God.
She’d idolized her father as a little girl. When she was growing up, he’d been larger than life, a superhero. And then he’d let her down in the worst way. Her and her mother. She never wanted to see him again.
But what was he going to do when he got out? He had nothing. No money. No home. Where would he go?
She couldn’t think things like that. She couldn’t worry about him. She had to worry about herself and getting through midterms, then finishing the term and graduating. She had to worry about getting a job.
Also, she hated him. So damn much.
Godfrickindammit.
Okay. Okay. She sucked in a breath and straightened. She had to get back to her thesis. That was what was important. Her father still had two more weeks in jail. Even if he did contact her, it wasn’t going to happen tomorrow. She just needed to shut off that part of her brain and focus on now.
The buzzer announcing a visitor made her jerk around. She frowned as she answered it.
“It’s me. Duncan.”
She paused, taken aback at the warmth that flowed through her at hearing his voice, the way her nerves went electric. “What are you doing here?”
“I have something for you.”
“What?”
“Let me in and I’ll show you.”
“Why does that sound dirty? If you’re here for sex, I’m busy studying.” Although her belly did a little flip at the thought, because damn, she loved having sex with him. Maybe she could find time…
His soft laugh made her toes curl. “Someone’s mind is in the gutter.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Come on up.”
She buzzed him in. Crap. She had no makeup on, her hair was limp and unwashed, and she was wearing faded black yoga pants and a baggy T-shirt. And her glasses. Welp, there was no time to take a shower, he’d just have to see her in all her studious glory.
Moments later he knocked and she opened the door for him.
“Hey.” He walked in, big and gorgeous and smelling like he’d just had a shower, all fresh and spicy. She was jealous of that. Today he wore a knit cap instead of a baseball cap, his hair curling out around the bottom of it. He also smelled like…French fries? “I brought lunch. And a milkshake.” He held up the big bag and cardboard cup he carried. “Strawberry.”
Her bottom lip actually trembled as her heart did a somersault in her chest. She stared at him, trying to control the impulse to throw herself into his arms. “Thank you,” she finally choked out. “I’m starving.”
“Well, good, then.” He walked over to the kitchen table where her laptop and papers were. Her stomach gave a loud rumble and she pressed a hand there, hoping he hadn’t heard it. She followed along behind him.
“There you go.” He set the bag on the table. “Looks like you’re working hard.”
“Um. Sort of. I got kind of distracted by a call from my mom.”
“Everything okay?” He moved closer and set his hands on her upper arms.
“Oh yeah.” She tried to sound casual. “Maybe I was also distracted by hunger.”
“Eat.” He kissed her nose. “I’ll watch for you at the game tomorrow.” He released her and moved to the door.
“Didn’t you bring lunch for yourself?” She turned to watch him walk away.
“Nope. Just you. Don’t want to get in your way. Thought I’d save you time by bringing something by. There’s a salad in there too, in case you want something healthier.”
“Oh.” Disappointment rose. Not at the salad; at the fact that he wasn’t staying. But she nodded. It was for the best. And he really was thoughtful. “Okay. Thank you.”
“No problem.” With a smile and a two-fingered salute, he was gone.
She pouted a little at that. She’d been so happy to see him, she probably would have been willing to chuck her thesis and spend the afternoon in bed with him. Good thing he was so responsible.
She was thinking crazy thoughts.
Her eyes fell on the food and the milkshake and she dove for it. She pulled out a salad and a burger and fries from Dimple’s. She eyed the salad. Eh. She’d put it in the fridge and eat it later. She took a bite of the burger and almost wept.
She could fall in love with that man.
Chapter 14
Duncan had a routine for game day that he never deviated from. Call it a ritual, call it superstition, he liked things to be the same all the time. He didn’t necessarily believe some tragedy would befall him or the team if he did something different, he just figured it helped him focus. Last year at the start of the season he’d changed things up and it had really thrown him off his game.