Page 70 of The One I Left Behind

He screws up his face. “Ew.”

I give him a pointed stare. “Not like that.”

He glances out the window, then turns to me, his phone never leaving his hands. “I never understood why he helped me, but I get it now.”

“What do you get?”

“He did it because of Coach Noughton. To make amends for him leaving you.”

I sigh. “Maybe partly, but I think he just wanted to help you. Probably saw the raw talent that everyone else sees. But don’t go getting a big head.”

I walk across the room and ruffle his hair. He ducks and moves away as Betsy pulls up in the driveway and honks the horn.

“Gotta go.” He kisses my cheek. “Bye, Mom.”

“Bye. Be careful.”

He turns with his hand on the doorknob. “You too.” He smirks.

“Go!” I shake my head.

He laughs and walks out to the truck, getting in the back of Betsy’s big Suburban. I wave from the window. I catch Ben waiting for Betsy to pull out of the driveway so he can pull in, and I grab my purse.

This giddy feeling bubbling in my stomach is bad news. Bad news because I’m becoming more and more attached, and there’s still a small part of me that can’t stop worrying about what the future will bring.

I open the door as Ben’s climbing out of his truck. “I was coming to get you.”

“Well, here I am.”

He thumbs toward the street, though Betsy is gone. “Was that Clayton?”

I nod and lock up, walking toward him.

He shuts his door and meets me at the front of his truck. When Ben takes me into his arms, his lips find mine. My arms wind around his neck, and my fingers play with his hair. I close my eyes, relishing the moment.

He ends the kiss, and I whimper. Drawing back, he holds me while looking down between us. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” I step away and twirl. “Sundress.”

“You know I love them.”

“I do.” Heat runs through my body, and I’m sure I’m blushing from his attention.

“Let’s go. I have big plans for us.”

“I can’t wait.”

He follows me to the passenger side of his truck and opens the door. I step into the doorway, rise on my tiptoes, and give him a kiss before climbing in.

After climbing into the cab, he starts the truck and soaks me in again. Then he shakes his head with a smile so wide I want to ask what he’s thinking, but I don’t need the words. I think he’s just as happy as I am.

Ben drives toward Plain Daisy Ranch, bypassing his family home and going down the small road that circles the lake where most of the family homes are located.

“Where are we going?” I ask, having only been in this area once or twice over the years.

“I should have blindfolded you.”

“Oh, I like where this is going.” I waggle my eyebrows.

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