Page 64 of Catching Feelings

While he pulls out cartons of food, I take down two plates from the cabinet and set them on the table.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Water’s perfect. I’m always thirsty after a game.”

I’ve witnessed him and his teammates guzzle pitchers of water and beer at the Whiskey Buckle after games. I wish I had his favorite beer for him. Even after hanging out with him and his team for two years, I have no idea what he likes to drink.

“I’m sorry I don’t have anything stronger. Unless you want to do shots of tequila.”

He chuckles. “I’m good but thank you. You can serve up first.” He backs away from the food and I take out a couple serving spoons and two forks from a drawer.

“You really did order a little of everything.”

“What’s your go-to order?”

“I’m simple. Chicken fingers, lo mein, some fried rice, and sometimes an egg roll.” There are pints of all of that plus a few more dishes. I fill my plate and move aside so he can load up his plate.

When it’s over-flowing, he sets his plate on my small kitchen table and holds out the opposite chair for me. “Figured we could dine here tonight.”

“Thank you.” When we’re both seated, we dig into our food.

By the speed Miles is shoving food down his throat, I can see he was starved. I’ve barely made a dent in my food when he goes up for seconds. When he sits down again, he eats more slowly.

“Worked up an appetite?” I tease.

He looks up and grins at me over his water glass. “Just getting started.”

We talk about the game while we finish our food, and together, we pack up the leftovers and store them in the refrigerator.

“Thank you for dinner. Chinese food always makes me feel stuffed.” I pat my stomach and his eyes drop to my hands, then rise to my chest, then my face.

“Do you want to go for a walk or something?”

“A walk?” I glance out the window. The sun set hours ago, but the city lights keep my street from ever being too dark.

“My aunt always made us go for a walk after a big meal. She said it was good for digestion and a way to get her steps in. Personally, I’m big on laying down and taking naps, but to each their own.”

There’s nothing I want more than to cuddle with Miles on the couch, but a walk sounds good right now. It’ll give me more time to talk myself out of having a panic attack over what will happen next between us.

“A walk sounds perfect, if you don’t mind.”

“Mind? As long as I’m with you, Doc, I’m a happy man.”

“Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?” I joke.

“If you wanna see something thick...” He waggles his eyebrows. I feel my cheeks burn red and he adds, “You should see how my aunt carves a turkey. Freaking thickest pieces of breast meat you’ve ever seen.”

I snort and quickly cover my mouth in embarrassment. Miles opens the door and follows me down the hallway. Once we’re outside, he threads his fingers through mine and we take a leisurely stroll like we do this all the time.

“Mind if I ask you a question?” He lifts our joined hands to his mouth and kisses the back of my hand.

“Uh, sure?”

“I’ll need your full honesty though. It’s a little controversial, and we may not agree, but I’ll still like you, even if we don’t see eye to eye.”

My heart thumps in my chest and I’m suddenly uncomfortable. I don’t like talking about rough topics. Nothing that can be controversial, and nothing that can cause disagreement. I’m a peacemaker. I’d rather mediate and help two opposing sides come together than hold an argument.

When I don’t say anything, Miles lets out a deep sigh. “Here it goes. Full honesty, Doc. Would you rather have a third nipple or an extra toe?”

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