Page 74 of Scores Of The Heart

We break apart and step back onto the sidewalk, following Taylor, Em, Ashton and Jay. There’s a few other players too ahead of them.

“We’re gonna head off,” I whisper to Em when we catch up.

She smiles up at me and gives me a hug. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

I laugh. “I’ll most likely go home to check on Henry.” Since I left him with a bowl of biscuits and the TV on how he likes, he should be fine, but I don’t like leaving him alone for long periods and it’s been a while tonight.

She laughs and shakes her head. “That sounds about right.”

“I’m gonna make sure Cindy gets home safe,” I hear Ty saying to Ashton and Taylor as they work out the taxi arrangements to the club. Dad, Ange and Max have long since gone home.

Soon enough, we’re making our way to the parking lot.

“My car or yours?” Ty asks as we walk together in the dark. It’s brisk out. The temperature has dropped tonight, but somehow I don’t feel cold.

I glance at him. “Better take mine,” I say. “I didn’t drink much tonight.”

“True.” He nods. “Unless you want to take the controls and give my Maserati a spin?”

He tugs on my hand, pulling me into him as I laugh. I press my hand against his chest, looking up at him. “I don’t think so. It’s a world away from my little SUV.”

He laughs, too.

We find my car quickly, and he says he’ll come back for his in the morning. I’m sure that’s what most of the players will be doing who have left for the club. It’s secure I guess, so I don’t think he’s worried.

“Tonight was great, Ty. I’m so happy for you.” I breathe into his chest before we get in my car.

His arms wrap around me and he holds me close. I get the full wrath of his manly cologne up close and personal. It’s been too long since I’ve smelled it.

“It’s been the best night of my life,” he says. “All the hard work, everything we’ve worked for, and seeing your dad so happy. It’s the best feeling.”

“I know, it was so cool seeing it all unfold,” I say, as we both turn at the sounds of someone shuffle a few cars up from us. There’s a girl standing in the dark, hovering sort of. Maybe a fan, I don’t know.

I quickly buzz my car to unlock, and we get inside.

“Hey, wait,” Ty says as I start up the car. The lights turn on and I back up. “That looks like Stace…” He trails off, looking out the window into the dark, but I don’t see anyone anymore. She’s disappeared.

“Stacey, your ex?” I quiz, squinting out the window as well. She was only two cars up, but she seems to have gone.

“Yeah. That’s weird.” He shakes it off and I do too, putting the car into D and making my way out of the stadium lot.

“What would she be doing here?” I ask.

“I’ve no idea. It can’t have been her. I haven’t seen her in over six months.”

He’s only told me little bits and pieces about her, and they both agreed to go their separate ways when they split. He said he didn’t feel ready to move in with her after nearly a year together. I realize we’re only in the early stages, so I don’t want to pry too much into that. But I don’t really know anything about his life, other than he’s close to his family. They came out back tonight with his brothers and his gorgeous little nephew, but Ty couldn’t exactly introduce me as his girl or anything. I was glad at least I got to briefly say hello to them before they left. They seem like a great bunch of people, and from what Ty has said, they all seem to get along really well.

“What do you want to do?” I ask him. When he settles into the seat and I’m making my way out of the city, but I don’t know what we’re doing now or where we’re going.

“What do you want to do? Are you hungry?”

“I’m okay,” I say. “You?”

“A nightcap might be good. We could go to my place and hang out. It’s not far from here?” He suggests.

I nod, but I’m tentative because of Henry. He notices and squeezes my hand.

“Or your place, if you prefer? Or none, Cindy. I’m easy.”

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