Chapter 28

Twenty-Eight

Everett

“ Y ou got this, buddy! Let’s go!”

Sutton turns his head, glancing our way as he walks up to the home plate. Smiling, he gives me a thumbs-up before getting into position.

This past weekend, I discovered a batting cage just outside of Blossom Beach. Sutton and I went on Sunday, and he got a lot more confident in his batting abilities. I can only imagine how much more he’ll grow by the end of the season.

Sitting back down beside Gemma and the rest of her family on the bleachers, I watch as the pitcher throws the ball, and the umpire calls a strike after Sutton misses. The score is close, and I’m sure he’s feeling all the nerves. I watch as he shakes his arms and legs out before assuming the position again. His stance is good. This time, when the pitcher throws the ball, Sutton hits it. But not only that, he damn near knocks it out of the park .

Adrenaline shoots through my body as I jump to my feet at the same time Gemma and her whole family does too. We all scream our excitement and clap as he makes his way from base to base, running as fast as he can, until he eventually crosses over the home plate.

“Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!” I shout, clapping so hard as Sutton looks over at us, a beaming smile on his face. Back in the dugout, his friends and coach cheer him on, and I can’t help but feel so damn proud of him. “That was fucking amazing,” I say to Gemma as we take our seats again.

“He did so good!” Smiling from ear to ear, Gemma turns her head, meeting my gaze. Like it always does when I look at her, my stomach dips and my heart beats a little harder. She’s just so damn beautiful. Wearing a jersey unbuttoned over a white tank top with a pair of jean shorts, it’s work to keep my hands off her. The urge to lean in and press a kiss to her soft, pink, glossy lips is strong, or even just hold her hand.

It’s been a couple of weeks since the lighthouse, and that’s one memory that will remain burned in my mind for all of eternity. We’ve seen each other a handful of times since then, and after every single time, I find myself wanting more. I’ll go to the batting cages or play catch with Sutton, then go home that night and want more; try to think of more things I can do with him, things I would have liked to do as a kid. Sneak back over to Gemma’s after he’s gone to bed, roll around in the sheets with her, hear her sweet, sexy moans, then go home, climb into my own bed alone, and want more, more, more.

I can’t deny the longer we keep this going, the more I learn about her and her son, the more I want. I don’t want a few hours in the evening after a long day of work. I don’t want sneaking around and pretending we’re just friends.

I want to fall asleep with her in my arms and wake up to see the morning sun kissing her skin. I want to hold her hand on afternoons like today, when we’re sitting at the baseball field. Make lunch side by side in the kitchen while swaying to the music she loves to play. I want it all, and that realization makes me a little uneasy, because I’m not so sure Gemma feels the same. I mean, sure, I’m not blind. She clearly enjoys spending time with me, but what if she truly does only see me as a friend who she has sex with?

What if it’ll never be more than that?

The rest of the game goes by in a stressful, sitting-on-the-edge-of-our-seats fashion. It’s a close call nearly the whole game, both sides playing their hearts out, but in the end, the other team takes the win. By the time Sutton and Beau make it over to us, their disappointment is clear.

Giving Sutton a hug, I tell him, “You did fantastic today, buddy. I’m so proud of you.”

He looks up at me, eyes squinting from the sun. “Yeah, but I didn’t do good enough,” he murmurs. “We still lost.”

“Hey, listen to me.” Squatting down until I’m eye level with him, a hand resting on his shoulder, I say, “Sometimes, it’s not always about winning. You played one hell of a game today, you gave it your all, and that’s still worth celebrating. You won’t take home every win, and that’s okay. I’m so proud of you, you hear me?”

He nods, chewing on the inside of his cheek.

Gemma wraps an arm around him. “Everett is right, babe. You kicked major ass out there today, and I couldn’t be prouder. And you should be proud of yourself too. You guys fought a good game.”

A small smile brightens his face as he looks between his mom and me, and it hits me right in the chest. How much I care for him. How much I care for Gemma.

“Now, come on.” I stand up. “Let’s go get some pizza with everyone and celebrate that badass home run you hit!”

Sutton chuckles as we walk over to the rest of his family, and while I’m sure he’s still bummed, I can tell he’s feeling better than he was when the game ended.

I meet Gemma’s gaze over the top of the kids’ heads, and she smiles, mouthing, “Thank you,” before we head to the cars.

Pride swells in my chest.

I’m so fucking gone for this woman.

I’m halfway through eating my late-night sweet treat—a scoop of peanut butter mixed with a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips—when there’s a knock at the door. Tapping the screen on my phone, I glance at the time, noting it’s after nine. Padding through the house, I unlock and open the door, a smile curling my lips as I take in the sight of Gemma standing on my porch in nothing more than her robe and a fuzzy pair of purple slippers.

“Well, this is a nice surprise,” I murmur as I lean down and press my lips to hers. Her sweet, fresh scent surrounds me, making me dizzy as my tongue dips into her mouth, savoring the minty flavor I’m met with.

Pulling apart, Gemma grins as she takes me in. “Why do you taste like peanut butter?”

Chuckling, I say, “You caught me mid sweet tooth.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her into me as I add, “You know, it’s actually perfect timing that you’re here. You’re exactly what I need to satiate that craving.”

Gemma lets her head fall back as she laughs, and I take the opportunity to pepper her exposed throat with kisses, relishing the way goosebumps bloom as I go. She’s so responsive to me.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask, pulling back to meet her gaze.

“I do, but I’m trying to get a good chunk of work done tonight before I go to bed.” Holding up my hat, she says, “I was going out to my car to grab my charger, and I saw this in there.”

“And knew I needed the hat right this moment?” My lips curl into a grin as I watch her cheeks pinken.

“Well, that, and maybe I wanted to kiss you really quick before I got back to work. I haven’t gotten to all day.” She shrugs nonchalantly, but the admission makes my stomach dip.

“Did you miss kissing me?” I cock a brow, trying to hide how much that affects me.

Shoving me playfully, Gemma giggles. “Maybe I did.”

The thoughts I’ve been having for weeks now come back to hit me square in the chest. I could tell her how I feel right now. I could ask for more.

Why does that idea make my palms sweat, though ?

Gemma’s brows pinch. “What’s the matter?”

Tilting my head, I ask, “What do you mean?”

“You got all serious-faced.” She breathes out a dry laugh. “Did me saying I missed kissing you freak you out?”

This is my chance.

“Not at all.” I shake my head, dragging in a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, I was thinking quite the opposite.”

Lips curling up, Gemma places her hands on her hips. “Really?” she asks, head tilting playfully. “Do tell, Mr. Windward.”

“Okay, well, I’ve been thinking about how much I’ve been enjoying spending time with you lately.” My heart is beating so damn fast, I’m sure she can hear it from where she’s standing. “I care a great deal for you, and for Sutton, and I’d really like to make this… more, if you’d be open to it.”

A beat passes where she doesn’t say anything. “You want to change what we have?”

Sweat pricks the back of my neck, and I fear this may have been the absolute worst way to bring this up.

Way to go, Everett.

Clearing my throat, I stuff my hands into my pockets. “Yeah. If that’s something you’d like too. I know we agreed on only friends and no strings, and while that was fine at first, I can’t pretend I don’t have feelings for you when I do.”

She swallows. And blinks. Her shoulders are tense, and part of me wonders if she’s about to bolt. Before she can answer, my phone rings from inside the house. It startles me, and we both look in that direction.

“It’s fine. Let it go to voicemail.”

“You… You have feelings for me?” she asks, brushing a hand through her hair, brows pinched together.

“I thought I made it pretty obvious.” I breathe out a laugh. “But yes, Gemma, I have feelings for you. How could I not? I don’t mean to spring this on you; I just couldn’t go on and not say anything.”

Lips parting like she’s about to say something, she slams them shut when my phone starts ringing again .

“Fuck, sorry,” I mutter. “Hang on, let me see who that is really quick.”

“It’s fine,” she says, waving a hand in front of her. “Go.”

My heart slams into my rib cage when I pick up the phone and see the name flashing on the screen.

“Dad?”

“Where the hell have you been?” he barks through the line. “I’ve been trying to call you.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t near my phone.” My gut churns, knowing something has to be wrong for my dad, of all people, to call me. “Is everything okay?”

“There’s been an accident,” he explains. “Your mother is in the hospital.”