Page 32 of Need You To Choose Me

“I’m not marrying him, that’s for damn sure.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

BLAKE

“Mrs. Maxwell!” Levi yells as he runs into the kitchen and throws himself at the older woman. “You’re finally here.”

I feel that familiar ache in my chest at those words. While Levi was always big on showing his love toward people he cared about, recently, since Reina left, there’s been this need inside of him to keep them close by and reassure himself they won’t leave him as well. A part of me hated her for making him so insecure. It was one thing to leave me if she wasn’t happy, but to leave our boys without a second glance? Fuck that.

“You missed me, Levi?” Mrs. Maxwell smiles at him, patting his head affectionately.

“Yes.” He tilts his head back and grins at her. “Did you bring me any cookies?”

“All you think about are cookies, young man,” she scoffs, but I can see the amusement shining in her eyes. “I did not, but I can bake some today.”

“Yes!” Levi pumps his hand excitedly. “The chocolate chip ones?”

“Is there any other kind?”

“Nope.”

“How about you eat your breakfast first?” I suggest, placing the cup of coffee on the counter. “We have to get going soon. Where’s Daniel?”

“Dunno.” Levi shrugs and slides onto the barstool at the counter just as Mrs. Maxwell places a plate with some eggs and bacon in front of him. “He didn’t come out of his room.”

I shake my head, trying to keep my irritation at bay. “Eat, I’ll go check in—” I turn on my heels when a shadow appears in the doorway.

Daniel’s eyes lock on mine for a heartbeat, the tension building between the two of us. I was trying my best to be understanding and give him time to come to terms with everything that was going on, but he sure was testing my patience.

“Well, look who finally decided to join us,” Mrs. Maxwell says, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Placing the second plate on the counter, she goes to him and jabs him playfully in the side. “Is that any way to greet an old lady?”

Daniel’s shoulders relax as he shifts his attention to Mrs. Maxwell, the corner of his mouth lifting a notch. It’s the closest he’s come to smiling in ages. “I don’t see any old ladies around here. But it’s good to see you, Mrs. M.”

“Daniel Walker!” Mrs. Maxwell places her hand against her chest in a dramatic fashion. “Coming from the grump himself. I have to admit, I’m surprised.” Letting her hand drop, she pushes him toward the chair. “Come on, sit and eat. You need to get to school.”

Daniel doesn’t try to protest as Mrs. Maxwell steers him toward the chair. For all the bullshit he pulls with me, he’s always respectful when it comes to her. Not surprising, considering she’s been working for us since the moment I got myfirst NFL contract and was somewhat of a grandmother figure for both of my boys; something they both desperately needed. Reina didn’t talk to her parents even before she got pregnant, and my mother died when Daniel was only five, so he didn’t remember her that well.

“How have you boys been? Did the move go well?” she asks as she joins them at the table.

“It would have been better if we didn’t move at all,” Daniel grumbles, jabbing his fork into his food as he pointedly looks at his plate.

“I like it,” Levi grins. “My new teacher is really nice, and she’s pretty too.”

His words have me almost choking on my drink.

“Is she now?” Mrs. Maxwell inquires, thankfully completely oblivious to my mishap.

“Mm-hmm…” He nods, his head bending down and a lock of hair falling in his face. “Way better than my old teacher.”

“Well, that’s great news to hear. Bluebonnet is a really nice town, so much to do.” She brushes the runaway lock back. “Like get a haircut.” Those dark eyes fix on me over the rim of her glasses, making me squirm in my seat. It’s like I’m ten all over again. “Seriously, Blake?”

“What?” I lift my hand and rub at my jaw, feeling the sharp bristles scratching at my palm. “Between the move and everything, there was not much time.”

She shakes her head. “You have to make time. People will talk.”

“Yeah, well, they can talk all they want.”

---