“Be great, babe.”
Ryder comes dragging into the room, his eyes looking as if they haven’t seen sleep in days. “Mornin’, Dad.” He passes me to the hallway, rubbing his belly. “Eve’s breakfast blows your egg whites and protein shakes out of the water. I’m gonna have to take a nap before I go out today.”
“Where are you going today?”
Ryder stops in the open mouth of the hallway and turns. “It’s Sunday.” He shrugs as if it’s the most common thing ever. “Me and the guys jam on Sunday.’”
“Right.” I run a hand through my hair, hoping Eve doesn’t pick up on my forgetfulness like Ryder’s expression proves he does. At least the kid is used to having to repeat himself to me.
Eve’s eyes follow him until he disappears behind his door, a small grin on her face. “Nice kid.”
Kid. Fuckin’ hell.
“You fed my boy.” Damn, that came out harsher than I wanted.
Her smile falls. “Oh, yeah, I mean when I woke up he was here, so I asked him if he was hungry.” She crosses her arms over her stomach and gnaws on her lower lip.
This is stupid. I’m thirty-eight years old and way too tired to deal with shit like jealousy and mistrust. Especially over my own son.
I grind down on my jealousy. “Nice of you.”
She seems to relax, drops her arms, and smiles.
I push up, walk over, and lean a hip against the counter. “You sleep okay?”
Like last night, she rushes to my side, her arms coming around my waist. “Slept great.”
I place my arms awkwardly around her back. It comes a little easier than it did last night, but not by much. “You work today?”
She tilts her head back, flashing those big eyes behind dark lashes. “I wasn’t supposed to, but I got called in for a manager meeting at ten. I’m going to try to pick up a shift after that, you know, after last night.” Her cheeks pink and she dips her chin.
She’s picking up a shift after her dad cleaned her out. My chest warms with pride at her work ethic and determination. How many twenty-one-year-olds would pull themselves up like this rather than beg for handouts?
Her finger traces the swirls of the tattoo on my bicep. “I should be done by lunch. If you don’t have plans, maybe we could do something?” She sucks in a tiny breath, but doesn’t release it.
“I have to go to the office for a few hours, but I’ll call you when I’m done.”
She nods quickly. “Yeah, of course, I figured you’d have plans. I just, I don’t know, I was just putting it out there in case you wanted to, but if you don’t, then I’m—”
I press my thumb against her lips. “Shhh. I didn’t say I didn’t want to, but before things go any further between us . . .” Fuck, how do I get this out without sounding like a dick? I take a few seconds to go over the words in my head before they fly from my lips. “The UFL gets most of my time. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and there will be days that I’m at the training center from sun up ’til sundown. I want to spend time with you, but I can’t give you all of me.” Even as the words resonate in my head, I hear the truth behind them. There will always be a part of me that lies tucked away from prying eyes. I’ll never be capable of anything beyond a surface relationship.
“I understand.” She brushes her hand along my jaw. “You’re lucky I’m pretty low maintenance.” A small frown tugs at her lips before she catches herself and forces a smile. “So on to breakfast and then you can take me home.”
“I have a better idea. Breakfast.” I swipe her thick bangs off her forehead. “Shower.” I run my hand down her back and cup her ass. “Grab a little dessert before you get dressed.” Her body shivers in my arms, and I press her against my hardening body. “Then I drop you at home.”
She licks her lips, her eyelids drop low. “I lo—er”—her eyelids flutter, chasing away the dreamy look—“I like that plan.”
I kiss her forehead. “Feed me.” I smack her ass, and she giggles into the kitchen.
This isn’t stupid. This is two adults having a good time. A little voice whispers I should break it off, but when I picture Eve with anyone else, imagine her back at her place with scumbags like her dad showing up, it makes me crazy. I’ll live in the now, take advantage of the fun that we have together until she starts hinting that she needs more. Then we can go our separate ways as friends so that I’m available if she needs me. Because no matter what, I’m keeping Eve in my life, even if I’m not able to really let her into it.
Eighteen
Eve