Page 23 of Blocking Her Love

“God, no. Never. She…” His shiver tells me more than his words.

With a wicked smile, I crowd close to him until he steps back against the tent pole. “Good. I’m not going to grope you here in public. But watch out when we get home.” I drop a chaste kiss on his mouth and turn away.

“Hold on, sweetheart. We just can’t leave it at that.”

“Oh, we can. And we will. I think a dose of antici…” I wait a long time before finishing. “…pation will be good for you. Come on, the match is starting. I don’t think Maya’s going to make it through the B Boy’s match. She’s pushing it just to stay for this one. We need to go home and put her to bed.” I waggle myeyebrows, turn and give my hips an extra sway as I walk from the tent.

Sean follows me to the main court. The B Boys did secure good seats for us and made sure Maya’s foot was elevated. From Sean’s serious expression I’m pretty sure he’s in big brother mode. That should be a fun discussion. One I hope I’m around to hear.

Maya looks exhausted although she’s putting up a good front. Luckily the match is fairly one sided and the winning team sweeps the sets in quick fashion. There’s extra time before the final match of the day and not so surprising, the B Boys make an appearance in time to squabble over which one of them is going to carry her to the truck. After Rock, Paper, Scissors, Blaine wins the duty. And Sean’s glare.

We stop for take-away for supper and once we’re home, Maya insists on using the crutches and getting up the stairs by herself. I climb beside her with one hand on the small of her back while Sean remains a step behind. Just in case. In the apartment, Maya shakes her head. “I’m too tired to eat. Just put mine in the fridge please. I might want it in the middle of the night. Or for breakfast. I’m taking pain meds and going to bed.”

I help her put on a nightshirt and get as comfortable as possible in bed. Sean brings in cold packs and arranges them around her swollen knee. When he’s satisfied with the placement, he stands back and clears his throat. “Maya.”

“What is it, Sean? You’ve got that big brother knows best look on your face. You know how much I hate that.”

“Sorry.” He attempts a smile.

“That’s worse,” she says. “Just tell me what’s bothering you.”

“The B Boys.”

Maya’s lips twitch. “What about them?”

“They paid a lot of attention to you today.”

“They did. They’re both very nice. Fun to be around.” She snuggles down against her pillow and crosses her arms over her belly. “And?”

I’ve seldom seen Sean so at a loss for words. I’m pretty sure I know where this is going, and I could help. But I’m not going to. I lean against the doorframe to watch.

“Maya, I… um… I’m concerned.”

“Uh huh?” She’s not going to help him either.

“They both seemed interested in you. You need to be careful. Not cause…”

“Sean, be quiet and let me tell you something about the B Boys and relationships.” She crooks her finger and signals him closer. “Don’t worry about me, big bro.” Her eyes go wide. “They’re gay.”

Laughing, I back from the room. I have our meals set out on the island before Sean appears. He plops down onto one of the stools. “I am such an idiot.”

“Why? Because you didn’t know?”

“No, because some part of me didn’t believe my sister can handle herself just fine. She doesn’t need a protector. An overbearing big brother. Will you help me? When I get all bristly and protective, talk me down or something.”

“She doesn’t mind, you know. You’re family. You look out for each other. That’s a marvelous thing. Don’t worry, if you really are trying to hold her back or ‘guide’ her where she doesn’t want to go, she will let you know. Your sister is a strong woman. A capable woman. She just doesn’t always realize that yet.”

Sean pushes his meal to the side and plants his elbows on the countertop. “You’re a strong, capable woman yourself, Ellie Andrews.”

Pleased by his compliment, I preen a bit. “Thank you. I know.”

“You said something earlier this evening that I’ve been thinking about. Anticipation.”

The way he draws out the word brings those damn butterflies back to dance in my stomach. I’ve wanted to do more than just hold hands or share public-acceptable kisses all day. I’ve been anticipating what I want to do with him tonight. Now the need for him is nearly unbearable. “I did, didn’t I?”

Rising from the stool he grabs my hand and pulls me after him. “Come on. Anticipation is over.”

“But what about supper?” I laugh as we speed into the bedroom.

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