Page 45 of The Way We Score

“Okay, big shot.”

“I’m also ready for you to do something about that Allie situation. Need me to help you like I helped Zane?”

“Youhelped Zane?” He makes a scoffing laugh, and I can’t resist.

“Need me to draw you a diagram?”

His jaw tightens, and he doesn’t say a word as he climbs into the truck. Still, I’m pretty sure I catch the hint of a grin.

9

Liv

“Are you still mad at me?” Mom’s voice sounds cautious through the speaker on my phone.

“No, Mom, I’m not mad at you.” I transfer the call to my headphones as I sort through the new files on my desk. “I just don’t appreciate you tricking me like that. I do have work to do, and you took advantage of the situation.”

“I did, and I’m sorry.” I can almost see her shoulders droop. “I just didn’t want you to miss out on an important family event.”

“It would’ve been easy for me to drive down for the weekend. The wedding was on a Saturday.”

“Yes, but you wouldn’t have done it.” A tone is in her voice, and she’s got me.

I can’t argue with her.

I wouldn’t have done it because Garrett was there. Hell, I spent the whole week after he arrived in town hiding at my mom’s house and doing everything I could to avoid him.

I knew what would happen, and here I am, dealing withthe achy aftermath. Every time I move, I can feel how hard and how many times we screwed down memory lane.

He kissed me rough and demanding, then soft and savoring. He wrapped me in those muscled arms and held on as we soared through space again and again.

We collapsed back on the bed smiling at each other as the sheet descended lightly over our glistening bodies. Then we fell asleep in each other’s arms, only to wake up and do it all again.

We revisited every position we’d ever liked as young lovers, back when we were learning what to do and how to touch each other for maximum enjoyment.

It was sexy and decadent, and I’m afraid to try and remember everything we did too much… I think at one point, the wordlovemight’ve been uttered.

“Oh, God.” Leaning forward, I put my face in my hands. I amshooketh.

It was arguably the best night of my life with a man who knows exactly how to turn me on, and when the light of day came shining through those windows, I ran as fast as I could.

I couldn’t face the aftermath. If he’d wanted to shake hands and act like it meant nothing, I don’t know what I would’ve done. The only thing worse would’ve been if he’d suggested we try to do long distance.

I’d have said yes.

Finding a video on Instagram of my mother dancing at a friend’s birthday party the week before was my one escape, especially since she’d told me she was going to a church bingo game that night.

Garrett’s eyes were still closed when I texted her to get to the bottom of that surprise reveal.

How were you doing the chicken dance at Marnie Pickle’s birthday party last week if you had to use a walker?

Mom

New phone. Who dis?

You’re too old for that line. You lied to me.

Mom

---