Page 58 of Fumbled Beginning

“Overthink about what?” She leaned over to start the coffee maker.

I dropped my voice to a whisper. “About how JP froze up like a statue when Mom asked if he wanted kids someday.” I gripped the counter, unsure why his reaction bugged me so much. Maybe because I always thought he was too perfect, and reality was starting to settle in.

“I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

”Do you think I’m wasting my time with him?” When I looked at him, I saw a future I wanted more than my next breath. But my gut feeling was telling me we wanted different things.

“I don’t know, you tell me?”

“You saw his reaction, right? I wasn’t imagining it, was I?”

She poured herself a glass of water. “He seemed a little uncomfortable, but I feel like JP needs baby steps. The relationship is new, and from the looks of it, he is crazy about you. I wouldn’t get too ahead of yourself. Even if he isn’t open to the idea now, he could change his mind.” She squeezed my hand. “One step at a time.”

* * *

We were in the middle of enjoying dessert when my mom insisted it was time to open presents. She loved fussing over us on birthdays and sometimes forgot that my brother and I were adults.

I set the cake fork down and was mid-chew when JP placed two boxes in my hand.

“You look pretty excited to give these to me.” My lips lifted in a smile.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I hope you like them.”

Without waiting another second, I opened the bigger box first. It was wrapped in football-themed wrapping paper, and when I finally opened the lid, I understood why. I pulled out the Atlanta Arrows jersey with the name “WATSON” on the back and stitched with his player number 23.

He smiled sheepishly. “I figured you would want a new jersey now that your brother’s retired.”

“My jersey still sells out online, thank you very fucking much,” my brother boasted from the other end of the table.

“Maverick’s is a little old and worn.” I held up JP’s jersey so everyone could see it. “I guess it was time for a new one.”

“Where is your loyalty?” Maverick threw his napkin across the table, hitting me square in the cheek.

I was just about to send a Solo cup right at his forehead when my mom put her hands out. “Enough you two.”

JP’s chest shook with laughter as he pushed the small box into my lap. I set the jersey aside and slowly undid the tape. When I saw what was inside, I half-smiled and half-laughed. I pulled it out to reveal a beautiful gold chain with a sunshine pendant. “This is perfect.” I held it out so everyone could see. “Will you put this on me?”

He nodded and leaned forward. I pushed my hair to the side so he could clasp the chain around my neck.

My eyes wandered over to the man who seemed to fit right in with my family. He and Maverick have been talking nonstop about the upcoming season. My mom and Kinley were fussing over my nephew, and my dad was probably sneaking a cigarette out in the garage. This was hands down one of the best birthdays I ever had.

I picked up a few dishes and brought them to the kitchen. There was a piece of broken glass sitting on top of the garbage I had forgotten about, so when I went to pick it up, I cut my finger.Son of a bitch.

“Mom, is the first aid kit still in the bathroom closet?”

She came rushing into the kitchen. “What happened?”

I held my finger out, which was starting to bleed. “Just a little cut. It’s fine.”

She shook her head. “Yes, let me get it.”

I waved her off. “I’ve had paper cuts worse than this.”

Once I found the right size Band-Aid from the kit, I wrapped it tightly around my pointer finger. It wasn’t bad, and it felt much better once it was all bandaged up.

I had just finished putting the kit away when the bathroom door swung open. In two quick strides, JP had me pinned against the vanity. “Let me see the cut.”

I held up my finger. “As good as new, but if you want to kiss it and make it better, I’m not opposed to that.”