Page 60 of Sometimes You Fall

Her lips curl up into a knowing grin. “Fine. But I’ll tell you this—any man that stops by your work to bring you a care package so you’re comfortable while you’re carrying his child…isnota man that just wants to be yourfriend.” With an arch of her brow, she exits my office and leaves my mind spinning even more than it already was.

I try to get back to work, try to focus on my job, but it’s useless, especially as I inhale the apple fritter for lunch, and glance back at pictures on my phone from Chase’s game yesterday.

Most of them are of my son, but I’m ashamed to say I snapped a few of Grady too—his baseball cap covering his eyes, his arms bulging against the sleeves of his jersey, his strong hands clapping as the boys made plays and smoked the other team.

A bolt of lust travels down my spine and straight between my legs as I scroll back through those pictures, but then a warmth spreads through my chest when I realize how extraordinary his gesture was, just like Alaina said.

I dowantGrady. I’m fully aware of that.

But I don’tneedhim to take care of me—because if he does, I’ll start wanting more. And wanting something I can’t have will only complicate this already tricky situation.

Chapter twelve

Grady

“So, what do you guys think?” Dallas asks from the other side of the bar as Penn, Parker, and I all try the new burger he’s thinking about putting on the menu. It’s a classic beef patty with a potato cake on top that’s a cross between a jalapeño popper and a hash brown. The outside is fried in a flaky batter, and the inside has mashed potatoes mixed with diced jalapeños and gooey, cheddar cheese. It’s making me wish I was alone so I could properly appreciate it without judgment.

The moan of approval I let out is borderline embarrassing. “Fucking delicious,” I say around a mouthful of food.

“You’ve got a winner here, brother.” Penn echoes my sentiment.

“I would give up sex if I could eat this every day,” Parker adds, drawing all our attention his way.

Penn wipes his mouth with his napkin. “Uh, I don’t know about that.”

Dallas stares at his youngest brother with confusion as well. “Yeah. There’s no food I would choose over sex with Willow.”

Parker glares at both of his brothers while I keep my mouth shut. I’m not having regular sex, that’s for sure. But if I had theopportunity to fuck Scottie anytime she wanted, I would give up all food for the rest of my life.

“Thanks for rubbing in the fact that you both are getting laid regularly.” Parker takes another bite, grumbling around his food.

“In a bit of a dry spell?” I ask, knowing how rough that can be. At one point, even your hand will start to think that you’re pathetic.

“You could say that.”

“You have that conference in New York coming up though, don’t you?” Penn interjects. “Maybe you’ll get lucky on your trip, turn that frown of yours upside down.” He pokes his brother in the cheek as Parker swats him away.

Dallas and I share a laugh before he clears his throat. “Uh, not to shift away from Parker’s lackluster love life, but I wanted to make sure you’re all going to be at Willow’s birthday party next Saturday. I’m trying to get a head count for the food.”

Penn and Parker nod in unison. “You know Astrid and I will be there,” Penn says. Astrid and Willow are best friends, so there’s no way they’d miss it.

“I’m leaving the office early that day so I can make it on time,” Parker adds.

Dallas turns his attention to me. “You coming?”

I take a sip of my Coke before replying. “Yup. I’ve had it on my calendar for months.”

“What about Scottie?” Dallas asks as he wipes down the bar. “Are you gonna bring her?”

“I mean, I hadn’t thought about it.”

Penn shoves my shoulder, grinning. “This is your opportunity to introduce her to everyone!” he teases.

“I don’t know if she can go, but I’ll ask her.” Hell, if I had it my way, she’d be going as my significant other, but I’m still working on changing our relationship status. One day at a time.

“How are things going with you two?” Dallas asks.

“They’re…going.” I blow out a sigh of frustration.

---