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Happiness twists the corner of my mouth. I’m hit with the sudden urge to wrap my arm around her waist, and pull her onto my lap. Nuzzle against her neck, and breathe in deep. Play with the ends of her golden locks while she laughs with the boys. It’s the way Mom and Dad were together. They were always making each other laugh, always sneaking little kisses and touches while they moved around each other in the house. When I was younger, I didn’t think I’d have that because football took all my focus. Without it now though, I have the time to create that kind of life for myself if I want it—one full of happiness and love.
Charly’s eyes hold mine as I gaze into them, thinking about the future, and what it’d be like with someone like her by my side.
Could she see herself with me?
Am I someone she could give her heart to?
My thumb draws idle circles along her wrist that I still haven’t let go of, and her pulse beats a furious rhythm under my touch.
Watson clears his throat, and I’m snapped back to the present moment. It’s quiet, besides the sound of Edward’s deep snore in the corner of the room, and all eyes are on us.
Nana’s smirking like the cat who ate the canary.
Charly smooths the back of her dress as she takes the seat between me and Bentley.
Nana beams. “Charly is staying with us for the summer. It’s been wonderful having another woman around here.”
“Where are you from?” Bentley asks.
“Manhattan, born and raised.”
Groans sound around the table.
“You let a New Yorker into your home, Nana?” Watson shakes his head. “Traitor.”
Charly’s mouth falls open. “Hey!”
Nana laughs. “It’s not like you boys come to visit all that often. Besides, Charly is a lovely woman, so you keep your stereotypes to yourself.”
Charly clinks her glass against Nana’s. “Were you all playing on the same team when Bryce won the Super Bowl?”
“You’re damn right we were.” Watson lifts his beer bottle. “Dream team, baby.”
Anthony puffs out his chest. “I threw the winning pass to Bryce.”
Charly’s head turns to me. “You made the winning touchdown?”
“I did.”
Anthony leans in. “But I threw it.”
Charly shakes her head at me. “You’re so modest. You conveniently left that part out.”
“Don’t let his quiet brooding bullshit fool you,” says Watson. “Bryce was one of the best defensive linemen ever to play the game. He would’ve made it to the Hall of Fame if he kept playing.”
Nana watches me over the rim of her glasses.
Anthony leans his elbows on the table. “You’re in good shape, bro. You still training?”
“Not like I used to.”
“But you’re feeling good?” He gestures to my cane hooked on the back of my chair. “You still need that to walk?”
Still? I’ll always need it to walk. Instead I say, “I have my good days and bad days.”
Anthony sets down his beer. “What have you been doing with yourself to keep busy?”
“Working around the inn.”
