Page 41 of His Hungry Wolf

“Thanks. But I always got the feeling that if he had to choose between the two of us, he would have chosen you as a son.”

“I doubt that.”

“That’s because you and him are so similar. Neither of you ever expresses what you’re feeling to the people you care about. The way he used to talk about you when you weren’t around, there was no way I could compare. ‘Claude gets straight A’s and has led our team to multiple championships. I can’t even get you to put your dishes in the sink,’” I said, imitating Papa.

“Sorry about that,” Claude offered.

“About what?” I imitated my father again. “About being so goddamn perfect? About being the finest specimen ever put on a football field?” I paused. “You know, a part of me thinks he sent me here just so he could have his prodigal son back.”

“Your father sent you here?” Claude asked, surprised.

“Partially.”

“Huh,” Claude huffed, bringing an end to his questions.

Remaining silent for the final minute of our drive, when we parked at the bed and breakfast, I placed my hand on the door handle.

“So, will I see you tomorrow?” I asked him, feeling as nervous as I had the first day I met him.

“I’ll be there,” he said with a smile.

God, how I liked to see him smile. It was almost as much as I liked kissing him. Too bad I could never let that happen again.

“Good. Be prepared to work,” I told him before leaving him behind and heading for my room.

Changing out of my still damp clothes, I lay in bed, wondering what I should do next. I considered replying to Papa’s texts. The problem with that was I didn’t know what to tell him.

Claude hadn’t yet agreed to workout for the Cougars. So far, he was only letting me warm him up. But if that went well, maybe then?

After coming up with a schedule for tomorrow’s warmup, I drove to the local diner, watching as a handful of people streamed in and out. I considered what it might be like to live here. Hanging out with Cali and the others had been more fun than I had had in years. If Claude didn’t make the team and he asked me to, could I move here?

Getting to bed early, I called Claude the next day just to be sure he was still coming.

“Hey Merri, what’s up?” he asked, offering me the greeting he had for years.

“You there yet?”

“Merri, it’s 8:15.”

“You know what coach says,” I reminded him.

“If you’re on time, you’re late?”

“Exactly.”

“And when have I ever been late?”

“Two years is a long time. Things change.”

“If I remember correctly, he came up with that saying because of you. So, are you there yet?”

“I might have been in an unhealthy, long-term relationship with ‘showing up on time’ back then. But, like I said, in two years, things change.”

“I better not show up before you.”

“Impossible. I’m walking out the door right now,” I said, rolling over in bed.

“You’re walking out the door now?”