Page 75 of You're All I Need

“Yes, really.” I move the ball a little closer.

She reaches for it before stopping. The child looks back at her dad with pleading eyes. When he nods once more, she holds out her hand and I place the ball in her palm. “Take good care of it, okay, Isabella?”

“I will!” she proclaims, holding her new treasure high above her head and earning some cheers from the fans surrounding us.

“Thank you,” her dad mouths as he listens to his daughter recount the home run that led to that ball.

“You’re welcome. Enjoy the game, Isabella.”

“Thank you.”

I get up and make my way back to Caden. A few fans give me nods of respect and tell me, “Very cool of you” and “Good job.”

By the time I reach Caden’s side, he has his arms around me, enveloping me in a big hug.“That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

I shrug, hating the praise. I didn’t do it for that. I did it for the little girl and the memories she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life. “It was nothing.”

“It was everything.” He places a tender kiss on the tip of my nose.

We watch the rest of the game with our arms wound around each other like a real couple. I try not to dwell on the fact we’re not one, but it’s too hard to ignore the way he makes me feel.

Howhemakes me feel.

Dammit, I’ve gone and done it.

I’ve fallen in love with Caden Neumann.

Now what?

Chapter Twenty-One

Caden

“When are you going to tell her?”

I take my eyes off the court long enough to look at my sister. “What are you talking about?” I ask, my gaze returning to the action. Joshua’s team is playing a very tough opponent and are currently down by six late in the third quarter. It’s the final day of the tournament, and they’re playing for third place.

“Adrienne. When are you going to tell her you love her?” my sister asks quietly.

I can feel her eyes burning into my face, but I refuse to acknowledge. Instead, I scan the entrance to the gym, checking to see if Adrienne’s returning yet or not. She excused herself only a few minutes ago to use the restroom, leaving just my sister and me together in the stands.

“It’s okay if you don’t answer. I’m sure you have a lot of shit to work out in your own head. You need to acknowledge it to yourself first, then you can say it to her.”

“I don’t love her, Scar,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest. “Set a screen!” I holler to the court.

When she doesn’t reply, I finally look her way. She’s sitting there, smiling at me.

“What?” I ask, my tone gruff.

“Nothing,” she sings. “Except you do.”

I scoff, returning my attention to the action on the floor. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Maybe, but I have eyes. I’ve watched you all weekend. You’re in love with her, and either you haven’t come to therealization yet yourself—but you will—or you’re ignoring it because of what the bitch did to your heart.”

I don’t have to ask who she’s referring to. I’m well aware it’s Dawn.

“I don’t have a heart,” I grumble, feeling a little hot under the collar.

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