I push into her and just like every other time it takes my breath for a moment.
“You smell like lavender and bubble bath.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s more on me than Indie.”
She laughs and then moans when I thrust deeper.
She clings to my shoulders and moves under me. We’re dashing to the finish line trying to beat the real world that threatens to burst the happy bubble we both want to live in.
Dating the mystery girl I dreamed about all these years is nothing like I expected. It’s so much better.
“What are you doing this weekend?” I ask as I finish getting dressed.
Rylee grabs her books and her laptop and takes them to the dining room table. “No plans. I usually take Indie to story time at the library on Saturdays. Do you want to come?”
She goes to the fridge and pulls out two iced coffee drinks. I realize then how tired she must really be. I feel it too, or at least a fraction of it. Pains me to leave. Not that I can be much help while Indie sleeps anyway.
“I don’t think I can. We have a game Saturday.”
“Oh.” She stops short, brows knitted in concentration. “Right. I forgot. Home game this weekend, right?”
“Someone’s been checking in on the jocks, huh?”
“Just on you. I’d offer to come, but I’m not sure Indie would last more than an hour.”
“I don’t know. She’s a pretty big fan, I think.”
“She’s a fan of yours, mostly.”
“It’s fine if you don’t feel up to coming, but I was hoping you’d come out to dinner with my parents after.” I shove my hands in my pockets and attempt to look charming.
I don’t think I succeed because her mouth gapes open.
“I haven’t told them yet, but I know once I do, they’re going to want to meet you.”
“Wow. Yeah. I mean, of course.” She wrings her hands together. “Holy crap. I’m already nervous.”
I step to her and take her into my arms. “They’re gonna love you two.”
Chapter Nine
Rylee
John’s mom pulls me into a hug. It’s the third or fourth time she’s clutched me to her chest. She’s tall and freaky strong. I’m struggling to breathe as she rocks us back and forth. “Oh, you’re such a brave girl doing it on your own these past two years.”
Indie is loving all the attention the Datson family gives her. John holds her as his dad, John Sr., tickles her stomach. The Datson brothers, all dark haired, tall, and varying shades of dark blue eyes, are something else. Jacob, the youngest at fourteen, is the most talkative of the group. Julian, seventeen, has a friendly smile but barely spoke all dinner. Jayden is sixteen and rounds out the brothers as the sullen one who spent most of the time looking at his phone.
I’m finally released, and I take a deep breath.
“You three have to come up to the farm some weekend,” Mrs. Datson, or Jennifer as I’ve been instructed to call her, says.
“My schedule is nuts until the end of the season,” John says.
She swats at him and then wraps her arms around him and Indie.
“Anything you need, you let me know,” she instructs me. She points a finger at John. “Make sure my beautiful granddaughter has everything she needs.”
She cups his cheek and looks to Indie so lovingly. I should have known that John’s family would be as great as he is, but I breathe a little easier knowing my daughter has two parents, and two sets of grandparents to love her. Maybe we’ll get through this yet.
The Datson family piles into their SUV outside of my apartment. Indie waves her little hand as they drive off.
“I hope you didn’t give my mom your phone number,” John says, handing over Indie to me.
“I did. She gave me hers, too. Why?”
His lips tug up and he gives me that charming smile. “I predict daily phone calls. Regret meeting me yet?”
I lean up on my toes to kiss him. “Not even a little.”
Over the next week, John stays at my place most nights. Indie is loving it as much as I am. The team had an away game today, but they’re headed back. I have a meeting with my advisor in thirty minutes.
Lindsey’s playing with Indie in my room while I get ready. I check my phone to see if he’s texted recently. He said he’d let me know as soon as they arrived. I expected to hear from him by now, but I’m hoping he’s on the way over. It’s less than a two-hour flight from California so adding a little extra time for baggage and driving to my place, I figure he should be here in the next five minutes. Which means I can make it to my meeting on time. I might even be a few minutes early. Imagine that.
“Did she say why she wanted to meet with you?”
“No. And I’m trying really hard not to think about it. If the department cuts my TA position, I’m sunk.”
“I’m sure that isn’t it.” She picks up the book on my bed and flips through it. “Did you make this?”
“Yeah. It’s a little photo journal of Indie. I made it for John. All the big moments in her life before they met.”
“It’s the cutest. You’re so dang talented.” She scoots off the bed. “All right, girls. I need to get to the library. You’re sure Datson is going to be here before you need to leave?”
“Yeah.” I add another coat of mascara to my lashes. My phone beeps. “That’s probably him. They’re…” My words trail off when I finish reading the text.
“Well?”
“They’re delayed. The plane landed but they don’t have a gate so they’re waiting. It doesn’t look like he’s going to make it.” Even if he stepped off the plane right now, it’d take him too long to get to my apartment. I toss my phone on the bed without responding and go to my laptop. “I’ll email my advisor and see if I can reschedule.”
“No, I’ve got this. I’ll stay with her until you get back.”
“What about your plans?”
“My study group will be fine without me for an hour. Seriously, go. I’ve got you.”
“Thank you.” I don’t bother putting up a fight because I need the help.
Dr. Matthews is in her office sitting behind her desk when I get to the second floor of the English building.
“Come in.” She waves me inside.
I take a seat in front of her desk. My nerves are frayed.
“Thank you for coming by.”
“Of course. Is everything okay? I’m freaking out a little.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s good news. I should have mentioned that in my email.” She leans forward. “I’ve selected your fantasy novel from the pitch fest. I want to work with you on it.”
My body relaxes, but my heart skips several beats. “You do?”
“Yes. It’s a great concept and your characters are well thought out and interesting.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you’re as eager as I am to get started. Formal announcements aren’t until next Friday at the Halloween party, but I’d love to get started right away.” She turns to stare at her computer monitor. “I’ve got your schedule pulled up. I could do four o’clock after you’re done with classes.”