Page 101 of Where You Belong

“You think I’m really good?”

The color of her green eyes deepens, and she chucks the bouncy ball at me, hitting me in the head.

“Oooowww.” I fake, rubbing the side of my head.

Her hand flies to her mouth to cover her laugh as she crawls on her knees over to me. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Do you think you need another scan?” she laughs.

“Yes, probably. I’ll have to call my team doctors and tell them I’ve had another head injury. I’ll be out for the rest of the season. What team is going to want me now?”

She leans forward, resting her hand on the side of my face where she hit me, trying not to laugh, but it isn’t working. “Is your head ok?”

It still hurts, but it’s not from the ball. Her hand is soft and warm. I want to turn my head and kiss the underside of her wrist, but I resist. Her smile, laughter, and nearness make everything better. She smells so good, like mint and flowers. I want to pull her into my lap and keep her there so she can tell meagain that everything will work out. When she says it, it’s easier to believe.

I smile, her eyes lingering on my face as her thumb moves over my scruffy cheek. “If I say no, can I hang out with you and Ax and order food or something? I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Are you kidding? Yes, what do you want? I can make you something, or we can order, but getting delivered here will take a while.”

“I don’t care. Anything is fine.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right. Clean eating is not my specialty, but if you watch Ax, I’ll make something.”

She starts to move away, but I grab her wrist. Her eyes inspect my hand, wrapped loosely around her arm.

“Thank you.” I hold her there. “For caring about me and letting me stay.”

She smiles and pats my knee. “Sean, we might be sort of friends, and I might care a little but don’t think for one second it means I like you.”

I groan and let my head fall back as she stands. “All that much, Andie. You don’t like me all that much. Remember.”

She laughs, and I find a spot on the floor with Ax, so thankful she let me in. She didn’t tell me to go away or try to convince me we won’t work. Hope is blooming inside me like a freaking bouquet, and given the past couple of weeks, it feels like I’m coming back to life.

Ax inches toward me, one chubby hand grabbing my pants to tug himself closer. I scoop him up and set him on my lap.

“Hey, partner. We’ve got to get you on those hands and knees so you can drive your mom crazy. What do you think about that?”

“Sean, he doesn’t need any help. If you want to stick around, you can keep those ideas and comments to yourself.”

I hold Ax up so he can stand. She doesn’t even know the ideas I have. All of them involve me sticking around for a long time.

Chapter 41

ANDIE

It’s night three of Sean hanging out at my house. It’s been different. Instead of eating at the counter and walking around in a t-shirt and underwear, I’ve had to put on legit clothes, and there’s been someone to have an actual conversation with. It’s been really…nice.

Tonight, he brought dinner, and Ax is in his highchair throwing peas and carrots on the floor with Snipe at our feet, eating his fill.

“How was your time at the studio today?” Sean takes another bite of his steamed vegetables.

“It was good. We wrapped up the second song, and Nora’s been teasing about a release,” I shrug. “We’ll see if people care.”

His hand halts with his fork halfway to his mouth. “People already care. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but not only are people shipping us, I get a hundred comments a day about how beautiful your voice is and asking where they can find your music.”

“Shipping us?”

“Andie, you’ve lived in a hole too long.”

I smile wistfully like I’m reliving fond memories. “Yes, but it’s safe and cozy and warm.”

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