Page 20 of Falling for the Quarterback
She releases a long exhale, “Phew. I was concerned you’d be really upset over it and possibly want to call this quits. But you’re okay with them posting about it? Knowing your name?”
I shrug, “Yeah. As long as they don’t badger you for more information. That’s all I’m concerned about, is them becoming a nuisance.”
She nods, smiling. “Okay, good. Now, what was so important that you wanted to talk to me about that you drove over in the middle of the night? The same article?”
“No, uh, I don’t actually live in this area. My mom does, or else I would’ve been over a lot earlier.”
She sighs, “You live with your mother?”
Every bit of her expression tells me she’s not impressed with this news, and now I know I have to divulge who I really am…
Chapter Nine
Kinsley
Isilentlygroaninsideassoon as the words leave his mouth. I knew he had to be too good to be true. He lives with his mom?
Ginormous red flag flapping around right in front of me.
Not great, I can’t keep seeing him. I’m all for a momma’s boy, but one who has his own place and his life somewhat in order. This sucks, because I truly do like him a lot. I haven’t been looking to be with anyone but now that JJ has come along, I know I’ll be feeling the absence of him in my life. Crazy how we can grow attached to others so quickly.
I release a disappointed sigh, but he cuts it off by shaking his head.Wait, so there’s hope!
“I don’t live with my mom. I stay with her when I’m in town. She has a house not too far from here, but no, I have my own place.”
“Oh, that’s good!” But shit, he doesn’t live here? A new red flag momentarily blinds my vision as I process him living in another city. Hopefully it’s not too far away. If it’s like Waco, then it’s not bad; we can make that work. “Um, how far away is your place?”
He winces, a guilty look flashing over him momentarily as he attempts to cover it with a charming grin. He’s got the dimple popping, and it makes it harder to concentrate on anything of substance. It’s annoying how one little smile from him has me going all goo-goo forhim and not thinking of all the questions I should be peppering him with at the moment. “Dallas.”
“Oh, wow…Not close, then.” And hello, he could have a family or a wife, something like that, being so far away. Am I being swindled? Maybe Amy was right, and I should’ve done a social media deep dive on him to see what I could find out. At least I’d be feeling a little confident right now over him not living in the same area as I do. This is another problem with a new relationship: learning to open yourself up to trusting someone else.
I glance at his ring finger, checking for a tan line, but there isn’t one. How can I ever trust that he doesn’t have a double life? Maybe demand to meet his mother so I can see if she fesses up to anything? If I do that, then our relationship is rocky at best because I’m supposed to be able to trust him, and grilling his mom is not trust.
“I come and check on Mom a lot, so I don’t mind the drive. I’ll happily come down several times a week if you want to see me and we can have dinner, hang out, or whatever.”
That’s sweet and seems reasonable, right? I like how he wants to take care of her. It’s a good sign he has a big heart and is caring. Also, that he can see me several times a week means no other secret family, I hope. “What about your job? You work, right?”
I’m pretty sure we’ve covered this topic with our text in the beginning, but the not living here thing has blindsided me, so I need to question and re-evaluate everything. I’m too old to allow myself to be naïve where men are concerned. I should make a simple checklist to go over to get this rocky part out of the way. If I end up ever setting up a dating profile, I’m going to have to include said list. It’ll weed through a bulk of the men quickly. Maybe I’ll put it in bright, bold red font with a title saying,‘No losers allowed!’
They’ll love it, I’m sure.
He nods, grabbing his sweet tea and taking another drink. He must like it and not be paying me false compliments since his cup is half-empty already. We Southerners pay attention to details like that. “I work. I, uh, work for Dallas. You said you’re a football fan, so that’s a good thing. Right? Me working for the team?”
I instantly perk up. He works for the team? How freaking cool. “I toured the practice facility once. Not gonna lie, it was pretty sweet digs.”
That makes him laugh, and his shoulders seem to drop a bit, the stress gone from his brow. “If you ever want to go again, let me know, and we can make the trip together. I’ll get us passes for the tour and stuff. I actually live not too far from there.”
“Thanks. I’d love that,” I admit quietly, lashes fluttering his way. I could see why he lives there now, but what about women in the area? I hate having to even consider this, but I don’t know what to really expect after being with my ex-husband for twenty-one years. A new relationship and all the growing that comes with it isn’t something I thought I’d ever have to worry about again in my life.
JJ reaches for me, and I instantly go to him. He pulls me into his arms until I’m in his lap, straddling his muscular thighs. He must work the grounds or something for the team because he is in great shape with muscles in all the right places.
One hand reaches for my face, carefully removing my glasses for me, as he sets them on the arm of the couch. “I forgot I had those on,” I confess, cheeks warm with embarrassment.
I’m happy he’s here, but I’d have liked to have gotten at least a few minutes to glance in the mirror first. Maybe brush my teeth again, and put a little concealer or something on. Deodorant. You know, those things women are kind of obsessed with whenever it comes to being around a guy they like. And I like this one alot.
His smile widens as he lightly brushes the tip of his nose against mine. “You are so cute in them, but I don’t want to bend the frames if I kiss you.”
“You’re going to kiss me?” I ask as I wrap my arms around his neck, resting my biceps on his powerful shoulders. He’s so dreamy. I never thought I’d categorize a guy outside of my books in such a manner, but it fits him. Like a real-life Ken doll, and boy-oh-boy do I want to play with him.
