On our way out the door, it opened and Creed made his way inside the house. “Oh, wassup.” He paused and looked between me and Summer, then focused back on me with a smile. “You heading out?”
I eyed him; he looked handsome in the dark gray suit he was currently wearing. It was the first time I’d seen him dressed business-like and he filled it out well.
Nodding, my cheeks reddened when his brow lifted. “Uh, yeah. We’re headed to the tennis courts.”
“Tennis? I didn’t know you played.”
“Yeah, since high school.” A smile played on my face as I adjusted my tennis bag on my shoulder.
His eyes scanned me. Since it was on the cool side today, I had on a dri-fit long sleeve under my jacket and leggings. For some reason it felt like we were doing something wrong when he looked me over. His stare made my stomach flutter.
Summer cleared her throat, bringing attention to her. “Oh shit, I’m being rude. Summer, right? It’s nice to meet you in person.” Creed stepped forward with his hand out.
“It’s actually my cousin who’s being rude.” Summer cut her eyes at me with amusement on her face and shook her head.
Bella had come over to where we were and moved to Creed’s side. “Hey, girl.” He petted her after releasing Summer’s hand. “I won’t keep you two.” He focused on me. “I got a few more business things I need to handle, do you mind if I use your office?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s all yours.”
He grinned, showing off his pearly whites. “’Preciate it. Summer, it was nice officially meeting you.” He nodded in her direction.
“Same here. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”
I squinted at my cousin. I couldn’t tell if she was flirting or just being friendly. “Come on, let us go before the rain comes,” I signed and grabbed her arm, pulling her along.
“See you later, Creed!” I called out behind us.
“Aren’t you riding with me?” Summer asked, noticing me going to my car, parked in front of hers in the driveway.
“I decided to go to the hospital right after we finish instead of later, so I’ll drive myself.”
At first Summer looked like she was about to say something but then she suddenly shook her head. “Okay.”
Today was the first day in the past month I hadn’t gone by the hospital first thing in the morning. The Thorntons made it so Rome couldn’t have overnight guests, so I was never able to spend the night, but as soon as visiting hours started, I was there. Summer had to twist my arm to get me to agree to keep our tennis date and go later today instead. My life was at a standstill right now. Every day I did the same thing, hoping Rome would open his eyes. Getting back to something normal might be exactly what I needed.
____
Panting heavily, I used the rag I brought and wiped my forehead while taking a seat on the bench on the side of the court.
“You’re getting sloppy,” Summer taunted, taking a seat next to me while taking a sip of her water bottle.
“Guess my head’s just not in it today.” I rolled my head between my shoulders. We had been out here for over an hour.
“Thinking about Rome? Or that fine ass brother of his?”
Side eyeing her, I scrunched my face. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t be coy, I guess I kind of see it, but Rome doesn’t hold a candle to Creed. He gives off corporate thug.”
“You talked to him for two seconds; how did you come to that conclusion?”
Summer shrugged. “I can just tell. Tell me I’m wrong.” Her chin tilted up as she took another drink from her water bottle.
My mind went to when he came into town and how he looked. Although he was dressed down that day and wore his grills, there was no doubt he came from money by how expensive the diamond studs in his ears and the gold chain around his neck looked. Even by the way his grill shone. I had been around Rome’s friends a lot and none of them would be caught dead dressed like that. All of them carried themselves as if they were about to be on the cover of GQ Magazine or something. Creed couldn’t care less. Even though he always looked well put together, he wasn’t always dressed up.
“You’re crazy.” I shook my head and reached for my bag to grab my water bottle.
“So you never gave Creed a second glance? Not even once.”
