Page 59 of Reckless Love
“Sure,” she says.
I empty the blender into a glass and hand it over.
“You really don't have to wait on me,” she says. “I’m going to get my bearings. I'll be helpful. I won't be in your way.” She pauses like she doesn't know what else to list and I laugh.
“You don't need to do anything to make me happy. Rachel cleans this place. I get meals brought in half the time. I like to cook the rest of the time. All you have to do is get comfortable, make yourself at home, and treat this place like it’s yours, because as far as I'm concerned, it is.”
She beams up at me and it's damn addicting.
“I promise I'm going to find something to do around here to make a difference. And I want to help financially too.” She lifts an eyebrow, daring me to argue, and I’m already shaking my head.
“Quit it. You are not helping financially. No. We're not even going to entertain that thought. And seriously, just seeing your face around here this morning is enough for me. You don't owe me anything.”
“I owe you everything,” she says.
“Quit with that talk.”
She walks over and kisses me on the cheek. When she leans back, her eyes are bright. Her lips are…full and kissable. I want to kiss her so bad I can taste it.
“I haven't forgotten a single second of that night,” she says softly. “Just in case I didn't make it clear. It meant something to me. It meantsomuch,” she adds. “Which is exactly why I don't want to play with fire. And I think that's what we would be doing. I should have just said it like that all along instead of getting upset with you and icing you out. I regret that, but I was scared.”
“Elle baby. You don't need to regret a single thing. But I seriously want you to reconsider your decision about breaking the pact.”
I put my hand on the back of my neck and exhale. Subtlety be damned.
She takes a step back and stares at me.
“I don't know what to say,” she finally admits.
“You don't have to say anything. I plan on working my charm and convincing you otherwise…just so you know whereI'mgoing with this.”
She laughs, her cheeks flushing. “Okay. We're going with full disclosure.”
“Yep, I guess so.” I smirk. Hell, I’m just winging it as I go. “Have a good day.”
“You have a good day too,” she whispers before bolting.
When I get to practice,Roscoe is waiting for me and hands me a towel to use for my workout. Then he offers to carry my bag in.
“Well, that's more like it,” I say, laughing.
He tries to take my bag and I shake my head.
“Kidding. We’re even. Do it again and I'll stick your head in that fountain over there,” I growl.
He laughs. “You know I have such mad respect for you, man. I just thought maybe it'd be fun to…I don't know what I was thinking.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I just hope there are no hard feelings.”
“Of course not. I've been the new brat plenty. You're a good player. You'll do well. Don’t make the wrong people mad though.” I stare at him pointedly and then grin.
He laughs, relieved. “Yeah. My mom always tells me I'm more trouble than I’m worth. I know I'm not for everyone.”
“You're all right,” I tell him, pounding his back.
After practice, I motion for Weston, Penn, and Bowie to walk out with me. As soon as I’m sure we’re out of hearing range, I tell them what happened with Brock and ask if they'll help me go pick up Elle’s things.
“Son of a bitch,” Henley says. “Yeah, I can go today, the sooner the better,” he adds.
“Me too, this is important. We'll make time,” Bowie says.