Page 41 of Crush
I looked at it. “See what? It's just an old picture of me in my bedroom.”
But then Chloe pinched and zoomed in on the screen. Right over my shoulder.
And there it was. The detail that had captured Chloe's attention. Behind me, on my bedroom wall, was the poster of a young Shea Ellis, with flowing locks of hair beneath his helmet. The poster was covered in bright red lipstick smooches.
Oh my God.
A blazing heat flared in my cheeks.
“Chloe,” I said, my throat as hot and dry as the desert.
“Toldyou I had proof,” she said, grinning. “I almost didn't recognize him at first. But then I saw his name written in giant letters. He's so young-looking! How old was he in that picture?”
“I don't know,” I answered huskily. “Twenty-three, I think.”
“Which would make you how old in that picture?”
“Thirteen.”
“And you had a crush on him, didn't you? Go on, the least you can do is admit it!”
She was right. The cat was out of the bag. There was no use pretending anymore—I'd only damage my own credibility.
“Yes,” I answered quietly. “But it was just a childish, meaningless crush, Chloe. I didn't even recognize your dad when we first met. Promise me you won't tell him, okay? Or your brothers or your mom oranyoneelse.”
“Of course I promise not to tell.” She said, then she began squealing and dancing. “I love this, I love this, I love this. You have no idea how happy this makes me. What are you going to wear tonight? All the players wear suits and their wives get dressed up real nice, so you should definitely wear something fancy.”
My heart pumped and hot, liquid shame churned through my body. This poor girl was getting her hopes up for something that could never be.
I shook my head. “No, Chloe, stop.”
“Stop what?”
“That picture was a long time ago—your dad and I, we'vebothgrown up a lot since that picture. Yes, I thought your dad was cute when I was young. And yes, he's still a handsome man. But I'm the nanny of his children now—” I trailed off. I didn't even know what to say anymore.
“Yeah, you're our nanny now, and you two can't stop flirting with each other! And now I find out you've always had a thing for him. It's almost like you two aremeantto be together. Which is perfect, because wealllike you so much—”
I slapped my forehead. “You don't understand what I'm trying to tell you.”
“No, Brynn,youdon't understand. I'msohappy right now thatI'mthe one who set you guys up on a date.” She paused. “It almost makes up for what I did to Dad in the first place.”
“Huh? What do you mean? What'd you do?”
A sullenness suddenly gripped Chloe. It was like she'd just transformed into someone else, someone bleak and disturbed and unhappy.
“I just want to make up for it,” Chloe said with a small nod. “That's all.”
“Make up forwhat?”
There was the sound of a heavy car, fast and aggressive, pulling into the driveway, followed by a rapid burst of honks. I recognized that driver by now—it was Cynthia, Shea's ex-wife, and she was here to pick up the kids.
“Uh oh, my mom's here,” Chloe said. “I have to go.”
I helped Chloe and the twins pack up all their things and sent them off with their mom. From the living room window, I watched the car drive off and wondered what had gotten into Chloe.
What was that about?
And what have I gotten myself into?
