Page 27 of Teasing the Winger

“What?” BooBoo questions with furrowed brows.

“My mom passed away,” I tell him, and his face immediately falls.

“Shit. I’m so sorry. I heard it was, but it didn’t click. I’m such a dick.”

I wave him off. “It’s fine. My mom might not be able to meet yours, but I can. I’d love to see her crystal collection.”

“Oh, she’s totally going to love you,” BooBoo says, his smile finally returning. “If you want, I can give her your number and she can set up something with you. But just know I’m not sticking around this time. I don’t need to get roped into more chores. I moved out so I wouldn’t have to do them anymore.”

Rio snickers. “I went over for a tarot reading, and BooBoo’s dad made him chop firewood,” he informs me.

“My arms were like Jell-O the next day,” BooBoo complains.

“You weren’t even there that long,” Rio states. “You’re just being a baby.”

BooBoo sticks his tongue out at Rio, and I laugh, but my thoughts are stuck on what Rio said a moment ago.

“You got a tarot reading?” I ask. Rio does not seem like the type to be open to things like that. But I guess he is carrying around a crystal.

“I did,” he says with a dip of his chin. “I’ll admit I’m still skeptical about it, but the cards were interesting and insightful.”

“Now I totally have to meet your mom,” I tell BooBoo. “I haven’t had my cards read in forever. I used to have my own deck, but I lost it when I broke up with my ex and haven’t bought a new one.”

I lost some faith in my spirit guides after everything that went down with Lux, so I didn’t feel like replacing a lot of my stuff, which is silly, I know.

It’s been years since he’s been out of my life, and even though I vowed he wouldn’t have control over me anymore, he clearly still does, which is the last thing I want.

“Now I’m nervous about introducing you to my mom. She’s probably going to love you more than me,” BooBoo jokes.

“I am very loveable. I mean, your team loves me so much that I’m stuck being your personal mascot,” I reply with a toothy grin.

BooBoo laughs. “Touché. Here, put your number in, and I’ll send it to my mom. Expect a text from her soon,” he says, handing me his phone.

I do as I’m told, then give him his phone back, and he sits properly in his seat again.

“Does it scare you that I’m into crystals, essential oils, and tarot cards?” I check with Rio, and he shakes his head.

“Not at all. I’m honestly not surprised you’re into that kind of stuff.”

“Want to tell me what your reading was like?” I check, more than a little intrigued when Rio blushes at the question.

“Not yet,” he replies quietly.

“You know they aren’t like wishes. Telling someone won’t affect whether they come true or not,” I tell him, and he shrugs.

“I guess I just want to wait a little longer,” he says.

“I can respect that. I remember sometimes needing time to process what the cards were telling me. But if you ever want to talk about it, or anything, I’m here.”

He smiles and I almost swoon at just how gorgeous he is when his face lights up like that.

“I think there is going to be lots of talking about a bunch of different things in our future. That’s what dating is all about, isn’t it?”

Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the mention of dating, and I nod.

I can’t believe I’m dating Rio. It’s like my dreams are finally coming true. Let’s just hope I don’t do anything to mess things up.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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