“What are you doing?” I whisper against his lips. My cheeks are on fire, from embarrassment or the kiss, it’s hard to tell.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m kissing you.” He gives me one last quick peck and loops his arms loosely around my waist.
“I thought you wanted to keep us quiet. And now we’re what? Making out in public?”
His grin is completely unrepentant. And that dimple? Irresistible.
“Yeah, I guess we are.”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to say to Lily? Because she’s coming over right now.”
…
Brody
Amelia no sooner gets the warning past her lips when a little body crashes into the back of my legs, arms wrapping around us. “Daddy!”
I may have been a bit impulsive, kissing Amelia in front of Lily, but I’m confident Brad got the message—Amelia is mine. And for that, I make no apology.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I lift Lily into my arms and fly her through the air until it’s filled with her squeals of laughter. She’s easy to distract. I’m sure she’ll forget what she saw in no time.
“Maddie, honey, it’s time to go,” Brad calls from the bench.
I’m not surprised he’s ready to leave now that I’ve crashed his “date.”
“Hey, Mia,” he calls. “Let me know about next Saturday, huh?” He hikes Maddie’s unicorn backpack over his shoulder and holds out his hand. She skips over and takes it, waving goodbye to Lily.
What the hell is next Saturday? Maybe I underestimated Brad’s tenacity. He’s not going to give up so easily.
“I’ll talk to Brody and let you know,” she calls, waving to them. “Bye, Maddie.”
Whatever it is, the answer is going to be “Hell. No.” I have zero interest in fostering that friendship.
“Where do you want to eat supper?” Amelia asks, heading over to the bench to collect Lily’s things.
“Benny’s.” Lily casts her vote as I swing her onto my shoulders and walk over to help Amelia collect a water bottle, some snacks, and Lily’s backpack.
“I guess Benny’s.” She laughs, handing me Lily’s bag.
“Sounds good to me.” I slide the strap over my shoulder. “Jeez, kid, what do you have in here? A rock collection?”
Lily giggles, and the sound is pure joy.
“Silly daddy.” She reaches down and pats my cheek affectionately.
We head toward the cars, and Lily is chattering away. I take Amelia’s hand, lacing my fingers between hers, and our pace slows. This is nice, the three of us here, strolling through the park. It’s comfortable, right—like a family, and for the first time since Stella died the thought crosses my mind, Life is good.
The moment it comes, a shiver of trepidation chases it away. The last time I felt like this, my world imploded. Reflexively, I let go of Amelia’s hand and take hold of Lily’s calf resting against my chest. I’m walking a tightrope, and it’s all a balancing act—Lily, my career, Amelia. What if I can’t do this? I failed once. What makes me think I can make it work this time?
Amelia is not Stella, but that doesn’t stop the doubt from creeping in. This woman has swept into my life and turned me upside-down. So far, she’s perfect in every way. But in my experience, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. On one hand, it feels like I’m asking for trouble by questioning what’s between us, and on the other, I can’t help but wonder if I’m naive to think I deserve this much happiness.
I want to protect my heart, but at the same time, Amelia’s not a woman who will settle for anything less than all of me. And it’s no less than I expect from her. “I called Julia and asked her to watch Lily tomorrow night.”
“You did? Why?” Before I can respond, her smile grows big, and those beautiful eyes light up with excitement. “You’re going to take me out on a date, aren’t you?”
I feel like an ass when I tell her, “Sort of, but not really. Coach wants to have us over for dinner. He wants to meet you.” She deserves to go out on a date—a real date, with dinner and whatever the hell people do on dates these days. Not that I’d know. I haven’t been on one since before Lily was born.
“He does?” Her nose wrinkles adorably, and she gives me a strange look. “Why?”
Because he wants to meet the woman who’s making me late for practice, the woman who’s putting a smile on my face, the woman I think I’m falling for. But I say none of these things, instead playing it off like it’s no big deal. “Just because he does…”
“That makes me kind of nervous.”
I open Amelia’s car door, and once she’s inside, I pluck Lily off my shoulders and set her in the back seat. I fasten her in and kiss the top of her head before closing the door, and then bend down to poke my head into the driver’s side. “Don’t worry. Coach is going to love you.”
“How do you know?” She’s wearing a petulant frown, and I kiss the little furrow of skin between her brows.
“What’s not to love?” I shut her car door and head for my Rover. My words resonate inside me. That’s a damn good question. What’s not to love about this woman?
Chapter Nineteen
Amelia
“Damn, you look hot…”
Brody comes up behind me, and his arms circle my waist as he kisses my neck. I’m struggling to fasten my earring, and he is not helping. His fingers inch under my dress and begin to hike it up, but I twist out of his arms and take a step back. “Oh no, you don’t,” I laugh. “You just stay right where you are, mister. I spent the last hour wrestling this hair into a twist. Don’t you dare mess it up.”
He holds his hands as if he’s under arrest, but steps toward me with hunger in his eyes and intent in his powerful stride. “You’re not going to be happy until you’ve got my dress hiked up to my waist and I’m bent over this dresser, are you?” I gotta admit, the idea has merit.
“You forgot about the panties around your ankles,” he smirks, but I get the last laugh.
“Ha. What panties?”
His gaze turns ravenous and anticipation rushes through me.
“You’re not wearing any panties?”
He steps in front of me, blocking my exit, and holy Hannah, facing off with an NFL quarterback in my bedroom is a fantasy come true. Brody looks like he’s about two seconds from tackling me and tossing me onto the bed. Just as he tenses to pounce, the doorbell rings.
I give him a triumphant grin and goad, “That’s probably your sister. You shouldn’t keep her waiting.”
He mutters a curse under his breath and scrubs his hand over his mouth. “You’re so fucking lucky.”
I laugh as he leaves to answer the door. I’m not sure luck is the word I’d use. Untimely interruption, maybe?
I take one last look in the mirror and straighten my dress, then do an over-the-shoulder glance, checking for panty lines because I am, in fact, wearing them, but the thought of torturing Brody was too tempting to resist.
My nerves are a wreck. I feel like a teenager meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time. All my insecurities are hovering in my subconscious, waiting to attack. What if Brody’s coach doesn’t like me? What if he takes one look at me and decides I’m not good enough for their star quarterback? I wonder if I’ll ever get over this feeling of inadequacy, that little voice that says I’ll never measure up. If Brody knew who I was, where I come from, he wouldn’t see me the same way. It happened over and over as a child, and the rejection left wounds that never completely healed.
Pushing aside those unwelcome thoughts, I head downstairs, hoping to visit with Julia before we leave. Lily’s at a birthday party and won’t need to be picked up until later tonight, so I’m not sure why she came this early, but I’m glad for the opportunity to catch up.
I head downstairs and my steps slow when I hear Brody’s voice—it’s low and tense. A chill sweeps through me.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Amelia Renshaw. Is she here?”
<
br /> My stomach drops. Oh God, that voice.
I race downstairs and run toward the door. My biggest fear is realized—my two worlds have just collided.
…
Brody
I open the door, expecting to find my sister on the doorstep. Instead, there’s some guy standing there. He’s tall and lean, a bit wiry. His build has potential, but it’s evident that he’s abused his body.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Amelia Renshaw. Is she here?”
What the fuck does this guy want with Amelia? He’s nervous—fidgety. “That depends. Who the hell are you?” I glance at the old Buick parked in my driveway and notice it’s got Minnesota plates—same state that she’s from. “Long way from home, aren’t ya?” I nod at the Regal that’s no longer living up to its name.
“I, uhh…” He scrubs his hand over the back of his neck and shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“You should have thought about that before you knocked on my door. How do you know Amelia?”
“She’s my, umm—”
“Mason?” There’s surprise and alarm in Amelia’s voice. Her steps quicken as she races toward us, looking like she’s seen a ghost. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“I, uh—missed you. You left without a word, and your cell is disconnected. I needed to see you, to tell you how sorry I am.”
What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuck? Was Amelia involved with this guy? She tries to shoot past me and out the door, but I catch her arm and pull her to a stop. I don’t want her out there alone with him.
“Brody, please.” She turns to me, her expression pleading. “I need a minute.”
Her eyes are glossy with unshed tears. I want to kick this fucker off my front step, but she’s acting like she doesn’t want me to interfere. Despite my better judgment, I let go of her arm, and she pulls the door closed behind her, effectively shutting me out. I watch them through the glass, not about to leave her alone. If he puts a hand on her, he’ll be dealing with me whether she wants me involved or not.
The way she’s standing, I can’t see her face, but her posture is stiff and tense. She’s keeping her distance, arms crossed over her chest. Mason smiles, and I can see in his eyes that he loves her. They talk a while. He doesn’t like whatever she’s telling him and shakes his head in denial. His expression turns contrite, and he reaches for her hand, but she pulls away.
I tense, about to open the door and tell him to keep his goddamn hands to himself, when she takes another step back. One more puts her closer to the door and I can finally hear what they’re saying.
“I can’t do this anymore, Mason. I’m sorry. I’ve given you everything and you keep breaking my heart.”
I burn with anger that this guy has the balls to come to my house and try to get Amelia back. She’s mine now, and I’m not going to give her up without a fight. He presses his thumbs to the corners of his eyes as if trying to stem his emotions and nods quickly, taking a hesitant step back. Her hand is on the door, and I move away, not wanting to look like I’ve been lurking the entire time.
The door cracks open, and I hear him tell her, “I love you.”
My gut churns at hearing another man tell her with ease something that I can’t seem to say. I’ve thought the words often, but each time I try to say them, they stick in my throat like ash. I’m not ready to give my heart away, and considering this turn of events, perhaps my hesitation isn’t unfounded. Does Amelia still love this guy? She’s been tightlipped about her life before coming here. Perhaps her decision to leave Minnesota wasn’t as altruistic as she led me to believe.
Fuck me. I won’t do this again. I refuse to share the woman I love with another man, and I sure as hell won’t get caught in the middle. She stops when she sees me in the living room. Tears rim her beautiful eyes, and her expression is crestfallen. I’m angry she’s been keeping the truth from me, and at the same time I’m gutted that she looks like she’s lost her best friend. She can tell me they’re over, but anyone with eyes would know that’s a lie. And I’ve been lied to enough.
“Brody, I can explain.”
Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought she’d say.
…
Amelia
My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s going to crash out of my chest. I can’t believe Mason found me. I don’t want Brody to discover the truth about my past, to find out where I come from. This was supposed to be my fresh start, my chance to leave my old life behind. “Brody, I can explain.”
“Can you?” he challenges, standing tall, shoulders back. “Then, please, by all means, explain to me why your ex, who you never told me about, just followed you across four states to tell you he’s in love with you.”
Wait. Brody thinks Mason is my ex-boyfriend. It’s wrong of me, but I let that scenario play out in my mind, and it’s a hell of a lot better than the reality of my situation—my drug-addicted brother showing up on Brody’s doorstep asking me for money again because, hey, I must be making bank now that I’m fucking an NFL star, right? I didn’t even give him the chance to finish his spiel on why he needs the money before shutting him down. I can’t do this with him again. I already gave him everything I had to pay off his debts and save his life.
Mason thinks I’m using Brody for a paycheck. What if that’s what other people think? Is that what Brody would think if he found out how completely destitute I am? It would be a logical assumption, considering his trust issues. The last thing I want is him doubting my feelings for him.
“Mason is in my past. I’d prefer that be where he stays.” If I let Brody believe what he wants, is that really lying? Not if I don’t tell him anything that isn’t untrue.
“I don’t think it’s that easy, Amelia.”
“I told Mason that I can’t give him what he wants. Once he realizes that, he’ll move on.” I walk over to Brody and slip my arms around his neck, hugging him tight, and press my cheek against his chest. His heart is pounding as fast as mine.
“You should have told me about him. That he’s the real reason you left Minnesota.” Brody’s arms are slow to come around me. I can feel the hesitation in his touch. His guard is up, and why wouldn’t it be after everything he’s been through? “It makes me wonder what else you aren’t telling me.” Brody leans back to study me. He’s not happy, nor is he convinced. “Are you sure you’re over this guy, Amelia? Because I can’t—”
I cut him off. “So over it, you don’t even know.”
“If he shows up here again, if he tries to contact you, you have to tell me.”
“I will. I promise.”
“I mean it, Amelia.” He takes my chin in his thumb and forefinger and tips my head up to meet his stare. His eyes are telling me more than I’m sure he wants me to know. Uncertainty, doubt, and mistrust culminate in those sapphire depths, but I glimpse something else, and hope takes flight inside my chest. There’s love—and it’s scaring the hell out of him.
Chapter Twenty
Amelia
“Are you upset with me?”
Brody’s gaze briefly leaves the road and our eyes lock for an unwavering second. After Mason’s unexpected visit, my nerves are shot. I’m not sure I’m up to meeting Brody’s coach tonight, but it’s too late to cancel, so here we are.
“Has he always been like that?”
Taking care to keep the emotion out of my voice, I reply, “I assume you’re referring to Mason’s addiction?”
Brody nods, his attention returning to the road. The little muscle in his square jaw is tight with tension.
“We used to be close. But he’s struggled with addiction for many years, and it’s ruined our relationship. It breaks my heart to see him like this, but I’ve done all I can to help him.”
“Is that the real reason you’re here? You fled a bad relationship?”
“I guess you could say that.” I reach over and take his hand, slipping my fingers between
his. The size and strength of his rough, callused hand is a comforting balm on the wounds Mason managed to tear open. “Coming here was the best decision I ever made.”
We pull into the driveway of Coach’s home, and Brody cuts the engine then turns and looks at me. He nods as if putting the issue between us to rest, and the invisible band around my chest eases. “I agree.”
He slips his hand behind my neck and pulls me toward him, pressing his mouth to mine. He kisses me softly, a gentle brush of his lips, and I melt against him, getting caught up in the moment. Time stands still until the porchlight clicks on and startles me back to reality.
I break our kiss and press my hands against Brody’s shoulders, pushing him back in his seat. “I think we just got caught making out in your coach’s driveway.” I smack his chest when he starts laughing. “It’s not funny. I want him like to me.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Sweetheart, he already likes you.”
Brody opens the door, but I stop him with a hand on his arm. “How can you be so sure?”
He takes a moment and studies me before answering. “Because—you’re not Stella.”
Brody exits the SUV and comes around to my side, opening the door. He offers me his hand, lacing our fingers as we walk up to the house.
“Don’t be nervous.” He dips his head and whispers near my ear, “Coach’s bark is much worse than his bite.” I catch a glimpse of his teasing grin and throw an elbow into his side. He laughs, feigning injury, and covers his ribs as the front door swings open.
“Looks like she’s got one hell of an elbow, Evans. We could use a new linebacker on the team.”
A portly man with a receding hairline fills the doorway. He doesn’t look anything like the scowling man I see on TV yelling at the refs and bossing around football players twice his size.
“Brody, glad you could make it.”
“Hey, Coach, thanks for having us.” Brody places his hand at the small of my back, guiding me ahead of him.
“And you must be Amelia.” He shakes my hand in an enthusiastic greeting. “Call me Alan.”
The Nanny Rules Page 13