Page 36 of Blindside Love

“I’ve waited my entire life, well, my entire adult life, to hear those words, and until this day, no one has ever told me that. You say it so effortlessly like it’s the truest thing in the world, and I don’t know, I guess, thank you.”

He smiles, and his whole face brightens with it. It stirs something in my tummy, flipping around like butterflies are taking flight. But that’s not the era I’m supposed to be in! I’m supposed to be catching flights with my daughter, not feelings with the hot hockey star next door. But when he says things like this and takes the time to check on me and make sure I’m okay, all the while looking like an image straight from my spank bank, I can’t help but realize that I already have feelings for him, I just haven’t been ready to act on it.

Because truthfully, I know that I can’t bring another man into my life until I’ve gotten Tom out of it. Especially not someone with so much to lose. Trevor is in the spotlight, famous in his own way as a killer player in the NHL. If Tom were to realize I was interested in someone else, let alone dating someone else, there would be hell to pay, and I’m sure he’d take down Trevor, even if it was just collateral damage.

I can admit I care about Trevor enough to not let that happen to him, which is why dating him is out of the question. But that doesn’t mean I’m against having some fun with him.

“You don’t have to thank me, kitten. It’s not a secret. Anyone around you can see just how incredible of a mom you are. You’re a very special person, and I feel lucky to even know you.” He smiles as he looks down at his watch before looking back up at me. “Do you have plans this evening?”

“No, I was probably just going to drink a bottle of wine and watch trashy TV while crying into a tub of ice cream,” I tell him, far too truthfully to paint myself in a good light.

“Well, you can still do that, but I have a better idea, if you’re interested?”

“What is it?” I ask cautiously.

“Just trust me. Meet me down here at five, you’ll have fun, I promise. I just have to go run a few errands, but I’ll be back to pick you up.”

“Uh, alright, I’ll bite.”

“I hope you do.” Trevor grins before he turns around and walks out.

What did I just sign up for?

“So where are you taking me?” I question as I sit in the passenger seat of his G-Wagon. I’m slightly surprised by his car. I’m not sure why I figured he’d drive a sports car like a Ferrari or something. Yeah, this is fancy, but somehow it still seems practical.

I just don’t imagine a bachelor caring much about practicality.

“To dinner.”

“Do I get to know where?”

“My parents’ house,” he says nonchalantly as his lips turn up in a boyish grin like he didn’t just drop a bomb.

His parents? They don’t know me, and I’m supposed to show up to their house for dinner? How the hell did I forget that it was Sunday? He always talks about his Sunday dinners at their house, usually with his sister Celeste, too.

“Breathe, kitten. Why is this a big deal?”

Because it’s your parents. I’m supposed to come face to face with your mom when I’ve been getting myself off every night to the thought of your cock even though I’ve never even seen it.

“It’s your parents?”

“And? Ellie, you said we were friends.”

“I mean… yeah…”

“So, I’m not seeing a problem. I’ve brought Rex over before.”

“This is different,” I murmur.

He’s right. If we were just friends, this wouldn’t be an issue. At all. But deep down, I know there’s a deeper connection between the two of us, which apparently is just going to become more and more apparent quicker than I anticipated.

His grin tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Is that so? Please explain.” He looks like a cat that got the canary, all smug and on top of the world. He’s been much more straightforward and forthcoming about his attraction to me; it’s me that’s been dragging my feet.

It’s almost like I know it’s not just a physical attraction, even though I’m going to pretend that’s all it is. People who enjoy each other’s company and want to fuck, but that’s it.

“Don’t be an asshole. We both know why.” I glare, biting my cheek to force myself not to smile.

“Fine, fine. But really, I called them earlier and told them I was bringing you. They were both excited about me bringing a friend to dinner. Plus, my sister will be there. Celeste is awesome, a little bit of a wild card, but she’s the best.”

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