Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1)(21)

I could eat some cake with West then go up to my room and leave Brady alone with his friends. That way I made both boys happy while still protecting myself. No matter how much I wanted to be there to help West because I knew what it was like to do this alone, I wouldn’t let my guard down completely.

Brady walked inside and headed for the den. Aunt Coralee stepped into the hallway from the kitchen and smiled when she saw West. It was a sad smile but also one that said she was happy to see him. I knew she was worried about him.

“West, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you. I missed you this summer. You’re not around enough.” She went straight to him and hugged him, then pulled back and looked at me. “You’re back from your walk,” she said, sounding pleased. “Now you’ve burned some calories, you want to have a slice of chocolate cake with me in the kitchen?”

“She’s actually going to go have some cake in the den with us,” Brady informed his mother.

Aunt Coralee’s eyes went wide, then she smiled brightly. “Well, okay. That’s wonderful. I’ll bring some fresh milk and two more glasses in there.” She turned and hurried back to the kitchen.

“I think that just made her day,” Brady whispered, glancing back at me.

And this time I smiled. Because he was right. She was happy, and that made me smile.

West’s hand slid behind my back, and he led me into the den where the guys I was used to seeing around Brady were lounging on sofas and beanbags, while a couple were shooting hoops at a basketball hoop on the wall.

“Maggie!” Nash said the moment he turned around from taking a shot and saw me standing there. It was the first time he’d spoken to me since I’d sent him that text. I guess the shock of seeing me in here made him forget he was ignoring me.

West kept his hand on my back as he moved me into the room toward the table.

It was obvious Brady hadn’t told the other guys about West’s dad. None of them looked at him like they were worried about him or like they didn’t know what to do. I was relieved for him. He had just faced Brady and Aunt Coralee. He needed a break before he faced the rest of them.

“So, Maggie’s here . . . with West,” Nash said because no one else was saying anything.

Brady turned and looked at all of them. “Maggie and West are friends. Just friends. And I’m good with that.” There was an awkward silence, and West pulled out a chair for me to sit. Once I was seated he looked at his friends and teammates who were still watching the three of us like they weren’t sure what to think.

“She’s my friend. Deal with it,” he informed them, then sat down close to me. He leaned his head toward mine. “Sorry they’re acting like idiots. I don’t normally have girls who are friends. And you were completely off-limits because of Brady. So they’re trying to figure out what’s up.” I nodded. I understood that. Although right now all I really wanted was to run off to my room.

“Here’s more milk and cake,” Aunt Coralee announced. The guys went back to watching TV and talking. I didn’t turn around to see if Nash was still playing basketball or staring at us.

“She doesn’t eat enough. Make sure she finishes the whole thing,” she told West as if she knew we were friends now and the idea tickled her pink.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, taking the plates from her hands and putting one in front of me.

When she left the room, West smiled down at me. “You need to relax. You look like I’m forcing you to sit here beside me. They’ll get over it soon enough. I swear.”

I tilted my head down to hide my mouth from everyone else. “I know,” I replied quietly. “I just hate being stared at.”

He chuckled and moved his fork to get a bite of cake. “Then you shouldn’t be so damn pretty.”

The birds in my stomach were back. How was I supposed to eat now?

Do You Have Regrets?

CHAPTER 14

WEST

Maggie had slipped off to her room when we started watching last week’s game tape. I had been so relaxed watching the plays and talking about where we messed up and where we needed to tighten up that I missed her leaving.

I hadn’t gone after her—I knew she had wanted to escape. I could tell by the look on her face. She’d only been staying for me.

But now my head wasn’t on the game anymore. I was thinking about my dad and the fact I’d been gone too long. I wanted to get back home and check on things. Talk to him even if he didn’t talk back. I’d found that didn’t matter anymore. I just needed to be near him.

The end was coming, and it wasn’t going to be easy.

I stood up and walked over to Brady and then whispered I was heading home and told him to text me Maggie’s phone number. The guys were so wrapped up in watching the game, they didn’t notice or say anything about me heading out early.

I wasn’t in my truck yet when my phone dinged. Brady had sent me her number. I’d almost expected him to tell me to get it from her myself. But he trusted me with her. I’d make sure I deserved that trust.

It helped just knowing I could call and hear her voice if I needed to. And I wondered if the sound of my voice helped her? She’d been through something virtually alone. Could I be for her what she was for me?

I opened the truck door and glanced up at her window. She was sitting in the window seat, her knees tucked up under her chin, watching me. I lifted my hand to wave, and she did the same. Then I held up my phone and put it to my ear and pointed at her.