Page 66 of It's Always Us

“I’m not very good at being social, and I still can’t . . . ” Her eyes flick to the menu in front of her and then back to me.

She shrinks before my eyes, and I know exactly what’s going on. I saw her cower in high school when other kids teased and mimicked her when she was forced to read out loud. They laughed and whispered as they passed her desk while she tried to complete a test. But she fought, barely scraping by and trying so hard not to let it show or let anyone see her struggle. I see the effects of the trauma remain.

“Lex.” Her gaze stays glued to the table, and I wait. “Lex, look at me.” It takes a second, but she finally drags her eyes to mine, shame written all over her face. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re the smartest, most capable person I know. The rest of us had it easy, but you figured out how to survive and learn despite the challenge. Baby, you’re incredible. Anyone worth a shit will see that.” Her head falls to the side, still full of doubt. “Besides, I’m really good at talking. I’ll say enough for the both of us.”

That earns me the slightest smile, and she reaches for my hand resting on the table and slipping her palm beneath mine. “I need to call Grandpa. I left after hearing him and Slade talking. Not my most mature move. I didn’t tell him where I was going. I’m still so . . . ”

She swallows, her eyes glistening. I’d like to have a chat with Cal.

“I thought the shop would be mine. I guess I was stupid to think that, but I still can’t . . . ” She pauses, and I know it’s coming. The key to the box where she keeps everything she thinks about herself.

Her chin finally tips up, but barely enough to meet my gaze. “I can’t do all the things it would require. At least not easily, and accuracy and efficiency are important.”

I hate that she believes that to be true. “Lex, it wasn’t stupid. I bet your grandpa would even tell you that.”

Her head drops again. “Maybe. Probably not when he finds out I’m pregnant.” Her hand moves to her stomach.

I can’t help but smile. “One way or another, you’re still going to get to do what you love. That I can promise.” She holds back a weak smile while I make it my mission to see that she gets to. “Speaking of the little surprise nugget, I want to tell Shane and Sean about us and the squirt.”

One blonde eyebrow raises. “Squirt?”

“Yep. Baby Sandberg. Then I’ll need to talk to my agent, but we get to decide when and how this news spreads, ok?” Her eyes roam my face as she studies me. “What?”

One side of her mouth curls up slightly. “Nothing. You’re like this hot elite baller, but also this businessman calling the shots.”

I rest back on my stool, my mouth creeping into a fat-ass grin. “You think I’m hot?”

She rolls her eyes as her cheeks turn pink, and I love that I still make that happen. I tug her wrist to my lips, and she’s forced to lean closer as a ruckus breaks out behind us.

A band of guys, loud and clearly loaded, bound through the doors and up to the bar. A quick glance tells me these guys are here to have fun, but not a group I want to get caught up in for a meet and greet.

I turn back to Lex, her eyes set on the frat boys. “Let’s get out of here, go by the store, and eat at home.”

She hides a smile, telling me she likes of the idea. I grab her hand, pull my hat low, and make for the door. Just as I’m about to pass the large group, two more guys push through the glass door and almost step right into me. They stop in their tracks.

“Hey, aren’t you . . . ”

I pull Lex closer, trying to step around them, but there’s no room.

“We heard you were training here during the offseason.”

I meet the guy’s eyes, making it clear I’m not interested in chatting. In normal circumstances, I’d stop for a second, take a few pictures, and move on, but not tonight. Lex’s hand wraps around my forearm.

“Thanks, man. We were just leaving. Hope you guys have a good night.”

“How’s the shoulder? We’re all waiting to see who takes you on next season.” A few more chime in, and Lex presses into me. I slip my arm around her, tucking her into my side.

I give a friendly smile, hoping it will make him move aside. “It’s healing and feeling good,” I say, as my arm rests in its sling.

“Yo, it’s Mark Sandberg.”

Fuck.This is not how I wanted tonight to go. The entire band of brothers turns our way, all yelling at the same time, throwing out questions, and pulling out phones. We’re stuck right in the middle.

I hold up my hand. “Hey, guys. We need to get going. I appreciate you and your support. Hope you have fun.”

I move to step around the two guys again, and they reek of liquor. They move to the side, but not enough that I don’t hear the comment.

“Boys, Sandberg’s got himself a new flavor of the week. Young and fresh.”

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