Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
I lowered my phone. “No?”
“I don’t think so.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think so?”
“You heard me.” She nodded. “Text him. I want to see this special magical effect he has over you.”
“We just had a conversation about how you were going to give me space.”
“I did, all afternoon until I saw how you were looking at the TV when your man was running around in those tight pants.” She shook her head. “Straight up eye candy. Come on. I’ll give you space, but I want to be here. That’s it.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s texting. It’s not like I’m going to overhear you.”
I scowled. “Still want my privacy.”
“Billie—”
“It’s too new.”
She rolled her eyes and gave in. I felt it as she pushed herself back up from the couch. “Okay, okay. Text him. I’ll be out on your side patio thing.”
“I will be right out.” My tone was stern, which earned me another eye roll and a twitch of her lips as she passed behind me, making a show of shutting the door.
I’d just started to text again when the phone came alive, ringing in my hand.
Brett calling.
I answered. “Hi. I was just going to text you.”
The noise on his end was deafening. “You were? What were you going to say?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still on the field. I need to do some interviews, but listen, I’ll be able to get out of here in like an hour or so. Maybe shorter. What are you doing for dinner?”
“Brett,” I started.
“Hold on.” He must’ve done something because the background noise faded dramatically. His voice was clearer. “This is better. Did you say something?”
“Congratulations on the win.”
“Hey!” I swore I could hear his smile. “You watched?” He laughed. “Of course you did. I forgot for a second how much you like football.”
“I can safely say that I’m speaking on behalf of most of Texas in saying thank you. You were phenomenal.”
He laughed again, the warm sound washing over me. “Thank you. I mean that. But it wasn’t just me. The whole team got the W.”
“You helped a lot.”
“Brett!” someone called on his end.
A static sound took over, the drone of his voice sounding next, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying or who he was talking to. The static left, and he said clearly, to someone else, “Okay. Give me a second. I’ll be right there.” Then he spoke to me. “I have to go, but do you want to do dinner? I’ll do whatever you want. Can you let me know what you want? I want to see you. My place, your place, or somewhere else, just text me. I can pick you up too. I’m easy. You pick. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll text you.”
“Awesome, and it’s fucking phenomenal to hear your voice. Thank you, baby.”
He ended the call.
I was left speechless.
Baby.
He’d called me baby. He’d said it so quickly, easily, as if he’d been calling me baby for years. Had he called other women that? Was that his term of endearment for the women he dated?
“Oh, for the love of Jesus Christ from church this morning!” Lo’s voice came through the door. “I’m dying here. Please tell me what’s going on!”
I laughed and let out a sigh, releasing any negativity that lingered in me.
Me: There’s homemade ice cream here, and Howard is showing Roger some new beer he bought. I was asked to relay an invitation to you. By the time you get here, I’m sure we’ll be sitting down for dinner. One more plate is easily added to the table.
Brett: Awesome! I’ll let you know when I’m headed your way.
Lo had a peculiar look in her eye when I took a seat beside her. She’d pulled her chair over so she could still see the front yard since the girls were back to playing. They were riding around on their bikes. Luna kept trying to pedal away, but Roger was there, talking with Howard, and he had a hand on the back of Luna’s bike. She was pedaling, but not moving forward. She kept glaring, but Roger was ignoring her, listening to Howard.
Lo’s eyes shifted to me as I put my phone on the table. “You’re quiet. Why are you quiet?”
I gave her a look. “I’m always quiet.”
“True, but this quiet is different. Why’s it different? Did you sext with Broudou?”
“What?”
She laughed. “Never mind. You didn’t sext. I’d be able to tell.”
I frowned. “He’s coming for ice cream and dinner.”
She froze, her eyes latched on me.
My frown deepened. “Was that the right move? I could cancel, tell him we should go somewhere else.”
She jerked forward in her seat. “No! I mean, that’s great.” She coughed, her voice more normal. “He’ll be here? I can finally meet this guy.”
Crap. I’d messed up.
It was too soon.
And after I told him I wanted to go slow too.