Page 86 of Sometimes You Fall

“Who is that? Are they together?” one of the women says to the other.

“I don’t know. She looks familiar, though.”

Unwilling to listen to any more, I just react. Pressing up on my toes, I plant my lips on Grady’s, marking him as mine as I pull his head down and block out the women’s chatter.

Grady doesn’t even hesitate, melting into the kiss as he pulls me in tighter, cups my jaw again, and dances his tongue against mine while the sounds around us fade away.

What are you doing, Scottie? You aren’t supposed to be kissing this man, remember?

Yeah, but I’ll be damned if I let these women even think they could have a shot with my baby’s daddy.

I swat away those worries and drown in the kiss instead, wrapping my arms around his neck, twisting my tongue against his, groaning when his hand buries in my hair and gives it a gentle tug.

I’m so enraptured in the moment, feeling my entire body heat up, that I forget we’re at a high school baseball game until my son comes over and metaphorically throws cold water on us.

“Jesus, Mom.” I break away from Grady instantly, just in time to see my son cover his eyes. “So this is how my future sibling was conceived?”

Grady smirks down at me. I resist the urge to meet his gaze, fully aware of what he’s thinking, and I refuse to give him that satisfaction. “Chase, I…”

He holds a hand up. “Let’s just pretend that didn’t happen. Although the entire team saw you, which isn’t great.”

“I’ll handle the team,” Grady says.

“I thought you two were just friends?” Chase asks, but the truth is, I don’t have an explanation for him right now because I’m the one that crossed the line this time, not Grady.

“We are,” I say as Grady huffs beside me. “But look, we need to get going, okay?”

Chase rolls his eyes. “Fine. Let me go get my stuff.” He races toward the dugout, leaving Grady and me alone.

I slowly lift my eyes to meet his and am taken aback by the look he’s giving me. “Yes?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he says, “Nothing.”

I narrow my eyes, mimicking his stance. “Nothing? That’s what you’re going to say to me?”

“Yup.” He nods once and then leans down to kiss my temple. “See you tomorrow morning?”

Tomorrow we’re leaving for our road trip to Kentucky, which means I had to take the day off, but I honestly don’t mind. I could use the break. But now, after I just kissed the man I told to stop kissing me, I’m thinking the timing of this all couldn’t be worse.

Stupid hormones and jealousy.

“Um, yeah. I’ll be ready.”

“Good. We have a long drive and lots to talk about.” He intensifies the glare he’s giving me, making his eyes appear even smaller. “A lotto talk about, Scottie. And I just hope you’re ready for it.” I swallow roughly. “Sleep well, keep growing our baby, and I’ll see you soon.”

Jesus Christ. What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter fifteen

Grady

“She did what?” Astrid asks through the phone as I shove my last pair of shorts into my duffle bag.

“She fucking kissed me in front of everyone at the game.” I can’t fight the smile spreading across my face, thinking back to how brazen Scottie was in that moment. I heard the women behind us talking, and hell, it’s not like I don’t hear that shit practically everywhere I go in this small town. But the way Scottie reacted to their words is a really clear indication that she feels what I feel—possessiveness—which means we are definitely on the right path to getting her to admit that she has feelings for me.

“So what did you say to her?”

“Nothing.”

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