Page 46 of Red Zone Realizations
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you Saturday.”
“You will.” The line goes silent.
I think we are both thinking about our practice field kiss. It was just a taste, like the perfectly small servings of gelato they have in Italy. He may have kissed me, but I stepped into his space first. I don’t think either of us regrets it.
“We won’t be kissing at the party. Regardless of whether or not I’m bringing Mikey. Just so you know.”
“Mhm,” Noah says, placating me. “It was a moment of weakness.”
“For both of us.”
“But you liked it.”
My stomach drops as if trying to touch my toes. “Okay. Bye now.”
I can hear the chagrin in his voice. “And you want to do it again.”
I can feel the tips of my ears turning the slightest shade of pink. “Gotta go.”
“And I really liked it too.” Then he hangs up. I huff. The man is nothing if not persistent.
Saturday afternoon, I’m digging through my closet looking for the perfect team/family, pool party/cookout outfit. After putting on a light blue sundress and taking it off, I settle on my white jean shorts with sunflowers stitched on them and a strappy golden tank top. I throw a bikini in a bag along with some pool towels and sunscreen.
I open the front door and find Sarah and Mikey standing there. She’s got jeans and a T-shirt on despite the heat. He’s wearing swim trunks and a dino T-shirt.
“Hey, little man!” I lean toward Mikey. “Are you ready to go play at the pool?”
Mikey throws his little fist in the air. “Yes!”
“Okay, Mom and I are going to get your car seat in my car for the evening and then we’ll get going.”
Sarah puts a hand behind Mikey’s head and steers him back down the walkway toward her car. “Why don’t you sit in the car’s AC while we get it switched.” Mikey sits on the regular seat while Sarah undoes the car seat.
I open my car doors and lean in the opposite side of her to help her connect it. I could just keep one in my car, but I’d rather do the swap when I need to.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Helping?” My brows scrunch together in confusion.
“No, I mean telling my kid that family isn’t important, and he shouldn’t have kids.”
“I never said that.” She doesn’t give me any more space to explain.
“Honestly, Audrey. I don’t know what your problem is. What kind of person tells a little kid they don’t have to listen to their parents.”
“What are you talking about?”
She points her finger at me accusingly. “You know exactlywhat I’m talking about. That little stunt you pulled at Mikey’s birthday?”
“You aren’t letting me speak! I just told him that not everyone feels like they have to have a family of their own to be happy. That everyone gets their happiness from different things.”
“So I ask for a little help with him and you’re just waiting to undermine my parenting?”
“If that’s what you want to take away from what I said, then I can’t make you understand.”
“I don’t understand anything about you, Audrey. I don’t understand why you left a perfectly good guy like Hunter, or why you won’t take over the shop with Lane, or why you feel the need to be so… so… individual.”
