Page 106 of Resisting the Running Back

CHAPTER 48: Sophie Summers

The Same Heat and Passion

“It’s new for me, too,” Cassie admits.

I guess I didn’t really think about how I’m not the only one going through something.

“Last season, I was helping him recover. We had unlimited amounts of time together. This is going to be a totally new chapter in our relationship,” she says.

“Ours too,” I admit. “I’m glad you invited me to dinner because I was going nuts at the house wondering when he’d be home.”

“He didn’t tell you?” she asks. She sounds surprised.

I shake my head. “I don’t know if he knew.”

“Tanner’s meeting was a dinner meeting, so at least I knew that.” She lifts a shoulder. “My parents wanted the kids for a double sleepover, so they’re there tonight and tomorrow night. And then they start school the week after training camp begins, so we need to start supply shopping and all that stuff.” She rolls her eyes.

Supply shopping.

It takes me back to the days of being a teacher. As much as I hated when summer was coming to an end, there was nothing I loved more than school supply shopping.

“I can take them,” I volunteer.

Her brows dip together. “You don’t want to do that. Really?”

“Ilovesupply shopping.”

“The last few years, I’ve just ordered everything online. But Lilypad wants to pick everything out at the store, and Luca is desperate for the newest Minecraft backpack. After being gone the last week, though, my schedule is full at work, and I have no clue when to take them.”

“I’m serious, Cassie. Let me do it. I used to be a teacher, so trust me. This is my jam.” I offer her a grin, and she relents.

“Okay, but only if you’re sure. And let me treat you to dinner because trust me, taking both kids to the store at the same time is a feat I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.” She purses her lips at the end, and I laugh.

“Oh, come on. It can’t be that bad, can it?”

She raises her brows as if to say,just wait and see for yourself.

“So they’re at a double sleepover, but are they free, say…Tuesday around lunchtime? I can get them Happy Meals and take them to Target.” Target was always my favorite for supply shopping.

“They’ll be back from my parents’ house by then and ready to shop. If you’re sure.”

“Stop saying that. You’re scaring me.” I make a face of horror, and she laughs. But the truth of it is that I want to be around kids. I want to see what it’s like—not that taking kids shopping is any indicator of what being a mom is actually like, but I just want to see how I am in the situation. If I keep my patience, if I have to wrangle, if they’re acting out at lunch. Any and all of it.

When I get home, Miller is on the couch with a tablet in his hand. It looks like he’s watching a football game.

He clicks it off and sets it beside him as he glances up at me. “Welcome home.”

“Thanks. I didn’t know when you’d be back, and Cassie invited me to dinner.”

“Fun. Did you have a good time?”

I nod. “You?”

“Actually, yeah. It was a good day.”

I plop down beside him on the couch, but the tablet is sitting between us, so I don’t get too close. It feels symbolic, like football is already coming between us.

Even though I suspect there’s something far deeper coming between us.

---