Page 83 of Catching Feeling

“That’s amazing, Mom. I bet it felt so good to be outside in the fresh air and to have the sun on your face.”

“It was. I’m going to go take a shower, but I wanted to check in and see how the ball was. I love you, Viv. Always and forever, okay?”

Tears prick my eyes, and I suck in a deep breath to keep them at bay. “I love you too, Mom. I’ll call you soon, okay?”

She tells me she’ll talk to me later, and we say a quick goodbye. I wasn’t expecting our phone call to go this way, and I’m suddenly feeling emotional. Partly because it makes me realize I’ve gotten into the habit of anticipating the worst, and I hate that about myself.

I’m so used to having everything in my life be a chaotic mess that now I just expect things to go wrong.

The entire drive home, I think about our conversation, and it makes me feel hopeful that there are brighter days ahead, especially for her. That maybe she’s starting to get a little better. She deserves happiness. She deserves the world, and it’s hard for me as someone who wants to fix everything to feel so helpless.

I pull into the driveway and walk inside. Putting my stuff on the barstool in the kitchen, I see a piece of paper on the counter next to a box of chocolate sprinkle donuts.

Another one of my favorites. I pick the note up and scan it.

Can’t wait to be back home. See you Wednesday. Donut worry, Sweet Tart, you’re the only thing I’ll be thinking about ;)

-Your All-Star

Reese left this morning for an away game, dragging himself out of bed before the sun even came up after spending most of the night fucking me until I was too sore to move.

My muscles still ache from all of the delicious, mind-blowing sex we had this weekend. His stamina knows no bounds, and he honestly probably could’ve gone another round if I didn’t threaten to kick him out and make him sleep in his own room because my poor vagina needed a much-needed break.

A problem that I didn’t think I’d ever have, but then again, Reese makes me feel a lot of things that I never have.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket after setting his note down and pick one up of the donuts from the box, snapping a photo of me licking the chocolate off the top.

Me: Too bad you’re not here to lick this off of me. Thanks for the treat ??

Good luck tonight. I’ll be watching and maaaaaybe wearing your jersey.

I can’t stop myself from giggling as I attach the photo to my text and press Send. Teasing him like this is entirely too much fun, especially because he always gives it right back.

I love that about… whatever this is between us. It makes me feel lighter.

I’m surprised when I see the text bubbles pop up on our thread since his game should be starting within the hour.

Reese: That’s one spanking for making me hard in front of the entire fucking team babe.

Two for the jersey comment. It better be mine.

And three, just because I love seeing your ass marked red.

???? Call you after the game.

And now I’m grinning like a lovesick fool, my heart squeezing with happiness… and I realize this is a problem.

A major problem.

God, when did this happen? When did he go from being this rich playboy that I spent so much time trying to hate to being the first person I want to text whenever something happens in my life? The person who makes my whole day with a sweet gesture and a flirty text. The person that feels safe, that feels like… home?

I’m so beyond fucked.

Before I second-guess myself, I text Hallie an SOS message, asking her to come by for girl time. I’ve not seen my bestie as much as normal lately, and after such a great day, I’m actually feeling brave enough to ask for some advice.

Hallie: On my way. I’m bringing backup

An hour later, Hallie and I are piled up on Reese’s massive couch under a mountain of blankets, eating our favorite snacks and binge-watching Unsolved Mysteries, just like old times.

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