Page 111 of Over Time Advantage

“Absolutely. Hit me with all the spicy details. The dirtier the better. I need it,” she declares as she brings the straw of her water bottle to her lips.

I can’t contain my growing smile. “We fucked in his car a few weeks ago and got busted by the police. The officer thought I was a prostitute.”

She spits out her water. “Holy shit. Are you serious?”

I nod. “Sure am.”

“Why did the officer think that?” she asks accusatorily. “What were you wearing?”

I scrunch my face. “This red lacy thing Jett bought me. He’s always buying me sexy lingerie. He loves when I model it for him, and he really loves taking it off me.”

She fans her face. “That’s so hot. I can’t tell you the last time I had sex in a car, but the year definitely started with a nineteen.”

I giggle.

“So things are still good with him?” she asks.

I nod. “Really good. He met Harper. They seemed to get along well. She kept calling him my boyfriend. She was using that word over and over. I think she’s amused that I have one. He’s seen her a few times since. She’s still assessing him, but that’s Harper.”

“Have you met his son yet?”

I sigh. “No. When our season is over, we’ll tell Kennedy and then Pierce.”

She notices my conflicted face. “What’s wrong?”

I exhale a long breath. “I’ve formed this amazing relationship with Kennedy. I truly adore her. She’s such a special girl, and we’ve clicked very naturally. She doesn’t talk to her mom. I think she sees me as a bit of a maternal figure.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” she offers hopefully.

I nod. “I know. It’s just…” I pause, wanting to articulate without divulging anything. “I think she may have something major going on in her life and might confide in me about it. Something Jett will want to know. I don’t want to betray Kennedy by telling him, but I don’t want to betray Jett by not telling him. I feel like I have to choose between them.”

She studies me carefully. “Is she in any danger?”

I shake my head. “No, nothing like that.”

She shrugs. “Kennedy is an adult. Short of her being in danger, it’s her news to share, not yours. You can encourage her to tell her father, but it’s not your business to do so.”

My shoulders fall. “I know, but I don’t like keeping secrets from him. He was lied to in his marriage. It’s a trigger for him. We have such a healthy relationship. I don’t want to rock the boat.”

She gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, babe. It’s a tough position to be in.”

On my way to pick up Harper, Kennedy texted asking if she could come by my house to talk. I know what she’s going to tell me. Fuck.

I told her Harper would be there, hoping she wouldn’t come, but she was adamant about seeing me. I know she needs someone to confide in, but it should be her parents, not me.

I grab Harper and drive home, quickly jumping in the shower as soon as we arrive. By the time I’m out, I can hear Harper and Kennedy in the kitchen talking. I throw on a T-shirt and shorts, rushing downstairs with my hair still wet. I walk down and see Kennedy sitting at my kitchen island.

After asking Harper to go upstairs to read, Kennedy and I chat for a bit about nothing in particular, but I can tell she has a lot on her mind.

“I’m guessing this is a big conversation?” I eventually ask.

She swallows uncharacteristically nervously before nodding. Uncertainty covers her face, which is rare for her. She’s one of the most outwardly confident women I’ve ever met.

I want to soothe her. “Would you like some hot chocolate? I have lots of marshmallows,” I happily offer.

She smiles widely. “Sure. That would be nice.” Her brows pinch together. “How did you know that I like extra marshmallows in my hot chocolate?”

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. I’m not supposed to know how much she likes marshmallows in her hot chocolate. I’m not supposed to know that was her thing with Jett when she was a little girl.