Page 56 of Pucks and Books
I kiss her once more, but then she’s called by Eliza. I watch as she walks away, still wearing my jersey, and my heart swells in my chest. Fuck, she looks good. I lick my lips and head toward my chair as Louisa’s and her sisters’ banter fills the shop. I sit down in my chair, and my phone rings. I pull it out to see it’s my mom.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hello, my love. How are you?”
“Good, thanks. You?”
“Well, thank you,” she says, but I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.
“You sound off.”
“I know,” she agrees, her voice strained. “Listen, I hate to bring this up, but Mikayla and her mom won’t let me be. Mikayla wants to speak to you and is asking to come to a game.”
My whole body goes rigid. What the hell. “Block them.”
“I did, and then they called Grandma. Then I blocked them again, and they showed up at the house.”
“What the fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I don’t have time for her crap.”
“I know, my love, and I’m sorry. Do you want to talk to her?”
Fuck no, but I know she won’t leave my mom alone. Mom has entirely too much to deal with since my grandma is struggling with her health. I could get the cops involved, get a restraining order, but then that will definitely have her coming here, and I don’t need that. I don’t want anything to come between Louisa and me, and knowing my ex, she’ll do something rash and over the top.
Nope. I need to nip this in the bud.
“I’ll call her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Ignore her, and if she comes to the house, call the cops.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I know you don’t want this right now.”
My gaze falls on Louisa as she climbs the ladder to put away some books. She’s stunning, and knowing what I know now, her escaping her past and building an incredible present, I refuse to allow anything or anyone, including me, to hurt her. Or mess up her future.
I will protect her.
I will care for her.
And I will worship her.
“It’s all good. But if she tries to come at you funky, let her know I mean every word I say to her.”
My mom pauses. “What are you going to say?”
I press my lips together, looking around to make sure no one is close enough to hear me. “That I’ve been over her and want nothing to do with her. I have moved on, and nothing can touch what I have right now.”
“You moved on?” she asks, and I can hear the excitement in her voice. “As in, you’ve met someone?”
“I have,” I admit, and even I can’t fight my smile.
She squeals, and my smile turns to a smirk. “Who is she? Where did you meet her? When can I meet her?”
I chuckle softly, leaning back and crossing my ankles. “Her name is Louisa, I met her in her bookshop here in town, and as soon as possible, Mom. I know you’ll like her.”
I know my mom is over the moon, and when I feel someone watching me, I look over to see that Louisa’s eyes are trained on me as she stands on the ladder. Her brow is perked, a small smile playing on her lips, and I’m in awe of her. “She’s smart, exquisite, and looks really good in my jersey.”
Louisa’s lips curve, her eyes lusty and striking.