Meet Me Halfway(72)

He transferred one to me, and I wrapped both hands around it, stepping out of the way. I looked over my shoulder to bid Michael goodbye, but firm pressure on my back had me throwing out a quick wave and walking toward the bleachers instead.

I narrowed my eyes at the man beside me, the feel of his hand hot against my lower back. “We could have invited him where we’re at, I don’t think he knows anyone here.”

“He’ll live.” With the lack of concern in his tone, we might as well have been discussing the weather or the branches of government.

I grumbled. I knew Garrett naturally wasn’t talkative, especially to strangers, but being new sucked. It wouldn’t have killed him to be friendlier.

Garrett sighed, and I swore his fingers glided an inch up my back. “I’m sorry, I’ll look for him next time.”

I let him guide me back up to our seats, pointedly rolling my eyes when Layla wiggled her brows at me, accepting the second coffee from Garrett. I’m sure watching Garrett potato sack me with a hoodie was the highlight of her day.

I settled next to her, holding my cup near my face, and basking in the steam. Garrett dropped down next to me, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was sitting a little closer than he had been before.





The boys lost the game. I wanted to be able to pat Jamie on the back and say something like, “It was so close!” But it wasn’t. They got creamed. He was eight, so I couldn’t care less who won. I just didn’t want to see him upset.

Layla, on the other hand, hadn’t shut up about it. Garrett and I were currently suffering through the tail-end of her rant as we stood to the side of the field and waited for the boys to be dismissed.

“I mean, honestly, if they would’ve just—” She stopped, nudging my arm. “Never mind. Incoming.”

I glanced over, expecting to see Jamie, but what I saw was the mutts of my own personal hell descending on us. Otherwise known as Tristan and her gang.

Her face was pinched like she’d eaten something sour, and Carolyn and Lara—I still wasn’t sure if those were their names—both looked uncomfortable. Tristan was looking directly at me until Garrett’s body shifted a half-step closer. Her eyes darted to him, and she swallowed, turning and transforming her features into a mega-watt smile.

“Hello, Madison. How are you?”

I fought the urge to frown and give her the finger. What did this woman want? “Fine. You?”

“Cold as an ice cube and sad the boys lost their game, but I’m peachy keen.” She continued smiling at me like we were fast friends, and I looked around wondering if I’d somehow dropped into another dimension.

“I wanted to let you know early, since you’re always...so busy, we’ll be having a party in a couple weeks for the team. I’ll send little invites at the next game, but I hope to see you there!”

I gaped, only succeeding in nodding my head. She seemed satisfied with the response and flipped her hand in a wave before she and her group moseyed off to go wait for their boys.

I slowly faced my companions. “That was weird, right? Did anyone else find that super weird?”

Layla looked about as confused as I felt, but Garrett looked like a cat that’d finally caught the annoying ass canary. He was watching the women walk away, an immensely pleased expression on his face.

I glanced back and forth between Tristan’s group and him, “Garrett Rowe.”

“Hm?”

“Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”

He dragged his face down to mine but only tapped a finger under my chin and winked. Then he stepped past me, striding off to meet Jamie who’d finally been released from the field.

I watched him lean down to fist bump him before saying something that lit up my kid’s face with a laugh loud enough for me to hear from where I still stood.

They both had mischievous looks on their faces, and Layla burst into cackles behind me. “Girl, you’re in so much trouble.”

I was. I really was. Because I was pretty sure I might be in love with that man.





Chapter Twenty-One





The room spun, circling around me like a kaleidoscope of images. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it felt like when people said their lives passed before their eyes.

Did it spin around them in quick bursts, or did time slow down in those moments and allow you to enjoy it?

I closed my eyes, shoving off again. I could do without seeing my life flash before my eyes. Besides Jamie, there wasn’t a single thing I’d want to re-experience before death. I’d die depressed and stressed out.

Sighing, I gave myself one more round before putting my foot out and stopping the chair’s movement.

I stared at the time on my desktop, wanting nothing more than to grumble and crawl under the desk. You know it’s going to be a long night when you’re daydreaming at work about life and death. I was so over this work schedule. When I was thirty-five and successful, I sure as hell better look back and be proud of this shit.

I finished filling out my timesheet and put the monitor to sleep. “I’m about to clock out for the day, Evaline. You need anything before I go?”

“No, honey, you enjoy your weekend.”

I scrunched my nose, that was highly unlikely given my schedule, Jamie’s game, and midterms to study for, but it was a sweet sentiment, nonetheless. I pushed back my chair and grabbed my purse and change of clothes, making my way through the office.