Page 49 of Succeeding Love

“Hey, isn’t that her?” Mason asked, pointing at the stands as we walked to the field we were assigned to.

I looked over, and sure enough, my mom was sitting at the center of the bench, wearing a shirt with my face on it.

That wasn’t what threw me off. It was our new neighbor from across the street sitting beside her.

“Oh shit,” Carter laughed. “I guess it’s JV next year for you.”

~

Feighlynn

“There he is!” I said excitedly, pointing at Preston walking to the dugout with the other boys and his coaches. I waved excitedly. Preston gave me a tight grin and a slight wave back.

“I think he likes your shirt,” Sherry, a mom of one of Preston’s friends, laughed.

“He’s embarrassed,” I giggled. “Maybe I should have just worn school colors instead.”

“I like the shirt,” Vin placed his hand on my shoulder, making butterflies flutter in my chest. “He may feel embarrassed, but his mom, being his biggest fan, is something he’s going to remember.”

Sherry sighed with a dazed grin. “That’s so sweet.”

She and the other moms were stealing glances at Vin every chance they could. Even some dads were looking at him in that way men look at other men when they were impressed.

I was impressed beyond words when I saw him this morning. After dropping Kevin off with a neighbor to be watched while we were away, I came back home to find him on my front porch, wearing the sexiest white shirt and leather jacket combo I’d ever seen. Just like out of an action movie.

When he took that jacket off and I could see his tight-fitting sleeves, and all they were trying to contain, I nearly convulsed right then.

Everything he does today has me ready to combust. I had a very restless, frustrated sleep last night, so that could have something to do with it.

Last night, the mood was tense after I returned to the backyard with a bag for Jessie to give to Nick. I don’t know what was said between them, but Nick was beet red, angrier than I’d seen him in a long time. Vin was smiling tightly, looking all kinds of yummy stretched out in a chair, dripping wet and eating the rest of the enchiladas right out of the pan.

After Nick left, the mood didn’t really return. Not like it was before. Vin was still playful as he helped me clean up the mess, but after the dishes were done, he simply kissed me, asked what time to pick me up in the morning, then went home.

I laid in bed for hours after, tossing and turning, wishing Nick would stub his toe for his interruption. Again.

The long drive didn’t help either. At some point in the first hours, Vin’s hands made its way to my thigh, and then never left. Even when we stopped halfway for gas and breakfast, he kept one hand on me at all times. Either on my back, or around my shoulder. He tangled his legs with mine under the table as we ate.

Now, he has his large thighs in his washed denim pressed up against my legs, and a hand holding the seat behind me. I can smell his cologne every once in a while and it makes my mouth water.

Vin caught me staring at him and gave me one of his lazy smirk before bumping my nose with his finger. “What are you thinking about?”

“You,” I said honestly.

“Me?” He acted surprised. “What about me?”

“You’re cute,” I poked his nose back.

“You’re the cute one,” he whispered in my ear, making the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. “You were fucking adorable singing along to every song the entire way down here.”

“I’m good company on road trips, huh?” I laughed.

“You’re great company all the time.”

My face grew warm as he gave me that look. My panties can’t handle that look today.

“So, Fay,” Sherry said, breaking the moment for me and Vin. “How long have you two been dating?”

I bit my lip, wondering how to answer. Vin must have sensed my dilemma because he answered for me.