He nods, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to leave me. “Are you sure? We could go together.”
I take a deep breath. He’s going out of his way to make me feel welcome and needed, but I don’t want him to think I have to tag along when he’s talking to his friends. “I’m sure.” I laugh when he doesn’t move. “Matt, I’m fine. Go ahead. I’ll meet you at the front doors.”
“Don’t go outside without me,” he warns.
“Really? I think this neighborhood is safe,” I tell him. I mean, I didn’t want to gawk, but obviously the Andrews live in a high-end gated community. I don’t think it could get much safer than that.
“Are you kidding? Literally can’t leave you alone for a minute. Men of all ages seem to want to be around you. Not that I can blame them.”
Oh, this man is good for my ego. “Go, I won’t go outside. Brody’s waiting.”
Finally, he goes. I could have gone, but I need the space. I’m going to spontaneously combust if I spent more time with him nibbling on my ear like he was.
I watch him walk across the room. Damn, I’m getting in over my head.
Chapter 10
Matt
She wasn’t kidding. Everyone fell in love with her. She laughed with the other women, and she doesn’t seem to know a thing about football, but she entertained the guys by asking questions that were so crazy they were all holding their sides from laughing so hard. And word must have gotten around about her handing out cupcakes, because the kids all sought her out, and she made sure to sneak them each one.
We watched while Little B opened presents and blew out candles, and when everything was about to wind down, we helped Callie clean up.
I walk over to Brody, ready to get out of here. He must see the impatience on my face because he starts in before I get to him. “Forget it.”
“Forget what?”
He shakes his head. “Forget my warning. You’re already hooked.”
I shrug my shoulders, and Brody shrugs. “She’s a good one. She fits in, and man, did you see how Little B and all the kids liked her? You better not screw this up.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to screw it up.”
But even saying it, I’m worried. Her ex really did a number on her, and he obviously tried to hide the light that is April. How could he not have realized that a woman like that is meant to shine?
I look for April, and Trick is standing next to her. Fuck me. I swear, it’s been ten seconds since I left her. From across the room, I can tell she’s uncomfortable and trying to cover it up by talking to Calvin. At least I hope she’s not interested in Trick. There’s a reason he’s named that, and it’s not because of his plays on the field. “I gotta go, Brody.”
I walk over to April, putting my hand on her shoulder and brushing her long black hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You about ready?”
“Yeah, sure. It was nice to meet you, Trick. I’ll see you around, Calvin,” she tells them, and I give Trick the look, letting him know she’s mine. I’ve made a point to touch April on the shoulder, or back, or waist. I wanted to reassure her that I wanted her with me, but I also wanted to warn off any of my teammates that were here. If they don’t know it by now, they’re just idiots, because April’s mine. At least I want her to be mine.
We go toward the door. I grab the cake stands from the now empty dessert table. Her cake and cupcakes were a huge hit. We stop long enough to tell Violet and Callie bye, I wave at Josh, and then we’re heading out.
I help her into my truck before running around to the driver’s side. “Everyone loved the cake and cupcakes.”
She answers me softly. “Yeah, they seemed to, didn’t they?”
I chuckle. “They did for sure. I’m pretty sure Little B has you wrapped around his finger.”
She sighs and looks out the window. “He’s a cute kid.”
She’s quiet, and instead of a comfortable silence, it becomes awkward. For me at least because my mind starts to come up with all kinds of reasons. She leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes.
I try not to freak out. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I put my arm on the console just to be closer to her. Fuck, I said Little B has her wrapped around his finger. April totally has me wrapped around hers. I’m thinking all kinds of things that I probably shouldn’t be.
When I pull into Whiskey Run, April opens her eyes and lifts her head. I sneak a look at her and see her frowning. I break the silence. “What did I do?” I ask her.