Safe Bet (The Rules #4)(56)

“I don’t plan on letting this one go, Mom.” I squeeze her hand in return. “I promise.”

And I mean it.





Couples surround me, yet I’m all alone.

And it totally sucks.

It’s been a lazy Monday, the kind where nothing gets done and no one minds. None of us ever left the house, which made watching the kids a lot easier. They were quiet most of the day, and so was I, because I’m still so tired, I feel like a zombie, shuffling around this giant house all day.

We just ate dinner and we’re all spending time in the family room before Autumn and Jacob go to bed, watching a kids’ movie on the big screen TV. Owen and Chelsea are cozy as they cuddle on the couch, a thick blanket thrown over both of them. Drew and Fable are stretched out on the other couch, Fable leaning against her husband, Drew’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. Even Autumn and Jacob have each other. They’re sitting on a blanket on the floor, the two of them actually being quiet for once as they watch the movie with rapt attention. Everyone has someone else, leaving me completely out of the equation.

I’m stuck in an overstuffed chair by myself, and absolutely miserable. I miss Wade so much it hurts, which is ridiculous, but I can’t help it. He hasn’t even been gone twenty-four hours—he only left early this morning, and I’m acting like a pouty baby who didn’t get her way. Imagine how I’ll be if we’re still together and he starts traveling for out of town games.

A straight up mess, I’m sure.

But yeah, that’s me assuming we’ll still be together. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Now with him gone and me having much time on my hands today, I can’t stop evaluating our relationship and how it started out as totally fake. Can we really turn what we have into something real? Does he want to? Do I want to? The questions keep running through my head over and over, to the point where I’m doubting myself, along with Wade.

I can’t deny we have an attraction. Chemistry. Whatever you want to call it. Yes, we had sex. But lots of people have casual sex and then never actually get together all the time. This could happen between us. That’s the way it should happen. It makes more sense than us falling in love and living together, happily ever after.

Of course, look what Fable told me last night. She and Drew started out practically the same way. And when I think about their relationship, and how solid and passionate and perfect it seems, I’m blown away. They were forced to spend time together, yet they still fell in love.

Maybe there’s hope for Wade and me yet.

Or maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe he’s going to reject me and I’m going to end up looking like a fool.

My heart hurts just thinking about it. And so does my head. I can’t take it anymore.

“Do you mind if I go to bed?” I aim my question at Drew and Fable.

Fable sits up, turning to look at me, her expression full of concern. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m just tired.” Not a lie. I’m worn out from Wade keeping me up the last two nights.

“Missing a certain someone?” The knowing smile Fable shoots my way makes me want to throw a couch pillow at her.

But I don’t. Because, you know, I want to keep my job.

“Yeah.” I shrug, feeling awkward. “Do you want me to put the kids to bed?”

“No, I’ll take care of them after the movie’s over. Thanks, Syd. Good night,” Fable says cheerily.

I stand and they all say goodnight to me, Autumn and Jacob running toward me to give me a quick hug and kiss before they resume sitting on the floor to finish their movie.

I leave the family room and wander toward the staircase. A flash of light suddenly appears through the mottled glass of the front door and I pause, wondering if someone has pulled up to the house.

Weird. Usually they get a call from the gate, unless whoever it is knows the password.

I’m about to head up the stairs when there’s a soft knock on the door. Frowning, I approach the door, checking through the peephole to see who’s on the other side.

And when I see who it is, I unlock and throw open the door so fast I’m breathless. “What are you doing here?”

Wade stands in front of me, his hands shoved in his rumpled jeans, his T-shirt wrinkled, his hair a mess, his face full of exhaustion. “I heard there’s a girl here who’ll give me a full body message. I’m hoping to collect payment.”

I don’t even bother containing my emotions. I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him tightly, closing my eyes to fight off the tears that threaten. I’m an emotional mess just seeing him, and I can’t explain why. I’m just so glad he’s back.

“I can’t believe you came back so soon. How’s your mom?” I ask, my voice muffled against his chest.

He runs a hand over my hair, then presses his lips to my forehead. “I can tell you all about it, but I’m hoping you’ll let me take a shower first?”

My poor, tired, dirty man. I pull away from him, grab his hand and lead him up the stairs, my entire body shaking. He’s here. I can’t believe he didn’t go straight home, that he came over to be with me instead.

I’m so glad he’s here. So happy he chose me first.

I direct Wade to my shower and make sure he has a clean towel and washcloth. Then I go ask Drew if he has some clothes to spare for him. Fable helps me dig up a pair of old, ugly red Niners sweats and a T-shirt, a knowing smile on her face the entire time.