Page 46 of Need You To Choose Me

She tilts her head to the side, quiet for a moment, as if she’s weighing her words. “Does it have anything to do with the fact that you’ve been fixing the house across the street this week?”

Shit.

I guess it was too much to expect that she wouldn’t notice it. Not when she was spending every morning here. She never asked any questions, but it was silly to think that just because she didn’t comment on anything, she didn’t know what was going on around the house.

“I’m just trying to be neighborly; that’s it.”

“Mm-hmm… neighborly,” she hums, not buying it in the slightest. I look away, my gaze falling on the clock on the wall.

“Shit. I really have to get going.”

“Try not to meddle too much?”

I grab one more cookie, which earns me a glare from Mrs. Maxwell. “When did I ever?”

“Of course not,” Mrs. Maxwell mutters dryly and rolls her eyes. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.”

“I know that but try to be extra nice to whichever poor soul is doing this job.”

I scoff. “You’re exaggerating, Mrs. M.”

“I’m doing no such thing.” Mrs. Maxwell props her hands on her hips. “I know you as well as I do my sons, Blake Walker. Did you or did you not scare the poor man who was coaching Daniel’s football team a few years ago to the grave?”

I cross my arms over my chest defensively. “The guy was useless.”

The look she shoots my way would send a lesser man running. Thankfully, I was used to this kind of behavior by now. “Like I said, benice.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be nice as long as the person who’s coaching is doing a good job of it.”

Mrs. Maxwell tsks. “Why do I feel like this has disaster written all over it?”

“Now, you’re the one exaggerating, Mrs. Maxwell.”

“We’ll see about that.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Off with you. I’m going to finish these cookies and then prep some dinner.”

“You’re the best.”

With a wave in her direction, I make my way out of the house and jump into the truck. My gaze fixes on Savannah’s house as I pull out of the driveway. Savannah’s car was nowhere in sight,then again, school hadn’t let out yet. Would I get a chance to see her? Just the thought of it has excitement swirling inside of me, and I press my foot against the gas. The short interaction we had the other night wasn’t nearly enough. I wanted to be patient and give her the time she needed, but damn it, that wasn’t in my nature. I wanted to be there for her. I wanted to take care of her and make sure she was alright. I messed up so many things in my life, and I didn’t want to mess this up, too.

It was unnerving. I don’t remember the last time I was this excited to see a woman. Probably not since college, but there was just something about Savannah that drew me in.

Before I know it, the school appears in front of me. I bypass the pickup line and go straight for the parking lot. The entire time, I look for a flash of blonde hair, only to come up empty. I try to swallow down my disappointment as I park the truck. The sound of the kids yelling greets me the moment I push open the door.

Great, I was late, and they’ve already started.

I follow the cacophony of noises toward the smaller football field, my eyes taking in the space. A few parents, mostly moms, are sitting in the stands talking amongst each other.

One of them spots me instantly, and then a few more curious gazes turn in my direction. Tilting my head in greeting, I find an open space on the bleachers, sit down, and shift my attention toward the field. The kids are running drills, jogging from one side of the field to the other, each of them holding a football tucked in the crook of their elbow. When they get to the yard line, they bend down to touch it before running back to the start and moving one-yard line further.

Levi is standing between a boy and a girl his age. His teeth are gritted as he runs, cheeks red from straining.

I lean my elbows against my knees, bending forward as I watch them. The group has only ten kids, seven boys and threegirls, but I guess when you have a town the size of Bluebonnet Creek, it’s not really that surprising.

The loud whistle pierces the air, making the kids turn around. “Okay, guys, that was amazing. How about you pair up, and we’ll work on some tossing drills?”

That voice.

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