Page 56 of Home Field Advantage
“Oh good,” Gabe says, sounding relieved. “Because you look like my dog when my dad brings home a rotisserie chicken for dinner and starts drooling all over the kitchen floor. What a mess that is to clean up.”
This is going to be an interesting season.
CHAPTER 14
ARE YOU REGRETTING COMING TO THIS DINNER YET?
Poppy
“Thank you for picking me up.”
Lily waves me off from the driver’s seat. “Please. It’s fine. You can’t help that your car won’t start.”
I sigh, letting my head fall back on the passenger seat’s headrest. I could have avoided this if I had just turned off the interior light last night when I got home. I’m so mad at myself for not remembering. But when I pulled into my driveway after having dinner at my parents’ house, Dallas was pulling Sage from the backseat of his SUV, likely after another one of their baseball practices. She was asleep in his arms, and I found myself in a trance watching him and how careful and protective of her he was. He held her like a porcelain doll he didn’t want to drop, then moved easily to unlock his door without even startling her.
When he closed the door behind him, switching the porch light off, I stayed there for another few minutes just staring, thinking about how attracted to that man I am. There’s no use trying to fight how he makes me feel. I told myself it’s because he lives close by, and I see him in this light that others normally wouldn’t.
I witnessed how he cared for his daughter like a creep from my car.
I witnessed how he coached those kids despite them being a hot mess.
I witnessed him smile more times than I can count.
“Who’s all going to be there tonight?”
Lily laughs. “It’s Griffin’s yearly winter dinner party, Poppy. So our normal crew. Nanobviouslyinvited herself. But Tucker has befriended Dallas now that they’re coaching together, so I think he’ll be there with his daughter.”
“What?” I practically shout, sitting up higher in the seat. “I mean…what?” I repeat a few decibels lower.
“Whoa. I didn’t expect that reaction to the hot neighbor being invited to dinner at Griffin’s house. But now I want to know more.”
“There’s nothing to know.”
“Your reaction tells me that’s a lie.”
“Lily…” I exhale, trying to find a way to explain this to her. “We can’t be calling him the hot neighbor anymore.”
“We call it like we see it.”
“Okay, fine. But Dallas is…he’s different. I can’t deny that I’m attracted to him, which is a new thing for me. As you know, I don’t do the whole relationship thing. But Sage is my student, and my career comes first. Besides, Dallas is only going to be here for a few more months.”
“Perfect amount of time to lose your virginity. Finally,” she draws out.
“Lily!”
“What?” she laughs, pulling onto Barlow Drive toward Griffin’s house. “Listen, I know you don’t allow yourself to get involved in relationships because you hate the small-town talk. You hate the idea of people knowing your business, and if things don’t work out, you’d be walking on eggshells.”
I remain silent because she’s right.
To an extent.
She doesn’t know the real reasons why I avoid relationships.
“He’s not staying,” she continues, putting the car in park in the driveway and turning her body to face me. “There’s no harm in allowing yourself this time. It won’t take away from your job, and since it’s mostly just physical attraction for him, you won’t have to worry about your heart getting involved.”
That’s what I worry about the most.
I don’t know what sex feels like or the impact it has on two people together. I’ll never admit this to my sister or anyone, for that matter, but I don’t even know what an orgasm feels like, as I’ve never attempted to give myself one. I just don’t know how, and it feels weird to me.
