Page 54 of Crossed Up

We really need to sit down and have that talk, but there just hasn’t been time. And now, with the season opener only two days away, there likely won’t be any time before then, either. I don’t want to distract him before their first game against their fiercest competition for the World Series this year.

Daddy

I’m glad. This really hot girl told me he needed to be wearing neon colors for safety reasons, and she seems like she knows what she’s talking about ??

Me

*eye roll* *middle finger emoji*

Daddy

I see you woke up and chose violence today, angel. Do I need to fuck the sass out of you when I get home?

Holy shit. It’s not that warm outside, but I’m suddenly flushed.

Me

You’re welcome to try ??

Daddy

Fucking hell, angel. Now I have to go back to practice and try to hide a raging hard-on. I want you in my bed when I get home tonight. Completely naked. Understand?

Me

Yes, Daddy.

Daddy

Goddammit.

Wren drops down next to me on the swing, making me squeak. “Jesus, Wren. You scared me,” I say with a hand to my chest over my racing heart.

She snickers. “Yeah, ‘cause you were so wrapped up in texting Aidannn.” The way she sings his name has me rolling my eyes slightly, but I smile guiltily back at her.

“Sorry for leaving you guys with Crew. I just wanted to check in with Aid and let him know where we were.”

Okay, so maybe I fibbed just a tiny bit. But Wren doesn’t need to know her friend just threatened to fuck the sass out of me later.

Her shoulders lift in a delicate shrug. “You know I love hanging out with him. And if you need a minute alone, that’s okay. Even better if it’s a second spent talking to your boyfriend.” She grins after the last word with a pointed glance at the cell phone still poised in my hand. She’s enjoying this turn of events far too much.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I grumble.

“Maybe not yet, but judging by the look on your face, it’s only a matter of time.”

A blush creeps up my cheeks, but she’s right. “I left Maryland so I could start a new life away from Sebastian and out from under the influence of my father’s fame. And that’s exactly what I did! I’ve been supporting myself. I’ve been healing. I did the work on my own and built a life for myself here. It might not have been much, but it’s mine.”

Tears fill my eyes, spilling over with each blink. “I’m scared that by starting a relationship with Aidan, I would essentially be putting myself in the same position I was in with Sebastian, with no space or income of my own.”

I’m expecting some words of wisdom or a classic pep talk, but she simply shrugs. “That’s exactly what you’ll be doing.”

I stare at her blankly.

Wren rolls her eyes and takes my free hand in hers. “The biggest difference is you’ll be with Aidan. The same kind, patient man who agreed to give my friend an interview when she needed a job just because I asked him. The same man who always puts everyone else first, even if it hurts him to do it.”

Crew’s bright laughter reaches us from inside, making both of us smile even as I wipe away tears.

“There’s another very important difference this time, Ly,” She says. “You aren’t the same twenty-year-old naïve little girl anymore. You said it yourself! You went to therapy, did the work, and built a beautiful life with a brand new family that loves you unconditionally. You don’t have to be alone forever, Lyla. Don’t let the actions of one awful man make you doubt your judgment.”

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