I let out a huff of annoyance. “Billy, I can walk perfectly well on my own two feet. The doctor told me to take it easy. I’m not on bed rest. There’s a big difference.”
He sits on the coffee table in front of me. He’s wearing a snug black t-shirt that shows off all of his muscles and jeans that cling to his thick thighs. “Will you let me drop you off at the front door of a restaurant so you don’t have to walk too far?”
“Yes, you crazy man, but I’m back to my normal schedule next week. My classes are all over campus.”
“Right, but until then, humor me and let me do what I can do to make it easier for you.”
“Okay, but this has to be one of our official dates, you know, to help you look respectable and all that.”
He chuckles. “I’m probably a lost cause.”
“You’ll never be a lost cause. How about the Yellow Rose Bar & Grill? Sometimes they have live music, and I like watching the couples dance.”
“If you promise to take it easy.”
“I swear!” I head into the bathroom, where I slick on some berry-flavored lip balm and swipe my lashes with a little mascara. Then I grab my jacket, excited to get some fresh air.
“Ready?” he asks as he locks the door.
Before I can respond, I’m in his arms. The man freaking cradles me as he stalks off to his truck. “Billy.”
“Rox.” He stares straight ahead, like this is an everyday occurrence.
“You’re being weird.”
“You’re pregnant. You’re literally growing a human. I don’t know—it makes me feel fucking protective of you.”
“Thank you.” I grab his scruffy face, and he shoots me one of his flirty smiles. “Really.”
“Not a big deal. I can weightlift like five of you.”
“No, I mean for everything. For helping me work through my stuff with my parents. I realize this situation is not ideal for you. You should be living it up after the championship, enjoying that single life and gearing up for your senior year in the fall. Instead, you’re stuck with me.”
“Then I guess we’re both lucky I enjoy hanging out with you.” He tucks me into my seat, snaps my seat belt, and closes my door. When he’s settled in the driver’s seat, he turns to me. “I know what it’s like to have a fucked-up relationship with your parents, and if I can help you avoid that, I’m game.” He nods slowly. “I get why your dad’s protective of you. If some punk like me messed with my daughter, I’d lose my shit too.”
“You’re not a punk.”
“We both know I’m an asshole on a good day. That I say things I shouldn’t and open my mouth before I think things through.”
“Which is how you ended up with me.” I’ll never forget him busting into my dad’s office and defending me, but now he has a fake girlfriend and a baby that’s not his coming in the summer.
He side-eyes me. “Not the worst punishment in the world, if you wanna know the truth.”
With a tired smile, I shake my head. “For the record, I’m not going to let this go on forever. Give me a few weeks to let my dad settle down, and then we’ll tell him.” I nibble my bottom lip. “Or should I wait until Ezra gets drafted? If he’s gone, then my dad can’t get arrested for beating him to death with his own cleats.”
Billy shrugs as he drives and glances at me. “Or you tell him now and letmebeat him upforyour father.”
“There will be no fighting. Promise me.”
“I don’t know if I can do that, biscuit. That fucker has it coming.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want you to get in trouble.” I stare out the window. Night is falling, and mist gathers along the side of the road. “I thought I wanted to torture Ezra by hanging out with his fiancée, but I don’t know if I have it in me to be vindictive like that. Abigail is innocent in all of this. I don’t want to pretend to be her friend only to drop some huge bomb about Ezra.”
Reaching over, Billy laces his fingers through mine. “You’re a good person. I like that about you. You always see the best in people and want to do the right thing. I don’t operate that way, but I’m trying to be better.”
“You don’t have to change for me. I like who you are.”
That gets me a crooked smile. “Thanks. That means a lot to me. But I know I could be more responsible and less of a loose cannon.”
