I shrug. “I’m rusty, but I know.”
She peers over at me. “So there is a good chance of us dying?”
“Sunshine, there is always a chance of us dying.”
“That’s not reassuring at all.”
I watch her strap in, then I move us away from the curb. “It’ll be fine,” I say.
I don’t look over at her anymore because I need to concentrate. I’m glad Jared’s dad taught Tyler, Jared, and me how to drive Jared’s truck. Otherwise, we would be screwed.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“The park.”
She groans. “I don’t want to have a reminder of why I’m mad at you, Austin.”
“Who said it would be a reminder of why you’re mad? You just assume it will be. So, stop assuming and start trusting.”
I drive us over to the park, but I’m not close enough that we can see the book nook, so I tell her, “Shut your eyes.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Please. Come on. You kind of owe me. Rubbing brownie in my face, running away, not talking to me, not thanking me for your gift, do you want me to go on? I have plenty others,” I tease.
She slaps my arm. “All right. I’ll shut my eyes. If you lead me to a pond, I’m beating you up.”
“I promise not lead you to water, or your death.”
She gives me a look but shuts her eyes. “You’ll have to get me out of the truck.”
I put Jared’s truck in park, make my way over to her side, and help her out. Her soft hands grip mine, and I love every minute of it. I guide her over to the area where our projects are and say, “Okay, open.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Adaline
I open my eyes, and in front of me is not only the project I did but a huge colored wall. On the wall written in what looks to be chalk says, “Adaline, will you go out with me?”
“What the heck?”
“When we got here today, I was super ticked off because you already made and put up our original project. So, I decided to put up a project too. Consider it an extra combo if you will.”
I point at the sign. “You wrote that?” I ask.
“Yeah. Everyone saw it. Most of the group ragged on me for it, but I don’t care. I’m dead serious.”
My heart races. I want to blurt out “Yes.” I can’t believe he did all this for me. But there is something holding me back. “Rachel saw this?”
He nods. “Yes, Adaline, Rachel saw this. Who cares?”
Tears slip from my eyes, and I say, “Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I will go out with you,” I say. “It has to be after we turn in our project. Please tell me you made a video.”
He kisses my lips and then laughs. “Of course I made one. What do you take me for?”
Relief washes over me. All kinds because I wasn’t sure how my video would have panned out. I have clips of Zander and Lucas napping in our meetings. I have Rachel tapping away on her phone but looking extremely annoyed. I have a few of Austin and me collaborating, but it looked like crap. There I admit it—we would have failed, hands down.
The next morning Austin and I are sitting in my kitchen piecing together each bit of video feed. My mom is staring at us most of the time. Austin doesn’t say anything, but it is getting to me. “Mom, what do you want?”
“I was wondering how long this has been going on?”
I look over at Austin then back at my mom. “What? Us working together? I told you I had a few projects due before break.”
“No. I mean how long have you two been a thing?” she asks, completely embarrassing me.
Austin laughs. “Well, it wasn’t for a lack of trying to get this one to agree on a date with me, but as of yesterday.” He nudges me, and I shake my head.
My mom smiles. “I’m glad you made him work for it.” She throws in a wink then says, “You two staying for dinner?”
“I’d love to, Mrs. Frost, but I gotta pick my mom up after her shift is done. Rain check?”
“Okay. Austin, remind me, what did your mom do at the hospital?” she asks.
He blanches. “She was head of the scheduling department for all the O. R.”
“Hmmm, have her give me a call. I might have something up her alley.”
She slides him a business card, and Austin salutes her. “Will do.”
Once she’s out of the kitchen, I take a deep breath and exhale. “I thought she was never leaving,” I say.
“Yeah, why? Did you want to do something naughty to me?”
I giggle. “No.” I grab his face and kiss him. “I didn’t want to do that with my mom watching.”
Austin chuckles. “Yeah, no PDA in front of the parents. How does this look so far?” He hits play on his screen, and our entire video plays back to us.
“I think this is A worthy.”
And it totally was.
Acknowledgments
I’m grateful and blessed by the support from all you amazing readers. Thank you for being a part of this awesome journey with me. Each one of you holds a special place in my heart, for I know without you, none of this would even be possible. Thank you so much!
To my truly fantastic family and my two incredibly-amazing children, you inspire me to be the very best version of myself. When I’m frustrated, you push me to do better, make me laugh, and are always there encouraging me each and every day. I love you so much.
To my kick-ass agent, Brittany Booker, you are awesome! Your advice makes my writing better. Thank you so much for your insight!
To my most-amazing publisher, Georgia McBride, thank you so much for believing in my book! You are a rock star inside and out. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. Thank you so much for all you do. I’m truly thankful to be a part of this wonderful imprint!
My friends, fellow writers, and CP’s, without you, I don’t think I could have gotten through some days. You’re always in my corner listening to my frustrations and help my work shine even more. Thank you for being my eyes and ears. You all are fantastic!
My phenomenal peeps in EL!T3, thank you for the escape. You all make me laugh when I really want to throw my computer out the window. I love our chats and when we kick some serious butt. Love you all!
Of course, I can’t forget the wonderful and super amazing staff at Swoon Romance. You all rock! Keep doing what you are doing. Total love for all of you!
Special thanks to: Ethan, Leeah, Jason, Brittany Booker, Josie Glauser, Tracey Chapman, Angie Ball, Clarissa Grimes, Georgia McBride, Staci Cranor, Justin Whitehead, Julie Sykes, Sheri Larsen, Michelle Aker, Maggie Adams, and Bria Quinlan.
Natalie Decker
Natalie Decker is the author of the bestselling YA series Rival Love, bestselling YA series Offsides, and bestselling NA series Scandalous Boys. She loves her family, awesome dog, and friends. She enjoys carefree days, football, fuzzy blankets, traveling, reading, cooking, writing, and is a huge Denver Broncos fan. Her imagination is always active. She believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times and is an avid reader of everything. If she’s not at a Target or Starbucks, she might be typing away on her laptop, reading a book, hanging out with her amazing family, or off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in saying: Your life is a journey, so make it amazing!
Natalie loves interacting with readers. Feel free to follow her on any of her social media accounts. If you would like a chance to get exclusive material & ARCs visit her website: www.authornataliedecker.com and sign up for her mailing list. No spam or unsolicited materials will be sent.
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Right Girl Wrong Timing (Offsides Book 3) Page 16