, and he tosses the phone on the table. The waitress appears with our drinks and relays that our food will be out soon.
“Why’d you do that?” I ask.
“Because not all families look the same. You don’t just get me in this deal, wild girl. You can have more love than you know what to do with.”
“What if they meet me in person and hate me?” I shake my head and open my phone, going to the group conversation between my parents, Indie, and me. I secretly think all families must have that, but unlike Miles’, ours has been all but abandoned.
The last text was from me, over a month ago.
I hand him my phone, and he scans the messages. They’re all… well, notcold, but they’re not really brimming with emotion either.
“Efficient,” he decides, closing out of that and going to my text thread with Mom.
That one is even worse. The last text is from when I was home for Christmas. They were invited to some work party, and she asked if I would be okay home on my own. The day after the holiday.
I didn’t respond to the text.
Miles grunts.
“So… how did you get Violet and Aspen to help you with this date idea?” Better to change the subject, right? Than deal with hard things?
He shifts to face me fully and lifts his hand to cup my cheek. “They know I’m what’s best for you.”
Oh, super.
The waitress returns, saving me from forming a decent response, and places our burgers in front of us. Suddenly ravenous, I ignore Miles and dig in.
An hour later, he’s got my hand in his and we’re walking back toward the arena. Except now, there are a hell of a lot more people around.
I frown, glancing from them to Miles, but he only winks at me and pulls me onward. Into the line of people entering the arena. We go through a metal detector, and someone scans a barcode on his phone. Then another.
We’re through, and I poke him.
“What is this?”
“Willow!”
I jerk toward the sound of Aspen’s voice. She and Steele are followed by Violet and Greyson, and they’re all wearing Colorado Titans jerseys, with the same number on the sleeves. Aspen holds out a bag for us, and Miles takes it. He reveals two more matching jerseys, flipping them around so I can see the back.
Rhodes.
“Jacob’s playing?”
