Page 16 of Tame the Player

When we’re almost done, she fills the silence. “I’m going to be out tonight. But don’t worry, I’m taking Cole to my house.”

I want to ask her where she’s going, but it’s not my right to ask. I’m sure she’s going out with her boyfriend, and just the thought makes me crazy. As far as I know, she hasn’t seen him since she moved in here. Instead of asking her what I want to know, I ask about Cole. “Why are you taking Cole to your house?”

“Well, I don’t expect you to watch him while I’m out.”

My jaw tightens because I hate to even think about her being out with another man. “He’s thirteen. He’s a good kid, and he doesn’t need a sitter.”

She puts her hand over her heart. “Aww, thank you, Holden. He is a good kid, right?”

I nod. I’ve only been around her and Cole for a week, but she’s a great mother. She talks to him, not at him, she helps him with his homework, she is all in with his baseball practices and games, and it’s obvious she loveshim. “Yeah, he’s a good kid because you’re a good mom.”

I swear she gets misty-eyed, and I continue. “Let him hang here with me. I’ll invite my family over, and we’ll cook out and do a game in the backyard.”

She bites her lip worriedly. “You know you can’t throw yet, right? We’ll start a throwing plan next month.”

I nod. “I got it. No throwing.” When she’s still hesitant, I rub my hand through my hair. “If you don’t want to leave Cole with me, I—”

She holds her hand up to stop me. “Of course I trust you, Holden. I wouldn’t be here, living in your house, if I didn't.”

After she removes the needles from my skin, I sit up. “All right, well, I’m going out for a few hours. I’ll be back when Cole gets out of school.”

“You don’t have to watch him—”

I cut her off with a look. “I’ll be here, Cat. Have fun with whatever you have going on tonight.”

Before she can respond, I walk away. It’s either that or I’m going to kiss her until she’s breathless and she realizes that Jeremy is not the right man for her. I am.

10

CATHERINE

I haven’t seen Jeremy in a week. I spent the time getting Cole and me into Holden’s house and then on top of the one time a day therapy sessions, the runs, the strength training, and Cole’s practices, well, there wasn’t much time to see Jeremy.

But tonight is a planned dinner with his accounting firm.

As the doorbell rings, I finish putting on my lipstick and make my way downstairs. Both Cole and Holden are standing inside the door, and I rush down the stairs to meet them. I’m about to do introductions when Holden holds his hand out. “You must be Jeremy. I’m Holden.”

Jeremy pushes his glasses up his nose and thenreaches for Holden’s hand. “Yeah, it’s nice to meet you.”

Jeremy looks at Cole. “Hello, Cole.”

Cole just raises his hand in a half wave and mutters, “Hey, Jeremy.”

I push my arm through Jeremy’s. “Well, we better go. Cole, please be good tonight. Call if you need anything.”

“You look beautiful, Cat,” Holden says, and I practically stumble on my feet.

“Thank you. I’ll be back later. Let me know if you, I mean Cole needs anything.”

I’m quiet as we walk to the car, and I realize that Jeremy didn’t comment on how I look. It’s not that I need a man to notice me to know my worth, but it does feel good to get complimented.

The whole thing is awkward, and as I look back at Cole and Holden and see Holden has his arm around Cole’s shoulder, I wish that I was staying home with them instead of going to what will probably be a boring dinner.

As Jeremy drives us across town, he is telling me about who I’m going to meet and how I should act while I’m there. He goes on and on, and I can’t help but think about everything. Jeremy doesn’t open the car door for me. He doesn’t open doorsfor me at all. He doesn’t hug me or kiss me unless we’re in complete privacy. We’ve only been seeing each other a little while, but I don’t expect things to change. I feel guilty as I look over at him. He’s completely clueless to where my thoughts have gone.I bet Holden wouldn’t keep his hands to himself.

I let out a small gasp and turn to look out the window. I’m not sure where that thought came from, but now that it’s in my head, I can’t get it out.

"Catherine," Jeremy says, and I realize I totally zoned out.

---