Page 31 of Beautiful Crazy
“No need to apologize.” I hold up my hand to stop her. “He comes first, always. I’ll go so you can go take care of whatever’s going on.”
Her shoulders relax marginally, and she gives me a small smile. “Thank you.”
Giving her one last glance as she disappears inside, I quietly let myself out and walk the short distance back to my house, resting my back against the door once I get it closed and locked.
My heart is still pounding from the almost kiss… the one I hope I have the opportunity to finish soon.
Fourteen
Everett
Gemma: We’re leaving in about ten minutes for the fields if you want to ride with us. :)
Me: Sure, but let me drive us.
Gemma: Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’ve got Beau and Blakely with me because Grace had to run to the bakery to put out some fire. They wouldn’t all fit in your car with the equipment I don’t think.
Me: That’s fine, I can drive your car. ;)
It’s been a week exactly since Gemma and I almost kissed on her back patio. Between work and the remodel that has started on my house, I’ve been pretty busy, and haven’t been able to see as much of her as I would’ve liked, or even just sit down and talk about what almost happened.
We’ve exchanged a couple of texts here and there, but I think she’s just as busy as I have been so I’m not worried about it. I can’t imagine how packed her schedule must be, and what it must be like having to juggle multiple differenthats as a single mom. I admire her strength and her drive, and it’s one of the things I find so attractive about her.
The other day when I was coming home from work, Sutton was practicing with Beau on the front lawn again while Gemma sat on the porch, typing away on her laptop. He informed me that his first baseball game was this weekend, and asked if I wanted to come.
A sense of excitement, and maybe even a little bit of nerves, simmers low in my gut as I cross over to their yard. Everybody is already outside as Gemma loads up the back of her car with all their equipment. Blakely spots me first, running over to give me a hug.
“Can you sit next to me in the stands?” she asks, peering up at me with a smile on her face and a partially eaten apple in her hand.
“Sure, I’d love to!”
“Morning,” Gemma calls out as she closes the trunk.
I can’t help the grin that spreads on my face as I take her in. A baseball cap on her head, her hair hangs over her shoulders in two loose braids, and she’s wearing a jersey, black biker shorts, and a clean pair of Nike Air Forces on her feet. Her face is free of any makeup this morning, and she looks absolutely breathtaking.
“Morning,” I reply with a wave. “What can I help with?”
“Nothing. Everything’s ready to go. But here.” She smiles as she tosses me the car keys. “Since you insist on driving, I’m going to sit shotgun and play DJ.”
Laughing, I round the car, climbing into the driver’s seat as all three kids slide in the back. “Fine by me.”
“Auntie,” Blakely calls out as I put the car in reverse and back out of the driveway. “Can you play our song?”
Gemma tosses her a wink over her shoulder. “You know it, sweet girl.”
A moment later, the very distinct beat for “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll”by Britney Spears fills the car, and I can’t help the bubble of laughter that spills out of my mouth. Glancing over at Gemma, I ask, “Thisis your guys’ song?”
“Hell yeah.” She giggles. “You should see the dance parties we have in the kitchen to this song.” Nudging my arm with her elbow, she smirks as she adds, “And don’t act like you’re not a Britney fan yourself. I haven’t forgotten about your sunset pier confession, mister.”
I throw my head back and laugh, bringing my attention back to the road. “Touche, lipstick thief. Touche.”
“Shh!” she hisses. “Don’t go spilling my crimes to the innocent children!”
“What are you guys talking about?” Sutton asks, his brows pinched as I glance at him in the rearview mirror.
“My love for Britney Spears,” I murmur, gaze sliding over to meet Gemma’s.
“You love Britney too?” Blakely asks excitedly.