Attached to You (Carolina Rebels 4)

“You don’t have to thank me for that.” It’s still seriously weird to hear her call him that. Does he know she calls him by his first name? I need to ask.

“Do you like it?” Deanna asks.

“Yes. Bree’s a sweet baby, and it reminds me of taking care of Jackson when he was that little. Elias has been great, too. I’m very thankful he’s given me a chance.

”

Mom talks to her for a few minutes, but my eyes keep straying to Jackson, who is eyeing Mom and Deanna like he doesn’t trust them. Deanna tries talking to him, but he pretends not to hear her until Raelynn chides him for being rude. I’m glad they’re here because otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to talk to either of them about. Well, with Jackson, it would be easier. He seems to like hockey, so there’s always that. I never would’ve invited Raelynn over if it was just Mom and me.

Lunch goes well. Bree wakes up and Deanna takes the opportunity to hold her. I let the women and Jackson excuse themselves into the living room while I pack up the food. We won’t have to cook for days, even with me setting aside some for Raelynn to take home. When I walk into the living room, it’s to find Jackson sitting in the same chair as Deanna. Otis has his big head resting on Deanna’s lap and they are petting him.

“Hey, what are you doing, Jackson? She’s my girlfriend.”

He smiles, which is a good sign because for a moment, I was worried that it would go over his head. “She said I was cool.”

“Cooler than me?” I ask Deanna.

“Yep,” she answers easily, causing Jackson to giggle.

“Promise not to steal her away?” I say to Jackson.

He looks to Deanna, who whispers something in his ear. He turns back to me with a grin and says, “No promises.”

I laugh.

They only stay for a little bit longer before Raelynn says it’s time to go. We see them off and then Mom heads upstairs to pack for her early flight tomorrow. That leaves only Deanna and me in the living room. I move to the couch to lie down and wiggle my fingers for her to come lie with me. She hesitates, but she does it.

“I’m tired,” she mumbles.

“I bet. You cooked all day and then entertained a five-year-old.”

“It was a good day, though. Do you want me to drive your mom tomorrow?”

“No, I will, but you can come if you want.” This seems like the perfect time to ask why she’s been quiet. “Did she say something to you yesterday? You seem a little off.”

Her no comes quickly. “Everything is fine. I’m running to my place tonight. I want to check on things. Plus, if you want me to stay until you’re back in the game, then I need more clothes.”

And here comes my issue. The past two days I’ve felt decent enough that once Mom leaves, Deanna can go home, too. It’s not like in the beginning when they were both so worried and wanted someone around to hover. However, saying so means she leaves. By no means do I want her to move in with me just yet, but my problem is I like having her and Otis here too much. There’s no sense in sending her home to get more clothes only to go home the next day, or when there’s no reason for her to stay at all.

“Are you out of clothes now?” I ask.

“Yeah. I have nothing to wear tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to stay until I’m playing again; I’m better already. You can go on home tonight; I’ll be fine to take Mom tomorrow.” I hate saying the words, but they needed to be said.

She props herself up with a smile. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No, I’m giving you permission to rid yourself of me.”

Her smile fades a bit. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, darlin’.” Unfortunately so.

She nods. “Okay. I’ll head home in a little bit then.”

I squeeze her ass. “You’ll come back tomorrow or Saturday?”

“I’ll visit you, sure,” she says with a laugh.