Page 42 of Her Football Star Ex

“I know…” I said. “It’s not exactly my first choice, either. But since my mom is out of town and all the hotels are booked because of the playoff game, I don’t exactly have anywhere else to go.”

“You could stay here,” he suggested. “I’m sure my mom would love to have you.”

“She invited me, but I already said no since I don’t want to be more trouble.” Arianna was already sleeping on the couch as it was since her room was taken by Janet’s sister.

He seemed to think for a minute.

“I’m sure we’ll be okay,” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt so he wouldn’t feel like he needed to fix this for me. “It was just a doll and a piece of paper.”

But he shook his head. “The note said they wanted to ruin your life. That, to me, says they have much more planned than a creepy doll.”

And when he said it, icy chills raced down my spine.

What was this person planning to do to me?

And why?

Vincent must have sensed the fear creeping over me because he stepped closer. And for a minute it looked like he wanted to pull me in his arms the way he used to when I was scared. But then he seemed to think better of it because he stepped back again.

And I didn’t realize until he retreated just how much I wanted someone to hold me right now and make me feel safe again.

He cleared his throat and swallowed, looking at me with careful eyes. “Just stay at my place tonight.” His words came out so quietly that I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.

“What?”

He cleared his throat again. “I’m going to be taking Jaxon home with me tonight to keep him safe. I can’t control what you do, but you’re his mother and it matters to Jaxon that you’re safe. So please, for his peace of mind, just come stay with me tonight.”

Was it wrong to want Vincent to want me with them tonight for his own peace of mind, too?

I thought about his offer for a moment.

Aside from the hour I’d spent at his place on Christmas when Jaxon invited me to come see the presents Santa had brought him, I’d only been in Vincent’s house for no more than a few minutes at a time.

Would it be weird?

“It’s just for tonight,” he said, anticipating my hesitation. “If you want to stay in a hotel tomorrow when they have more openings, I can get you one.”

“I can pay for my own hotel.” I straightened my shoulders.

It was probably stupid of me to insist on doing that since he was loaded, but I didn’t want to feel like I owed him any favors. I could provide for myself.

“If you insist on it.” There was a hint of a smile on his lips that made me wonder if he actually liked this new feisty side of me.

I pretended to think about his offer for another second, just because I didn’t want to seem like Ineededhim to save the day. But since I really wasn’t stupid and didn’t want to put myself back in danger, I said, “Fine, I’ll stay at your place for one night.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I’m sure that will make Jaxon feel a lot better.”

Just Jaxon?Seemed like he relaxed his stance just a little, too.

“I’ll have to stop by my house in the morning so I can get ready for work and get my car.”

“I think I can handle that,” he said. “I’ll be going to the stadium in the morning, anyway.”

After we settled the particulars, we went to join everyone in the dining room for the late dinner.

But even though Vincent had seemed to relax a lot more when I said I’d come to his house, I was somehow even more amped up than I’d been before.

Because I was going to be staying at Vincent’s apartment tonight.

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